Little Boy Giant
The giant puppets once again roamed the streets of Liverpool, for the third time, sadly, this is the last time they will perform anywhere in the world.
Such a damn shame! They are utterly mesmerizing, you have to see them to appreciate their ethereal beauty. They are so compelling and expressive, it’s all about their facial expressions and the way they move.
Big Giant
The story of the giants was written by Jean-Luc Courcoult, a Frenchman, and the giants were designed and are operated by his street theatre company, Royal de Luxe.
Lilliputians, the guys and gals in red, operate the giants, most of them are French, but many are volunteers from Liverpool.
If you’d like to find out more about the story, click on the link below.
Jean-Luc Courcoult, has described himself as an extremely sad, depressed person who lives a secluded life, given that, just think of the joy he has brought to so many people worldwide, how utterly inspiring. I tip my cap to him!
Xolo, the Little Girls’ dog
Everyone adores Xolo, and, he’s the only giant with a name! What’s not to love? For one, he’s the image of Sam, people point this out to us all the time.
He gallops and cocks his leg, he jumps up on bus stops and police cars and even meets real dogs. Xolo, that is…not Sam…..erm, both actually! They are both utterly goofy!
Unfortunately, Xolo galloped right past us! I almost missed the spectacle as I was busy telling a little boy, who was desperately waiting for him, that he could gallop and cock his leg. The little boy didn’t believe me….until Xolo galloped past the pair of us!
If you’d like to see that, take a peek below. Just highlight and click on the link. At least daughter got a little video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyu51ffdr-Q
Liverpool was heaving, bursting at the seams!
Talk about being herded everywhere…worth it though.
A very posh chip butty….very much a Liverpool thang!
Luckily we managed to get a table in Mowgli’s fab eatery that serves Indian street food, most of which is vegan.
This delight was in…..an actual LOAF, it’s called Holy Chow….how apt!!!
Hubs had to dispatch it for me! I was seriously over-faced, my eyes are always bigger than my belly! I swapped him for his lentil dahl.
In other news…
Percy Pige is now free of the Paramyxovirus, so I’m letting him out each day in the study hoping he’ll fly. He’s trying, he really is, but he simply can’t get airborne, and the excitement of it all causes him to revert to type and throw his head upside down, all very Exorcist! I hear the music as I type. Seems that pige is going to be with me longer than I thought.
As I was cleaning his quarters yesterday I spotted a large bird outside the study, out of the corner of my eye, for a moment I thought Peanut was back! I was so relieved to see it was a pheasant.
These birds are suddenly everywhere at the moment, in large numbers, all hand reared and tame. They are being released for the up and coming shooting season. Some are even being driven to shooting sites….nice! Such a fair fight isn’t it?
NOT!
Why oh why?????
Talking of Peanut, I’ve kept a close eye on her.
This is my latest sighting. Obviously she’s still into staring at her reflection…why do large birds enjoy this so?!?
She is now wandering around with her beloved, who she roosts in a tree with each night, along with a couple of peahens, obviously now the alpha female….way to go girl! No doubt she will have her own brood of peachicks next spring!
And Finally….
I received an update on the blind hog I looked after recently, she’s now called Lily. She’s hibernating and is just loving her walled garden. Huge thanks to Sheena!
Not such great news about Hope, my hog with skin cancer, she was put to sleep as the wounds left from her dropped growths were a source of constant fly strike. What a valiant little trooper she was. How sad I was to lose her.
Some you win…some you lose….
Glad you got to see the Giants as they paraded the streets of Liverpool. I watched on television. Such as shame that it was the last event to show them. It sounds as if you’re as busy as ever caring for the sick creatures. All the best dear friend.
Yes, some you win, some you lose, but you fought for them all!
I had to look again — when I scrolled to your text about Xolo looking like Sam, I thought he was a horse! Glad you got to see these Giants before they are retired.
Thanks Anne. Xolo does look like a horse, Sam too! xxx
Those Giants look and sound amazing …
Your food look fabulous …
Many thanks for the update about all the animals, birds and all!
It really is always a wonderful collection … although unfortunately some sad news, in with the good news.
Take care, enjoy your week … it has been quite rainy for us, I’m hoping for some weather improvement! LOL!
