Yesterday Wilson's brother Byron was returned safely to the bosom of his family.
Today a sense of ennui has descended upon the house, as W wanders around aimlessly saying he's 'lonely', 'bored' and has got 'nothing to do'.
He's even put on the Duck Slippers he had for Xmas – which always make him smile – but to no avail.
I'm not a professional psychiatrist, but even I can diagnose a case of Post Xmas Blues when I see one…
Byron has been staying with us for several weeks now, and I think I can detect early signs of homesickness.
I asked Wilson to have a word, and he told me that Biro is indeed ready to return home to the Zoo.
It didn't take him long to pack his things, and Wilson has put together a suitcase stuffed with loads of leftover food, and gifts for his family.
Also a box of Do The Ants Know It's Xmas? records – some to give to his family, and some to try to sell to the Zoo Gift Shop.
Watching Paddington 2 did not altogether have the desired effect of cheering up the children.
What can I say? The wrapper described it as a 'Delightful Adventure' and it was classified "U": suitable for audiences of all ages.
It also said there were 'Some scenes of mild peril' and I admit I should have paid more attention to that.
SPOILER ALERT!
Everything started so well with Paddington at home with The Browns, choosing a birthday present for his Aunt Lucy and starting work as a window cleaner… but once he was framed for theft, TT and the Johnson Brothers began to fret.
Once Paddington was jailed, even Antony began to look worried, and during his fraught jailbreak many of the children were openly sobbing.
Then finally, when the little bear was trapped underwater in a locked container and about to drown, I had to press Pause and comfort everyone while The Bees administered Royal Jelly to the disturbed and shocked youngsters.
During the drowning scene, I noticed that both Wilson and Byron were dabbing at their eyes and even stoic sToneye's massive orb appeared to be leaking…
The upshot was that everyone had to sleep in my bed, while I dozed fitfully in an armchair – the cries of despair and weeping making proper sleep impossible…
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I can only hope everyone will have returned to normal when we see you again on Friday…
So, Uncle Zoltan has left to seek his fortune in what he calls the Music Biz.
Wilson – who never hit it off with Uncle Z – was pleased to see him go, but the children are missing him.
When all is said and done, he was an excellent pastry chef, and good with kids, and the younger ones are already pining and asking when he'll be back.
Personally, I'll be surprised if he's away more than a week, but to cheer everyone up I've bought a copy of Paddington 2 to watch – from the trailers I've seen, it looks brilliant!
After tea, everyone gathered in the living room and settled down for an evening of first-class entertainment!
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Anyway, we'll see you again on Wednesday!
There was a bit of a commotion in the garden this morning.
When Wilson and I went out to see what was occurring, we found Uncle Zoltan with his tiny Citroën Van and his drum kit on board, and The Bees – Uncle Z is apparently leaving on a Nationwide Tour.
Back in the 70s, when Drum Solos were a thing, I found them pretty tedious – and I can't see them being any less tiresome now!
Ringo Starr had The Beatles; Roger Taylor had Queen; Ginger Baker had Cream, and Keith Moon had The Who – all Uncle Z's got is a Short Fuse and a Bad Attitude.
However, he is certain that there is a public craving, an unfulfilled yearning for a musician who's entire repertoir is drum solo after drum solo.
I predict that this will be a pretty brief tour…
