From:
Guy Wooles
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Penguin Project
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 27th, 1999
Dear
Dave,
My
name is Guy Wooles and I am currently in my 3rd year at the
University of Western England (Bristol) studying Fine Art in
Context. My latest project involves conservation and wildlife
protection issues. For the past three weeks I have been creating
penguins out of newspaper in preparation for a residency and
to develop my own style of practice. One of my creations recently
asked if he could have a holiday. Being a kind and considerate
person I agreed to see what I could do. His name is Dennis (as
in hopper(!!)), and he stands approximately 12-16 inches tall.
I am writing, and hoping, that you might be willing to take
Dennis for a few days and take some photographs of him with
his cousins and the surrounding areas, plus anything else you
think he would like to see. He would, of course, bring his own
camera and return ticket. Joking aside, I would like to give
Dennis his own history and background besides the ones that
have been crumpled up to create him. This might all sound a
bit crazy but I believe it could be an interesting experience
for him(!) and for myself and perhaps help put across some serious
issues regarding waste and conservation amongst others. I do
hope you can help me in this project and I look forward to hearing
from you soon.
My
e-mail address is Guy@khern.freeserve.co.uk
or
redhead@khern.freeserve.co.uk.
All the best
Guy
From:
Dave Houston
To: Guy@khern.freeserve.co.uk
Subject: Dennis
Date: Friday, October 29, 1999 11:54 AM
If Dennis wanted to come over for a look around, I would be
pleased to introduce him to some of his feathered relatives.
Cheers,
Dave
Houston
Department
of Conservation
P.O.Box 388,
Oamaru,
New Zealand
Thought
for the day:
Consciousness (n): that annoying time between naps.
From:
Guy Wooles
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Dennis
Date: Saturday, Oct 30th, 1999
Dave,
Thanks
very much for offering to take Dennis for a few, he's over
moon. As soon as he's packed he'll be 'winging' his way over
to you. Just to give you some idea of what to expect I'll
tell you his history so far.
Dennis is the first penguin I made for this project and was
created using only photographs in books as a guideline. So
he might look like a cross between a number of penguins! I
realise that he should be at least two and a half feet tall
but he is only a few weeks old.
Dennis is made entirely out of paper and plain old sellotape
but he is quite solid. I haven't painted him because I quite
like him the way he is. I didn't want to hide the fact that
he's made of waste material.
Please don't worry if you damage him, just stick him back
together if you can. I expect him to come back a little 'travel
weary' anyway.
Was my e-mail dated 18/6/99? My computer is playing up and
puts weird dates on everything. If not ignore the last question!
So, anyway, thanks again for the prompt reply and Dennis wants
to know whether he can call you 'Uncle Dave'?
Good luck in the Rugby. I'm rooting for New Zealand (I think)
'cos I'm Welsh and so is Dennis. Oh, and thanks for Graham
Henry!
Iechyd Da ('cheers' in Welsh)
Guy
From:
Dave Houston
To: Guy Wooles
Subject: Re: Dennis
Date: Saturday, October 30, 1999 9:36 PM
I look forward to Dennis' arrival. He might get a yacht trip
to Stewart Island to survey Yellow-eyed penguins if he behaves.
Will see some blue penguins and might even see some Fiordland-crested's.
Yes,
you computer still thinks it's June.
Kia
Ora,
Uncle
Dave
Thought for the day:
Logic (n): the art of being wrong with confidence.
From:
Guy Wooles
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Incoming Dennis
Date: Thursday, November 04, 1999 10:07 PM
Dave,
I have just waved Dennis off at the Post Office.They tell
me he'll take about a week to get to you so he should be with
you around next Friday. You wouldn't believe the problems
I had trying to get him packed. He's not too heavy, but if
I'd put him in a box he would of been too big to send Air
Mail due to his odd dimensions. Are your penguins as much
trouble?
So he's snugly packed in a heavy duty bag wearing cardboard
helmet and boots! You'll laugh when you see him. I hope he's
not too pissed off with me when he arrives. He's got his camera
with him so I hope it survives the journey.
If you keep his packing and his bag then you can send him
back the same way, if he does't complain too much. He weighs
approx. 1.57kg, so when he arrives if you could let me know
how much it's going to cost to send him back in New Zealand
money I can send you a cheque or transfer the money to you.
The little man at the Post Orifice said that this would be
the easiest way otherwise I'd be sending you hundreds of International
Reply Coupons.
I am hoping that he has no problems getting through customs,
it would ruin his holiday if he had to endure an internal
body cavity search-oooohh owww!
