Friday, 20 September 2013

Farewell, Stand Tall!

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Nextra-terrestrial giraffe in line prior to Stand Tall Auction Colchester
Nextra-terrestrial - in line with my friends prior to Auction
Yesterday evening it was time to say 'Farewell' to the Stand Tall summer! Together with my dear giraffe friends I stood in line in the auditorium prior to our auction. Oh what a great party we giraffes had had the previous night, and what emotional goodbyes had been said!
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Nextra-terrestrial giraffe says farewell to Allan Hassell manager Clacton Outlet
Saying Farewell to Allan Hassell, Centre Manager of  Clacton Factory Outlet, my sponsor
It was lovely to see Allan Hassell again, I had such a nexcellent time during my stay at Clacton Factory Outlet and so many wonderful visitors and memories to cherish.
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Nextra-terrestrial giraffe appears at auction
Nextra-terrestrial appears on the turntable at auction
The Auction began, and one by one my friends were in the spotlight. Then suddenly it was my turn and I appeared before the audience.
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Nextra-terrestrial giraffe being auctioned
Nextra-terrestrial being auctioned!
It is all a bit of a blur in my memory - a few words, the sound of a hammer, and I am to go to a lovely new home! I hope I bring my new owners a lot of happiness ...

Thank you Colchester Zoo for such an amazing Stand Tall summer, thank you Clacton Factory Outlet my sponsors, and thank you all the wonderful friends and visitors who have taken photos of me, hugged me and given me such a nextra-special time! It is so good to know that our auction will benefit such a nexcellent charity as Action For The Wild.
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Now I'm looking forward to meeting my new owners and settling in my new home ...
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... and on beautiful nights when no humans are around, I and the characters painted on me will continue to come alive and travel through space on our adventures. If you catch sight of us, don't tell anyone!
Nextra-terrestrial giraffe travelling through space - Ingrid Sylvestre
Nextra-terrestrial travelling with the Neckmann characters through intergalactic space
Farewell and Stand Tall!
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Wednesday, 28 August 2013

My favourite foods!

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Elegant giraffes enjoying afternoon tea -  'Taking Tea in the Garden' - Ingrid Sylvestre
Two elegant lady giraffes enjoying afternoon tea in the garden

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With the Auction coming up soon (19th September - oooh!)  I thought it would help anyone wishing to bid for me if they knew what kind of foods I like, whether I have good table manners and other useful culinary tips ...

You will be pleased to know that I am equally at home sitting daintily at table or browsing among the trees traditional giraffe-style.
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Giraffe eating 'Wiggy Willosw - Ingrid Sylvestre
Giraffe eating 'Wiggy Willow' or if you prefer the Latin name, Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'

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We giraffes do like variety in our diet - eating lots of the same thing can be boring. Some food has to be eaten with caution, see the giraffe in the image above, who has 'neck curl' from eating too much Wiggy Willow.
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Feeding our World's Tallest Giraffe - Ingrid Sylvestre
Our World's Tallest Giraffe has to be fed from a helicopter - here she is eating willow from the Biomass plantation
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On my home planet, Giraffe World in Camelopardalis Constellation, when we get too tall for our trees we have to be fed via helicopter! (Do click on the images to enlarge!)
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Giraffe Snail - Ingrid Sylvestre
Giraffe Snail
At the other end of the scale are our giraffe snails ...
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Giraffe Bananas - Ingrid Sylvestre
Giraffe Bananas
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Fruit is always very welcome - I adore bananas and raspberries are also a favourite.
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Giraffe Among Tall Raspberries - detail - Ingrid Sylvestre
Giraffe Among Tall Raspberries

