The Black Gate

While Dad was at a conference in Newcastle, I got to wander around the city on my own. This is the Black Gate, the last remaining gate to the castle which Newcastle is named after. The gate was built in 1250, which makes it slightly older than me.

Mom and Big Cat

Here's Mom giving Big Cat a cuddle.

Eva and Family

Mom and Dad went off on the last day to visit Brian's friends Eva and Asier, and their new baby Mikel. I didn't go because I was afraid of getting too dusty in the park (and that the baby might try to eat me).

The Wedding

Mom and Dad went to Francisco and Fatima's wedding, but we weren't allowed because we didn't have fancy clothing with us.

Chris

Here's a picture of Chris. He is squinting because my beauty is so radiant, not because it was a really sunny day.

A Huge Fan

Gisella and Chris from London also came to meet us. Everyone said they were going to a Spanish wedding, but I think they wanted to see me and Strange Panda in the flesh. At the Palacio Real, Gisella begged and pleaded for a photo, so we agreed to let her take one with us. When I learn how to hold a pen, I will autograph the photo for her.

Palacio Real

We also got to visit the Palacio Real on our day out of the hotel. Dad said that means Royal Palace in Spanish. It seems much too small to live in, as Strange Panda is taller than the first two floors. I wonder if there are any other platypuses who have visited here?

Madrid Plaza Mayor Again

Here we are again in front of the Plaza Mayor. This time there is a nice close-up of me and Bill.

Madrid Plaza Mayor

Today we ventured out of the hotel room. It was very hot for us animals though. Mom posed for a picture with us inside the Plaza Mayor.

Colegio Mayor Mendel

This is where Dad used to live (the building, not the cars). But I didn't get to go visit it, because I was too busy sleeping.

Spain!

We got to take a trip to Madrid in May. It was a lot of fun. We stayed in a hotel room with two separate beds. It was great. There was one for me and one for Bill! Occasionally Mom and Dad were in the hotel room too.

More Glasses

The glasses look better on me than on Bill. I look very sophisticated and intelligent!

Me Too!

I have lovely close-ups too!

Another Picture of Me

Aren't pictures of me great?

Can't See Clearly

Mom got worried I was nearsighted, so she had me try on some glasses. They made everything all fuzzy though.

Japan 2006 - Back to Tokyo

Before we went back to England, we went back to Tokyo. Mom and Dad put us in a locker at the train station. It was dark and noisy, but then we fell asleep. They met up with Chris, Mom's friend from London, and did karaoke. Later we got to go to a hotel near the airport, and then we flew back to Manchester the next morning.

Japan 2006 - More Relations

Uncle Paul's friend Miles, Uncle Keith, and Grandaunt Anna came too. I imagine they wanted to see us as well, but I'm not as sure.

Japan 2006 - Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa Irwin came from America just to see me and Strange Panda. It was great! They said it was for the wedding, but I know they just had to say that so Paul and Keiko's feeling wouldn't be hurt.

Japan 2006 - The Wedding

Uncle Paul and Aunt Keiko had their wedding in this shrine. Strange Panda and I weren't allowed to go in because they said no animals could attend the service. But we did get to sleep all day, which was great! And we could see the photos afterwards.

Japan 2006 - Izumo

This was our bed in Izumo. We stayed at Uncle Paul and Aunt Keiko's house. There wasn't much space, so we slept in the room most of the time.

Japan 2006 - Funny Bag

The cupcake came in this funny bag. It didn't make sense to me, but I don't read well anyway.

Japan 2006 - Cute Cupcake

Aunt Keiko gave us the cutest cupcake ever. And then, even better, we got to eat it!

Japan 2006 - Stolen Beer

Naughty Bill came and stole some of my drink without asking! However, it didn't make a difference, as I don't think I could really drink all that anyway.

Japan 2006 - To Izumo

On the way to Izumo to see Uncle Paul and Aunt Keiko, we stopped for a drink. I ordered a large beer.

Japan 2006 - Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

In Kyoto, we went to Fushimi Inari Shrine, which has thousands of torii gates. You can see them all behind us.

Japan 2006 - A Really Tight Squeeze

One day we woke up enough to go out with Mom and Dad. We found we were in Kyoto by that point. Oops! It was a bit of a squeeze fitting in this backpack, and Bill's breath smelled of water insect again. Next time I want my own pocket.

