ah! time for me!

Hello everyone! How are you all today?

Now I know things got a little heated yesterday, but I really thought that Captain Bill and Cyril looked quite good. The rest of us had put a great deal of effort into making that disguise and Captain Bill could have tried to be a bit more supportive.

As next week's going to be very hectic I thought I would just have a little 'me' time today. The Hotel has a nice formal garden area with statues and things, it's all very peaceful.

I got Annie down by the way. There's a bit of tree still stuck to her but it'll soon come off.

Well do have wonderful weekends. Are you going anywhere?

Hugs to you all!

Norma

uncanny!

'No honestly,' said Norma, 'the resemblance is uncanny!'

'Are you serious!!!' mooed an incredulous Captain Bill.

'Well maybe having Geraldine there helps a little bit,' conceded Norma.

'We don't even have a trunk!' said Captain Bill.

'Actually, there is more to an elephant than just a trunk!' called out Norman from the background.

'Norma!' called out Annie.

'In a moment!' replied Norma.

'But Cyril has assured us he can lay his hoof on a very life like trunk,' added Bertha.

'Consider it sorted!' said Cyril.

'Actually, there is more to an elephant than just a trunk!' called out Norman from the background.

'Norma!' called out Annie.

'In a moment!' replied Norma.

'We don't stand a chance!' mooed Captain Bill.

'Well try to keep in the background,' suggested Bertha, 'behind some trees or something.'

'But people are supposed to be able to see us!' said Captain Bill, 'what's the point of dressing up as an elephant if we then have to hide so people can't see that we're dressed as an elephant!!!'

'Norma!' called out Annie.

'In a moment!' replied Norma.

'Look!' she added, 'I know it needs a little adjustment, but really it is a very good costume. I really think someone would have to be pretty perceptive to realise that you're not actually Norman.'

'Norma!' called out Annie, 'why are Mr Cyril and Captain Eyepatch hiding under those sheets?'

And that's when the meeting came to an end.

how to glue things together

Morning all, Bertha here, how are you?

I've not had a chance to talk to you for a while now. I do hope that you've all been constructive and that you've remembered to sit up straight?

Now as you can see, Operation Free the Norman One is now in full swing and I'm glad to say that everyone has a part to play. Annie is helping me to glue some things together and even little Geraldine (a most delightful young penguin) is providing a bit of ballast.

If you are gluing something together you might like some of the following advice.

1. Always glue outside. This is because there is much more light so you can see what you're doing and because you can have a nibble on the grass at the same time.

2. Accept the fact that no matter how far away you put your Annie from the glue pot she will naturally drift towards it.

3. Try to hire a Penguin.

Right, that's all from me, keep working!

Bertha

A VERY SIMPLE PLAN

'But it just seems to be a totally bizarre plan that'll involve the complete humiliation of several members of the group!' said Captain Bill.

'Nonsense!' replied Bertha.

'I will admit,' said Norma, 'that the juggling flamingos were a step too far, but we've got rid of them now.'

'Well go over it once more then,' said Captain Bill.

So that's what Norma and Bertha did.

'Right,' began Norma, 'Bertha, Annie and myself, with Geraldine, will get Norman out of the rear exit and will then make our way back over the very tall thing to the Pickled Heifer. To help to distract the staff at the crucial moment Horace will give a poetry reading on the front lawn.'

'Norma thinks there's a very high chance that there'll be a conference of publishers staying in the hotel by then,' added Horace enthusiastically.

'Reeeeeaaaaaallllyyy?' said Captain Bill and just for a moment a glance was exchanged between himself and Norma which resulted in Norma going a strange shade of pink.

'But,' continued Bertha, 'it is vital that nobody notices that Norman has gone for at least a couple of hours, which is where you and Cyril come in.'

'And after that you can both meet up with Horace and all make your way down to the beach and pick up the pleasure boat and travel around on that to meet us,' said Norma.

'How much more simple could you want?' asked Bertha.






'Any chance of getting the juggling flamingos back?' asked Captain Bill.

And Norma and Bertha both hit him!

WILL THE TEAM THINK?

Huddled close together, Norma, Bertha and Captain Bill had been having a bit of a chat. So far, to nobodies great surprise, not much had been accomplished

'You're not really suggesting that we just go back without him are you?' asked Norma.

'Well he seems quite happy here,' replied Captain Bill, 'he's got a steady job after all.

'But what would we tell Queen Phoebe?' said Bertha.

'Hmm, good point' conceded Captain Bill, 'well we'd never be able to go home, we'd have to spend the rest of our lives sailing the wild oceans, hoping that we never bumped into her. That would take all the guile and cunning of a clever and resourceful, first class Captain.'

And for a while nobody said anything.

'My legal advisor says I've got a very good case if I can just get the fees together,' trumpeted Norman after a couple of minutes.

'Would that be Cyril?' asked Norma.

'Judge Cyril, ' corrected Norman.

'I suppose we could let him have a go,' said Norma, 'he does know an awful lot about legal matters.'

'No, no, no!' replied Captain Bill, 'that's the last thing we need. What we want is a nice simple idea, that's clear and straightforward...and simple...uncomplicated and easy to carry out...and simple... and under no circumstances ends up with some sort of totally bizarre situation that involves the complete humiliation of any member of the group.'


And that's when Norma had an idea!