Saturday 9 May 2009

Necktune's Chariot!

This has been a thrilling week for our Giraffe World Tours business! We have dramatically increased the scope of our outings ... Not only do we still have our lovely blue bus, we have just acquired a new vehicle for underwater nexpeditions - Necktune's Chariot!
The above drawing by Nexi shows us setting off on our inaugural ride. The sub has long retractable legs, which are so useful for setting off on the beach and getting into the shallow water. Once in the deep ocean we can submerge and look at the above-sea views through our long giraffe-neck periscopes. The round port-hole windows allow us to observe the sea-life.
Fortunately I am not expected to sail Necktune's Chariot! We have a new member of staff at Giraffe World Tours - Captain Gurgle. I took this photo of him through my telescope, (he is a little camera-shy).
*
However, when it comes to singing shanties, all bashfulness departs! Get him in the Gleeful & Greedy on an evening, and he'll entertain the whole village ... Here are the lyrics of his favourite song about his favourite brew - tea.








(My dear bloggy friend and poet, Poetikat, recently asked if there were many poets in Giraffe World. I know Captain Gurgle wouldn't consider his shanties to be poetry - but they're certainly fun to sing!)

Who'd like to join us on our underwater adventures?

42 comments:

Cloudia said...

What a delightful new excursion craft!!!!!

This just thrills me. So wonderful to explore your amazing realm, Mr. NECKman!! aloha from mere Hawaii

Jeane Myers said...

oh please, me! how fun to submerge underwater on your planet - what amazing things I think I would see AND to be able to sing sea shanties with Captain Gurgle - sigh...

Heather said...

Captain Gurgle is a man after my own heart - there's nothing like a good cup of tea. How many passengers can you carry in the Chariot? I suffer from altitude sickness so dont know how I would cope at depth - it is something I would need to check out.

Unknown said...

Please put my name on your list, Raph! Sounds terrific fun! Good luck with your wonderful new venture. And I think Capt. Gurgle is a poet!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Cloudia! Maybe we should do some nexchange holidays? You could lead a holiday for some of us giraffes in beautiful glorious(mere?????) Hawaii and we'll organize some tours for humans in Giraffe World!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

We'll set up an easel and some oils for you in Necktune's Chariot, Jeane, so you can paint what you see!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

I think you'd be OK in Giraffe World, Heather - our gravitational system and atmosphere is different from planet Earth's to accommodate our long necks. We'll reserve a place for you!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Derrick - I will tell Captain Gurgle! We'll have to plan a special tour for our bloggy friends, followed by a hearty meal at the Gleeful & Greedy, with singing and poetry reading!

Sydney said...

Hi There --

You visited my Adventures in Nature Blog, and I recognized your name, but commented to your note that I'd come by to visit and hoped you came back soon... again and again. I got here and realize I spent quite a bit of time one evening reading your stuff, lol... I thought for sure I've commented in the past. I usually never leave a blog without a comment.

Thanks for the visit, please come back for more. I will be reporting soon on the growth of the baby giraffe at the zoo!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Hi Sydney - great to have you here! I don't remember a comment from you - maybe it got lost in cyberspace, or my memory temporarily detached from my neck! Hope you visit again and again too - I will certainly be back to your blog, and look forward to seeing the growth of the baby giraffe!

Barbara Martin said...

What a wonderful new excursion vessel, Raph! Though I have a tendency to be claustrophobic in small places I would be willing to go in one

Raph G. Neckmann said...

We would be honoured to have you on our excursions, Barbara! I think you'd find Necktune's Chariot quite spacious, although we are not able to fully straighten our necks when standing up in the seating area.

Rosemary said...

If a human is allowed to take a cruise on Necktune's Chariot, sign me up!
Want to partake at the Gleeful and Greedy with Captain Gurgle.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

You're very welcome, Rosemary! I'll aim to get a recording of Captain Gurgle's Tea Shanty to put on the blog, so you can all practise the song before Gleeful & Greedy night!

bindu said...

