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The Wind in The Chalet (updated 10th Nov)
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6832

Author:  AussieShepherd [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:49 am ]
Post subject:  The Wind in The Chalet (updated 10th Nov)

Gaudenz, the Chalet School's handyman, leant on his spade and nodded approvingly at his afternoon's work. Six neat beds had been cut, turned and raked; his small hand whittled pegs were placed with military precision along the edges and the string was taut and level. Soon the good Herr Doktor Maynard would give him the marked up plant catalogue and Gaudenz would spend a laborious hour or two filling in the order form. He wondered if if the good Doktor's wife had had any flights of fancy - the last time the garden had been re-landscaped she had insisted on lemon trees. Gott in Himmel! The poor things had succumbed the previous winter and now found themselves flung onto the big bonfire.

As he contemplated his endeavours, he thought he saw a brief movement to his right. Gaudenz swung round, expecting to see the spring breeze ruffling the grass. In a trice his demeanour changed; his moustache bristled with unconcealed rage and his hands clenched, his face became red and his eyes popped.
"ACH!!" he roared "Zis is...is......." Words failed him. There, in the middle of the croquet lawn, appeared a small mound of soil. Gaundenz gripped his spade firmly. Despite his size he moved stealthily towards the offending pile, and raising the spade above his head, brought it down smartly several times. He followed up his actions by jumping up and down, underlining each landing with a string of swear words.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Mole had been in the middle of a spendid dream; he had been first mate on a pirate ship with Ratty and they'd keelhauled Toad and sunk his yacht. Now he seemed to be in the middle of a fierce storm, their vessel rushed up each foaming wave and thundered down from the crest.....Mole awoke with a start to find his bed had taken on a life of its own, juddering wildy and seeming to be trying to escape. The walls vibrated and now and again a trickle of earth fell from the ceiling.
"O My!" exclaimed the Mole, "an earthquake to be sure!" Hastily he pulled on his slippers and grabbed a little lantern from the bedside table.
"Now then, I must find out what is going on" he murmured, "surely Toad hasn't started drilling for oil in the Swiss Alps..." he giggled to himself as he made his way to the door and grasping the handle he pulled gently. Nothing happened. Mole gave the handle a hard tug. The door remained firmly in place. Mole scratched his head thoughtfully.
"A problem halved is a problem solved" he muttered, and trotted back to his bed where he perched on the edge and thought hard.
"Ratty would know what to do" he said to himself, "and Badger. And Otter.." At that moment there was a loud crash as the recalcitrant door was flung open and in strode the Rat, his little brown eyes a-sparkle and his wise furry face a cheerful ray of sunshine to the imprisoned Mole.
"Hullo old chap" said the Rat "looks like earthquakes this morning!"
"O Ratty!" exclaimed Mole, "I was having such a lovely dream about.."
"Never mind that, " said the Rat impatiently, "we really shouldn't hang about here; there's - a - Man," he added, pausing between each word for full effect. "Now then, old fellow, set to and come up with a back door as quick as you can"
The ever obliging Mole set to as instructed, scrabbling and scraping and scraping and scrabbling, until his black snout broke through the crusty soil and he caught the scent of flowers above him.
"Steady there, Moley," whispered Rat, "caution is our watchword!" The Mole emerged from his emergency exit and lifted his head, his finely tuned senses alert for any danger.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To be continued... :lol:

Author:  Lesley [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

I can just see Gaudenz getting so paranoid about moles that he'll be in the middle of the patch with a shotgun!


Great start.

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

:lol: at Joey and the lemon trees!

Wind in the Willows is a favourite of mine, so I can't wait to read more. Thankyou!

Author:  LauraMcC [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

I love The Wind in the Willows, too.

It will be interesting to see where this goes, thanks AussieShepherd.

Author:  shazwales [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

Thank you,this looks as if it's going to be fun! looking for.ward to the next bit

Author:  sealpuppy [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

It's such a sweet story!

Author:  janetbrown23 [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

I am not fond of Wind in the Willows having been forcefed it at school. I am, however looking forward to the interweaving of the two stories a great deal. How on earth did you ever come up with such a different crossover idea.

Author:  AussieShepherd [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

Thanks for all your nice comments :) I came up with the idea after reading everyone else's drabbles and thinking "blast! someone's done that....and that...and that...!" and spotting a whole new batch of molehills in one of our fields :D So it sort of happened from there really :lol: WITW is one of my favourite stories, so I hope I can do this justice!

Author:  Elle [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

AussieShepherd wrote:
"blast! someone's done that....and that...and that...!"


Don't worry, we always like different takes on the same subject, for example Emma A's brilliant 'Letters'which inspired my alternate version'You will marry your Doctor!"

I am looking forwards to see what happens with this!

