Thoughts on Thor the Walrus

[WingedWords]

Thor the walrus filmed returning to the sea at Scarborough

Arctic mammal had won the hearts of residents and caused the town’s fireworks display to be cancelled

www.google.com

Reading this story led me down memory lane.

Back in the 1950s when I was growing up in the SE London suburb of South Norwood, one of my favourite trips out was to the Horniman Museum. A half hour ride on the number 197 bus.



My favourite exhibit was always the stuffed walrus. Possibly the worst taxidermy ever - I think they just crammed as much stuffing in as possible. But a very fond memory.



Some thirty years later I had to go to a work meeting at the Horniman and was very disappointed to find the gallery where the walrus lived was being refurbished and my friend was in storage. However, one of the staff took me down to their store where the walrus was carefully wrapped in cling- film. Some wit had stuck on a discreet label - "Defrost thoroughly before use. Best before Dec 1989.. "

 

[Kev-wilson]

The current walrus (thor) stopped off at Blythe after scarboro and nobody ever stops at Blythe I've read it's likely to reappear up in Scotland before crossing the north sea on its way back up north.

 

[blue metalflake]

Amazing that there’s so much footage of him - brings a nice change to the usual TV news.

 

[radiocaster]

I haven't seen much about this, but I wish they'd cancel fireworks more often as it affects other animals as well,

 

[hemingway]

Back in the 90s I used to live a few hundred yards from the Horniman, but weirdly I never went there.

But I do remember that next to it there was a little menagerie with llamas, wallabies and the like just roaming around in a field. I think it's still there, but in a slightly fancier, less random way.

It was quite weird to wander to the shops past a bunch of exotic animals.

Mind you, my former mother-in-law lives in the Cotswolds not far from a herd of camels. Not even joking.

 

[tintag27]

He has certainly captured the imagination, and the affection of us all. Good luck to him on his continuing World Tour

 

[CirrusBand]

As a student who studied in Scarborough for 3 years, I've got to say that a masturbating Walrus couldn't have happened to a nicer town.

 

[tintag27]

Back in the 90s I used to live a few hundred yards from the Horniman, but weirdly I never went there.

But I do remember that next to it there was a little menagerie with llamas, wallabies and the like just roaming around in a field. I think it's still there, but in a slightly fancier, less random way.

It was quite weird to wander to the shops past a bunch of exotic animals.

Mind you, my former mother-in-law lives in the Cotswolds not far from a herd of camels. Not even joking.

Looking out my window I can see the paddock where Mrs Buxton (the farmer's wife) has her little 'petting zoo' for the season's B&B visitors...
The Llamas are not out at the moment, but I am more impressed when the Rheas make an appearance... There are only about 1,000 of these large South American flightless birds in the UK. They are very wary and can run at 40 mph - not a great choice for a pet!

 

[WingedWords]

Back in the 90s I used to live a few hundred yards from the Horniman, but weirdly I never went there.

But I do remember that next to it there was a little menagerie with llamas, wallabies and the like just roaming around in a field. I think it's still there, but in a slightly fancier, less random way.

It was quite weird to wander to the shops past a bunch of exotic animals.

Mind you, my former mother-in-law lives in the Cotswolds not far from a herd of camels. Not even joking.

I think the menagerie was after my time. When I last visited in the 80s it had changed beyond recognition, but it was a wonderful little museum for small boys in the 50s with lots of exhibits that would be totally un-pc now and I couldn't possibly describe. I remember some terrifying (to an under 10 year old) pictures from Asia of souls in torment and they still have an extensive musical instrument department.

 

[hemingway]

I think the menagerie was after my time. When I last visited in the 80s it had changed beyond recognition, but it was a wonderful little museum for small boys in the 50s with lots of exhibits that would be totally un-pc now and I couldn't possibly describe. I remember some terrifying (to an under 10 year old) pictures from Asia of souls in torment and they still have an extensive musical instrument department.

Yes, I wish I'd gone to the musical instrument bit.

 

[hemingway]

Looking out my window I can see the paddock where Mrs Buxton (the farmer's wife) has her little 'petting zoo' for the season's B&B visitors...
The Llamas are not out at the moment, but I am more impressed when the Rheas make an appearance... There are only about 1,000 of these large South American flightless birds in the UK. They are very wary and can run at 40 mph - not a great choice for a pet!

View attachment 1069504

It's great, isn't it? It's weird to think that this place is in the middle of London.

But then, geographically, as someone once said, London is basically a forest with some buildings in it.

 

[WingedWords]

It's great, isn't it? It's weird to think that this place is in the middle of London.

But then, geographically, as someone once said, London is basically a forest with some buildings in it.

That's true. I grew up in WOODside, part of NorWOOD. The Horniman Museum is in FOREST Hill. London is still something like 40% open green space.

 

[Bluego1]

Thor the walrus filmed returning to the sea at Scarborough

Arctic mammal had won the hearts of residents and caused the town’s fireworks display to be cancelled

www.google.com

Reading this story led me down memory lane.

Back in the 1950s when I was growing up in the SE London suburb of South Norwood, one of my favourite trips out was to the Horniman Museum. A half hour ride on the number 197 bus.

View attachment 1069475

My favourite exhibit was always the stuffed walrus. Possibly the worst taxidermy ever - I think they just crammed as much stuffing in as possible. But a very fond memory.

View attachment 1069476

Some thirty years later I had to go to a work meeting at the Horniman and was very disappointed to find the gallery where the walrus lived was being refurbished and my friend was in storage. However, one of the staff took me down to their store where the walrus was carefully wrapped in cling- film. Some wit had stuck on a discreet label - "Defrost thoroughly before use. Best before Dec 1989.. "

Good. Quinn the Eskimo has been looking for him.

 

[Peegoo]

Never get into a scrap with a walrus for a spot in the car park. You'll lose.

 

[hemingway]

That's true. I grew up in WOODside, part of NorWOOD. The Horniman Museum is in FOREST Hill. London is still something like 40% open green space.

Yep, and I live in Manor Park, just down the road from Forest Gate.