I wish I could buy a one-way ticket to your giraffe world. The chariot looks very sleek, and what an intelligent design! The sea shanty is unique - a captain hooked on tea!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

A one-way ticket to Giraffe World, Bindu! What a compliment to us!You'd be very welcome here. I'm sure you'd enjoy our excursions and Girth's cooking, and we would enjoy your company.

Tom Atkins said...

Ah, you've done Yellow Submarine (one of my favorite films for it's silliness) one better!

Madame DeFarge said...

I love Captain Gurgle. My absolute favourite of all your characters! Can I book a trip now? I need a holiday.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Tom! I've not seen Yellow Submarine - silliness sounds fun, so I must watch it!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Of course you can book a trip, Mme DeFarge!

I will tell Captain Gurgle - he will be most flattered!

Lyn said...

I am drawn to Captain Gurgle's mug..and his amazing good fortune at finding a cache' of tea. He's certainly steering in the right direction, so sign me up for an exploration. And perhaps one afternoon we can have a poetry reading!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

A poetry reading would be great fun, Lyn! Down at the Gleeful & Greedy with lots of tea and Giraffitude cake, after an underwater nexcursion in Necktune's Chariot! I'll sign you up.

(Girth has some mugs at the restaurant a little like Captain Gurgle's so we can drink out of those!)

Mad Aunt Bernard said...

Oh you should build one for real! I could serve the Tea for you (as that is the best beverage in the world).
I might take a sketch of his mug and commission our local potter to make me one - the more tea you can shoehorn into a mug the better....
Love this post!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Aunt Bernard!

You are most welcome aboard! It would be wonderful if you could come and serve Tea for us! (What makes you think we haven't built Necktune's Chariot for real?!!)

I've just tried shoehorning tea into a mug, and it went everywhere. Then the whole family thought they'd have a go, and now we could just about sail the submarine in our kitchen ...

The Weaver of Grass said...

I would love an underwater adventure - count me in, as long as I am not expected to wear a bikini for the outing - my bikini days are long past.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

We'll count you in, Weaver! You can bring along some of the (was it sludge green?) jumpers knitted on our desert island adventure, and we'll all wear those!

Cloudia said...

Giraffe-itti!!!
Tag- your (a very tall) "it!"

;-)
Aloha Mr. NECKman

Eleanor said...

Is there room in that underwater craft to dance a sailor's jig to the hornpipe while singing the shanties?

Raph G. Neckmann said...

What a brilliant new game, Cloudia! We will try it out here at Necky Knoll House this evening! The tag has to be on the neck.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

That would depend on how long one's neck is, Eleanor! Necky Becky and Littl' Nicky could - the rest of us will have to just sing the shanties to accompany them. And of course, our human guests can dance with plenty of room!

olivia said...

Most definitely - would love to join in for an excursion. Especially to view the underwater world out of the port-holes. :-)

I love Captain Gurgle's white whiskers, and can imagine him singing his songs.

gingerhillery@mac.com said...

I will be happy to bring along some of Coco'smilk for the tea.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

I'll put your name down, Olivia!

Captain Gurgle will be blushingly pleased that you like his whiskers.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Gingerhillery, that will be greatly appreciated!

Lauren said...

I love your new craft. I bet the things you see under the water are all amazing. I especially like your song. The part about the tea made me crack up :)

A Cuban In London said...

What a fun post! And of course, I joned the captain singing the chorus. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Lauren. I must do a post about the underwater scenery and adventures. Glad you enjoyed the tea shanty!!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Cuban in London - I wish I could hear you joining in the chorus! I think a Giraffe Karaoke evening is in store ...

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I'm not certain I would be comfortable under the sea. I just might rather prefer to wave at you from the shoreline. However, I shall happily sing Captain Gurgle's tune whilst in my bath tonight!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

You and Edward can keep an eye on the picnic basket on the shore, Pamela!

Singing Captain Gurgle's song in the bath is a great idea!

sandy said...

oh I loved this post and what a great submarine....and the captain...and his tea...cute cute.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Sandy! I hope you'll join us on our underwater nexcursions!