Paddington, Scout and... and... EEEEKKKK!

SCOUT: "Oh look Paddy! A lovely pond! Isn't the water a pretty blue?"

 

PADDY: "Oh yes it is, Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "Do you think Daddy would mind taking a picture of us in front of the pretty pond, Paddy?"

 

PADDY: "I'm sure he would, Scout. Daddy likes taking photographs of us anywhere." *Giggles.*

 

SCOUT: "That's true, Paddy." *Giggles too.*

 

DADDY: "What are you two giggling about?"

 

PADDY: "Oh, nothing Daddy."

 

SCOUT: "But Daddy? Daddy!"

 

DADDY: "Yes, Scout?"

 

SCOUT: *Shyly.* "Well, I was wondering whether you would mind taking a photo of Paddy and me in front of this pretty pond." *Hopeful.*

 

DADDY: "Oh, I'd love to, Scout. Alright, stand together now, Paddy and Scout."

 

PADDY and SCOUT: "Yes Daddy!"

 

DADDY: "Now when I count to three, say 'grumbly tummies', alright?"

 

PADDY and SCOUT: "Yes Daddy!"

 

DADDY: "Alright! One.. two..." *Face pales and mouth falls open.*

 

PADDY: "Daddy, are you alright? You've gone pale all of a sudden!" *Concerned.*

 

SCOUT: "Daddy! Daddy! You forgot to say 'three'. Three comes after two you know!" *Disgruntled.*

 

DADDY: "Umm... I... I don't want to alarm you, Paddy and Scout... but..."

 

PADDY and SCOUT: "But Daddy?"

 

DADDY: "But there is a big shark behind you with sharp teeth!"

 

PADDY: "A big shark?"

 

SCOUT: "With sharp teeth?"

 

DADDY: "Yes!" *Scared.*

 

PADDY and SCOUT: *Turn and see big shark with sharp teeth.*

 

DADDY: "Eeeekkkk! Run Paddy and Scout!"

 

PADDY and SCOUT: "Eeeekkkk!"

 

DADDY, PADDY and SCOUT: *Run away to safety.*

 

SHARK: "Where did everybear go? I was just going to smile for the photograph! Humph!" *Grumbles and sinks back down into his pond.*

 

It's alright! No bears were harmed in the taking of this photo!

It was a fine, but cold, day a few weeks ago, so I decided to take advantage of the nicer weather and take some of my bear clan to a wonderful miniature golf range, which has popped up along the Yarra River in Docklands. The little course, installed beneath a life size Ferris wheel along the corniche, features a range of animals (including the mechanical shark above), a Melbourne skyline and even a working bear size Ferris wheel! It was too wonderful an opportunity to refuse, and I’m so pleased to have given them all the opportunity to have some fun and play. I think the young builders on a nearby site were both amused and perplexed as they watched the bears and I playing together. Perhaps they have never seen such well behaved and tenacious bears before.

 

My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.

 

He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.

 

Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.

Done