Three Friends - Gentle Giant (Part II)

 SECOND of the SERIES

See the World in the palm of his hand, 
Giant steps that will cover the land! 
from the Three Friends album 
Working All Day - Gentle Giant (Link)

Hugh never batted an eyelid when trusting a bunch of flowers into his hand, a couple of evenings ago, and wishing him "Happy Anniversary", but he did look a little bewildered. On the other hand, Janet accepted the box of Thorntons Chocolates while simply asking "what's all this about then Bags"? Luckily, that moment coincided with my 'standing' Monday evening dinner date over at Harbins Farmhouse so over a nicely chilled Moët et Chandon it was revealed that it was the 10th Anniversary of our meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Except when necessity or sensibility dictates 'group travel' is not for me but, in such instances as Antarctica, where there is no other way the bullet should be bitten! In 2006 and with Government Forces slaughtering the Tamils in the north and the aftermath of a recent Tsunami in the south the sensible option, as far as Sri Lanka was concerned, was taken. In addition to that, and admittedly on a particularly heavy night on the 'scrumpy', and right against the grain an acquaintance/friend was also invited along. Both, fortunately for me turned out to be most beneficial to my well being and enjoyment of that fantastic trip.

 While none of the names of other members of the group are remembered,

  my friend Alex Robinson stands 4th from left, Hugh is 4th from right

with Janet in front of him. An effigy of Buddha is sat crossed-legged left

while our guide Prya (pronounced Pre) sits right.  

The rest of the Post will simply be a pictorial of just some of the fabulous Wildlife that equally welcoming country had to offer, with some 'scenes' to follow at a later date, maybe manana!

THE TEARDROP of INDIA

with our track in red corresponding to road travel and rail in yellow.

 Wild

ASIAN ELEPHANT

and captives in a
Transit Compound.

 CEYLONESE JUNGLE-FOWL

SAMBAR DEER

 BRAHMINY KITE

 Large, Daytime-Flying Moth?

CHANGEABLE HAWK-EAGLE

TOQUE MACAQUE

BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER

 LITTLE GREEN BEE-EATER

WATER BUFFALO

PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA

FLYING FOX

l to r Hugh, Guide, Janet, Moi, ?, Alex and Prya 'scoping 

 SMALL PRATINCOLE
on the way to

WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK

 INDIAN PEACOCK

 HANUMAN LANGUR

PLAINTIVE CUCKOO

INDIAN MUGGER

PAINTED STORK

LAND MONITOR

 SHAHEEN

STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER

 Active
LEOPARD

Settle down now!

Hugh and I enjoying a well deserved cuppa Chai.

Fate is a strange 'Ol Character, who could have guessed that 

we 3 would go on to form such a Strong Friendship?

I/We came across Gentle Giant (formally Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, of little more fame than 'Kites' and from Portsmouth) quite by chance. Having bought and aired 'Thank Christ for the Bomb' the latest offering from Groundhogs, fronted by Tony (TS 'top strat') Mcphee we were at pains to attend the promotional tour. We caught The 'Hogs at the Bournemouth Winter Gardens but found they had made the mistake of recruiting The Giants to 'open' for them. Anyone who has seen Gentle Giant perform 'live' will agree "you don't FOLLOW The Giants"!

Further Reading

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