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Raph G. Neckmann - Giraffe in Tree House - Ingrid Sylvestre
Raph G. Neckmann staying in the Tree House
For the Winter months, dried fruit and nuts are a delight!
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As you know, the giraffe characters painted on me all come alive at night on Planet Earth when no humans can see us. Although they are actually inhabitants of Giraffe World planet, they are always able to access your world via myself. It will therefore be helpful for you to know a little about their culinary habits too ...
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Raph G. Neckmann giraffe waitering in Gleeful & Greedy Restaurant - Ingrid Sylvestre
Raph G. Neckmann helping out in Girth's restaurant 'The Gleeful & Greedy'
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Pizza is always in great demand, though when Raph G. Neckmann serves it, most of it ends up on the floor!
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Giraffe Kitchen Utensils - Necky Knoll House - Ingrid Sylvestre
Our elegant and pragmatic giraffe kitchen utensils
I hasten to add that giraffes are not by nature clumsy, but usually nexhibit grace and elegance. We are proud of our stylish and ergonomically designed kitchen and tableware.
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Girth giraffe proprietor of Gleeful & Greedy Restaurant, Neckelchester Village - Ingrid Sylvestre
Girth standing outside his 'Gleeful & Greedy Restaurant'
 Uncle Girth, proprietor of the 'Gleeful & Greedy Restaurant' in Neckelchester village does not immediately bring grace and elegance to mind - but he never drops plates on the floor. You can see him in the image above holding a pan of his famous custard - another favourite giraffe food!
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Girth giraffe cooking sprout soup - Ingrid Sylvestre
Girth cooking Sprout Soup outside for one of our parties
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A master chef of nexcellence, Girth's sprout soup is irresistible. We enjoy it on cold winter nights after digging our gardens
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Girth painted on Nextra-terrestrial giraffe Colchester Zoo - Ingrid Sylvestre
Girth as painted on my side - with a lovely Giraffitude Cake!

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Best of all we love cake ...
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Giraffe cake - Lots of Neck - Ingrid Sylvestre
A cake with Lots of Neck!
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... and tea!

Raph G. Neckmann giraffe drinking tea with teacosy on head - Ingrid Sylvestre
A well-deserved tea break!

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Please give me plenty!
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Lots of tea for giraffes - teapot and mugs - Ingrid Sylvestre
Lots of tea for giraffes!


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I'm being auctioned for charity on 19th September!

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Information about Nextra-terrestrial giraffe sculpture - Stand Tall - Colchester Zoo - Auction
Useful information prior to the Auction
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It's not long now until the Stand Tall giraffe auction on 19th September! There's some useful information about me on the image above - do click on it to view , right click View Image to enlarge and click image again to enlarge more. The jpeg file may also be saved and printed.
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Monday, 26 August 2013

A Fond Farewell to Clacton Outlet

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Farewell Nextra-terrestrial - Allan Hassell - Centre Manager Clacton Outlet
Nextra-terrestrial says 'Thank you for a nexcellent stay!' to Centre Manager Allan Hassell, Clacton Factory Outlet
What an emotional day it has been! After a non-stop last-night party, we'd hardly finished cleaning the hop-scotch chalk marks off the paving when it was time to leave ... Oh how I have enjoyed my stay at Clacton Factory Outlet! Centre manager Allan Hassell came across to say farewell, and I was able to thank him for such a nexcellent time and for looking after me so well.
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Nextra-terrestrial giraffe sculpture transported from Clacton Outlet to Colchester Zoo
My ride to the transporter - I'm hiding the tears in my eyes!
 I had tears in my eyes as I rode to the transporter on the little green machine - the same machine I had arrived on all those weeks ago, not knowing what a wonderful time I was going to have!

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Netra-terrestrial giraffe greets friends
My friends! What a lovely surprise - hello Five Winks!
But then - what a lovely surprise! My giraffe friends - and my especially great friend Five Winks!
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Nextra-terrestrial en route to Colchester Zoo
Away on the neckst stage of our adventure ...
 Although my tears still ran down my long neck, it was a great comfort to know we all felt the same - and we quietly spoke together about the nexcitement of returning to Colchester Zoo. There will probably be another party tonight! Good job we giraffes don't need much sleep ...