Japan 2006 - A Tight Squeeze?

Mom also crawled through a hole in this column. She said it was a tight squeeze, but even Dad managed to get through it. If I had been there, it would've been really easy for me!

Japan 2006 - Nara

In Nara, mom made some friends with bigger animals, some deer. She gave them lots of food, but I always get more than that, so I know she still loves me more.

Japan 2006 - Toyama Mountains

Here we are posing in front of the Toyama mountains. This is the view from Amir's flat.

Japan 2006 - Amir's Place

Here we are sleeping in Amir's flat. It reminded me of Mom's old apartment, but bigger.

Japan 2006 - Amir

In Toyama, we stayed at Amir's place. He played soccer on the beach with Mom and Dad.

Japan 2006 - A Cuddle

Mom let us ride on her lap for awhile too.

Japan 2006 - Train Ride to Toyama

I remember that train ride too. It was so much fun! We spent a long time looking out the window too. The shinkansen bullet trains are really really fast. As fast as 100 pandas running, at least.

Japan 2006 - Homeward Bound

After Nikko, we headed back home to Toyama. It was a long train ride, so we read a lot.

Japan 2006 - Nikko Part 2

At the guest house we stayed at, there was a neat dog called Bea-ta that lived there. We played fetch with him while Mom and Dad were out.

Japan 2006 - Nikko

After Tokyo, we went to Nikko, a place with lovely beds and comfortable places to sleep. Here is where we slept. It's also supposed to be famous for temples, but we just kept sleeping while Mom and Dad went to look at those.

Japan 2006 - A Walk Part 2

They also went to Shibuya, which has a famous crossing. Of course, we stayed in and slept. I think Strange Panda watched some TV.

Japan 2006 - A Walk

Mom and Dad went for a walk through Tokyo while Strange Panda and I rested in the hotel room. We had serious jet lag. Platypuses are not used to flying.

Japan 2006 - Breakfast

Mom had some weird rotten beans for breakfast. The Japanese call it Natto. I prefer normal food, like water insects.

Japan 2006 - Departing

We got to go back to our birthplace, Japan, for a nice trip. Uncle Paul and Aunt Keiko got married. Strange Panda and my trip started in Manchester the night before we left. We spent the night at a friend of Mom's house, Jane. She had a nice Minnie Mouse that we cuddled up with. We had to get up early to get our flight the next morning from Manchester Airport.

New Year 2006 - New Family Member

Christmas also brought a new member of the family... Oink-choo! He comes from Japan, just like Strange Panda and I. Uncle Paul and Keiko sent him to Mom and Dad. Sarah really likes him. He is not just a pig: he is also a tissue holder. Uncle Paul also told us he is going to get married to Keiko. Girls... yuck!

Christmas 2005 - The Zoo

Mom told me that while I was sleeping, they went to the zoo with our cousins. Apparently there was a giant gorilla there that would let you ride him. However, there weren't any pandas or platypuses.

Christmas 2005 - FOOD!

There was a ton of food for Christmas dinner, and I got really stuffed. I slept the rest of the trip.

Christmas 2005 - Isobel Gets Tired

Isobel got a bit tired later, and I had to sleep in one sock, while Bill and Plato were in the other. I think cousin Isobel loves me the most, because she gave me my own stocking to sleep in.

Christmas 2005 - Jersey

Christmas was great this year: we went to Jersey to visit aunt Fiona. All the family was there from Mom's side of the family. I got to sleep in dad's comfortable new alpaca slippers. Bill and Plato had to sleep in Christmas socks, called stockings. Isobel posed for a picture with us, but I think her feet became attached to her arms strangely...

Vernon's Head

After a game of tag, we curled up to sleep next to him. He is a good sleeper!

Vernon's Head Part 2

On Saturday, Vernon fell asleep on the sofa, so we played tag on his head.

Yet Another Panda!

Dad bought a new panda last week! I think he wants to replace me. This new panda can be filled with hot water and is cuddly and warm like a real panda. Plus his coat is shiny and white. Maybe I can push him out of the bed during the night....

Mom and Dad went to Windsor Castle on a tour, while we guarded the hotel room and Best Cover.

Mom and Dad took us to London the other day. Grandma, grandpa, and great-grandma were all there too. Best Cover even came.