The elephant with a withered leg and other animal tales ….

In respect of my previous tome and before I go all David Attenborough or Dr Doolittle on you, I wanted to share the following ….

The number of times I’ve had to put on my proverbial “big girl’s pants” in my life are almost too many to mention …..all I will say on the matter is that somehow they see you through !😉

So now back to the case in hand ….animals! Before I share my photos, I’ll set the scene . One of my favourite places to go to when I’m in Spain is Valencia ……a beautiful city . However, my favourite place is not the city but on the outskirts …it is the Bio Parc. It is one of the best animal parks in the world, situated within the former Turin river bed . When my granddaughter and her two cousins ( aged 10, 7, and 6) visited us it was a must on our “to do” list. It covers an area of over 100,000 square metres divided into four main areas.

In the dry Savannah area there are rhinoceroses ( or should it be rhinoceri ??) zebras , ostrich and hyenas ( oh and wart hogs ….)

In the Wetlands you can find giraffe, lions ( don’t be alarmed now, they are very cleverly separated!) meerkats, gazelles and antelopes.

The Baobob Forest within the Wetlands, houses a dozen elephants ……one of the largest elephant families in Spain , and it was one of these elephants that made the children’s day . I wonder if you can guess why …….

Of all the animals we saw , the day will forever be remembered because of this chap!!! I shouldn’t be surprised …..I took my granddaughter ( then aged 6) to Chester Zoo and we went as you do to see the lions , one male and two females ( strange that don’t you think? He clearly needs a lot of entertaining) . How fortunate were we …..they were all laid close to the glass . What was the one thing my granddaughter noticed? No, Dear Reader, not what majestic creatures they were, nor the size of the male’s mane or how lucky we were to be so close to them, yet safe ……none of that . In her loudest voice she shouted “ Oh look Grandma you can see his willy!!!” The little boy standing next to her also made a similar comment ……so I noted to my fellow Grandma “ The highlight of our trip here will be them seeing the lion’s genitals” At which we both beat a hasty retreat!!!

Thirdly, there is an area called the Island area of Madagascar where you are at liberty to walk around allows you to get up close and personal to a colony of lemurs.

Finally, in the forests of Equitorial Africa , hippopotamuses ( or hippopotami?) crocodiles, otters, leopards, pythons, tortoises and gorillas can be found ….all housed separately but the divides are so clever you could easily believe you have been transported to the African continent.

Now I need you to use your imagination…if you can please…..

One time we were at the park and the hippo took centre stage, right in front of our eyes through this window . Much to the amusement of our two grandchildren with us at the time , the hippo did a poo ! If you wondered whether there is a feeding time for the fish ….yes, there is …..and it was then. Of course another memory that doesn’t fade!!!

Now let me tell you, what you see is deceiving, two tortoises enjoying the sun! No, no, no ….the tortoise nearest us is tucking heartily into his Michelin starred lunch, but the tortoise at the back is stuck in a hole (made worse by his endeavours to get out) We noticed him en rote to the gorillas but on our return, I realised the distant tortoise was struggling. However, I refrained from climbing the hedge and rescuing it myself , instead collaring one of the park staff. They radioed for help and, sure enough, a tortoise keeper appeared and heaved him or her out of the hole, filled the hole in and the rescue was complete!!! My good deed for the day done!!!

My history with tortoises goes back a good few years . The Dearly Beloved and I took a trip to a a very nice hotel where there resided in the grounds, a giant tortoise. He was certainly a giant .. weighing possibly over 500 lbs. We were told he loved bananas… so the following day, I purchased said banana ( possibly 4 !) and duly took it to him . It was true, he loved banana…..the problem ( in my view) was he made a mess all round his face . So with my finger, I cleared it away. Now I don’t know if you know anything about a tortoise’s facial anatomy? No…….well let me tell you…their mouth is in effect a very sharp cutting machine otherwise known as a beak . In their natural habitat they can cut through tough vegetation, cactuses and leaves. So whilst he was undoubtedly grateful for my clearing his face of banana, he wasn’t going to miss an opportunity for food, and temporarily, but totally unintentionally, he became a carnivore chomping down with force on my finger.