Author:  AussieShepherd [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 7th Nov)

...to continue :D

Joey Maynard was stretched out on the sofa, enjoying a brief moment of peace and quiet. She had chucked her knitting down on a little table nearby and dangling her stockinged feet over the arm, folded her hands beneath her head and gave herself up to daydreaming. "Gosh, I could do with a nap," she said to herself, and promptly suited the action to the word, rolling over and closing her eyes.
Her snooze was rudely interrupted by a series of thundering knocks at the door. Joey shot upright and swung her legs to the floor, stubbing her toe on the little table in the process. Rubbing the offended digit she hopped towards the door and proceeded to catch the other foot under the gay rug which stretched across the polished floor and crashed heavily into the door frame. "Ow!"
The knocking paused and a deep voice came from somewhere above her head.
"Frau Docktor Maynard, are you perhaps hurt?"
"It's okay Gaudenz, I, er, got up rather suddenly," Joey felt her head gingerly. "Clumsy ass", she commented to herself. She opened the door and gazed upon the wrathful countenance of the school's handyman. "Someone's got his goat and no mistake," she thought.
Gaudenz lumbered into the salon, his moustache still bristling.
"I must speak with the Herr Doktor immediately", he announced. Jo looked at him in alarm. Had something awful happened? Had there been an accident at the school?
"I'm afraid Herr Doktor Maynard is delayed in Salzburg", she replied, "for Heaven's sake Gaudenz, out with it! Who's been murdered?" Thus Joey the dramatic author!
Gaudenz took out his hankerchief and mopped his forehead.
"It is as I have always feared", he pronounced solemnly.
Joey was almost dancing about by now, she wished she was a few inches taller just so she could shake an answer from him! Gaudenz realised that the good doctor's wife was over-excited and said in a dark tone,
"Das maulwurfshügel!" and waited for his words to take effect.
"Molehills?" exclaimed Jo, "we've never had molehills before!" Her quick mind raced ahead before Gaudenz could elaborate further.
" Oh my giddy aunt! Please don't say they're on the croquet lawn!"
Gaundenz's face provided the answer and his still clenched fists indicated that he was in no mood to forgive the errant tunneller.
Joey groaned. If there was one thing Jack was proud of, it was his blessed croquet lawn. A true labour of love, it was smooth and level with a delightfully springy turf. Weeds were a minus quantity; no leaf dared settle there for fear of retribution. How on earth would they repair the damage before Jack returned?
"Now Gaudenz, we must act quickly" Jo took charge. Gaudenz looked at her doubtfully. Did not the good Frau Doktor Maynard know how long this would take?
"Now let me think...yes, we must get hold of some mole traps, and...and...possibly strychnine..." with a sudden memory of the gardener at Penny Rest.
"Ach nein!" interrupted Gaudenz, " we may not use such a poison! Think of the young ladies!"
"Oh dear, I suppose you're right," Joey said crossly. "Still, it would have speeded things up no end!"
Gaudenz turned on his heel and said "I will make arrangements, gnadige Frau, soon the ärgerliche mole will be no more". With that he stumped off down the path and vanished behind the shrubbery.
Joey closed the door behind him and looked pensive. How could she keep Jack from seeing the damage? "I need a decent cup of coffee," she said to herself, and strolled off to the kitchen.

:D

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

Nooooooo! Not Moley!

Please come back and reassure us of his safety soon!

Author:  AussieShepherd [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

ChubbyMonkey wrote:
Nooooooo! Not Moley!

Please come back and reassure us of his safety soon!

Panic ye not :wink: Well, not yet anyway :roll:

By the way, how do I alter the thread title to reflect an update? Help please :oops:

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

Go back to the first post, click on edit, and change the title of that one! Hope that helps :D

Author:  shazwales [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

Thanks for the update,this is fun :D

Author:  Lyanne [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

Quote:
"Now let me think...yes, we must get hold of some mole traps, and...and...possibly strychnine..." with a sudden memory of the gardener at Penny Rest.


Alarmed that Jo's mind goes to poison so quickly! What happened to the gardener at Penny Rest? (Or is that from a hardback, I have only paperbacks.)

Author:  AussieShepherd [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet

ChubbyMonkey wrote:
Go back to the first post, click on edit, and change the title of that one! Hope that helps :D


Ta muchly :lol:

Quote:
[Alarmed that Jo's mind goes to poison so quickly! What happened to the gardener at Penny Rest? (Or is that from a hardback, I have only paperbacks.)
Quote:
"Now let me think...yes, we must get hold of some mole traps, and...and...possibly strychnine..." with a sudden memory of the gardener at Penny Rest.


Alarmed that Jo's mind goes to poison so quickly! What happened to the gardener at Penny Rest? (Or is that from a hardback, I have only paperbacks.)/quote]

Um, that's random poetic licence :wink:

Author:  Lesley [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 7th Nov)

Why should Joey immediately think of poison? Think there's some back story there! :lol:


Thanks Rob

Author:  jmc [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 3:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 7th Nov)

Have to admit to never reading The Wind in the Willows. Despite having started it once or twice many years ago, I could never get into it. Might go and hunt up my copy now. Would like to know more about the poison, Jo and the gardener at Penny Rest though.

