In The Night Garden - a guide (part 4)
There are two means of transportation in the Night Garden: the Ninky Nonk and the Pinky Ponk. These very similar names often confuse tourists.
The Ninky Nonk is a sort of semi-runaway train:
The Ninky Nonk doesn't run on rails - it has free rein in the Night Garden, and indeed careens up tree trunks, along branches etc, with scant regard for the safety of its passengers. It is the main issue holding back the Night Garden's application for full membership of the European Union (see 'José Manuel Barroso Makes Igglepiggle Sad').
Repetition is a big part of In The Night Garden - and while this can be trying for parents, Ragdoll Productions explain they repeat elements because it is reassuring for their target audience of toddlers. Accordingly, the Ninky Nonk is a touchstone in the structure of the programme. Most episodes begin with the Ninky Nonk rushing through a hedge, and all end with Makka Pakka singing his song while sponging the remains of unlucky Pontypines from its wheels.
The Pinky Ponk is an airship:
Its livery and varied aeronautical accessories are colourful and charming, but this wasn't always the case. The Pinky Ponk began life in the Third Reich as the Graf Zeppelin II, plying the airways between Berlin and New York. In 1938, it was hijacked by the Wottingers who brought it through time to the Night Garden, where it was refitted by the Haahoos (see 'Have You Had A Lovely Holiday, Mr Wottinger?').
The Wottingers pose for a snap before overpowering a squad of SS guards, stealing their uniforms, infiltrating the Friedrichshafen hangar and making off with the Graf Zeppelin II.
Read part 1 - Igglepiggle
Read part 2 - Makka Pakka and Upsy Daisy
Read part 3 - the Tombliboos
Read part 5 - Derek Jacobi
Read part 6 - the Pontipines and the Wottingers
Read part 7 - Shunka Warak'in
The Ninky Nonk is a sort of semi-runaway train:
The Ninky Nonk doesn't run on rails - it has free rein in the Night Garden, and indeed careens up tree trunks, along branches etc, with scant regard for the safety of its passengers. It is the main issue holding back the Night Garden's application for full membership of the European Union (see 'José Manuel Barroso Makes Igglepiggle Sad').
Repetition is a big part of In The Night Garden - and while this can be trying for parents, Ragdoll Productions explain they repeat elements because it is reassuring for their target audience of toddlers. Accordingly, the Ninky Nonk is a touchstone in the structure of the programme. Most episodes begin with the Ninky Nonk rushing through a hedge, and all end with Makka Pakka singing his song while sponging the remains of unlucky Pontypines from its wheels.
The Pinky Ponk is an airship:
Its livery and varied aeronautical accessories are colourful and charming, but this wasn't always the case. The Pinky Ponk began life in the Third Reich as the Graf Zeppelin II, plying the airways between Berlin and New York. In 1938, it was hijacked by the Wottingers who brought it through time to the Night Garden, where it was refitted by the Haahoos (see 'Have You Had A Lovely Holiday, Mr Wottinger?').
The Wottingers pose for a snap before overpowering a squad of SS guards, stealing their uniforms, infiltrating the Friedrichshafen hangar and making off with the Graf Zeppelin II.
Read part 1 - Igglepiggle
Read part 2 - Makka Pakka and Upsy Daisy
Read part 3 - the Tombliboos
Read part 5 - Derek Jacobi
Read part 6 - the Pontipines and the Wottingers
Read part 7 - Shunka Warak'in