I was wondering, if you had a spare film, could you take some
back-up photos just in case his photos don't come out due
to airport x-ray machines or something? Then if they didn't
come out you'd have a spare set. I'd pay for the film, of
course. If this is going to be a pain in the butt, don't worry,
I'm sure the camera will be fine.
If you could let me know when he arrives, that would be great.
Thanks very much,
Guy
PS Sorry to hear about the All Blacks. Bloody French! What
with British Beef and now this, eh!
Cheers
From:
Dave Houston
To: Guy Wooles
Subject: Re: Incoming Dennis
Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 6:00 AM
G'day,
Dennis arrived a couple of days ago, but hasn't seen much
because I've been out of town. He wasn't subjected to any
embarrasing internal body cavity searches.
I've decided not to take Dennis to Stewart Island next week,
instead he is spending the time with Denis, the manager of
the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. I'll install him on Friday
night and introduce him to a few of his small feathered relatives.
I'll drop you a note when I get back to let you know how he's
getting on.
Cheers,
Dave Houston
Thought
for the day:
Flashlight (n): A case for holding dead batteries
From:
Guy Wooles
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Dennis' Holiday
Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 9:19 PM
Hi,
Dave,
Glad to hear the old bird is okay and that he hasn't suffered
any embarassing experiences. Thought I'd better tell you that
Dennis does like his beer and he has my permission to go down
the pub if he wishes (he is Welsh after all !). If he gets
too frisky mention the dark night in Cardiff and the one legged
pigeon- that usually sobers him up pretty sharpish!
A weird thing happened the other weekend I thought I'd tell
you about. I was talking to my partners mother about this
project and she mentioned that she went to a penguin colony
in Oamaru last year. She said that she had spoken to a man
who was looking after the penguins along with a younger man
and she said his name was Dave something. Was that you???
Talk about small world if it was, eh!?
Anyway, say thanks to Denis for looking after Dennis while
you are away.
Have a good trip,
Guy
P.S. Feel free to take whatever photos you think would be
good (or funny). Cheers.
From:
Dave Houston
To: Guy wooles
Subject: Re: Dennis' Holiday
Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 11:34 PM
It
most likely was me!
From:
Guy Wooles
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Penguin on holiday
Date: Sunday, December 05, 1999 3:22 PM
Hiya
Dave
How are things on the other side of the world? They're pretty
lousy on this side. How was your trip to Stewart Island? Did
you get to see any Fiordland-cresteds? How many species do
you actually look after and how many penguins in total does
that make? I hope that, at this time of year, you're up to
your knees in Blue and Yellow-eyed penguin chicks, not to
mention all the others in New Zealand. Has it been a good
year in terms of successfully raised chicks?
Yesterday, my girlfriend and I went to Bristol Zoo to see
their new Seal and Penguin Coast. What a fantastic exhibit!
I don't know whether you've heard about it, but it's definitely
one of the best enclosures I've seen. They have Gentoo, Magellanic
and two King penguins all sited down in, what looks like,
a natural sea cove that has a wave machine sending the water
crashing on the rocks. There is a kind of cliff walk that
extends above and around the back of the enclosure for the
penguins, giving them views across the rest of the zoo. They've
also created a tunnel that goes beneath the water, giving
you a crabs-eye view of the swimming penguins. I didn't realise
how beautiful and graceful they are underwater- like fat rugby
balls with eyes! All in all they've done a fine job of trying
to create as natural an environment for the penguins as they
can in the middle of smelly old Bristol. Do you have any contacts
at the zoo? Because next year I was hoping to send one of
Dennis' brothers or sisters to them for a working residency-
I know they are heavily involved in conservation and education.
My girlfriend is a Biologist and runs an environment and conservation
club at the school where she works. She invited Stephen Woollard
from Bristol Zoo to a careers conference she organised one
year. Do you know him? Is this the man I should be contacting?
One word answers are acceptable!
Anyway, now I've bored the pants off you about Bristol Zoo,
how's the old bird? Is he behaving himself? If he is, then
it's a first. What's he been up to, the lucky b*****d? I hope
it hasn't been an incovenience to you 'cos you must be extremely
busy this time of year. If you get a chance to drop me a quick
note to let me know how he is that would be great, if not
don't worry. I'm sure he's in good hands. Just don't let him
lead you astray. Dennis doesn't know the meaning of the words
"just a quick beer" or "don't "! You know that picture of
you on your website, is that really an Albatross or is it
actually an overweight Husky?
This short note to find out how you're doing has turned into
a short novel, hasn't it? The sun has probably risen and set
whilst you were reading this and you've missed your tea. If
so, I appologise, I just reckon you've got one of the best
jobs I can think of.
