...well, don't we have a lot to talk about?  But my errant elephant adventures across the Northern countries will have to wait for another time - the GM is tapping his foot impatiently and is expecting me to do some of the work for which I am paid, not share my holiday snaps with the good folks of blog land.

   But, he is momentarily distracted so I'll take this opportunity to let you know that after many claims and counter claims, legal battles (thanks once again to the Minor International flying lawyers) and the odd sleepless night we have finally secured ownership of Pang Poon Larb and Nong Lynchee - there is still a little 'i' dotting and 't' crossing to go but we have passed the point of no return.  

   The money for the purchase was donated all those months ago at elephant family's Elephant Durbar and was donated by Mrs. Geraldine Hamsworth who will receive her ownership certificate as soon as said 'i's and 't's are sorted out.

   To celebrate I took a bottle of champagne down to the elephant camp and saved myself a fortune in Christmas hampers by learning that mahouts and bubbly don't mix - ahh well, all the more for us!  

   Lynchee herself celebrated by running over a guest and rolling in the mud.

 

...the mahouts aren't particularly impressed with the vintage...

 

...neither's Nong Lynchee for that matter...



...now, this is more like it for a safe young elephant - as her big sisters look on; though the observant will notice Plai Tawan's turned back.  I gave him a banana or two to take the taste of sour grapes out of his mouth!