Category: Tooby’s Stories

You’re Kidney Me?

June 20, 2019

There is literally nothing nature related in this post at all. Bit weird.

Today is my birthday. How do I feel about it? Bit depressed to be honest. I’m not being ungrateful – I’ve got the best group of friends around me and my parents phoned me up and all, but…

This is my first birthday I’ve spent mostly on my own and in London (*violins play). Birthday’s just aren’t as exciting when you get older, are they. Does not getting excited about my birthday mean that I’m getting old? Have I officially got to start cooing at babies, wearing trousers that come up to my neck (with a belt) and drive with my car seat so far forward that my knees are driven into my chin? Furthermore; make jam and actually enjoy an episode of Gardeners World?…

Maybe.

It hasn’t been a brilliant build-up to my birthday either. Over the past month I’ve been in and out of hospital. Not fun at all. Turns out you cant just ignore symptoms of a UTI because if you do, they swiftly turn into a kidney infection and here I am… Yes it does hurt. Nothing some strong antibiotics and some (bloody great) pain killers won’t sort out though. Whilst sat waiting in A&E last night (after I keeled over whilst carrying out fish surveys in the river Thames – cue fish puns), I got asked to be in the new series of Channel 4’s 24 hours in A&E. So not only was I crippled over in pain, clutching my right kidney, I was also microphoned-up and filmed for peoples entertainment… Weeeell, someone may as well get some enjoyment out of my pain, aye?

So all in all… Life has truly gone off the scale at the moment. Privileged pain, oh I’m aware of that.. But fucking weird nonetheless.

Cheers to potpourri, Homes Under the Hammer and kidneys. I’m officially 23… (And we laaaaughed and laaaaughed)

Bloody well get on with it, Tooby.

 

Always Check One’s Surroundings…

April 10, 2019

Having recently returned from Tanzania; I was reminded of a situation I somehow got myself into during my first trip to Tanzania (2008) when I was just eleven. We were on safari in the Serengeti and I was in urgent need to disperse of my urine… Yes, I was in desperate need for a toilet. The nice man driving the Land rover pulled over next to a hippo pool, so I could hop out and scamper behind a bush. Now, going for a wee behind a bush is hard enough when you’re female – let alone trying it in Africa’s wilderness.. Trying to avoid all the African thorns (which for reference are fucking huge!), I went for wee. Half way through this much needed wee, I heard a loud gasp coming from the Land rover which was parked in the near distance. “Girls hurry up!! Quickly, quickly!!” Running back to the truck, still pulling up my trousers, I turned around to realise that I was peeing a few meters away from a rough 4m long crocodile!! Yup.. a flipping 500kg animal that could kill in one smooth, swing of a bite. I’ve since learnt to check my surroundings when peeing in the great outdoors.. You know, just in case there’s a pervert crocodile lurking nearby…

Who am I?…

September 5, 2018

Since university? I don’t even know myself… **Slaps own Face**

My name is Eve Sanders. People call me Tooby. I have a BSc in Marine Biology and Oceanography from The University of Plymouth and I am currently working for the fabulous Thames Estuary Partnership. This is me with a pickled deep sea angler fish… because that’s how I roll. Apparently.newforblog

I am a marine scientist hoping to pursue a career in both research and science communication (TV and radio presenting for natural history programs). Although I chose to focus my studies around the marine world, I have a passion for all things nature related. I also regularly embark on slightly odd/ridiculous adventures abroad. ToobysTravels is a place for me to share my frolicking/experiences and communicate my science to you. I hope you enjoy!

I am truly grateful for the kind support ToobysTravels receives. Thank you. My aim is to create content that will edge out a giggle (or at the very least a smirk..) from you, whilst promoting important environmental issues and wildlife conservation. So please do me a ‘flavour’ and click follow… You won’t regret it.. (I hope…)

If you should wish to meet me and pass on any toilet humour related jokes, I will be attending ‘The Peoples Walk for Wildlife’ (organised by Chris Packham) at Hyde park on the 22nd of September (details below) to help raise awareness about the UK’s depleting wildlife in need. See you there!

https://www.chrispackham.co.uk/the-peoples-walk-for-wildlife

Pigeon Mayhem…

August 10, 2018

Lunch time in London. I go to a nice yet busy cafe to grab a sandwich. Pigeon flies in. Entire cafe goes into meltdown. Adult men flapping their arms around. I walk up to the poor, exhausted animal, pick it up and take it outside and around the corner. Walk back inside cafe and I’m greeted with a huge round of applause and a free flapjack! You can take the girl out of Devon…. etc etc ..