Christmas Silliness in Shops

I made a similar post about Easter items in Dublin shops. Well, another holiday, another hometown.

This time, I noticed some mental Christmas stuff cluttering our stores in Bournemouth. Do we need any of it? Doubtful.

Will we buy any of it? Probably. The bra looks pretty good but itchy. For this first edition, we're going tot take a look at Primark and Accessorize.

Primark crimes against Christmas

A Santa suit, really? Because that is obviously a flattering look. 

Accessorize tells you what to put in your Christmas tree this year. A squirrel wearing a hat.

Squirrel Nutkin

It's no secret I'm mad about squirrels. I have stuffed animals, pictures, bookmarks and mugs.

Of course, nothing beats the real deal.

I just love it when I'm strolling through the park minding my own business when suddenly grey tail sweeps past. The sight of those black, beady eyes and fluffy ears melts my heart.

Yes, the two male gangsta wannabes ruined the moment when one of them exclaimed: ''I f*cking hate squirrels!''

I had to suppress the inclination to dump a barrel of nuts over his head. How can anyone hate them? They're so innocent and adorable - the way they dive into the leaves to powder their nose with dirt. Awwwr!

So I spent some time following various squirrels around with my camera. I tried to disguise myself as a tree but somehow, they saw right through me and made their escape.

Nevertheless, I managed to get some good shots in the end.

Perusing the Pet Store

Most animals are adorable. Especially the young ones. Which is why they are typically surrounded by child and adult alike who subject them to a waterfall of baby sounds.

Now, I'm not sure why we believe this babying business to be necessary. Like infants, animals cannot comprehend our incessant prattling. They merely register the tone of voice that is employed.

We could just as well inform them about our plans to put them on a stick for our next Sunday barbecue and they'd purr and spin. As long as we sounded friendly.

Not that that's what I told these little ones. ;)

Like a prayer. 

Autumn in England: The Colours of the Wind

Last weekend I spent the most glorious day at the Stourhead Gardens. It was a real autumn day. Sun peeked tentatively through the treetops and the colours shifted from spring green to more playful red and yellow. Water lapped in the breeze and swans floated past us as we walked.

Many professional photographers were there. I employed many Italian gestures that day. Bloody tripods! Bloody people blocking our shot! But there was a real sense of tranquillity in the air.

Pleasant in the last rays of sun. Summer's final cry. And then it was no more.