Many, many, maaaaannnnnyyyyy years ago, when in my first year at high school, I was shanghaied into playing a part in this Gilbert and Sullivan production of Mikado…. I was to play a maiden…
Now I have to thank my lucky stars that it was not a major part, but rather one of the young maiden chorus group… now stop that laughing… I may still need to visit a shrink in years to come…
When these three ducks or Cape teal came swimming around the corner the song came back to me as if it was yesterday…. Now I know I need psychologist….
Three little maids from school are we
Pert as a school-girl well can be
filled to the brim with girlish glee
Three little maids from school……………… hell I have a shiver going down my back….
Can you that know me, picture this body playing the part of a school girl ? Dressed in a pinafore reaching the ground…. and a bonnet six foot high (slight exaggeration) on my head and a forehead of curls that were made using curling irons ?? Didn’t think so… you don’t know how I prayed for the proverbial things to drop that my high voice would become a deep thunder……
But any way here is a few other photos of the Cape Teal…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
I don’t think there’s a one of us who can imagine you as one of the little maids, Rob. What a fun memory to share. Isn’t it amazing how something can trigger a memory from so long ago and you’ve surely had some fun with it! The little “maids” in these photos are very sweet. They evoke such a peaceful response!
Thanks Debra… many years ago at anall boys boarding school I never thought I’d be playing such a part…
I do a good story and that definitely is a good story; made me smile…Thank you for that.
Thanks Charlie…
Picture picture please. 🙂 🙂 Just kidding.
and now, because of that role, you have these wonderful memories to share! 🙂 😉
Thanks Imelda for not pushing the picture point… lol
Hehehe…I can’t imagine you in a bonnet! 😉
Thank the Lord for that…. it could damage the mind
Stunning pics again, bulldog. I also sang in the Mikado at school. What a pity we didn’t have you there as one of the little maids. I’m sure you were really cute, but I have to admit that it’s hard to imagine you with curly hair and a pinny. 😀
Thanks AD… I’m sure I was nothing more than the comic relief… lol
I was having a hearty laugh when I read your words “now stop that laughing” LOL. I can imagine you did a fabulous job in the production. Any photos? 😀
Yes there is photographic evidence that is still covered by the secrets sct….. not to be opened till 2090….
You were very brave!!!!
Me thinks so too…
LOLOLOL! Well…that explains a lot…
I never told Linda about this till after we were married. .?
And you’re still married…amazing….(you always make me laugh when I need it!)
Hell if I’d told Linda before the marriage she’d have thought me bent
Hehehehe! Poor Linda…
Ok, I cannot get that image out of my head Bulldog! BTW, I love that last shot. 🙂
Try hard.. it can’t a plesent image. .?
I haven’t been successful yet! 🙂
Isn’t it strange that these cutie teals could remind you of days gone by Rob? 😆 I think you were one cute maiden and thanks for the laugh. You wrote it all so delightfully. 😀
Great shots! The last one is my favouite. 😀
Thanks Sonel…. funny what can bring back bad memories… lol
Oh, I know just what you mean. 😆
Now I have a huge smile on my face! A video of that performance would be PRICELESS!!! 😀
No chance of that… lol…
Despite all the teasing, perhaps you were meant to be a great stage star impersonator. Maybe the teacher saw some potential: who knows?
No Ronnie, one was forced to go and sing in front of the music teacher and she decided if you were in or not…. I tried all sorts but she still decided I had to be in the play… in hindsight I think it was to turn it into a comedy, which I managed to do single-handedly… by standing on a big beautiful shell at the outset and changing it into a mass of chips… from there on I just continued to bring the house down with my parents laughing the loudest….
Che bella presentazione hai fatto per queste bellissime foto, molto divertente, mi hai fatto ridere di gusto. Grazie caro Rob.
Un salutone e buona giornata. Pat
Thanks Pat… when I played the part I had everyone laughing as well… glad you enjoyed…
😀
I was the witch in the Wizard of Oz…
Sorry…lol
Yeah – someone had to do it – someone had to be a maiden…BUT I was a rather modern witch and flitted about the stage in a leotard at one poin to creepy music…Plottingt!!! So whahh…
Hahahahahaha!!!!! Ok, now that I’ve stopped laughing, I have an idea. Since it’s almost Halloween, why don’t you dress up like a maiden again and post a picture here on your blog? I suppose you’ll have to find a wig, and I will have to make sure I’m not eating at the time so I don’t spew food all over my iPad, but I think it would be fabulous!! Please!!!! I know you have a great sense of humour and love to entertain your blogging family :).
There is very little chance of that happening… although I’d love to…. unfortunately I’m in Kathu with no possibility of emulating a maiden… I would love to see you spit all over your iPad… what a pity…
Oh well, maybe another time :).
It is very hard to imagine you dressed as a maiden. Perhaps it’s in a teacher’s DNA to inflict maximum embarrassment while they still have the power to do so…. I once had to wear a pair of girl’s black tights as part of a soldier’s uniform (at primary school), which is an experience I have never forgotten. I cannot recall the name of the play or the teacher, but I do remember struggling with those tights…mentally scarred for life.
Thanks Brian, when I look at the photos I can’t believe it’s me…
Oh Bulldog, I am laughing so much at this one, finding it really hard to imagine you as a young maiden with curls…the things we are made to do as kids certainly do leave their mark…and as for these Three Little Maidens, I’m intrigued by their pink beaks and red/orange? eyes. The way you captured them like this three in a row is priceless, they are just so darn cute, love it 😀
The trouble was I was far too tall before my time and ended at least a foot taller than the next maiden… I also tripped around like the proverbial elephant… when we entered the stage there was a big shell for the main maiden to pick up… I stood on it…. she picked up the tiniest of pieces, which brought the house down… the trouble was my parents were laughing the loudest at me… turned the Mikado into a massive comedy….
Oh that’s too funny…what a great memory 😀
The teal are cute but someone, somewhere must have some cute pics of you . . .
Yep there are photos…. but only used used as comic relief now…. and never on this blog
Oulike storie! Die voëls is pragtig. Glo nie hul kom hier in die bosveld voor – ken hul nie. Die pienk bekke is besonders.
I’m sure they don’t more a highveld duck…
Cute, cute, cute…
Thañks..thanks…thanks…
Imagine you like that Rob … Noooooo not our Rob !! Thank goodness the proverbial dropped … Great photos my friend and happy memories xx
There are photos, but not for here… I stood next to Wally Zuchini who was a senior and a pirate… I was at least 2 foot taller than him with my bonnet on…. remember Wally, his Dad was manager of Liebigs factory and he died in one of the Viscounts that the ters shot down….
Reminds me of the time I was the Town Crier in a play. I had the short hair and my Dad had a trumpet for me to use instead of a bell. Oyez, oyez, oyez!
Sounds like one of those memories one almost forgets.?
Oh my gosh – this post made me laugh! I found this on you tube for you bulldog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXWkIZUPmDY
Love the pictures too! ❤
Diana xo
Thank you.. now it is stuck in my head…. and here I was trying to forget…
I’d never heard it so had to go find it…you know…to totally understand your story! 😉
Can you picture me as one of those little maidens…? Specially when I was 5 ft 10 in tall at that stage ..?
Is there a video of it? I would love to watch it!
Fortunately not….