Thank you for a most nexcellent time, Clacton Factory Outlet! On still moonlit nights, when the humans are away, I'll be back ... do leave some onion rings out for me please!

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Our last night at Clacton Outlet!

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Nextra-terrestrial giraffe party at Clacton Factory Outlet Essex
Our last night at Clacton Outlet - Nextra-terrestrial and giraffe characters party
Oh how I have enjoyed my summer at Clacton Factory Outlet! There has been so much to see, such lovely people - and SHOPPING!!! Tonight is my last night here - tomorrow I go back to Colchester Zoo for a while before the neckst stage of my journey. I'm looking forward to being at the Zoo again, but I will miss Clacton Outlet ...

But tonight it's party time! Here in the dark we are dancing and making merry with good food and music. The giraffe characters painted on me have come alive as usual once the humans have gone, not only to make the most of our last night here, but also because it is Raph G. Neckmann's birthday! Raph is the tall giraffe in the pin-striped suit. In honour of his birthday, we have been playing giraffe hopscotch - with the giraffe drawn to look like him, glasses too!
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Giraffe Hopscotch - Raph G. Neckmann style - Ingrid Sylvestre
Giraffe Hopscotch - Raph G. Neckmann style!

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Don't worry, Clacton Outlet - we'll clean up the chalk marks before the morning!! :)

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Friday, 23 August 2013

Clacton Air Show!

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Nextra-terrestrial giraffe watching the Red Arrows at Clacton Air Show from Clacton Factory Outlet
Nextra-terrestrial giraffe watching the Red Arrows at Clacton Air Show from Clacton Factory Outlet

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I've been really enjoying Clacton Air Show over the last couple of days. So nexciting seeing all the planes flying over Clacton Factory Outlet. Here's a photo of me watching the Red Arrows. Looks almost as if they are coming out of my ears!!
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The Red Arrows flying out of Nextra-terrestrial giraffe's ears - Clacton Air Show
The Red Arrows flying out of my ears! - Clacton Air Show from  Clacton Factory Outlet - Nextra-terrestrial Giraffe

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Monday, 5 August 2013

Introducing the giraffe characters who are painted on me!

Look closely at the giraffe characters painted on me!
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If you look at me closely you will see that there are several giraffe characters painted on me - and a tall house on a knoll! These are the Neckmann family - some of my closest friends on my home planet, Giraffe World. Necky Knoll House is their home and 'Stick your neck out for your dreams!' is their motto.
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The Neckmann family and friends partying outside Necky Knoll House, Giraffe World - Ingrid Sylvestre
The Neckmann family and friends partying outside Necky Knoll House
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Raph G. Neckmann and Maureen Treeging
 
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Giraffe Dad, Raph G. Neckmann 'The Escape of a Giraffe Accountant'!

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Giraffe dad, Raph, is a mild, rather absent-minded person who takes the teasing of his family in good humour. He worked for 17 years as an accountant with Storey & Tawle in Raffsburgh before setting up a family business, Giraffe World Tours. You can read all about this in 'The Escape of a Giraffe Accountant'!


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Raph G. Neckmann reading the paper with the teacosy on his head so he can't hear his daughters squabbling!
Raph loves to drink tea while reading the paper in peace. He often wears the tea cosy on his head so he can't hear his daughters Nexi and Necky Becky squabbling!

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Raph often gets new business ideas, but the family don't think they're great!

