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@ Wistful Cat
Sparkles enters the gallery and is given a guide to her tour of "World of Sepia". Some wonderful sights lie ahead!
Wistful Cat
Is that yummy chicken treat only for you? Can I have some? Why it's all that I have wished for.

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@ Full Moon Sky
"So—was the cuttlefish named after the colour sepia because of the squirty ink, or the colour named after the cuttlefish?" queried Sparkles.
"It's a good question!" responded Tallulah. "I don't know."
Full Moon Sky
By the light of the full moon, so many possibilities! Faeries dance, wolves howl, and stories of hauntings, paranormal abound! Believe at your own risk!

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@ Palm Trees in the Gloaming
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said Ariella, after she and Sparkles had spent some time exploring another long art gallery wing to its end.
"Is there a gift shop at the end?" queried Sparkles. "The thought of that generally keeps me going!"
Palm Trees in the Gloaming
As the sun sinks lower into the West, these Palms look more and more like the pom poms on the end of someone's hat.

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@ Travel Trunks
Sparkles consulted the tour guide. "It says here that the largest species of cuttlefish in the world is the Australian giant cuttlefish Sepia apama which can grow up to 3 feet or one metre in length. In contrast, the largest British species is the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, around 17 inches/45cm long."
"Aw, bless!" remarked Midnight.
Travel Trunks
Sitting patiently outside the station, these trunks are waiting to be loaded into the cargo bay of the next train, taking the traveler to their next destination.

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@ Woodland Bide-a-Wee
"More from the brochure, 黑白! 'The clouds of ink produced by cuttlefish when they feel threatened, sepia, was once used by artists and writers'."
"That's an interesting fact, Sparkles!" responded 黑白.
Woodland Bide-a-Wee
When out on a ramble, a sturdy bench and table can be a welcome sight! Rest your legs for some minutes, perhaps enjoy a drink and a snack, before continuing your walk.

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@ Bear in the Steamer Trunk
“Some of these pictures are so quaint!” Tess said.
“Yes," said Sparkles, "and then the next one will be something really awe-inspiring!"
Bear in the Steamer Trunk
Come on, let's play! I need a change of scenery, take me to the park, push me in the swing! I'll be your bestie, you'll find I can keep a secret!

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@ Teddy Bear Chest
"Shadow, I've got something called "sepia effect" on my camera. I've got a feeling it’s faulty, though. It just makes everything go all brown!”
"Oh, Sparkles, that's what it's supposed to do! See all these exhibits?"
Teddy Bear Chest
Tucked away in an old steamer trunk, the furry bundle of love and friendship, Bear is happy to come out to play!

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@ Hazy Wheat Field
Sparkles consulted the tour guide. "It says here that the largest species of cuttlefish in the world is the Australian giant cuttlefish Sepia apama which can grow up to 3 feet or one metre in length. In contrast, the largest British species is the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, around 17 inches/45cm long."
"Aw, bless!" remarked Olivia Sunshine.
Hazy Wheat Field
Wheat sways gently in the breeze, calling the adventurer to walk along the field, breathing deeply of ancient grains.

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@ Nature's Wallpaper
"A fun fact, Sparkles! Sepia is edible and used today in cuisine such as the Italian dish Spaghetti al nero di seppia (spaghetti with squid ink)."
"I'll pass on that, I think, Rubi!"
Nature's Wallpaper
These small, delicate wildflowers blossoming in meadows and fields, raising their heads to the sky and sun, are a joy to behold. They may be overlooked as insignificant beside hothouse colourful flowers, but they are part of Mother Nature's creation and are here a vision in sepia!

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@ Grandpa's Garage
“I'm enjoying the tour very much but it's getting quite cold, isn't it, Sparkles?” shivered Moriarty.
“Well, it's November, after all," replied Sparkles. "Here, wrap my scarf around yourself, and you can look forward to a lovely mug of hot chocolate when we get back to our accommodation!"
Grandpa's Garage
Tucked away in the old garage, that smells of old motor oil, and grease from the tools hanging on the walls. Grandpa takes great care of his first car, hung onto through all the years. He and Grandma started their journey in life in that car, there are so many memories of flat tires, trips to the shore and a growing family! [Route 66, Arizona]

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@ Butterfly in the Meadow
“I'm enjoying the tour very much but it's getting quite cold, isn't it, Sparkles?” shivered Gibby.
“Well, it's November, after all," replied Sparkles. "Here, wrap my scarf around yourself, and you can look forward to a lovely mug of hot chocolate when we get back to our accommodation!"
Butterfly in the Meadow
Alighting on the wild daisies growing proudly in the meadow, the hiker can enjoy the beauty of nature, whether planted or flitting through the air.

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@ Creeping Dawn
"Sepia ink is known as ikasumi in Japan where it is used in various foods, including ice cream!" remarked Sparkles.
"That's a pass from me!" responded Morri, pulling a face.
Creeping Dawn
Watching for the light to touch the earth, revealing the rich browns of fall.

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@ Tracks of Travel
"Olivia Sunshine, just look at this exhibit! Isn't it amazing?”
"It certainly is, Sparkles! Perhaps they'll have it in postcard size in the gift shop!"
Tracks of Travel
The only thing consistent in traveling the rails is the width of them. The gentle rocking rhythm, changing landscapes, and interesting passengers to talk to make this an adventure you will covet for a life time.

