23/08/2014

Is everyone sitting comfortably?

Once Wilson and Antony were safely back on terra firma we were making our way back to the Hotel when Antony spotted some folding chairs for sale. 

As you know, because Antony is a small stuffed toy, Wilson has to relay what he says to me, and according to him Antony couldn't live without one of these. 

And neither could Wilson. 

So I am expected to pay £27.99 for Wilson's chair and another £9.99 for Antony's. I asked whether Antony couldn't share Wilson's chair, but that was greeted with a lot of cheek-puffing and head-shaking.

Apart from the expense, I know exactly whose job it will be to carry these chairs around all day!


22/08/2014

We have liftoff!

As the tethering cable unwound the balloon rose slowly and majestically into the sky. Wilson waved both arms in the air and called down to me, 'Look at me, New Dad! I'm flying!' 

Antony climbed up into the criss-cross web of ropes securing the basket to the balloon. He looked very precarious up there and I thought my catching skills might be required, but the balloon's pilot ordered him to come down and stay in the basket. 

By the time it reached its maximum height of 500ft the balloon was swaying around in the wind and I became less concerned about having to catch Antony than being caught by Wilson's projectile vomiting; then I remembered that he has some experience of flying and in fact comes from a long line of aviators.


21/08/2014

Adventure in the Skies

A balloon ticket was purchased (just one, for Wilson — much to his chagrin Antony was judged to be 'luggage' and so did not require a ticket of his own) and the two Intrepid Balloononauts embarked onto their lighter-than-air craft for their 'Adventure in the Skies' as W put it. 

I wasn't allowed to accompany them — I had to remain on the ground so I could catch little Antony if he happened to fall out of the basket. 

I wonder whether his terminal velocity would be great enough to kill me?


20/08/2014

Balloon trip

'You'll never guess what we saw from the top of the helter-skelter!' Wilson told me breathlessly, and before I'd had time to guess Antony supplied the answer: 

'It was a huge balloon on a string, with people dangling off it!'

'And we both want to go on it!' W concluded.

Taking my hand in his paw he led me quickly out of the fun fair and into Bournemouth park, where before long I saw what he was talking about!


19/08/2014

Helter Skelter ride

As the boys descended on the helter-skelter I noticed that Wilson was holding the sides with both paws and kept asking Antony whether he was alright. A's reply was invariably 'Yes! Yes! Faster! Wheeeeeee!'

I've reached the conclusion that Antony is totally fearless (except where fish are involved!) but Wilson is quite a protective and nervous parent. He probably gets it from me.

The had three goes on the helter-skelter, and when they'd finished Wilson said, 'New Dad, you'll never guess what we saw from the top of that ride!'

From the excitement in his voice I'm guessing that, whatever is was, I'm going to have mixed feelings about it…


18/08/2014

Riding a traditional Carousel!

Once we'd finished in the aquarium (and calmed Antony down about the fish who'd given him a funny look in the shark tunnel) we had a quick coffee then proceeded to the fun fair in front of the pier. 

Wilson wanted to have a go on the traditional Carousel and selected Galloper DEBIE (he felt sorry for her because her name was spelt wrongly). 

Afterwards he said that the ride was very exciting although it was 'surprisingly hard to hold on, because horses are tricky beasts!'

He told me he spent most of his time on the ride worrying about Antony falling off, but I think he was quite concerned about his own security! 

Next on his list is the giant Helter-Skelter...


17/08/2014

Bournemouth Aquarium

Finally we've made it to Bournemouth Aquarium! Wilson says that it's 'Like swimming underwater, but without getting wet — which is obviously a Good Thing!' 

He liked the giant turtles and the rays, was scared of the sharks but thought all the fish looked 'A bit sad.' 

Antony cried in the Shark Tunnel because one of the fish was 'looking at him all funny!'

As soon as we're finished here we'll have a quick coffee then off to the Fun Fair on the seafront — I think the boys will love that!