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Parents Raph G. Neckmann & Maureen Treeging love to dance

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Raph is married to Maureen Treeging and they both love dancing. You can see them dancing on my left side!
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Giraffes Raph G. Neckmann and Maureen Treeging at Colchester Zoo
Raph and Maureen dancing as seen painted on my side



Maureen Treeging writing at her favourite desk
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Maureen is quite different from Raph in personality. She is very organized, tranquil and elegant and good at sorting out the muddles Raph gets into! She spends her spare time sitting writing at her favourite desk.
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Maureen looking at wild four-legged giraffes from the window of the Giraffe World Tours bus
Maureen has a special empathy with the four-legged wild giraffes of Giraffe World.
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Raph & Maureen love to walk in The Forest
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Maureen & Raph love to walk through The Forest, which is situated beyond the Knolls surrounding Necky Knoll House.
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Necky Becky
Middle child Necky Becky with her neckshund dog, Hals
Middle child Necky Becky is a great favourite with the humans! She is a feisty little rebel whose constant companion is her beloved neckshund dog, Hals. Have you noticed that she is pink? She decided that because it is her favourite colour, she would dye her fur pink!
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Necky Becky does not like to eat sprouts!
Most of the giraffes of Giraffe World adore sprouts - Necky Becky does not - and tells everyone so in no uncertain terms!
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Necky Becky hoists her dog Hals up to her attic room!
Her bedroom is in the attic of Necky Knoll House, and no-one else is allowed up there! She built a little hoist with a fabric sling to get Hals her neckshund dog up into her room.
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Necky Becky and her neckshund dog nexploring in the Mountains
Necky Becky and Hals enjoy nexploring. Here they are high up in the Mountains of Giraffe World. You can see the family bus far down below.
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Necky Becky loves to go diving in the oceans of Giraffe World
The oceans of Giraffe World are teeming with wonderful giraffified sea creatures. Necky Becky loves to go diving and see them all.
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Necky Becky & Hals at the Archway Secret Portal, looking down at Necky Knoll House
There are several Intergalactic Portals via which the Neckmann family and friends are able to travel between worlds. I, Nextra-terrestrial, am one of these portals. Here is another, in the form of a Secret Archway high up in the knolls above Necky Knoll House.
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Nexi
Elder sister Nexi drying her mane
The oldest child of the Neckmann family is Nexi. She is at college in Raffsburgh studying fashion and interior design. She is totally mad about clothes and accessories, and likes to redecorate all the rooms in Necky Knoll House too! Here she is drying her mane with a giraffe long-necked hairdryer.

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Nexi skating with her boyfriend Neko
 Nexi has a  boyfriend called Neko. He is at music college in Raffsburgh and is the lead guitar and vocalist in giraffe band The Stiffnex. Nexi and Neko love skating.
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Nexi and her boyfriend Neko as painted on my front
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Littl' Nicky
Toddler Littl' Nicky brushing his teeth
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Toddler Littl' Nicky is the youngest Neckmann child. He is quite a philosopher and frequently comes out with nexceptionally wise comments for someone so young!

Littl' Nicky likes to make philosophical comments while sitting on his high chair
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Our furniture in Giraffe World is designed for maximum comfort and convenience for our long necks.

Littl' Nicky loves to go for walks with his dad, Raph, especially to post letters
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Littl' Nicky loves to go for walks with his dad, Raph. Here he is posting a letter in one of our Giraffe World post boxes.

You can see the giraffe postbox here in Neckelchester Village
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Neckelchester Village is situated just down the road from Necky Knoll House, and is ideal for the Neckmann family to do their shopping.
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Girth
Uncle Girth, proprietor of the Gleeful & Greedy Restaurant in Neckelchester
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Uncle Girth is the proprietor of the Gleeful & Greedy Restaurant. You can see him in the picture of Neckelchester Village standing at the door with a pan of custard (another favourite food of we giraffes!) Above and below he is standing with one of his huge home made cakes.
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Girth as painted on my side
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Neko
Nexi's boyfriend Neko, lead guitar and vocals in The Stiffnex band
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Nexi's boyfriend Neko plays lead guitar and sings with giraffe band The Stiffnex. Sometimes he lets Necky Becky sing with them too!

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You can watch a video of them performing 'Be Who You Wanna Be!' from Raphs blog!