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan, the giants were fabulous, I’m so glad we got to see them on their final outing. It’s becoming cold and rainy here too….winter is not far away!xxx
This business of ‘shooting season’ must be really hard to take. A real test of ‘multi-culturalism’, but it’s a reminder of where we come from as human beings… once we too were the prey of other animals. Enjoyed the giants, and especially the video of Xolo. We still have giants here from time to time, though they seem to be operated from inside. I really liked the Holy Chow. Am tempted to try and serve it myself. I too have big eyes. There were times, when I felt obligated to finish my plate, and ate more than I intended at such occasions. But nowadays, I just can’t anymore, so I have to take just a little taste of all the delightful things I sometimes find on the table. Best wishes, xxx.
Oh, seeing those poor birds everywhere, struggling to survive, then seeing the shooters in the fields really is hideous! How interesting that you have giants too, I must go look them up!
I hope you had a go at the Holy Chow, it was delicious, but a force to be reckoned with. Thanks Shimon.xxx
How sad that the giants are going into retirement! There’s an arboretum nearby with a new collection of giant wooden troll sculptures. Judy and I are hoping to visit before the end of the month.
It is a shame Jason, maybe the productions were just too expensive to run. Those troll sculptures sound interesting, looking forward to you posting on them! xxx
I’ve never heard of the giant puppets before. How interesting! That giant dog is such a lovely character! No wonder everyone adores him.
I ‘m with you about the pheasants shooting! What a cruel sport that is!
Nice updates about Percy Pige, Peanut and Lily. And so sad to hear about the plight and demise of Hope.
I’ve enjoyed reading this post very much. Thank you!
Seeing Xolo certainly was a treat, he’s wonderful! It certainly is a horrible sport, bring on the end of it! Thanks Jade.xxx
What a riveting post – absolutely loved it! We had a local giant a coupla years ago down here, the Cornish tin miner giant. There’s something very awe-inspiring about them.
I really think you should live permanently in a wood somewhere, Dina … I am convinced the animals are all sure you are just one of them! Hugs xx
Thanks Gill, that Cornish tin miner giant sounds cool! Hahahaha….yes, I should find me a wood, with a lovely round little hobbit house.xxx
Those giants are a marvel – what a shame it’s their last outing, what will happen to them, I wonder? Btw, I loved your daughter’s video of the dog bouncing along, gave a real flavour to the event. I find it hard to believe that pheasant shooting is still allowed when people generally are more aware of cruelty to animals. It’s just not right. But it’s lovely to read news of Peanut (may she be blessed with babies) and Lily but sad news about Hope. I’m sure your loving care made her little life more bearable. xx
I must find out what will become of the giants, they would look great sitting somewhere as a group. You and me both re pheasant shooting….a monstrous practice. I am delighted to see Peanut so happy with her own kind, I am looking forward to peachicks. Thanks Caro.xxx
Good morning Dina. I saw the puppets on the BBC news and was also saddened that this will be their last performance here in the UK. I think I am correct in saying that they are built in Nante where I visited a couple of years ago….a fantastic city, steeped in the arts. How wonderful that you were able to see them again up close and personal 🙂
The food looks fab, and your animal stories as always lovely. My friends who live outside of Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons also have the issue with pheasants as their house is part of a huge estate where shoots are held! What can we say.
Have a wonderful and creative day – Janet xxx
I believe the giants were built in Nante, I went there many years ago, a wonderful place. Oh, how awful to have a shoot on your premises, that would drive me crackers! Thanks Janet.xxx
Lucky you, I would love to see the giants, they are strangely moving.
I believe somewhere around 35 million pheasants are bred each year, some of them are reared abroad, and then dumped in the coutryside so that people can shoot them for fun. So many are killed that they just dump the bodies, they are not being killed for food. It’s obscene. I wonder if anyone has studied the impact on our native wildlife.
Lovely to hear that Peanut is doing well and blind Lily too.