I'll leave you to save the environment now.
Many
thanks,
Guy
P.S. Do you know Simon King, the wildlife photographer from
the BBC? I'm trying to get hold of him because one of Dennis'
brothers wants to go and work with him on one of his trips!
Anyway, I've overstayed my welcome, bye.
From:
Dave Houston
To: Guy Wooles
Subject: Re: Penguin on holiday
Date: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 5:44 AM
Guy,
Stewart Island was great, but I'm glad I didn't take Dennis
along for the ride, because I fear the drenching he would
have got would have been fatal.
The yacht that we stayed on for the first week got a bit of
a pounding on the way down and was wet inside and out. The
fact that it rained for the next few days didn't improve things
much either. It did however clear up for the second week and
we were able to bask in the sun.
Got
to see lots of Fiordland crested penguins and their chicks,
but were disappointed about the low number of yellow-eyed
nests we found. Also saw lots of blue penguins, but also saw
a good number that had been munched by cats.
It's
too early to say how good the penguin season is, or rather,
how bad. We are having having another la nina year and they
are not good for penguins. We expect poor breeding success
and low juvenile survival, but won't really see what happens
till February or later.
I
had some email correspondence with someone at Bristol zoo
re a link to their web site, but that was my only contact.
Must look at the web page again to see how the exhibit has
progressed. Dennis has been working at the Oamaru Blue Penguin
Colony while I've been away. He's helped out with some nest
monitoring and showed our Prime Minister around the colony
one evening (well ex prime minister now, we just had an election
last week). I'll introduce him to the Mayor next week if I
get a chance. We'll get out and check some yellow-eyed penguin
nests next week and after that I'll get him to give me a hand
up at Macraes Flat with some predator monitoring work and
fencing in a rare lizard reserve. I forgot to ask, has he
any fencing, welding or tractor driving experience?
I'm
at Macraes at the moment, doing the above tasks, but supposed
to be doing lizard survey work, but the weather isn't co-operating.
Just hear the generator stop - better go and get dinner on
for the troops.
Cheers,
Dave Houston
Thought
for the day: Originality (n): The art of concealing your sources.
From:
Guy Wooles
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Dennis' DIY skills
Date: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 2:07 AM
Hi,Dave
Just a quick note to let you know that Dennis is well trained
in most martial arts. So he should be of some use to you in
combatting those predators. He recently became a black belt
in Origami. As to welding and fencing, for some reason he
has a slight phobia about fire- and if you mention 'fencing'
to him he'll think that you'll want him to get rid of some
'dodgy' gear! He is capable of driving most vehicles but,
unfortunately, has had his licence taken from him due being
drunk in charge of his tricyle (I told him not to go out with
the penguins from down the road- so it's his own fault!).
Has
he run out of film for his camera yet? I can't wait to see
them. Did he get his picture taken with the ex-PM and did
you vote for him.
At
the moment I'm trying to get some sponsorship from McVities
Penguin biscuits so that I can set up a website around this
adventure. They'll probably think I'm mad- maybe I am! This
whole project has ballooned and everyone keeps asking me how
Dennis is. I've been encouraged by my tutors to expand, I'm
now trying to get one of Dennis' brothers into the Whitehouse.
I'll have to tell them he doesn't like cigars! I also want
to send one of the family to the North Pole, I understand
it'll be the first penguin to the North Pole!? If this fails
I'm still holding out for Tom 'the voice' Jones!
Do
you have any suggestions for Dennis' brothers and sisters
that might help your cause because I'd love to help- especially
through my website?
Anyway,
I'll keep you posted. Oh, and make sure you don't burn the
toast!
Keep
smiling,
Guy
From:
Guy Wooles
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Xmas
Date: Monday, 20th December.
Dave,
Just writing to wish you and Dennis a very Happy Christmas
and hope you have an exceptional Millennium. Dennis is very
fond of mince pies (if you haven't found out already) and
loves sherry, but keep an eye on him or else he'll drain the
bottle when you're not looking! In fact I'd put him on early
penguin duties so that he doesn't over do it. Mind you that's
probably like putting the fox in charge of the chickens- you'll
end up with thousands of penguins doing the conga around Oamaru!
Anyway, here's wishing you the finest of the festive season.
Nadolig Llawen (Merry Christmas),
Guy
P.S. I'll be away from the 22/12/99 to the 4th of the next
century (I hope it's a good one for you and your team).
From:
Guy
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Back Online
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000. 15:49:02
Dear
Dave,
I have managed to get my computer back online at my old address.
Hopefully it will stay like this for a while and not break
as it is liable to do. Anyway you can contact me here for
the forseeable future - God willing! How's Dennis - can't
wait for an update.