Thanks

Author:  AussieShepherd [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 7th Nov)

jmc wrote:
Have to admit to never reading The Wind in the Willows. Despite having started it once or twice many years ago, I could never get into it. Might go and hunt up my copy now. Would like to know more about the poison, Jo and the gardener at Penny Rest though.

Thanks


Cripes!! I'll have to come up with something *visualises an awful lot of research... :shock: *

Author:  sealpuppy [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 7th Nov)

AussieShepherd wrote:
Cripes!! I'll have to come up with something *visualises an awful lot of research... :shock: *



Oh, I don't know. Think of all those girls we've never heard of again? Lavender, Lilamani, et al. Did Joey send them to Penny Rest when they looked tired, only to be disappointed that they never even sent her a postcard? :shock:

Author:  Jennie [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 7th Nov)

If Gaudenz kills Moly, he's on my hit-list forever!

Author:  sealpuppy [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 3:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 7th Nov)

I've never been a fan of Wind in the Willows (or Winnie the Pooh) but I'm liking this version. :)

Author:  AussieShepherd [ Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 10th Nov)

And now, we must go back a few months..

It was a hot summer; the brassy skies were singularly lacking in clouds and the sun glared remorselessly down from the void. Along the river moved sluggishly, brown and slow, reluctant to make its journey to the sea.
The Rat was lying in the shade of his little boat, a handkerchief draped over his nose. Now and then a little snore caused it to rise slightly and then fall back again. A water pail stood close by together with a glass - whatever the Rat had been gainfully employed in doing was obviously thirsty work.
Suddenly the dozing afternoon was rudely awakened by a sound not unlike that of a dog clearing its throat before barking. "Grrrrrrrr! Grrrrrrrr!" followed by "phuttutttt!" The Rat, startled from his slumber, sat up and looked around foggily. The noise grew louder still and then, swinging round the corner came a shiny motorbike, its leatherclad rider crouched low over the handlebars. The Rat jumped to his feet, alarmed by the lack of control demonstrated by the owner. His reaction was justified, as the motorbike careered through across the grass and bounced down the riverbank, coming to a halt just shy of the water.
"I say!" spluttered the Rat, "have a care!"
"What ho Ratty! What do think of my wonderful machine?" The Toad carelessly let his machine fall to the ground and danced over to the Rat.
"Another fad, Toad?" asked the Rat in a stern voice, "I suppose you've forgotten what Badger said. No mechanical fal de lals of any sort, he said. Look what happened last time; Toad Hall ransacked by the Wild Wooders, yourself arrested, thrown in jail..."
"O, pish and tosh!" interrupted the Toad rudely. "Badger's an old stick-in-the-mud; I'm not listening to anything you chaps say anymore, I'm going to enjoy myself".
The Rat looked at him thoughtfully. Toad gazed back, his limpid eyes full of life and laughter. "O well, " said the Rat to himself, "it's too early to say what might happen. Maybe Toad's learnt his lesson.." he eyed the Toad doubtfully. Toad was running round in circles making "Grrrr" noises.
"So, "said the Rat, "are you planning some sort of road trip?" The Toad stopped his gyrations and hooted with laughter.
"Road trip? My dear fellow, I shall shortly be embarking on THE road trip - the road trip us creatures should undertake if we are to be regarded as animals of the world". Toad took off his goggles and beamed at the Rat.
"Go on", said the Rat, wondering what on earth was coming next.
"I", said Toad impressively, "am doing a Tour of Europe!"
The Rat stared at him in silence, then, speaking in a slow voice, said:
"Am I to understand that you are intending to travel on foreign roads on that.....that....machine?"
"How else do you expect me to travel?" retorted Toad, "in some ghastly steamship like the ones you keep raving about? O no, that's for common creatures! I shall be travelling in style, with the open road beneath my wheels and the continental breeze in my hair!"
The Rat said no more, but privately he intended to get hold of Badger and see if he could talk some sense (yet again) into the unrepentant Toad.
A pattering of feet drew their attention and a small black figure appeared. It was the Mole.
"Ratty! Toad! O how good it is to see you both!" he cried, "I've had such a time, with cleaning and cooking, and then..."
"Hullo old chap", said the Rat, not given to being overdemonstrative, whereas the Toad clapped his friend on the back and dragged him away to show off his latest acquisition. Like the Rat, the Mole looked doubtful as Toad expanded on his plan to tour the continent, but soon he was in thrall to Toad as that animal waxed lyrical about Paris, Geneva, Rome and Venice.
"Got any maps?" asked Rat sarcastically, a little hurt that Mole had been drawn into Toad's confidence so readily.
"Never mind him", said the Toad loftily, "I know exactly where I'm going!"
"We can but hope", murmured the Rat.

Author:  ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 10th Nov)

I love Toad! Though how mean of you to keep us waiting even longer to know that Mole is ok!

Thanks for the update.

Author:  shazwales [ Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Wind in The Chalet (updated 10th Nov)

Thanks for the update really enjoying this. :D

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