I heard it was more like sixty million pheasants released in the UK each year, I agree with you, it’s obscene! They do have an impact on local wildlife, as they compete for food, foxes are often trapped to stop them killing the pheasants…..I see so many dead on the road each day, they haven’t a clue! No doubt they will start pouring into the rescue soon. It’s just monstrous! Thanks Chloris.xxx
I’m astonished to see pheasants running around your neighborhood. When I was still in Iowa (and much, much younger) my dad and uncles and their friends would go pheasant hunting once or twice each fall and winter — but there was no raising of birds, that’s for sure. They’d bundle up and go out into the corn fields to truly ‘hunt’ the birds. If they were successful, we’d have a family meal and enjoy it tremendously — but we always ate what was brought home, and they never went out to shoot for fun, even though the enjoyed it tremendously.
Hunting here is a bit of a different thing, I think. The wildlife people encourage it, particularly when it comes to deer and certain birds. Otherwise, the populations grow so large that disease and starvation become issues. It’s well regulated, and people are (mostly) responsible about it).
I’ve never heard of those giants! How can that be? I enjoyed the links so much. It reminds me of our Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in New York, although those are balloons, and not nearly so cool as these! And I’m glad to see Peanut’s doing well. She seems such an odd little bird, but she’s a very lucky one, too! And now I have a taste for some good Indian food. A friend and I went to an excellent Ethiopean restaurant in Houston recently — that’s another cuisine that I really enjoy.
I’m against all hunting, unless it is a last resort to survive. For each bird or animal killed, many more are injured and live the remainder of their lives in pain. There are other options re keeping animal and bird populations down. The giants are such fun, you would enjoy them. I remember Macy’s parade when living in Australia, such fun. I really must try Ethiopian food one of these days. Thanks Linda.xxx
Oh, and PS: When the birds from the game “farm” across the river come to our yard, I say, “Sanctuary!” and make sure there is birdseed all over the yard. I HATE hunting. 😢
You and me both!!! How I hate hunting too!xxx
Oh, Dina! I LOVE the giants! Sad they’re retiring, but so glad you’be enjoyed them and shared these striking photos with us this year! They really look cool against the gorgeous Liverpool architecture.
How great to find such exotic and delicious veggies! Phillip always finishes my meals, too, but it’s fun to try different choices, isn’t it?
Happy news about Percy; hope flight will come in time. Peanut has sure found her happy-ever-after, thanks to you, fairy godmother that you are! Happy news for Lily, too! I am so sorry that Hope’s struggle ended so sadly, but grateful for all the love and tenderness she knew at the end of her life.
Love you, and so happy you’re in the world!
You would have enjoyed those giants, especially Xolo! Such fun! I’m really enjoying Indian food at the moment, it’s perfect for the cooler weather. Poor Percy, he still hasn’t managed to get airborne, but seems to enjoy trying! Hopefully, he’ll manage it in time. Isn’t it wonderful seeing Peanut with her own kind? I couldn’t imagine such a beautiful ending, although the story goes on, hopefully with peachicks next year. Thanks Kitty, as always for such a lovely comment. Love and hugs to you all.xxx
Those giant puppets are amazing! Love your Indian food too … Always great when you are really hungry! Glad to see Peanut has found her place in the world…. She’s a survivor! I don’t know how hunting/shooting of helpless birds can survive in our modern world.. Just appalling. Lovely to see one of your hedgehogs has thrived in her walled garden. Lovely 😀👏👏
Thanks Gerrie, I’m really into Indian food at the moment, it’s wonderful as the weather gets cooler, always real comfort food. It’s wonderful seeing Peanut so settled with her own kind, I can’t wait for the peachicks! Like you, I’m amazed that anyone can enjoy such cruel practices.xxx
I never heard about the “Giants”… fascinating, I shall get more info, thank you for the links.
Oh dear, I wonder how you can keep your morale lifted… I would cry each time one of the little fellows has to be put asleep. I’m too sensitive, much too sensible. I wonder if I could do what you are doing…
This is mean and cruel to breed pheasants to shoot them for fun.
How can this be allowed? We should find a way to stop this nonsense… but I know, I’m getting used to hearing the same old story, “keep quiet and avoid to get into mess”…
There will be, once and for all, a great revolution and something great and terrible at the same time will happen.
Dear Dina… by the way, we’ll be in London for Xmas and until the 29th. Aren’t you willing to take a trip down to the capital 🙂 but I know, it’s 4 hours drive… but it would be lovely indeed!