Are
you up to your ears in penguin chicks? I hope you are and
that you've had a good year. Look forward to hearing from
you soon.
Cheers
Guy
From:
Dave Houston
To: Guy
Subject: Re: Back Online
Date: Monday, March 06, 2000 9:35 AM
Dear
Guy,
Sorry about the protracted Antipodean silence. I've been rather
busy on the skink work at Macraes Flat and haven't had a lot
of time at home or do penguin work. As a consequence, I'm
afraid poor Dennis has been a bit neglected, so much so that
he's taken to sulking when I do manage to spend time with
him - see the attached pic.
We
did go to Queenstown for a Doobie Brothers concert, but it
poured with rain so we stayed at home in front of the fire
instead. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we're off to Macraes
again to work on a predator-proof fence. Dennis has offered
to be bait and try to entice some predators to break into
the exclosure.
The
penguin year has not been a good one. Only about half the
yellow-eyed penguin chicks survived this year and the blues
had a short breeding season. Dennis and I are still working
on the final figures and they'll appear on the web site as
soon as he's finished typing in the data.
Regards,
Dave
Thought
for the day: Flashlight (n): A case for holding dead batteries
From:
Guy
To: Dave Houston
Subject: Dennis 2000
Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 11:12 PM
Dave,
It's good to hear from you. We were getting worried over here
- I had a line of penguins pacing up and down in front of
the computer waiting for word. We were about to put together
a rescue team and storm Macraes Flats in search of the Skink
Eaters lair where we thought you were both being held - ready
to be boiled alive and eaten. But I think we'd all drunk to
much and the garlic bread was starting to repeat!
Anyway,
less of all that drivel, how are you both? It's good to hear
that you've got Dennis earning his krill. Be careful that
his body odour doesn't repel the predators as opposed to attracting
them. I've told him many times to wear underwing deodorant
but he says he prefers to be 'au naturel'.
Have
you managed to get him to type with both wings or is he still
being lazy and using just the one?
I
was sorry to hear about the penguin breeding season. Was it
expected - do you tend to get a bad season every now and then
or are there outside elements responsible?
It
was great to get the photo of Dennis. Was that a Yellow-eyed
penguin with him? I can't wait to see more. If you want to
send me copies, I'll pay for the postage. But it is nice to
get them attached to the e-mails - it's like receiving photos
from family you haven't seen for years.
I'll
let you get back to putting bacon behind Dennis' ears.
Speak
to you soon,
Guy.
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: How's Life?
Date: Monday, April 03, 2000 10:44 PM
Dear
Dave,
How's life treating you? Things are pretty miserable here
at the moment. We're having snow and it's the beginning of
April (Spring!!).
How is the Skink work going at the moment? Has the new fence
worked?
Things are going pretty mad here. I think I told you that
one of Dennis' brothers went off to a school in Hong Kong.
Now I've got one out in Edmonton, Canada, at some kind of
eco company. I'll find out soon what sort of company it is
when they contact me. I've also sent one off to New York to,
hopefully, be taken around the Museum of Modern Art. There
is a risk that this one (Betty) might not make it home. The
person taking her mentioned that she might get 'torched' on
the Empire State Building!!
I am also sorting out the travel arrangements for 'Adele',
she, hopefully, will be going over to the Falkland Islands.
Do you know anyone over there who has the right sense of humour
to want to help in this project? I have a contact in the tourist
board over there who is coming to Cardiff over Easter and
I think she's willing to accompany Adele back over to the
islands.
Anyway, I suppose I'd better ask how the old bird is doing.
Did he get munched by any predators? I shouldn't think he
tastes very good.
I'll leave you now to patch up the teeth marks on Dennis,
he'll look the part with a few scars!
I've attached a couple of pics of the new Bristol Zoo penguin
'coast' if you're interested.
Speak to you soon. Take care
Guy
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Long Time No Hear
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2000 11:19 PM
Dear
Dave,
Just a quick note to find out how you both are. I hope you're
okay. Haven't heard from you for a while, I hope it's not
a bad omen. Hopefully you're just busy.
I was contacted by Falklands Conservation last week so hopefully
I'll be sending Dennis' sister, Adele, over there in the not-too-distant
future. They seemed quite interested in you and Dennis. Soon
everyone will be wanting their very own 'Dennis'. You'd better
keep hold of the 'one and only' - he'll soon be a collectors
item!!
