Ahhh... relief!

Just the thing I needed to scratch my itch!  By jove I've done it again! Re-purposing something originally designed to clean shoes into a First Class Penguin Back Scratcher/Exfoliator.  If I want a full body exfoliation, all I have to do is spin around!  Is that Brilliant or what?!

Ooops!

Memories of home!

Surprising the waves of nostalgia that overcame me, when I saw this beautifully "iced" cake.  All of a sudden, I felt very homesick for my native land.   It brought back many fond memories of my time as a young penguin frolicking about on the ice floes.  For the record, I take exception to the inclusion of those mad red hatters on this cake - tsk, tsk, clearly not authentic!!

Waterfall!

Uh oh ... what a dilemma!  where's a penguin's best friend when he needs one?  Oh, that's right, I left my "idiots guide to waterfall crossings" book on my bedside table back home!    

Giganto Penguinos!

Intimidating?  Not to me!   As some of you may know, Emperor Penguins have the ability to slow down their metabolisms and shut down vital organs, when necessary.  That may indeed be impressive, but I don't know any other blogging penguins out there, do you?

I ran into these 2 Emperor Penguins in a local country interior design store called "Country Interiors" in Moreton-in-Marsh.  If you ask me, it looks like these 2 have shut down all their organs! 

Hitting the Monarch Trail

Here I am, on the Monarch Trail, a 615 mile walking trail that follows the escape of Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. On January 1, 1651 Charles II was crowned King of Scots by the Marquis of Argyll at Scone.

On August 5, 1651, Charles led a 14,000 strong Scottish army crossed the border between Scotland and England. Charles was confident that English Royalist and Presbyterians would rise up to support his advance towards London, but they didn't. By the time Charles II occupied the city of Worcester on August 22, the total strength of his army was less than 16,000 troops. A battle ensued between Oliver Cromwell and Charles II's forces resulting in the eventual defeat of Charles II and the Royalist cause.

The English civil war ended at the place where it had started 9 years previously. Charles escaped from the battlefield and eluded capture for 45 days until he was able to slip away to France.

Oliver Cromwell described Worcester as a "crowning mercy". It was his final battle as an active commander. I think Charles should have stayed home and stuck to distilling whiskey!

Market Day in Moreton-in-Marsh!

Tuesday is Market Day in Moreton and I couldn't wait to check it out.  There were a lot of vendors set up, selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables (yuck), clothing, household goods, cheese, and everything in between.  I took a break in my travels sitting out for a spell at the stall where they had a fine selection of English flat caps.  Among my travels: popping around the local butcher shop where I was surprised to find a skinned English rabbit in the window for sale for 2 pound 99 pence, which I'm told is a real steal of a deal!  Not exactly my cup of tea, so I am off to the fishmongers to see what they have to offer! 

It's Sunday - off to church!

This morning I got out and about to explore my new surroundings. I have taken to walking on top of the Cotswold stone walls because it gives me a much better view.  It was while on the walking on such a wall that I came across St. David's Church.  I wandered up the stone crushed pathway to the front door on beautifully groomed grounds, dotted here and there with clumps of blooming daffodils.  I soon realized upon reaching the front doors of this old church that the 8am service was already well underway.  Don't know about you, but I'm thinking the local parishioners are not quite ready for a penguin amongst their midst! 

What's up with these guys?

Hmm... stumbled across a couple of real apes today .... in the dining room no less!  I have to say, these apes have no manners, and talk about attitude!  They just sat there all rigid like and speechless, as though they felt it beneath themselves to acknowledge a penguin's presence!  Goodness me, I had no idea I could be so intimidating!  

My new home - Little Pinners

For a penguin, I travel pretty well. My owners complained of jet lag when they first arrived in England, but I didn't suffer any adverse effects.  

Here I am in my bedroom in Little Pinners, overlooking the back garden from my new home in the Cotswolds. I can't wait to get outside and explore my new surroundings!   

Hangin' with the ducks in the Loo

Here I am, hanging with some buddies in the loo.  I like water and ice; water in my scotch and ice in my martini.  Some would say it's not cool for a Penguin to hang out with ducks, but I find them to be excellent, especially when roasted and served with an orange sauce.

  

Keeping Cool in Keresley

I'm visiting the UK with my owners and here I am, overlooking Keresley Village.  They say we'll only be here for a short time, and then we'll be moving on to the Cotswolds, an area known in England for its outstanding natural beauty.  I'm sure I'll have many an adventure there!