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Hi elle

I hope that you told your grandson that Richard Owen got several of the reconstructions wrong - particularly he made quadrupeds of dinosaurs that actually stood on their hind legs.

Owen is not a hero of mine - a rabid anti-Darwinist (though in charge of the Natural History Museum).

Good morning, Elle!
It is a dry start to the day here, for now at least.
Well done on your successful day out!
I have not heard of the Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs before.
I am sure your grandson would have liked that.
My "Chambers Dictionary of the Unexplained" arrived.
A fascinating book in near perfect condition.
And I have ordered, "Where the Red Fern Grows".
It's a children's book, but I am going to try it.
You'll be taking it easy after your day out yesterday?

Update, Elle!
Just had a look at Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs on YouTube.
I did not realise it was over a century old!
Possibly the first ever "theme park"?
I'll bet BB enjoyed it!
I liked it, (just watched one video) and the music was a favourite of mine.
"The New World" by Dvorak.
Lovely morning here!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is a dull day here at present, with a little drizzle in the air as I was out walking the dog.
Yes, the dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park go back to the 1850s.
Since those early years, some discrepancies have been found in the make up of the models.......as time has gone by, the experts have learned more still about dinosaurs!
But it has always been an impressive sight.....and a delight and wonder to the many young children taken to see it.
You might like to read what it says on Wikipaedia, too - there is a very good informative article on the Dinosaur Park's history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace_Dinosaurs
Rather sadly, I was shocked yesterday by the neglect of the area.
It is quite some time since I was last there, and the foliage is rampant......and the dinosaurs models in a bad state of disrepair.
The stream has dried up.
Supposedly, after the work on the Sphinxes, on the top terrace of the park ,was finished, similar repair work was to be carried out on the dinosaurs....
But only one reptile has been "treated".....and the rest seemingly left to decay..........
I wonder if the money ran out?
Your new book sounds interesting.... at least this one actually reached you!
I haven't heard of "Where the Red Fern Grows"?
What is it about?



Hello, Chris!
Yes, there were a number of discrepancies/ faults in the early dinosaur models.
But you have to remember that these were built many years ago in the 1850s, and more has been learnt since then.

Hello, Elle!
Not a cloud in the sky here!
It was coolish when I was out.
The video I watched mentioned "neglect" at Crystal Palace Park.
I think you have hit the nail on the head.
The young ones are enthralled by the dinosaurs, and to me, that's the main thing.
A fun day out!
I'll bet BB will be telling his pals all about the smashing place his grandparents took him to.
So, well done, Elle!
I did read your link, thank you.
The new Chambers book will keep me going for ages.
I am just at "ABC's" so far. "Alien Big Cats"!
"Where the Red Fern Grows" is about a young lad and his two dogs.
It's described as a "children's book" and that's fine by me.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, BB did have a great day out!
Although I'm not sure whether the Cornetto he devoured didn't rank higher in his estimation, than the rather dilapidated dinosaurs did!
Certainly the Cornetto was reported to his mum!
I might contact the Council and see what they have to say about the state of the Dinosaur Court?
BB was an excellent 'guest' for a sleepover!
(He ate everything put in front of him!)
And we are now both hooked on the "Wordscapes" thingy that he had on his tablet!
My daughter "plays" it, too!
I might see if I can download it to my Hudl.....
I like children's books..... "Swallows and Amazons"; "Heidi"; and "Polyanna" are all firm favourites still!

Oops, typo!
I missed a "p" out of "Pollyanna"!

Hello, Elle!
You missed an "L" out of Pollyanna!
I read "Heidi" but not the other two.
I may have seen "Pollyanna" on my television, though.
Did she have red hair and an optimistic outlook?
Here is the link to my book,
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10365.Where_the_Red_Fern_Grows
There is a programme on television this night about one of my favourite authors, Bill Bryson.
I suspect it will be an older programme that I have missed down the years.
Sloane Stephens is in the quarter-finals of the US Open today but it is not on any of my TV channels.
So, she'll just have to get on with it, without my support!

Hi, Rusty!
Can I pretend I have a stammer?
P...pollyanna?

"Pollyanna" and "Pollyanna Grows Up" are by Eleanor H. Porter.
Are you sure you haven't read about Pollyanna ?
I have a strong sense of deja vu, in that I think we've talked about this before?
Pollyanna is a little girl whose father taught her always to see the good in a situation.....always finding something "to be glad" about......
Pollyanna called it "The Glad Game".
Yes, there is a film, but Pollyanna is blonde, played by Hayley Mills.
I've read your book synopsis - thank you for the link - it sounds very good!
Did you notice, on the right- hand side of the link, a reference to "Old Yeller"?
I haven't read the book, but very many years ago, I saw the Walt Disney film about "Old Yeller" - a golden labrador retriever cross.
I even remember crying at the end!
( I might order the book!)
And speaking of Bill Bryson, I unearthed one of his books the other day when I was "book sorting"........"Walkabout".
I shan't be throwing that one out though!

Hello, Elle!
I remember now!
It was Anne Shirley who had red hair.
I liked her!
I have read a lot of similar books but I get confused about them nowadays.
I have heard of "Old Yeller" but I do not know the story.
"Walkabout" is a favourite of mine.
I am just heading out to the post office.
A brisk walk!