Although both children complained bitterly, as they do, at the prospect of an outdoor expedition, the Girl at least managed to throw herself into the adventure once we got there. She was soon running on ahead laying twig arrows for others in the party to follow, and generally acting like a member of the Famous Five. She even developed a secret call, like an owl. The Boy answered this with a high-pitched squeal, like a tapir (well, that's what he told me).
After a woodland trek we emerged onto a pebbly lakeside beach, where we skimmed stones and scrambled on rocks and generally enjoyed having the place to ourselves. You really have to hunt hard to find a crowd in these parts (should you want one), and places of natural beauty tend to be pretty much deserted.
On the way back to the car we passed by an impressive waterfall. Unfortunately the Boy picked up a tiny splinter on the last leg of the hike. He let us know about it loudly all the way home - or was he just imitating a tapir in distress? Hard to tell. He has since got over the disaster, though others of us are still nursing headaches.
Our family know all about tapiers (living in Linton) as I have been to the "Tapier talk" more times than I wish to mention. Related to horses don't you knOw, & they hide in ponds from jaguars with their nose as a snorkel? Anyway, apart from the remarkable size of "his" appendage when eating food (and we are talking 5th leg or what)....I THOUGHT that they are mostley silent, so please inform the boy!
ReplyDeleteThe Boy claimes he learnt all he knows about tapir calls from 'Go Diego Go!' on the TV. Who am I to argue with a world renowned scientist such as Dora's cousin Diego?
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