On Saturday 14th May a small pink giraffe with a suitcase suddenly appeared in the glasshouses at the University of Durham Botanic Garden. Her name is Necky Becky, and she had travelled all the way from a planet called Giraffe World in Camelopardalis Constellation.
The adventures of Necky Becky and her family, the Neckmanns, were the subject of special May Madness story-telling sessions by Ingrid. Necky Becky stood patiently, (well sometimes a little grumpily!), while the stories were told. She did enjoy being admired by all the children and their families though!
After each story there was the opportunity to colour in some pictures of the giraffe characters, and families could take some extra colouring pictures home too.
Necky Becky very helpfully went outside to make sure everyone knew where the entrance to the glasshouse was.
However, she had also heard about the lovely cafe at the Botanic Gardens, and decided to go and visit it by herself.
The temptation of the huge and delicious-looking cakes proved too strong, and she sneaked behind the counter ... Just as she was about to grab a large slice of carrot cake, she was spotted! She ran ...
... all the way down into the Himalayan Dell, where she tried to hide among the Himalayan birches!
One of the main Secret Intergalactic Portals to Giraffe World is arched with birch trees, and we thought maybe Necky Becky was feeling a little homesick. We decided it was time for her to go home.
Ingrid walked with Necky Becky to the entrance to the new woodland area, and there under the birch archway, she was safely transported across the galaxies to her own planet.
Her little neckshund dog, Hals, was nexcitedly waiting for her on the other side. In the distance their family home Necky Knoll House stood welcoming, and Necky Becky thought she could smell mushroom noodle bake cooking! She ran happily all the way home.
You can read more about Necky Becky and her family at Raph's Ramblings.
