Remember the 1960s UK Eggs Marketing Board slogan "Go to work on an Egg" (voted the top 77th advert of all times)? Well, our new neighbour does better than that; he goes to work in his helicopter. Now please don’t think we’re nosey neighbours spying behind our net curtains (we don’t have any anyway), but I can’t help going outside at the sound of a chopper (all the fault of a 1960s American TV series called "Whirlybirds" something or other). His helicopter may not be very big (as you can see from the photo) but it’s absolutely fantastic and red. I’ve been hankering to take a photo of it for ages so when luck came my way the end of last week - with clear skies to boot (for us both), I bombed out of the house to take a photo (or two). Nigel’s promised to take me up in one so that I can take aerial photos of some of the gorgeous towns and villages around here for the website. Only problem with that is that I’ve no head for heights and haven’t the heart to tell him!

Sunday dawned with a brilliant blue sky so we decided to drive over to Frejus and visit the zoo. MInd you, it was not an easy decision. Still clear in my mind was the haunting look I received from an old male Orangutan in Chester Zoo (UK) when I visited there many, many years ago. While he sat on the grassy slope of his enclosure his eyes met mine and I suddenly felt as if I’d trespassed on his privacy. Worse, while this stinging thought burned in my mind, I also wondered who was the caged animal: him or me . . .

Nigel and I are not lovers of zoos but since I’d never been to the one in Frejus, we felt it an ideal opportunity. Yet I still dragged my heels knowing that I’d be upset after having seen many of these creatures in total freedom in South Africa. Taking several boxes of tissues with me, we arrived there about lunchtime and, apart from a few moments of terrible sadness when they came in handy, we "enjoyed" our visit. Would we return? Possibly in a few months time. Would I still be upset? Yes.