Anyway, take care and I'll leave you with an Easter joke:-
Jesus (on the cross) to Peter:
"Peter, Peter, save me an egg I'll be back on Sunday"
Cheers,
Guy
From:
"Dave Houston"
To: "Guy"
Subject: Re: Long Time No Hear
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2000 7:54 AM
Sorry
about the silence, I'm doing 2 jobs at the moment and am a
tad busy. Dennis is well and has been busy climbing mountains
- full details will be released as soon as the sherpas carry
the photos out.
Cheers,
Dave
From:
"Dennis P. Gwynn"
To: Guy Wooles
Subject: Dennis calling
Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2000
Dear
Guy,
Dave has proved to be a hopeless letter writer, so I've put
the flippers to the keyboard myself to let you know what I'm
up to. I've also scanned a few pics of my exploits for you
to add to the one of that snobby yellow-eyed penguin and me
on your great new website.
A wee while ago, Dave dragged me along on a trip to the Awakino
skifield to cut down some wilding pine trees. Personally,
I found I wasn't cut out to be a woodpecker, so I gathered
together a small team of sherpas and went mountaineering.
The
first attempt on Mt Kohurau (2015m) failed because of lack
of light and we had to retreat back to the ski lodge for a
few beers. It was suggested that the fact that we set off
only 30 min before sunset may have been a contributing factor
in our failure, however I blame the poor snow conditions.
[Mt
Cook.jpg - highpoint on day 1. Mt Cook, the highest peak
in NZ is the blob on the left of the skyline]
On
day two we set off from base camp early - just after lunch.
In what has become a legendary climb for penguins world-wide,
I managed to struggle to the summit mid afternoon [kohurau.jpg
- at the summit]. The NZ Alpine club have, however, refused
to acknowledge this momentous event, claiming that because
I was driven by 4WD to within 200m of the summit and then
carried by an international team of 19 sherpas, it invalidates
my claim. I intend to lodge an appeal.
[sherpas.jpg
- sherpas and I at the summit. Kiwis, Irish, Canadians, Dutch
and a Welsh penguin.]
Since
the Kohurau affair, I've been spending a bit of time helping
out on the lizard project at Macraes Flat. Dave's had me riding
the 4-wheeler about doing the trapping rounds for him [4wheeler.jpg]
and testing the experimental predator-proof fences he's built.
[electric.jpg
- testing to see if the electrics are on]
One
of the tasks I've been assigned to is seeing if the fences
are predator-proof. I sat on top of a rock in one of the exclosures
for weeks [rock.jpg]
and nothing happened. Then Dave passed on your excellent suggestion
of putting a rasher of bacon under each wing. Having decided
that it was worth a go, I then had to procure a bit of bacon.
Borrowing Dave's 4-wheel drive and rifle, I popped out the
back of the farm and got myself a wild pig [bacon.jpg].
I hope to get back out in the field and complete the experiment
as soon as the bacon cures.
Will
let you know how the experiment goes.
Kindest
regards,
Dennis
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Fab Fotos
Date: Tuesday, May 30, 2000
Dear
Dave and Dennis,
Great to hear from you both and what a surprise to see all
those photos. They're fab! How are you both? Are you still
very busy, or are things winding down a bit? A ranger's work
is never done, eh?
I never knew how jealous of a paper penguin I could get until
I saw those photos. You certainly have a big team over there.
Are there any vacancies for a paper penguin sculptor over
there (can double up as tea-boy)?!!
Anyway, I'm approaching crunch time with regards to my course.
My final assessment is next Tuesday (June 6th) and I'm busy
writing my Evaluation Report. We have a degree show, then,
starting on the 23rd and that goes on until the 27th. So,
Dave, if you are in Bristol during those dates don't hesitate
to contact me and you can be my guest of honour!
All the information and pictures for all my penguins will
be on display so hopefully I'll get alot of interest. As you
can imagine the pictures you sent will be excellent for my
presentation.
God willing, this time next month I'll be Guy Wooles BA(hons),
AKA 'The Penguin Man'!
Did I tell you that they call me that already at Bristol Zoo!?
You should be called that, not me.
Anyway, I'll let you go and finish off eating that pig that
Dennis shot. Apparently the trotters are the best bit! Get
Dennis to show you his trick with the tail - just make sure
you've finished eating first.
Take Care
Guy
PS.
What do the NZ Alpine Club know anyway, eh? We'd both be millionaires
by now if he'd managed it unaided!!
From:
"Dave Houston"
To: "Guy"
Subject: Re: Fab Fotos
Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2000
Guy,
Glad you liked the pics. We're both pretty busy. I'm trying
to finish a paper I'm writing for the International Penguin
Conference in Chile and Dennis keeps on wanting to party.
