I ventured out to the 'Pound Shop' early this morning in an effort to finish my Christmas shopping. The usual Christmas scenes were all around, shop staff in silly caps and bright red decorated jumpers, people bustling past unconscious of others, garish 'offer' signs in shops, a grotty grotto in the town centre, Christmas trees and lights aplenty and of course a couple of reindeer.
Last year the shopping centre brought in a couple of reindeer, possibly the same ones here this year, and I came laden out of the shop to find they had arrived in front of me.
Trying to get a decent picture of the three beasts while they insisted of keeping their heads down while they stuffed their faces. I suspect that is the usual manner for the beasts when they arrive somewhere new and encourages them to settle in.
The kids of course enjoyed it! All around the small compound folks gathered, cameras (phones) in hand, all clicking away obtaining pictures just like mine. The kids touching did not appear to bother them, this one was happy enough while this kid had a touch, the safety of the barriers were not to protect the kids, I suspect they were for the sake of the reindeer!
Last year they took the things for a walk around town and I suppose they did the same again this year. In a local town full of London overspill there are another group of reindeer appearing next week, Grampian Reindeer' I was told. They must be tougher as they pull a sled with kids in it. The sled here just lay there as far as I could see.
I was surprised at how small reindeer are. In my mind they are as tall as a horse but in reality they are only three or so feet high, the antlers of the big one would increase the height, they were about two feet long.
The trio had little desire to investigate the folks watching, just the wee one poking his nose out at the other side. The straw was more interesting to them and whatever was in the bucket appeared to satisfy. Nice to see these here and enjoyed by all even though no indication was shown as to their flying ability.
Now that I had espied reindeer i needed to espy veg. So off I trotted to my fruit & veg man for a £5 supply for the week. The goods here are not always as good as Tesco's but much cheaper and worth it in my view, especially if you realise what fruits will not last beyond tomorrow breakfast!
A last glimpse of the sun brightening the town, it always amazes me how even the roughest areas can be improved by sunlight, and then a wander home to finish the Christmas wrapping.
5 comments:
Real reindeer would make a change from those blasted fibreglass things which infest the pavements here...they can give you a nasty prod with their horns...
There is a stall like that in Southampton...when visiting mother I buy my stuff from him as it is good value and you see what you are getting, rather than be the object of funny looks from security chaps while you hold plastic packs of tomatoes up to the light in the supermarket to see if they are ripe.
I have been looking online...and can only conclude that you have blackmailed the producers of sweaters with little lights on them to desist from manufacture...
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like reindeer here. I wish it did...more than look like it. I wish it would drop down from the sky for a couple of days or more, dear.
Fly, Unfortunately the flashing sweaters came to a sad end, unless the charity shop sold them on...
Lee, Dear Deer, dear...
interesting pictures. A very special point of view, you have to look two times
Suza, The reindeer would not lift their heads!!!
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