On the day after our arrival at Innaminka, Darren and I were sitting in Camp when I spotted something speed across the ground and into our wood pile. Darren hadn’t seen it, and we were soon cautiously investigating the pile of wood. There was another flash of movement as something went around the back of it.
Then we saw what looked to be the tiniest mouse known to man. Her body was only about an inch and a half long, and she had long quivering whiskers, a long slim tail and big eyes. We saw that it in fact she didn’t run, but hopped about.
It was tiny and perfect and inquisitive
We dived for our cameras, and she proceeded to entertain us with her exploration of Darren’s thong (…not his underwear – his flip flop – talk about Lost in Translation). After taking a nibble at it, and not being too impressed, she ran over to our cooking plate which she gave a thorough vacuuming, despite there being little on it. After another inquisitive look around, she headed for the chair over which Darren’s jacket was hanging. She ran straight up into the jacket. She then kept appearing and disappearing down the holes of the sleeves and pockets, much to our amusement and wonder.
She was the smallest, dearest, most perfect little thing. Mrs Tittlemouse could not have been sweeter…
Eventually after a good exploration of Darren’s coat, many beady glances at us, and a 100 photo and video opportunities, she scurried down from the chair and off across the camp back to the undergrowth. She had probably decided she had delighted her public enough for the moment.
I called her ‘Dilly the Desert Mouse’, and had felt great friendship towards the tiny thing, as she bravely went about her business. It quite made my day.
In which we introduce Dilly to our new friends, and Something Goes Badly Wrong
In the afternoon Matt, Dan and Bernie came to join our camp for the night, before they headed off in the morning. Once again, Dilly appeared.
She had a good rustle in the wood pile then went back over to the chair. The boys all went over to look at her. They all thought she was lovely.
She was moving slowly around the open ground as they looked down at her. Out of nowhere, suddenly – WHOOSH! – a bird swooped down between the men’s legs, grabbed her – and she was gone.
There was a startled silence, then we all groaned at once – “ NOooo!” Then, I am ashamed to admit, we bust into laughter at the shock and surprise of it.
“Did you see that?” cried Matt.
Unfortunately we had. I had been getting my camera ready to film her again, and just missed filming Dilly’s demise.
I was horrified, even Darren thought it was a cruel blow for poor Dilly, though they were laughing about it. Bernie, Dan’s father seemed very effected, and quietly went to sit down to contemplate what had happened.
Poor Dilly! One moment out for a walk and entertaining us all, and the next, BAM! – Lunch.
Dilly the desert mouse RIP
(now Dilly the Dessert Mousse)
Then we saw what looked to be the tiniest mouse known to man. Her body was only about an inch and a half long, and she had long quivering whiskers, a long slim tail and big eyes. We saw that it in fact she didn’t run, but hopped about.
It was tiny and perfect and inquisitive
We dived for our cameras, and she proceeded to entertain us with her exploration of Darren’s thong (…not his underwear – his flip flop – talk about Lost in Translation). After taking a nibble at it, and not being too impressed, she ran over to our cooking plate which she gave a thorough vacuuming, despite there being little on it. After another inquisitive look around, she headed for the chair over which Darren’s jacket was hanging. She ran straight up into the jacket. She then kept appearing and disappearing down the holes of the sleeves and pockets, much to our amusement and wonder.
She was the smallest, dearest, most perfect little thing. Mrs Tittlemouse could not have been sweeter…
Eventually after a good exploration of Darren’s coat, many beady glances at us, and a 100 photo and video opportunities, she scurried down from the chair and off across the camp back to the undergrowth. She had probably decided she had delighted her public enough for the moment.
I called her ‘Dilly the Desert Mouse’, and had felt great friendship towards the tiny thing, as she bravely went about her business. It quite made my day.
In which we introduce Dilly to our new friends, and Something Goes Badly Wrong
In the afternoon Matt, Dan and Bernie came to join our camp for the night, before they headed off in the morning. Once again, Dilly appeared.
She had a good rustle in the wood pile then went back over to the chair. The boys all went over to look at her. They all thought she was lovely.
She was moving slowly around the open ground as they looked down at her. Out of nowhere, suddenly – WHOOSH! – a bird swooped down between the men’s legs, grabbed her – and she was gone.
There was a startled silence, then we all groaned at once – “ NOooo!” Then, I am ashamed to admit, we bust into laughter at the shock and surprise of it.
“Did you see that?” cried Matt.
Unfortunately we had. I had been getting my camera ready to film her again, and just missed filming Dilly’s demise.
I was horrified, even Darren thought it was a cruel blow for poor Dilly, though they were laughing about it. Bernie, Dan’s father seemed very effected, and quietly went to sit down to contemplate what had happened.
Poor Dilly! One moment out for a walk and entertaining us all, and the next, BAM! – Lunch.
Dilly the desert mouse RIP
(now Dilly the Dessert Mousse)
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