Now that the bacon has cured, we're back to Macraes next week
for a week of predator tracking followed by a week of predator
trapping. Winter is approaching here, but Dennis is looking
forward to the snow and the ski season.
Cheers,
Dave
From:
"Dave Houston" Organization: www.penguin.net.nz
To: "Guy"
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 10:35:31
Guy,
Please accept both Dennis' and my apologies in that we are
both unable to attend your degree show.
Have a great day,
Dave and Dennis
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Big Wide World
Date: Fri, 7 Jul 2000 10:41:07
Dear Dave,
How are things going over there? I haven't written for a while
because I've been heavily involved in Degree Show mayhem.
Everything went fine and everyone seemed to love the penguin
idea.
I've even been getting e-mails from people asking if they
can take a penguin around their home towns (Americans mainly).
The Degree is now over and I now have to try and make some
money - hopefully involving my penguins. I'm trying to get
funding and sponsorship so that I can continue my work and
take it even further. I have approached the local paper to
see if they would be interested in sending me and one of my
penguins over to South Africa to assist in the clean-up campaign!
It' worth a try if nothing else.
I desperately want to raise awareness about conservation and
waste using the penguins but I'm having difficulty in getting
the right people involved. I have a contact in the Natural
History Unit of the BBC who's willing to help me contact the
right people. At the moment I'm trying to get together some
info that she can send to David Attenborough. Unfortunately
he doesn't seem to have accesss to the internet or at least
doesn't have an e-mail address.
My girlfriend is going travelling for a year in October and
I'm thinking that if nothing has happened by Xmas that I might
borrow some money and catch her up - with a penguin, of course.
She plans to go to New Zealand and do some teaching, God knows
what I'll do!! So you never know we might meet up in person
soon. What a frightening thought for you!
Anyway, how's Dennis P Gwynne? Has he been behaving himself?
Elvis turned up at my degree show complete with gown and mortar
board with a real penguin feather on it. He is going back
to Bristol Zoo but he's spending a few weeks with me at home
beforehand.
How does Dennis manage with the big rifle? Do you have to
hold it for him? Or have you got him a small one to carry
round? And how many shots did he take to bag that pig?
When he was with me he used to love taking his spud gun wherever
we went much to the annoyance of the people who copped a shot
in the kneecap!
Many a time I had to confiscate it from him before somebody
shredded him.
Hope you are all well and not too stressed
Speak to you soon
Guy
XX
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Post Degree
Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2000 16:34:57
Dear
Dave and Dennis,
Please excuse me for not writing sooner but I have been busy
trying to drum up sponsorship and funding to no avail so far.
Also I have been asked to take part in an exhibition for the
South West Regional Development Agency in Exeter that starts
on the 4th September (I think!). The exhibition involves recent
graduates and has an ecological theme to it and they asked
me to take some of Dennis' brothers and sisters down to liven
up the proceedings a bit! My only hope is that there isn't
a bar there or else they'll get a bad reputation for themselves
as I'm not going to be around to keep an eye on them - and
when you get a group of penguins together you know what can
happen.
Anyway, how are you keeping over there? Isn't it winter there?
It's still probably warmer than it is here at the moment.
Did you manage to get the paper for the International Penguin
Conference finished? When is the conference - is it the same
as the one held next year in Australia (Phillip Island?)?
I only hope that you didn't allow Dennis to edit it. As you
probably know he's got a wicked sense of humour, especially
when he thinks nobody's looking!
Have you done much skiing lately? I realised that I didn't
pack any snow shoes or skis for him. Do they make skis in
his size or have you had to fashion a pair out of lollipop
sticks for him.
Let me know if you need me to send out some penguin lolly
skis or a scarf and bobble hat. I'm sure there must be a market
for penguin skis, scarves and bobble hats. I know that woolly
jumpers have become quite fashionable with the trendy penguins
in South Africa - or is that Australia (I must try to keep
up with these fashions, they change so quickly).
How are the lizards up at Macraes Flats? Did Dennis manage
to scare them off? Just in case you wondered now that my degree
is over, I intend to continue my work with the paper penguins.
The response has all been very favourable and I still enjoy
it - although the pay is awful. I seem to be spending a lot
of time writing letters asking for sponsorship and funding
and not concentrating on the most important parts which are
the penguins and their hosts. I haven't been able to update
the website for a few weeks now because of all this hassle.
But once the penguins are settled in Exeter I can concentrate
more on trying to get a network of penguins around the world
and start to really push the conservation and wildlife issues.
I'm still trying to get one to the North Pole and am having
a bit of trouble finding hosts in Australia and South Africa
- they probably don't realise that under the humour I'm deadly
serious. South Africa are probably rather busy at the moment.