I have been to London many times, but Emanuele and Sara didn’t. We’re traveling by plane and remain to sleep outside the city. Will let you know the details!
Hugs and kisses :-)c
It is hard parting with these creatures, but at least they got to enjoy an outdoor life for a while. Oh….if only we could stop these people!!! Looking forward to seeing you all…until then…love and hugs.xxx
Hope’s experience does mirror life in our world. I’m glad to know that she was kindly helped and cared for.
Pige is an interesting character. I wonder how long it will take for a flying recovery.
The ‘Gulliver’ festival is quite a sight. As I was once told, there is always a beginning and always an end, and from what you say, the Giants and Lilliputions are ending on a high.
It’s good to hear news of, and see ongoing developments with Peanut.
Great post.
xxxx
Poor Percy pige, he is trying but still hasn’t managed to get airborne, hopefully he’ll get there in the end. I am really pleased to see Peanut with her new peacock friends, she seems far more content, I have no doubt she’ll have peachicks next year, I am looking forward to that. Thanks Menhir.xxx
Wow! What a SUPER POST! Love those puppets…Great shame they will no longer be putting in an appearance……AND the food??????? Yummy! Phew! Thanks for sharing……Hugs.👍💕
Thanks Bushka, yes, such a shame about those giants.xxx
What an interesting post covering so many topics.I love seeing the wild creatures
Thanks Katherine. xxx
I saw the giants on the news and really wished that I could have been in Liverpool to see them for myself, they were wonderful!
So glad that peanut has found her true role in life, it will be wonderful if she has chicks next year. So sorry to hear about Hope, you went the extra mile for her and I’m sure made her end easier for her.
The atmosphere in Liverpool was electric, what a shame those marvelous giants won’t be back. It is such a pleasure seeing Peanut with her own kind, such a perfect ending. Thanks Pauline.xxx
I hate the fact that pheasants are tame and trusting of humans and less capable of avoiding huntsmen. I hate the thought of hunting animals for fun in any case.
That’s the worst part isn’t it, their tameness and how clueless they are around cars. Thanks Sue.xxx
I watched the giants on TV and was totally captivated. How I love the giant dog.
It seemed so lifelike.
I have heard many pheasants in the fields. I cannot call anything that involves killing an animal sport. It is archaic and unnecessary.
Poor hedgehog. It is always sad when an animal is put to sleep. I am sure you gave him every fighting change because that is the sort of person you are.
Good news on peanut and Lily 🙂
Xolo is fantastic, he’s so playful and lifelike. You would think, as a species that people would be more evolved by now…such a primitive, cruel practice. Thanks Cheryl.xxx
An interesting read about the giant puppets and good pictures.
I agree with you about pheasant shooting.
Sad to see that Hope was put to sleep, I’m sure that you did all you could and more for her. xx
Thanks Flighty. Pheasant shooting is a total nightmare, so awful seeing all the hunters in the fields. Monsters, one and all.xxx
Oh, how sad about poor little Hope, always downs along with the ups. Good news about Lily though, it’s nice that she’s found somewhere safe to live and be cared for. Pheasant shooting, they call that a sport, actually breeding these beautiful birds with one aim, to shoot them, why? I would love to see those Giants, what a shame it’s their final outing.
Thanks Jo. It’s heartbreaking at the moment, the pheasants haven’t a clue and are being hit by cars all over. I simply can’t get my head around it!!! It is a shame about those giants, everyone loves them.xxx
I saw those giants on the news and thought they were amazing – lucky you to have seen them up close. That Indian street food looks delish. I had signed up for a 1 day Indian street food course at our local college, but sadly it was cancelled owing to lack of numbers. Good to hear the news about Peanut and Lily, and I’m so sorry to hear about Hope; no-one could have done more for her than you, and you can take comfort in the fact that she was loved in her final days. I shall be keeping a close eye on Fergus, the pheasant that lives in our garden – I wouldn’t want him falling prey to mindless thugs! xx
I would love to find an Indian street food cookery course, no joy so far. What a shame yours was cancelled. Oh yes, please look out for your beautiful Fergus! Thanks Veggiemummy.xxx