On Friday, I finished writing my next book (about the diver Tom Daley) and my next Jewish Chronicle column (about the Hasidim). It’s Chris’s birthday tomorrow, so we’re having a lovely, restful long weekend.
Yesterday we visited Hever Castle, the onetime home of Anne Boleyn, which I muchly recommend a visit to for the stunning grounds alone. Then we went to the wedding of my friends Eleanor and Magnus. It was great fun, not least because my whole family was there, nieces and all. The food was superb and plentiful. Kosher-keepers brace yourselves: I ate prawns, pork, beef, moose heart and lamb. Mazal tov to the newly-weds!
Today, we went to see the alpacas and llamas at Ashdown Forest Llama Park. I loved every second of our visit, as alapaca and llamas are my favourite animals. (Imagine me starting a blog about them: Oy Va Paca? Jerusallama? Doesn’t bear thinking of.)
Fun times. I must tell you a quick story from the wedding about Rose, my wonderful niece and goddaughter. She gave me a big hug and then hid her head under my jacket, with her arms around me. She stayed there for ages and ages, I was so moved by this lengthy embrace…
…but it turned out she had taken my iPhone out of my pocket and was busy playing Angry Birds!
Happy Birthday Chris!
oy va paca- brilliant!
Nice hat, Chas – reminiscent of a Victorian paterfamilias!
Happy Birthday Chris!
Great piece. Three questions:
What is the difference between a llama and an alpaca (or is it alapaca)?
Could you please explain the game of Angry Birds, and did your niece win?
What does moose heart taste like (don’t say “chicken”) and why not eat the rest of the moose instead, or possibly a bit of llama?
1) I did know, but can’t remember now! Something to do with the coat, I think.
2) Angry Birds is an iPhone game. Very popular. It involves throwing birds at pigs. Much better than it sounds!
3) Moose heart tasted quite chemically, almost like a chemical that might numb the mouth.