Do you have anymore photos that I can put on the site? Or
anything else that you think might be of interest - fun or
serious? If not don't worry. Anyway, your eyes are probably
going square by now so I'll sign off. By the way who dreams
up all the games on your website - do either of you do any
work or do you play games all day?
Did you hear about that Cod they caught in Cairns with the
human head in it's stomach - lovely!! I won't be able to look
at 'Fish Fingers' in the same way again!
Right, I'm definitely off now
Take care, both of you
Speak to you soon,
Guy
P.S. Any chance of a link on your page? Pleeeze!
I'm Gone...
From:"Dave
Houston"
To: "Guy"
Subject: Re: Post Degree
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2000 17:04:27 GMT
Guy,
I did get around to finishing my paper and am now in Chile
ready to present it next week. Unfortunately, Dennis had to
stay home to look after my flat and run the office in my absence.
He rekoned it would be OK, but I´m not so sure it was a good
idea. I´ll probably find that he´s sacked me in my absence.
I stopped at Easter Island for a few days on my way here and
was sure I spotted Dennis (or one of his brothers) lurking
among the Moai
(statues). I took a photo and will analyse it and interrogate
Dennis when I get back.
I hope to update my web pages, including some photos of Dennis
and a link to his page, when I get back, but I´m off to the
Snares Islands (below Stewart Island) a week after I get back,
so it may be a while before I can get it up. if Dennis plays
his cards right, he may get to go to the Snares, but I´ll
have to ask the Navy it it´s OK to have him on the frigate
- he may be a defence risk.
Adios,
Dave
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Post graduation
Date: Monday, October 30, 2000 5:11 PM
Dear
Dave and Dennis,
How are you both? It's been a while since we've written so
I thought I'd write and let you know what's going on over
here, besides the lousy weather! I graduated last Tuesday
and had to go through the gown and mortar board debacle -
it really isn't me, all that stuff'n'nonsense. In the end
I actually found myself quite enjoying it. Unfortunately neither
my parents nor my girlfriend were there due them all off travelling
the world (lousy timing by the university I'm afraid). I did,
though, have Rachel's mother and sister there along with my
brother and his fiancée. So it wasn't so bad.
I took along Dennis' sister, Betty, to the ceremony. We got
her kitted out with her own gown etc. so there should be some
images of her getting her BA (Hons) on the website soon.
At the moment I'm trying to make some money but with little
success. I'm starting to concentrate, again, on more penguin
adventures and have one planned for Alaska and, hopefully,
the north pole. The north polar adventure will, I hope, be
with a chap called James Morison, who works for the American
government. He seemed pretty keen, initially, but I haven't
heard anything from him since - hopefully he's just very busy.
I've also been trying to get a penguin to the south pole to
coincide with the penguin at the north. All requests that
I've made, though, seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
Did I tell you before that I'm redesigning the website? It
was looking very studentish and I thought that it had to look
a lot more professional if I'm going to make it more than
a final year project. I also want to make the site available
for the penguin hosts, like yourself, to raise issues that
are important in the work they are doing. Thereby making the
site more educational and environmental. What do you reckon,
mate? Think I can pull it off? Any suggestions would be extremely
welcome and if you need any advice on how to look after penguins
or skinks please don't hesitate to ask!
Anyway how are you all doing and how did the conference in
Chile go? You must let me know all the gossip. Isn't it now
summer over there? This is when it all gets hectic over there,
isn't it? Do you have a forecast for the coming season or
is it all played by ear?
I do hope Dennis is pulling his weight - it's probably increased
over the past few months what with all the beer and that.
I hope he hasn't started smoking again. He knows very well
it's bad for his health and makes his breath smell (not that
it didn't smell before).
Have you got any more photos. You must have some of Dennis
in his Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses. In fact they don't have
to have him in at all - anything that looks like it might
go well on the website will do.
I must go now and cook my tea.
I'll speak to you soon.
Take care
Guy
From:
"Dave Houston"
To: "Guy"
Subject: Re: Post graduation
Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 7:05 AM
G'day
Guy,
After my excellent trip to Tahiti, Easter Island and Chile,
I then went down to count Snares crested penguins on the Snares
Islands for a few weeks. I only got back last week, so haven't
yet caught up with my correspondence.
I'll send a few photos and a bit of a yarn next week.
Cheers
Dave
Houston
Department of Conservation
P.O.Box 388,
Oamaru,
New Zealand
houston@penguin.net.nz or dhouston@doc.govt.nz Penguins in
New Zealand - http://www.penguin.net.nz
Thought for the day:
Cannot find REALITY.SYS: Universe halted
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Update
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2000 11:20 PM
Dave,
How are you? How was Snares Island?