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Sgruff
Sgruff, bass player in The Stiffnex
Sgruff plays bass guitar with The Stiffnex and is a trainee hairdresser by day.
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Nukkle
Nukkle, drummer in The Stiffnex, and plumber by day
Drummer Nukkle looks like a real toughie, but has a heart of gold. He is an apprentice plumber at the A.F.F. Gas works, and often gets his spanners and drumsticks mixed up!
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A story about Nukkle's favourite sandwich!
Nukkles' favourite sandwich is the Giroffimo, about which there is a special and amusing story!
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Knitting Neckwarmers at Necky Knoll House
Nukkle is also a very good knitter, (using his drumsticks!). You can see him above, knitting neckwarmers at Necky Knoll House with the family.
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Giraffodils!
The giraffodils around my feet
I really should tell you about the giraffodils you can see around my feet! Giraffodils are some of our favourite flowers in Giraffe World - very similar to your daffodils on planet Earth.
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Raph enjoying the spring giraffodils
Above you can see Raph enjoying the beautiful scent of a large bunch of giraffodils.
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Giraffodils outside Necky Knoll House in April showers
In the spring there are many giraffodils growing around Necky Knoll House, watered abundantly by the April showers. The spring foliage is just starting to appear on the trees on top of the Knolls.
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Necky Knoll House and beyond
Necky Knoll House in summer as painted on my neck!
You can see Necky Knoll House painted on my neck! The trees are in summer foliage, and there is a wonderfully colourful evening sky with the moon and stars coming out. The house is three storeys high, with Necky Becky's attic on top, with the small  square window.
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Necky Knoll House in winter
In winter the slopes of the Knolls are great for sledging, and we have great outdoor parties!
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Sometimes the snow gets very deep - it's a good job we giraffes have long necks!

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Raph & Littl' Nicky looking at a Giraffe World robin in the garden at Necky Knoll House
Our wildlife is all 'giraffified', even our birds. Raph is taking Littl' Nicky on a winter tour of the garden.
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There are some aspects of gardening that Raph does not enjoy!
Those vast sloping lawns at Necky Knoll House take a lot of mowing!
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Sunflower growing at the the back of Necky Knoll House
Growing sunflowers is fun, and ours in Giraffe World are nexceptionally tall!
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Our Giraffe World utensils are all designed to suit our long necks - here is one of the bathrooms at Necky Knoll House
Our furniture, fittings and utensils are all designed to suit our long necks. Can you see all the giraffe-friendly items in this bathroom at Necky Knoll House?
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Nexploring Giraffe World
The Path to Adventure winds between the Knolls to The Forest painted on my back!
The Neckmann family love to nexplore! You can see painted on my back the nexciting Path to Adventure winding between the Knolls to the distant mysterious Forest.
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The Giraffe World Tours bus travelling through The Forest
The Neckmann family run a business called Giraffe World Tours, for which they own a lovely blue bus.
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The Neckmanns travel to all kinds of interesting places in Giraffe World on their bus
Here they have driven to the far North of Giraffe World - quite a nexpedition!
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Intergalactic Travel
Raph likes to travel even further than Giraffe World - here he looks at Planet Earth through his telescope
Raph loves to look through his telescope and imagine travelling to distant planets and other world. Here he is looking at your Planet Earth!
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Giraffes travel through the Secret Portal behind the Intergalactic Cacti!
As well as the Archway Portal, our world has the Secret Portal behind the Intergalactic Cacti, through which the giraffes can travel to other world by their chosen methods of transport!
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Necky Becky & Littl' Nicky by the Secret Portal behind the Intergalactic Cacti
Necky Becky and Littl' Nicky have just climbed out of the portal behind the Intergalactic Cacti and are ready to nexplore.
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I am another travelling Intergalactic Portal for the giraffes of Giraffe World!
I, Nextra-terrestrial am also a secret Intergalactic Portal, upon whom the giraffe family travel between worlds. In the picture above you can see me travelling through space. The giraffes painted on me have come alive and are enjoying their adventure!
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