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@ Canyon Vista
“Oh hello, Sparkles!” cried Spot. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Quebec back in September? This is quite a different journey, isn't it!”
Canyon Vista
Sunlight scattering off into the Western horizon, pulling back the bright colors, leaves behind a vista of shades of former glory, but still beautiful to behold.

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@ Glacier Ridge
Oh look ... an appropriately coloured pet!
Glacier Ridge
Winds howling across the bare peaks, just looking at the scene can make you shiver! Glacier snows cover the lands, sparkling like diamonds in the soft sunlight, but oh that cold!

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@ Windmill in Old Amsterdam
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said dragolia, after she and Sparkles had spent some time exploring another long art gallery wing to its end.
"Is there a gift shop at the end?" queried Sparkles. "The thought of that generally keeps me going!"
Windmill in Old Amsterdam
At first glance this is a very peaceful evening scene of a trio out for an evening trip in their rowing boat. However, in the background is "De Riekermolen", a historic polder drainage windmill that dates back to 1636. It sits proudly on the bank of the River Amstel in Amsterdam. Although not visible behind the trees, it stands alongside a statue of Rembrandt that celebrates the many sketches he made in this area.

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@ Grandfather Tree
“Oh hello, Sparkles!” cried Saphira. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Quebec back in September? This is quite a different journey, isn't it!”
Grandfather Tree
If these branches could talk, held inside the bark, what stories they could tell! Tales of storms, standing and bending in the fierce winds, or sheltering small bunnies in the heat of the day. Standing for close to a century, Grandfather tree is happy to stay on the job.

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@ Snowdrop Flowers
Sparkles consulted the tour guide. "It says here that the largest species of cuttlefish in the world is the Australian giant cuttlefish Sepia apama which can grow up to 3 feet or one metre in length. In contrast, the largest British species is the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, around 17 inches/45cm long."
"Aw, bless!" remarked Isabella.
Snowdrop Flowers
Spring blooms slowly, and those who take notice of signs around them will find Snowdrops peeking out in the early spring, blending with the pockets of snow left for the warming sun to melt away.

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@ Man's Best Friend
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on Christmas cards, wouldn't it, Sparkles?” Sephira said.
“It certainly would, Sephira!" said Sparkles.
Man's Best Friend
Truly is a dog a man's best and most loyal friend! Just look at the trust, love and devotion in his eyes looking up at you. He will forgive your faults because his is unconditional love.

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@ Sepia Moon
"A fun fact, Sparkles! Sepia is edible and used today in cuisine such as the Italian dish Spaghetti al nero di seppia (spaghetti with squid ink)."
"I'll pass on that, I think, Moriarty!"
Sepia Moon
Fair moon, to thee I sing,
Bright regent of the heavens,
Say, why is everything
Either at sixes or at sevens?
(W.S. Gilbert, HMS Pinafore, 1878)

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@ Sepia Sparrows
"Sepia ink is known as ikasumi in Japan where it is used in various foods, including ice cream!" remarked Sparkles.
"That's a pass from me!" responded Zuri, pulling a face.
Sepia Sparrows
These little brown sparrows stand out in sharp focus against a hazy background of winter foliage. Let's hope our feathered friends manage to find sustenance in these cold, dark days ... however, they are never far from human habitations and plenty of humans are kind enough to leave out seeds and nuts.

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@ Morning Mists
"A fun fact, Sparkles! Sepia is edible and used today in cuisine such as the Italian dish Spaghetti al nero di seppia (spaghetti with squid ink)."
"I'll pass on that, I think, Choose a name!"
Morning Mists
Silently gliding upward, announcing the new day with gentle light seeping across the meadow, it's the start of a new adventure.

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@ Star Spangled Banner
“A picture of this would look lovely printed on Christmas cards, wouldn't it, Sparkles?” Choose a name said.
“It certainly would, Choose a name!" said Sparkles.
Star Spangled Banner
O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

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@ Pensive Pup
“Oh hello, Sparkles!” cried Delilah. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Quebec back in September? This is quite a different journey, isn't it!”
Pensive Pup
Aww-w-w! This black and tan pup looks so sad! Has his human gone out for a walk and left him behind, instead of letting him gambol alongside? Or perhaps he wasn't allowed a tasty-looking treat from the dining table! Never mind, I'm sure no one can resist that wistful little face for very long!

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@ Irish Water Horse
As Sparkles's tour of "World of Sepia" comes to an end, she receives a seasonally appropriate gift!
Olive (I Love) Fall
I love fall, don't you? These olive-hued flowers are a reminder of a vibrantly colored season now gone, yielding to the softly muted greens of fall.
Irish Water Horse
According to folklore, the aughisky or Irish water horse sometimes comes out of the water to gallop on land and if the aughisky can be caught and tamed then it will make the finest of steeds provided it is not allowed to glimpse the ocean. But beware, there is great danger! If you are riding the water horse and it catches sight of water, it will head into its depths and you will be unable to dismount!
Sparkles has completed her tour of "World of Sepia"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour an art gallery!