Only Good News

In fact, your project has reminded me of my childhood trips to Dudley Zoo [I MUST go back there one day] and seeing the poor polar bear pacing backwards and forwards in it's concrete prison. Thank goodness our awareness of the needs of these animals has changed.

Are tapirs the ones that are related to something quite obscure [such as a giraffe?] although my sensible head tells me it must be an elephant .

Have posted pic of tapir in the pictures/animals thread.

(ps - this one copied from the net so I may be sued. Please be ready to testify to my good reputation)

Elegran - that sounds so interesting. Looking forward to seeing the tapir's photo! Like the comparison to Miranda Hart re attitude !

sunflower - I'm so pleased for you (and your son). All's right with the world now - nothing else matters. xx

Yes, Anno I am probably now the GN expert on Malaysian tapirs, and also I can use not only Photoshop but also Open Office slide show. Well, more or less use them.

I shall try to upload a photo of a tapir.

Wondered where you were, Elegran!

Bitterly cold here, but such a bright, clear morning that it cheers me up. My two little GDs were here for the weekend, so I am now about to Hoover up all the glitter and stuff - they like "making" and have a permanent "making" box here. By the look of the sitting room, there's more on the floor than in the box!

Anyone know whether you can show an Open Office presentation using Power Point? That is what the education department laptop has, but I went the cheap route and downloaded Open Office ( it is free )

Elegran, that sounds both challenging and interesting. You must have learnt a lot as well as how to photoshop.

The tapirs, who are lovely animals (though apparently they have a nasty bite if they are annoyed). If Miranda Hart were an animal she would be a tapir. These ones are Malaysian ones, black with a wide white belt like belted Galloway cattle.

I missed you Eleg Well done, which enclosure is it?

Mine is minor compared with some of these - at last I have finished my "homework" for the zoo class I go to, the deadline is tomorrow. We'd to pick an enclosure we thought need upgrading and redesign it. We could work in groups, so a friend and I joined forces.

It involved research into the needs of the animals, the keepers, and the visitors, and a look at what other places were doing. Then it took a bit of artistic effort to alter photos of "as is" to "as it could be" which meant I'd to learn how to use photoshop. Steep learning curve. Eyes bleary from excess computeritis.

If anyone has missed my pearls of wisdom the last couple of weeks, that is where I have been. Now I just hope the presentation goes OK.

It's so lovely to hear all the good news.

My good news today is actually my youngest DDs. She ran her personal best in a half marathon today. Ihr. 43 mins. Very proud of her determination.

sunflower That is good news. I remember your previous worries.

sunflower that is great news, I'm so happy for you

Sunflower how lovely for you to see your son looking and sounding so well

Well done Soop's grandson, smart lad!

Greatnan your son in law must be delighted, well done you.

sunflower I have been working a lot and have only just come back for a quick look and I see your great news about your son. Wonderful.

Very good news, sunflowersuffolk, you must feel so relieved!

My good news is that my son unexpectedly came home yesterday, is staying until tomorrow - first time I have seen him since New Year. Gave him a great big hug

Some of you may recall I was VERY concerned about him a few weeks ago, and you were so lovely and supportive then. A week ago he was suddenly given a new shore posting and is finally off the ship where he was so unhappy.

He looks better already and seems a lot happier and is making plans for his future. So early days yet, but it has been lovely having him home, and fingers crossed his life will take a turn for the better.

As a Mum all you want is for them to be happy, healthy and safe.

Glad you've all had some lovely news too, and thanks again. to all Mums.

They must have forgotten, Greatnan! No wonder SIL is very pleased with you!

Congratulations to you gs, Soop, he certainly deserves to do well.
My good news today is that I seem to have been able to use my training as a tax inspector to help my SIL get a very large tax rebate, using something called an Extra Statutory Concession. He was entitled to Seaman's Overseas Allowance but he emigrated part way through the year, but this ESC I have found makes it possible to claim for the months he was resident in the UK. He is very pleased with me! Nobody at HMRC thought to tell him about it.

Goodness me, so many kind comments. THANK YOU.

What a treasure you have there, soop. It must be in the genes.

That's great news, soop - and isn't it a great feeling for us when they are justifiably proud of themselves, too?
baubles, thank goodness the wee one is over all that discomfort. Wee gummy [smiles] all round!

soop I can imagine you doing just the same! Brilliant.