Thursday 16 December 2010

Which way neckst?


For days and days I stayed in the warm little tree-house refuge, watching for a lessening of the snow, and reading. Oh the cosiness and comfort of roasted nut casseroles and winter fruit loaf, but how I missed my family! I hoped they were reading this blog, so they wouldn't be too worried about me.

One magenta-hued afternoon the snow seemed to have stopped, and I stood outside on a branch and surveyed the landscape below. It was time to set off to find my way home ...


I walked long across snow-covered hills and valleys, craning my neck to see what lay ahead. All was well until I reached a frozen river that opened out to a large lake. All ice-covered and daunting to a giraffe with a tendency to clumsiness! But where else could I go?

Tentatively I stepped forward on to the ice. As I slithered and swayed, I caught sight of what looked like a strange sea monster in the distance. Crash! Distracted, I landed flat on the ice, and quickly crawled my way back to the shore.



A terrific sound of cracking ice followed, and I was startled to see the ice moving up rather than down! As I gazed in consternation, imagine my surprise when heard a merry voice raised in song: 'Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!' From beneath the ice rose the familiar and oh-so-welcome shape of Necktune's Chariot, with Captain Gurgle grinning at the helm! Behind him the dear faces of my family beamed and I heard Necky Becky shrieking 'Dad, Dad!' Maureen stood in the doorway and held out her hand.


What celebration on the way home! The non-stop party we've had since arriving back at Necky Knoll House!

Thank you dear tree giraffes for your cosy refuge. And thank you to Blogger, for it was from seeing my posts and photos that Captain Gurgle was able to work out my whereabouts!

18 comments:

Arija said...

Goodness, I held my breath for such a long time waiting for your safe return That I've forgotten how to do it!

So glad the bookshelf was well stocked and the larder as well.

Neckst time do leave crumbs on your path so you can find your way back.

Are you having Neggnog to celebrate??

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Neggnog sounds wonderful, Arija - I shall look up the recipe on the Interneck!

I usually do leave crumbs wherever I go, but the birds eat them! Maybe I should borrow some of Nexi's knitting wool and tie it to twigs en route.

The Solitary Walker said...

Gee, Raph! The prodigal dad returns! Good thing you spotted that yellow submarine. I would stay safely indoors now for a bit with a strong drink at your elbow. If giraffes have elbows.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

We certainly have elbows, SW, and I have a very strong hot chocolate there right now! And we've enough in stock to last us through the entire winter!

Rosemary said...

Winter in my world has been wicked too.
So happy Necktune's Chariot with Capt. Gurgle and your family found you. Even tho roasted nut casseroles and fruit loaf sound good ,family is the neckbestest.

Heather said...

Good old Captain Gurgle - what a good job he found you. Hope you are well stocked up and don't need to go out for a few days - there is more snow on the way. Keep warm and safe.

Unknown said...

Such a relief, Raph, to know that you are safely back in the bosom of your family. Maureen will be glad to have your help with the Christmas preparations! And lashings of strong hot chocolate; what more could a fellow need?!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

That is so true, Rosemary! Much as I enjoyed my peaceful sojourn in the tree house, it is wonderful to be back in the neccentric noise of Necky Knoll House surrounded by family and friends once more!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Heather - Captain Gurgle is a wonderful navigator! (Maybe I should send him out for the hot chocolate neckst time we run out!!)

Raph G. Neckmann said...

It is indeed a relief to be back, Derrick, and my family are nexuberant at my return! As for being a help with the Christmas preparations, ummmmm - I think Girth and Nektareeni are better at that than I, but everyone will pretend very nicely that I am being most useful, as I drop custard on the floor and get confused with garlic and candied peel! I'm very good at preparing sprouts, though.

Carol said...

Congratulations to Captain Gurgle for finding you. Celebrate well with your lovely family.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Carol - we will!

Rune Eide said...

Saved by the (spotted) yellow submarine! The Necktles would have been proud :-)

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you RuneE! It's a pity our necktles were not around to see us - they tend to migrate to the warmer waters in winter. We did see quite a few on our ocean adventure. :)

Cloudia said...

This is the best adventure I know of in some ages!




Aloha from Hawaii

Comfort Spiral

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Raph G. Neckmann said...

It was certainly an adventure, Cloudia - and now I'm enjoying the adventure of trying to knit more neckwarmers, instructed by Nexi!

Lyn said...

You certainly have friends in the right places..may that continue!!Love that you're all together for the Holidays, whatever they may be!!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Our friends are marvellous, Lyn and we all try and help each other out. Our Holiday celebrations are nextra special this year after all the adventures we've had!