Just thought I'd send you and Dennis an update. Dennis' new
brother, Ferdinand, is currently at the University of Washington,
Seattle, waiting to become the first penguin to the North Pole.
This should happen some time in March. The other brother, Tawaki
(from New Zealand legend, I believe) is off surfing to Hawaii
- tomorrow, in fact.
There are still a few feathers flying here as to who will be
jetting of to Alaska soon.
As you can see the penguin adventures still continue but, unfortunately,
the funding and sponsorship still remains elusive. Never mind,
it's not about the money anyway but it would make life a little
easier.
I'll speak to you soon.
Keep smiling and give Dennis a kick up the arse for me (an affectionate
one, of course).
Take care
Guy
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Hello
Date: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 9:43 PM Dear Dave and Dennis,
How are you? I haven't heard from either of you in a while
so I hope you are both O.K. Hopefully you're just too busy
and not dangling from some cliff edge from your fingertips
(wingtips).
I have decided to take the penguin project on tour. I am going
to be visiting Australia, New Zealand and Rarotonga. Whilst
at these places I want to visit some conservation or environment
groups and document the work that they are doing. I will also
make a paper penguin out of the local newspapers and send
it back to myself in the U.K. thereby creating an international
paper penguin exhibition! What do you think? Am I being crazy
or what? I don't know!
Anyway, do you have any names or addresses of any groups in
these countries that wouldn't mind me visiting (maybe even
Bali)? Would you mind me visiting you? All this kicks off
mid-March and continues for approximately 8 months - 3 months
travelling round Oz, 3 months travelling round NZ, a few weeks
in Rarotonga and a few weeks in LA.
Obviously I'll have someone to manage the website if I'm unable
to do it whilst travelling.
Well that's my groundbreaking news, what's yours?
How is the summer going? Are penguin numbers up this year
and are they breeding successfully? Was the skink fence a
success? Has Dennis got over the Xmas excesses (probably hasn't
finished yet!)?
I hope you had a good Xmas and New Year. I understand the
skiing is good in New Zealand. I have never skied before so
I thought I might give it a try while I'm over there. I'm
trying to get a work permit for the time I'm there just in
case I start to run short of cash but I'm not sure whether
I'm too old or not. Any ideas?
Well I'd better let you get back to work. If you get a chance
drop us a note to let me know you're both alright and, if
you've got time, any other gossip you might have, you know
the stuff - which penguin's seeing which and who's having
whose chick - juicy stuff that any self-respecting member
of the penguin community should know!
Take care and stay warm
All the best
Guy
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Howdy
Date: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 6:00 PM
Dear
Dave and Dennis,
How are things in New Zealand? Hopefully things are not too
bad and that you're finding time to enjoy the summer over there.
Could you remind Dennis not to forget to put plenty of sun-block
on, especially around his beak.
I am going to be visiting Australia, New Zealand and Rarotonga
from April onwards, instead of March, due to my brothers wedding.
I am still trying to get in contact with conservation or environment
groups in theses areas but have had no success so far. I've
tried asking the local WWF, FOE and Greenpeace offices for ideas
but they don't seem to even want to reply. Do you think the
Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust would be interested?
I've had a number of schools around the world asking me about
my penguins and the one's I've sent them to have virtually altered
the curriculum to accommodate. This project seems to be turning
into quite an educational one. I can't remember whether I told
you but I have one in a school in Alaska and am about to send
one off to a school in Massachusetts. Another has been sent
to Hawaii and there is one waiting, in Seattle, to hop on a
ship to the North Pole.
If you have any suggestions regarding the project then I'd love
to hear from you.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Keep smiling
Guy
From:
"Guy"
To: "Dave Houston"
Subject: Hello?
Date: Friday, March 16, 2001 12:00 AM Hi
Dave and Dennis,
Are you still talking to me?
Luv
Guy
XX
From:
"Dave Houston"
To: "Guy"
Subject: Re: Howdy
Date: Sunday, March 18, 2001 1:21 AM
Hi
Guy,
Sorry about the lack of electrons being transmitted in your
direction, I seem to have been bogged down with a few things
lately.
Dennis is fine and sends his regards. He's looking forward
to seeing you when you come over.
Photos of Dennis at Easter
Island and admiring a sculpture in the Atacama
desert in Chile are attached.
The YEPT may be interested in your project (yept@clear.net.nz),
interestingly, the WWF forwarded your email to them to me!
Regards,
Dave and Dennis
Dave
Houston
Penguins in New Zealand
http://www.penguin.net.nz
Thought
for the day:
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out
