Tag: unicorn

A new gallery

Chris Hall37 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

The two boys were back in France, in a small town where Great Aunt Margot lives.
‘What’s the time?’ said one of them, as they both looked up to the big clock outside in the main square.
‘Okay, one more time to walk quickly around the great church – why not?’
‘Shall we do it?’
‘Yes, let’s go.’

Meanwhile, Great Aunt Margot had bought her usual things in the market: a long baguette, some very oozy cheeses and three little patisserie cakes, which she put in her big basket.
She then stopped next to the new gallery.
‘How is it going, my dear?’ said Great Aunt Margot.
A young woman smiled. ‘Anything you would like?’
‘Hmm, something small perhaps,’ as she stepped into the shop.

A couple of minutes later the two boys appeared.
‘What have you got?’ asked one of the boys.
‘Never mind about that, I will show you that back at home. But any way it’s almost lunchtime,’ as she grinned.

The three of them chatted happily, as they walked down to where they stayed, but no one would be able to find what they did after that.

And also in the small town, not far from the woods, you might still see a few unicorns, and their names are: Victor, Wellington, Xena, Yasmine and Zacharia.

So thanks for that Jenne and C .E. Aye, we’ve had a great time, and maybe we will see you around sometime.

So now I must find a new tale, but where?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

It’s a lovely train!

Chris Hall37 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

It was another Sunday afternoon for the two boys.
‘It’s always nice to go on our bikes, isn’t it.’
‘Yes indeed, we are very lucky, especially now it’s a lovely day.’
‘Let’s go faster, and maybe we can see a train, since the tracks are not far from here.’
‘Gosh yes, we can go over the bridge just over there.’
And so the two boys rode off as fast as they could.

They came to a stop, and right in the middle of the bridge.
‘Can’t see a train either on the upline or downline at the moment.’
As they both looked (and twice).
‘Are there trains on Sunday?’
‘I’m sure there are… I think.’
They thought again, and looked again; but nothing.
‘Oh well, let’s ride as close as we can, since there’s a little road over there.’

So they continued for quite a long time, still looking for a train.
‘Gosh, we’re almost in another village, and I don’t know this place.’
‘Me neither, but look…’
‘Oh yes, it’s a level crossing and also a little train station.’
‘And now listen…’
‘They are closing the gates…’

The two boys grinned.
‘Quick, let’s get on the platform.’
‘Are we allowed?’
‘Yes, of course.’

The train stopped and people got out, and in.
The guard glanced over to the two boys and their bikes, and he said: ‘Do you want to go in the last carriage? And there’s no charge for you.’
‘Ooh, thanks a lot,’ as they both grinned.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

Goal!

Chris Hall28 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

The two boys were playing football in the park. It was Sunday afternoon, and very sunny.
‘This is fun, isn’t it?
‘Very much so,’ as he dived and stopped the ball.
‘Shall we ask some of the other boys here in this park?’
‘Good idea, and I would like to be in goal.’
‘Fine. You’re pretty good, aren’t you?’
‘Aww, thanks,’ as he grinned.

A few minutes later, several boys appeared.
‘Now we have enough players to have a good game,’ as they decided who would do what.

It had been great at the start but then there was a problem, since the ball went too far and too high. It glided over to someone’s back garden.

They looked at each other. ‘What are we going to do now?’

Several of them peered over the high wall.
‘Hmm. Not easy, but doable, don’t you think?’
‘Well, it is my ball. I shall try.’
‘Both of us will do it.’
Then a couple of other boys helped them up.

Soon they were both sitting astride.
‘Okay, we can do this. Yes?’
‘Of course we can.’

So they jumped down. Grabbed the ball, and hurled it back to the park.
They could also get back themselves, since a handy shed was close enough to jump from that to the wall.
They managed to get away with that before anyone saw it.
It seemed that everyone else was watching the telly – either Wimbledon or Tour de France.

‘Shall we continue the game then?’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

Ooh, sheds…

Chris Hall32 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

‘Those aren’t sheds, they’re garages, wouldn’t you say?’
‘Well, I guess so… does it matter?’
‘Probably not.’
The two boys grinned at each other, as they stopped on their mountain bikes.

‘Interesting place.’
‘Certainly is… not been there before, have we?’
‘Nope, never seen this.’
‘I suppose it’s a bit further in the other direction than we usually go.’
‘Still, let’s have a little poke around, since I’m sure no one will bother about us.’
The two boys got off their bikes and wheeled them. They looked around by the little line of garages.

‘Not many people here, are there?’
‘Just a couple of builders…’
‘You mean, roofers, I think?’
‘Well, whatever… they are just up there.’
They craned their heads up.

‘Do you need any help?’ shouted one of the boys.
But there was no response.

‘Oh well, we can see what they are doing, can’t we?’
‘It looks like some of those roofs need new ones.’
‘In fact, most of them have been done.’
‘Well spotted,’ grinned both of them.

‘Maybe we can see if anyone else is around.’
‘All look closed, and they must be dark inside, I suppose.’
‘But there are quite a lot of nice cars on the other side. I wonder where they have gone?’
The two boys had a little look at some of the cars, but nothing obvious, apart from some books inside… the same books.

