Alley Of Invertebrate Almost Adventure
There is in alley off a main road near me I have recently fallen almost in love with as every journey through it is, in spite of the dog mess and cigarette ends and beer cans, pregnant with the possibility of an intriguing encounter. Leg waving lesser and greater Stag Beetles on their backs in need of righting with the help of leaf or twig. Slugs the colour of orange ice lollies , Bluebottles and Greenbottles briefly bewitching you into letting them bejewel rather than infest, the scene. Mint Moths making merry among the marigolds or were those imagined? Maybe.
- Category: True Stories Told As Fiction
21 comments add one below
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Neville Hunt almost 4 years ago
Fascinating that little alley of yours Jamie. I can't say I'm so fond of many of the creatures you say call it home, but I can say that I hate slugs. I can also say that they seem to like beer and their heads seem to be turned away from my tasty leaves and shoots and seem more than happy to drink themselves to sluggy heaven. That's a helluva good idea fellas!
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Jamie Clapperton almost 4 years ago
Had a feeling you might not be entirely 'Won over' on the creepy crawly front Neville. ;-) What a waste of beer! ;-))))
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Neville Hunt almost 4 years ago
It's home-made beer and it's from a kit I bought my son 27 years ago. He didn't fancy it so in desperation, in lockdown, I brewed it myself. Looks like Guinness, tastes crappy, but the slugs love it! :-) Good enough for slugs and Flemish Beef which tastes de-lishus!
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Andrew Pettigrew almost 4 years ago
Beautiful writing as always Jamie! You make a seemingfor disgusting alley - dog mess and cigarette ends - seem magical, which is very clever to say the least. But I agree with Neville, not a big fan of the creepy crawlies myself :)
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Jamie Clapperton almost 4 years ago
I like like drinking watered down percolated coffe alone sometimes but I don't give it to the slugs.
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Jamie Clapperton almost 4 years ago
Sorry Andrew I think you must have been typing that as I was typing my reply to Nevilles coment or something
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Jamie Clapperton almost 4 years ago
Thanks muchly Andrew. :-)Mind you, it might not be a case of making it seem magical. To me , invertebrates already are a little on the magical side. Glad you enjoyed my attempt to convey that feeling. ;0)
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Andrew Pettigrew almost 4 years ago
True, every creature's magical in its own way. Just... you know... the slime and the million wriggling legs *shudders* I'll stick to puppies :)
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Neville Hunt almost 4 years ago
Forgot to say Jamie, like the alliterative outro :-)
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Neville Hunt almost 4 years ago
...and although not technically an alliteration, I think that 'imagined' should count too as it appears to alliterate when you say it out loud. (imho) Impressive sir!
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Jamie Clapperton almost 4 years ago
Thanks Neville. :-) And for reminding me of the word alliteration! Someone at work used it after I'd said 'Propel you onto the pavement with a punt up the posterior,' then later I asked 'What was that word for when something 'rhymes' at the beginning of the words, but he'd forgotten. Btw , I was quoting a line from Doctor Who (The Talons Of Weng-Chiang. ) Not actually threatening to kick him. That time
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Neville Hunt almost 4 years ago
Hoho! :-))
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Christopher almost 4 years ago
There seems to be an insect motif running through your drabbles lately, Jamie. But then I noticed your picture up there and thought maybe it's always been that way and I just didn't know it. Are you an entomologist by any chance?
We used to have a guy here, his name escapes me, but every drabble he did was related to wrestling in some form or another and I never found out if he was just a fan or if he was connected to it professionally.
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Neville Hunt almost 4 years ago
I know the fellow, Christopher. He kept reinventing himself with a new name, but the same drabble themes.
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Christopher almost 4 years ago
Yeah, but I can't remember any of his names.
I just wondered if Jamie might deal with insects in a professional capacity. I was always curious about his picture up there.
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Jamie Clapperton almost 4 years ago
Hi Christopher
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Jamie Clapperton almost 4 years ago
No I just find insects very inspiring. Would do even if they weren't so ecologically important. :-)
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Jamie Clapperton almost 4 years ago
The Chap in the picture is a Stag Beetle I met in the street once. They have been called the gentle giants of the insect world. :-)
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Christopher almost 4 years ago
Cool. Thanks for the info. Just curiosity on my part.
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VerityAlways over 2 years ago
Your fascination about these invertebrates is quite intriguing!
Sorry, I'm an alien in this magical world! -
Jamie Clapperton over 2 years ago
Think I might be too in a way, Verity, but that could be part of the fascination...