Well, to say there was a bit of blood was an understatement…..of course I felt a complete fool. The DB was most discombobulated , and I had to send him back to our room for the first aid kit! I meanwhile went to the shower block and nearest source of running water and ran my finger under cold water tap, until the DB returned, band aid in hand. My finger was wrapped tightly and all was well …. though I do remember spending most of the night wondering whether tortoises carried Rabies , and if so what would be the first symptoms? Needless to say , despite very little sleep, I was delighted to reach the morning with no unfavourable side effects.

As for the tortoise, I still went to see him….he was a character and would come to you for food….suffice to say there was no further hand feeding!!!!

So the animal tales continue …….I think you know that back in 2019 I undertook the pilgrimage from Sarria to Santiago de Compostella , the last 100 kilometres of the Camino Frances across Spain. I did this in memory of a very special friend, taken too soon as a result of prostate cancer, and walked it with my very special friend and Alastair’s life partner . She and I are definitely Camino buddies ( sorry but no other will do) and are going to complete the entire pilgrimage ….though have to do so in stages. As a result of this undertaking, my blog ..this tome, was born!!!

We set off again at the end of August for France, ( Saint Jean Pied de Port to be exact) from where we will climb up and over the Pyrenees on our way to Logroño, where we end the very first stage. If I ever needed my inner Julie Andrews, it will be then!!!

Anyway, in an effort to find as much as I can to aid us on our way, I joined a Facebook page “ Camino Frances” ….some very useful information , other not so! Sadly, a 45 year old French pilgrim went missing crossing the Pyrenees several weeks ago, and his body was found three days later ( reminiscent of the film The Way with Michael Sheen ….I recommend it ) Another pilgrim died of a heart attack whilst walking the last section, so the air waves ( or should I say face waves ) have been full of folk worrying about the dangers of this journey. Someone asked the question and the reply came back …… “well, yes it could be considered dangerous in parts, three people have died this year and two people had been gored”. WHAT ….gored? As in by a bull ? Well, yes as it happens, gored by a bull. Most peculiar …..the Spanish fighting bull is a very dangerous animal and kept securely away from walking paths and unsuspecting pilgrims behind Fort Knox type fences. Have you seen these creatures Dear Reader …

They are bred to fight you see …only four breeds remain and let me tell you, they are fearless beasts.

Back to the goring …well it appears there is an explanation …but please bear with me because I can still not believe the stupidity of some people. Apparently the two pilgrims gored, not only entered the field where one or more bulls were, but also approached one or more bulls. Someone should have told them I feel, that one on one in fair combat with a human ( pilgrim or not) and bull, the bull will win hands ( or should I say horns!) down. For all you see during a bullfight, it is not fair combat, and a pilgrim can never be considered a matador ( apart from the obvious, a pilgrim could barely take two steps in a matador’s suit!!)

So the pilgrims could not have been thinking straight at the time of said goring. However, it appears they were not just content to enter the bull’s field, nor just to approach the bull……. no, their aim was greater in their minds …..their purpose was to tickle the bull’s testicles . Now, I don’t know about any of you out there who may possess a testicle or two , but I am guessing if you are minding your own business and are suddenly disturbed by a wayward hand appearing from nowhere and endeavouring to touch your testicles, you may also be least pleased … you may not be of course,but a bull I can assure you would certainly be least pleased. The difference to the idiot at the end of the hand, is the damage you could do ( assuming you weren’t carrying a Samurai sword or loaded gun)

So the bull retaliated it seems, to the detriment, but I hope not surprise, of the pilgrims …….I learnt a fascinating fact earlier today . If you look in a lizard’s ear through towards the other ear , you can see daylight. True apparently ! Also ( and because I don’t wish to deprive you of knowledge …) if you look inside an owl’s ear ( you would need to find it first , as what you see as the ear is in fact only an ear flap) you can see the back of their eye ball! Don’t ever say I don’t do my best to keep you up to date.

Back to those pilgrims… I’m suggesting if you looked in their ears you may see daylight too …..just saying !

Another interesting fact on bull genitalia is that historically, ( and probably still currently) horse whips were made from the bull’s penis ……yes, at full stretch they measure approximately 61 centimetres and when twisted and dried ( after death of course 🥴🥴) apparently make a successful whip . The mind boggles…….

Now I could continue …but it is time for me to prepare our evening meal …..so I’ll store the other tales for another time . Perhaps I should have taken note of the following…..then I could continue!!!

So Dear Reader, I’m off …until next time stay safe, keep well and be happy 🥰🥰