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Giraffes at the Zoo

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Sylvia Evans

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Just done another check Carrie and you are right.  The left Giraffe is sans spots and shadow. But it’s still a lovely painting. 
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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Takes me back some 55 years - I spent quite a while staying in my Uncle Vic's zoo-keeper house in Bristol Zoo.  My auntie Amy nursed one of the first chimpanzees to be bred without his mother - Timothy was his name: he and Auntie Amy featured in the Daily Mirror at the time (I wonder if that archive can still be found?); I woke up in the morning to the sound of chattering gibbons, wandered the grounds before the public were admitted, met Simon the honey-bear and his inordinate fondness for pints of milk and gladiatorial challenges with Uncle Vic over a broom handle (Simon always won); communed with Ferdinand, the bison - who charged his bars at strangers but placidly allowed me to scratch his snout; and of course conversed with the giraffes - and the jackal - and hyenas - and the Mandrill (excessively fond of my mother, as he would all too obviously reveal) - and watched as the Congo gorillas very gently restrained their keeper through the bars, while whipping his cap off and playing with it: animals were less securely contained in those days - a huge paw could extend through the bars and detain you;  Rosie the elephant would let you ride in an improvised howdah on her back (I never had the courage to submit to that; I had a fear of heights, and Rosie was a big gal). I suspect you won't get a childhood like that these days, and I miss it.  

Tessa Gwynne

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Goodness Robert, what an exciting childhood! Sounds like we are lucky you’re still around!  No ‘elf n safety’ in those days I’m guessing.

Sylvia Evans

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Great childhood memories  Robert  a privilege to have had those opportunities .   

Denise Cat

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Wow Robert, what a real adventure it must have been for you as a child and what a wonderful experience.

Carrie Flinte

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That sounds incredible Robert, I wouldn't ever have wanted to leave!  I have always adored animals and probably should have went into animal care but I am far too sensitive.

Sylvia Evans

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I’m in London at the end of this month inspecting my youngest sons new house. But on the 28 th Sept I intend to to London Zoo and sit and sketch. My sister in law is going to take photographs.  But I love drawing Ellie’s ,giraffes etc ..anyone around ?

Bari Marsh

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I well remember the elephant rides at Chester zoo and all the polar bears....
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