Janepie33 Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 (edited) In the summer OH & DD made the pond in the front garden wider and deeper. We have had many compliments regarding our tranquil water feature which attracts a multitude of wild life. Unfortunately, some time on Monday evening, the pond attracted a rather different species, namely an elderly gentleman, who somehow managed to fall into the pond! He was unable to climb out, so sat - for maybe an hour and a half - up to his neck in water, before being rescued by 3 ladies on their way to their book group. DD & OH were inside watching TV and were totally oblivious of the whole incident. I arrived home to find a large pot of fish food balanced on our wheelie bin. "Ooops, word censored!"ody knew where it had come from. DD thought she had heard a knock on the door earlier in the evening, but when she opened the door there was "Ooops, word censored!"ody there. It transpired that the elderly (77 years old) gentleman wanted to put his goldfish in our pond and somehow managed to fall in He called to passers by for help and several people stopped and looked around and up, but were unable to see him, so they walked on by. Fortunately, the book group ladies stopped to his last cries of "Mayday Mayday SOS" and all they could see was a head on the ground - at this point, as it was dark, they were not aware that he was in a pond!!! The gentleman was liberated from the pond, taken home and popped in a warm bath to thaw him out. The latest reports are that he is absolutely fine, but completely embarrassed. I know I shouldn't laugh, but I am afraid to say I did! Edited January 15, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Ooh err Silly question, but did he manage to release his own fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 I think he did! He told his rescuers that he could not put the goldfish in the Thames as they would be eaten by pike. A quick peek in the pond revealed a submerged red bucket maybe used to transport the fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Oh heck! Am glad he is OK. My elderly aunt fell into her garden pond a few years ago. Her shouts went unheeded for a couple of hours. If her neighbour hadn't chosen that afternoon to clean her upstairs windows, she'd be be there yet. We worry about children and ponds, but the elderly are just as likely to come a cropper it would seem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Oh no! Poor chap! But very funny Just thank goodness he is OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Blimey you couldn't make it up. Glad he's ok, hope he sees the funny side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 My word that is a bizarre tale, he and your family will dine out on that for many years to come. So glad that he was ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I am very ashamed to say that I nearly fell off my chair laughing...... but then I realised how this could all have gone badly wrong for the poor chap! Mind you, why he couldn't just have knocked on your door and asked you to rehome his goldfish I don't know....the harbinger of his own doom indeed! VERY glad he's OK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 I am very ashamed to say that I nearly fell off my chair laughing...... but then I realised how this could all have gone badly wrong for the poor chap! Mind you, why he couldn't just have knocked on your door and asked you to rehome his goldfish I don't know....the harbinger of his own doom indeed! VERY glad he's OK! Apparently he did try to ring the doorbell but it only gave a sort of half ring. When DD looked in the porch and saw "Ooops, word censored!"ody there, we must assume that he was already in the pond! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Oh good grief, it's one of those situations that would seem improbable in a comedy sketch. Poor thing though, he must have thought he'd be there all night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Goodness me, you couldn't make that up! This reminds me of the 'parents behaving badly' thread Am pleased the poor chap was alright in the end though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 It seems that the unfortunate gentleman also managed to loose his teeth during the incident, but managed to retrieve them when he returned at 5 am the following day with a torch and discovered them nestled amongst the stones around the gravel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 My goodness, although it made me really smile it could have had such an unhappy ending. Whatever was he thinking coming back at 5 am, a repeat performance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I am sorry to say I laughed too. What an amazing story I am so glad it had a happy ending. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Good lord, he came back at 5am? Does he have a death wish?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyBean2605 Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 He probably wanted an early morning snack and realised he'd need them back! Best story I've heard all year and I hear some corkers in my job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 He came back? At 5.am? For his teeth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Probably couldn't eat his breakfast without them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Thank goodness he didn't fall in again! Now where are his reading glasses and car keys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Thank goodness he didn't fall in again! Now where are his reading glasses and car keys? Reminds me of the quote "Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch" I used to say it to my old boss as he walked out of the door, patting his pockets to look for his keys, wallet etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Goodness, did it not occur to him to just knock on your door & ask, in both cases Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Hope one of the fish wasnt wearing his dentures I think you need to net your pond. I must I admit I sniggered at this too - made my day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Bless him.Does he have family,am a bit worried about him wandering about at 5 am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I must admit, the 5am update did make me wonder if perhaps he has dementia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I wondered that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
