Well, you get asked to write a book, you write it, it gets published and the next thing is – you have a book launch, right? So we did. We launched ‘Outwitting Squirrels’Â on the river Wye at Symmonds Yat.
We had to begin by making a boat to launch it in – this was Charles’ job, complicated by a need for ecological soundness plus floatability. And the need for a squirrel to accompany the boat. Â The publishers, Michael O’Mara, kindly obliged with the squirrel and Charles built. We tested:
It floats!
The squirrel seemed happy
Hello.. nice weather for squirrels..
and chatty….
So we invited some good friends and set off to Launch!
A devoted squirrel about to be Outwitted
With friends and some fizz….
You wot?
Friends were a little bewildered? Then cheered up:
Yey! (it was the quick slurp that did it…)
So – to the water…..
and…..
Squirrel was beginning to feel a little unsure about all this….
Launched!
And said ‘do I have to?’
Really?
Yes, we said…
O
And we want some pictures too…
Professional at work
Noooo, said squirrel and made off for the ferry…
Safety???
No you don’t, thinks Charles, and grabs a broom…
go on…..
And OFF!
to Charles’ delight
We were all hoping for a picture of Charles falling in the water…
Bye bye, book, boat and squirrel!
Byeeeeee !
Free entrance to the Veddw garden to anyone who returns the book and squirrel.
So we all went off to eat and drink and celebrate my birthday as well…then Big Surprise! Squirrel reappeared, now safely caged!
That is a cage with a successfully outwitted squirrel in it and triumphant squirrel outwitter…
This squirrel is not as pretty as the other one…
I ate a bit of his cage and let this squirrel out. But the boated one and the book were well and truly launched and vanished into the night…..
Hurray!
I didn’t get an invite to the launch tho I see Maggie there! Goes off in a huff! What about links to the seven reviews then?
I would not want to see Charles falling in the water (at least not with his camera) though you could have given the boat a more energetic push maybe ……. đ
Seriously, though, glad you had a great birthday celebration. And I must research copyright – there are no declarations so copyright unknown????! Some lovely pics of you ….. (and a good one of Charles looking a bit delicate).
One question, though. Do you actually have ankles?
I will add the copyrights – short of time at the moment. And links to all reviews ultimately…. Thanks for yours, John! Xxx (o, and I have feet too)
I meant the seven reviews by the seven seen holding copies of the book. It’s tradition that all those invited to a book launch do a write-up, you know!
I never knew that, John…..
Hurrah ! X
What larks!! Absolutely fantastic way to, literally, launch a book… and a squirrel!
Huge congratulations Anne. Your birthday cake was a dead ringer too!
Libby x
Thanks, Libby! – your copy is not forgotten…. XXX
what fun! That cheered me up alright!
What more could we ask?
What fun! And what a novel idea – good way to get publicity for the launch of the book, well done whoever thought of it.
I’ve made a note of book title; have a friend who really struggles with squirrels in her garden, so am going to get her a copy.
Oh, belated happy birthday too Anne.
Thank you! xx