I am fascinated by “only in London” moments. Like overhearing a bunch of Catholic priests, on the tube, discussing the merits of Alice in Wonderland in 3D. And then discussing what Johnny Depp is like in real life: is he weird or is he quite normal?
Yesterday, as I walked alongside the large dock next door to our little dock, I noticed a woman arrive at the water’s edge with a large bag of what I thought were Maltesers. She ripped open the bag, took out a smaller bag from within, and proceeded to pour the contents into the water. She then continued to do the same with packet after packet. As I approached her, I said, with some bemusement,
“I thought those were Maltesers you were throwing into the water.”
At this stage, there were about a million ducks, seagulls and swans frantically flapping around and stabbing at whatever it was she was chucking out for them.
“As if I would throw Maltesers into the dock? When I eat them myself?” she said.
She then told me her son had gone to Asda (she rolled her eyes as she said this – perhaps she prefers our local Tesco to this other supermarket chain?) and bought the wrong kind of crisps (I call them chips, some of you might call them potato chips).
“No-one will eat them, so I thought I’d give them to the ducks,” she said, as she threw the contents of the final packet to the screeching and now-hyperactive water population. Thank goodness he hadn’t bought the wrong brand of beer.
I heard on the radio this week that obesity in the UK is seriously on the rise. Watch out for the ballooning weight of the duck population in south east London too, if they survive the preservatives. What was she thinking?
Sunshine signing off for today.
Sunshine in London 
Well, they’ve probably been exposed to lots of pollutants in the Thames already. But their waddling will probably get more pronounced! 🙂
True that! Poor chubby ducks 🙂
That story is hilarious.
Made me chuckle …
Hmmm…curious about what kind of chips could be mistaken for Malteasers? At least she didn’t just chuck them in the garbage…although it might have been better for those unsuspecting ducks if she had! The things people think of…
Wendy
They were in red packets, which I initially saw from a distance – that was the only similarity to Maltesers! I didn’t pay too much attention to the empty packets when I got up close!
Poor little hungry ducks!
Funny story, but, what are Maltesers?
Thanks, Darlene. And sorry – Maltesers are little round chocolate-covered, malt honeycomb, light and more-ish tastes of heaven.
And if she had been throwing Maltesers to the ducks, I would have either jumped in the water and quacked alongside them, or just arm-wrestled them for the spoils. 🙂
Ohhhh. They sound yummy. Knowing that, that makes her response even funnier…as if I would!
I love Maltesers! I would be quacking right along side you, Sister Sunshine. In the United States, they are known as Malt Balls. Cute post and a fun start to my day.
Much love,
Patty
Thanks, Patty. Enjoy your day!
I don’t know…I’d like to see what happens to a drunken duck. Drunk quacking, drunk swimming, drunk flying… funny stuff.
Love the part about the priests and their Alice in Wonderland conversation. I think I’d prefer the wacked-out Johnny Depp. The world is full of people who play by society’s rules. It’s nice to see someone who doesn’t follow the mold–and totally gets away with it.
That would be a whole ‘nother post all together – drunken ducks! I totally loved the priests’ unexpected topic of conversation! I can’t remember what they decided about Johnny Depp, though …
How totally bizarre throwing chips into the water for the ducks. Maltesers are rather yummy so I guess rather the chips than the choccies! Must have been interestinging to watch it all unfold. X
I thought so too! I have seen a little girl eating the piece of bread her mom gave her to throw to the ducks, and refusing to share it with the ducks, but never anyone throwing chips! Bizarre indeed! xx
Chips ahoy!
We feed the ducks bread at out local park, and are amazed at what people bring to feed them–it mostly amounts to littering as the ducksmove as far away as possible.
Clever ducks, incorrigible people!
I like the image of the priests on the tube talking about Johnny Depp, but this wasn’t around Halloween, was it? We went to a hockey game a few nights before Halloween and couldn’t decide whether the nuns sitting together in a group were really nuns or just a group of middle-aged women in costume.
Not around Halloween – it was a few months back on a working day and a busy commuter time. They could have been on their way to a convention, though, but nah – I think they were the real deal. I just loved that moment too.
Poor ducks! She could have donated them to the foodbank!
I imagine someone would have enjoyed them…
🙂
jane
Not sure that they eat ducks at the foodbank. 🙂 Sorry – couldn’t resist that.
You’re right, the chips could have been put to better and more constructive use!
You are going to love my post today then. This was funny and “quaky” 🙂
Will check it out! Thanks!
Mmmm fat duck marinated in beer….. I think I know whats for dinner this weekend!
😀
Enjoy! I’ll stick to Maltesers! 🙂
All this talk of chips is making me hungry and all of this talk about ducks is making me laugh.
I really wish that I had been at that park.
It was a strange sight indeed! Thanks for visiting my blog – I’m glad it made you laugh!
You are too funny 😀
Thank you so much! 🙂