The Chapelfield Shopping Centre, but a hop and a spit from our micro-loft, has been invaded by a herd of elephants in multi-coloured livery – all courtesy of local artists and school kids. The parade of florescent nellies is on international tour and aims to raise awareness of the plight of Asian elephants. Can’t argue with that, I suppose.
The exhibition is similar in theme to the last year’s gorillas in our midst but with a more modest spread and duration. These nellies though, have something the guys never had – their very own gallery and shop. It’s a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of facts and figurines. Okay, the little ceramic elephants are a bit on the pricey side but it’s all in a noble cause.
Judging by the hordes of hyperventilating kiddies, the nellies are proving much more popular than the knuckle dragging guys. Must be the cute Dumbo factor. Follow the herd before it migrates to pastures new on 5th May. What next, I wonder? Tigers? Pandas? Rhinos? Howabout Dodos?
Perking the Pansies 
I like these more than the gorillas. Something about elephants–probably the circus kind–that makes it acceptable to dolly up these guys in bright patterns and colors. Looks so good on them. 🙂
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The gorillas did look a lot meaner, almost pissed off at being dressed up for the street party 🙂
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That’s it! We agree. 😀
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I want an elephant, but David says we can’t have one. 😦
I promised to walk it and everything.
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Think of the dung, you’d be forever shovelling shit. And it’s no good for the roses.
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Loved the elephants. Saw the main Elephant Parade in London in 2010 and was smitten. They have been to Watford already on their tour and will be back in this neck of the woods later this year. 😀
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Poor things must be exhausted! 😉
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Thanks Jack for bringing up the plight of the Asian Elephant. I hope you raise some awareness about the very sad situation which still goes unresolved, while torture still continues. Not far from my home in Lampang (Nr. Chiang Mai) a wonderful lady called Soraida Salwala created the world’s first elephant hospital. To learn more watch http://vimeo.com/3319606 and read this http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/world/thailand-elephants.html#cr
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Very sad. I’m getting rather cynical about the whole save the world thing that only nibbles around the edges and does little to deal with the real cause of ecological and environment degradation – us.
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I think I know how you feel Jack. Powerless? A lone voice in the wilderness? I am part way through a study of The American decimation of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and you know what? Hardly anyone ever mentions the animal and environmental destruction of those countries through indiscriminate carpet bombing and the use of ‘Agent orange’. How those poor buggers have dragged themselves back from the precipice is quite astounding. Will it ever stop? The real cause? US.
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Yep, fraid so. Though, few non-US are blameless.
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Sorry Jack. Lost in wording there I think. By US I mean all of us. Not USA
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Ah 😉
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Jeeez! Norwich is a strange place, full of weird thingies!
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It all started when we moved in…
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In answer to “what’s next” – it’s dragons for 2015.
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Fab. So we’re going all mythical?
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I am quite excited at the thought of dragons on the castle and in cathedral close. Not sure about the castle mall though. Sparks could be dangerous with all that polyester!😉
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Now, now 😉
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Sorry about that. I needed a lie down in a darkened room. Feeling more kindly now. Did you see the first of the GoGoDragons have arrived in Cathedral Close? Still not entirely sure about the name. It fitted much better as GoGoGorillas. Perhaps we could think up an alternative? They are looking for sponsors for the dragons. I think we should muster a like minded group and get one decorated with pansies 😉
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Have they? I’ll pop along this week and take a look. A pansified dragon is a fabulous idea. Alas, I’m the one in need of sponsorship these days 🙂
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