‘I know what’s going on – they are all twitchers!’
‘What?’
‘Birdwatchers – and look, they’re coming back.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

A little slice of life

Chris Hall39 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

It was more than thirty years back then, when we had a two week holiday in the south-west of France, where my cousin had a second home in a tiny hamlet. She had said we could do anything we wanted, since she was busy working in London, and she wasn’t able to get away at that time.

We had a little rented car, and it was just as well, since the roads were very tiny in that hamlet. We’d stocked up with lots of goodies, mostly in the huge Carrefour (always loved that place, by the way).

So we pottered around the garden, even though it was steep and narrow, but we were able to do a bit of weeding and a little planting. We would stare over the next field, where there was a pretty black bull, although we thought it would be a bad idea to get too close to him.

In the evening, we didn’t bother to watch the television, since our French was pretty ropey. Instead we played cards – Rummy and Cribbage, and also there was a large jigsaw, and yes, we did finish it.

We could get lovely French sticks and cheeses, but after a few days, we decided to drive to a rather larger town. We’d left the car a few streets before, since it seemed rather busy in the centre.

And, lo and behold, what did we see? Yes, that’s right, the Tour de France was just passing the main group… so fast!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

The Seagull

Chris Hall45 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Looking out to sea and see the sea
what a complicated thing it is…
but he doesn’t think too much
in fact, he’s rather thick
but he’s only doing his job.

He’s pretty handy
he’s slow at somethings
but in other ways he’s quick!

(44 word)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

have you guessed it?

a traffic warden
or maybe he’s a footballer
any other ideas?

He has tall tales

Chris Hall48 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

He smiles and jokes and explains tall tales. He’s in his element.
From morning to evening, and even later, he’s busy.

Many people look up, staring and taking photos.

He’s a real live wire.
Sometimes there will be a pigeon on his head, but he doesn’t mind.

But we can’t hear him.
Not a word.

But he continues and he seems to be happy.

And if it’s really dark, and no one’s around, he’ll drop down.
There’s a park bench and it’s a great place to sleep.
But he’s back in his usual place before anyone else is around.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

(99 words)

A bus?

Chris Hall26 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

‘A bendy bus?’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Look, here’s a picture on that magazine.’
‘What do you think about that?’
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those.’
‘What does it say?’
They both peer at it.

‘Oh, it says it’s an electric bus.’
‘An electric bus?’
They looked to each other.
‘My word!’
They continued to look at it.

‘It says that the bendy buses are very clean and quiet.’
‘Hmm, how nice.’
‘It says they almost purr.’ ‘Ha, like a cat, perhaps?’
‘Maybe so.’
They both grinned.

‘I’m pretty sure we will never see one of those here.’
‘Indeed not.’
‘Well, not to worry, we don’t really like buses, do we?’
‘No, certainly not.’
‘We like our cars much better.’
‘You have your posh lorry, and I’ve my big bakkie.’
‘And look, both of them are ready – and both of them have all new tyres now.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

(150 words)

Wine, lovely wine

Chris Hall33 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

‘Gosh, lovely wine, and only around the corner. So nice to be in the wine area. There are several vineyards right here. And really, really close. I mean just 10 mins away.’

‘Did you know that you could get an old, but refurbish wine-press, and not too far from here?’

‘Nice idea, although we don’t have very many vines in our yard.’

‘Maybe buy some more in the garden centre?’

‘Or just buy a load of grapes… some of those great big boxes in the supermarket.’

‘Hmm, that’s easier, and already grown.’

‘So back to the question, should we find a wine-press?’

‘I am sure it could be brought here, and we could use the old shed, since there are no hens anymore.’

(a little sigh for a moment)

‘So what do you think?’

‘Hmm, we don’t have to worry about this just yet…’

‘True, not until the spring… you know, around September, I think.’

‘Oh well, you know what time it is now?’

‘Ah, so it is!’

‘Okay, you get the glasses, and I’ll get the bottle.’

‘Chin-chin!’

‘Bottoms up!’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

(180 words)

Craft Market

Chris Hall41 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

‘Another trophy,’ grinned Joey as he moved around the small museum, ‘and what a nice little find.’ He walked from one side to another, deciding where that best location would be.

He had been to the craft market at the start of the day, all the best bargains could go any time. He’d been poking around the various stalls, all kinds of bric-a-brac and stuff, and he almost couldn’t find anything appropriate. But then he saw it. Just a small wooden statue with a long face and a round tummy. Rather pleasing.

He’d haggled a bit, pushing down the price, even though he knew it was much more expensive – or at least he thought so. But of course he would do that, he couldn’t help himself. Always a dealer, as he winked, and then he hurried across the town, to open the museum.

But he couldn’t decide where to put this lovely piece.

He was sure it was very old, and also it must have come from somewhere in West Africa. Maybe Gambia or Sierra Leone? Why did he think about that? He should have to send an email to a few friends around the world. But meanwhile he would put the little piece on the desk at the front, next to his laptop.

He picked it up again.
Then he closed his eyes.

‘You must have been in a large ship, and dangerous. From Africa to North Carolina, USA, but in between you went to Liverpool – is that right?’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

(250 words)