SCOUT: “Paddy! Cousin Paddington! Everybear! Come quickly!”
BOGART: “Goodness Scout! What is it?”
JAGO: “Are you alright, Scout?”
DAISY-MAUD: “Do I need to get sticking plasters, Scout?”
PADDY: “What is it, Scout?”
SCOUT: “What do you mean, what is it?” *Surprised.*
PADDY: “Well, what is wrong?”
SCOUT: “Paddy!” *Stomps paw.* “Why does everybear always think something is wrong when I call for you?”
JAGO: “Because Scout,” *Kindly.* “There usually is something wrong when you call for Paddy.”
DAISY-MAUD: “Or any of us, really.”
SCOUT: “Oh!” *Disappointed.* “Well, today there isn’t anything wrong. I wanted to show you all something wonderful that Dolly and I found in the garden!”
FREDDY: “Where in the garden, Scout?”
SCOUT: “On the lawn, Freddy!” *Excited.*
DUCKIE: “What is all the flap and twitter, Scout?”
ORSON: “Scout wants to show us something special that he found in the garden, on the lawn.”
DUCKIE: “Oh! I do hope it is a nice burrow of delicious yummy worms!”
PADDY, SCOUT, COUSIN PADDINGTON, BOGART, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, ORSON, DANNY BOY FREDDY and ALGIE: “Worms! Yuck!” *Stick out cute little pink bear and fox tongues.*
DUCKIE: “Don’t be hasty to judge them until you’ve tried them.” *Licks cute orange duckie beak.* “Actually they are delicious.”
ALGIE: “Oh enough about worms! I’m always keen for an adventure! Let’s go and see what Scout has found!”
DANNY BOY: “Aye begorra! Yes, show us Scout!”
SCOUT: *Leads bears, fox and duck out to the garden and points.* “Look! A giant pretty red coloured and speckled toadstool, just like in the faerie tale books!”
DAISY-MAUD: "Why so it is! How beautiful!"
ORSON: *Rubs eyes.* "Are my eyes deceiving me? I could swear I can see a little window on one side."
BOGART: "Oh no they aren't, Orson! I see a window on this side too!" *Excited.*
DUCKIE: "And there is a door too. Perhaps worms and grubs live inside it." *Excited.*
JAGO: "I don't think grubs or worms live inside, Duckie."
DUCKIE: "Why must you bears always shatter my hopes for a lovely luncheon?"
DANNY BOY: “Aye begorra! I have to agree with Jago, Duckie.
No worms or grubs use doors.”
FREDDY: "So who does then?"
PADDY: "Well, there's only one way to find out. Let's keep watch."
The two little faeries are hand made and felted by Ambrosius and were acquired from Epoche Toys and Gifts in the small township of Kallista in the Dandenong Ranges, just outside of Melbourne.
The Toadstool Basket is made of rattan and has been hand woven and painted for the sustainable Australian toy company established by two sisters - Olli Ella. It has a flip top that can be unfastened as well as a front door that may be opened.
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.
Rosie is Scout's cousin, because like Scout, she is a free trade knitted bear from Africa. She was made in Kenya by one of the Kenana Knitters, Martha Wanjira. She is made from home spun and dyed wool. She was a gift to me from two very dear friends, including the one who gave Scout to Paddy.
Bogart has travelled all the way from Georgia, via Alabama as a gift to me from a friend. He has lovely Southern manners and seems to be a fun and gentle soul with an inquisitive nature.
Jago was a gift from a dear friend in England. He is made of English mohair with suede paw pads and glass eyes. He is a gentle bear, kind and patient who carries an air of calm about him. He is already fitting in with everyone else very nicely.
Travelling all the way from London, Cousin Paddington was caught in transit thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, so it looks like he is stopping with us for a long while. That makes me happy, as the more I look into his happy, smiling face, the more attached I am becoming to him.
Freddy Fox is made by Merrythought in England. I bought him, of all places, from a men’s accessory shop in Melbourne’s Block Arcade, called Mr. Wares. Freddy Fox is made of English Mohair with felt paws and glass bead eyes. He has so much charm and charisma that already he is winning hearts with anyone whom he meets, and he is kind and sweet, which makes him an ideal member of our family.
Daisy Maud is Jago's little sister and was made by the same friend in England who made him. She is made of German mohair with floral fabric cotton paw pads that match her pretty sunhat, and glass eyes. A sweet and loving little girl bear, she is happy to be reunited with her big brother, Jago, and enjoys being spoiled by her new Daddy.
Orson, named after the little bear constellation, was made by the same friend who made Jago and Daisy-Maud. He comes ready dressed in 'trousers' made of German mohair accessorised with embroidered braces. His paws are ultra suede and his eyes are glass. He is described as being a little bit serious minded but very friendly. He's fine once he gets to know you.
Danny Boy, made by the same friend who made Jago, Daisy-Maud and Orson, has a touch of the 'Oirish' in him with his emerald green scarf. He has an open mouth as he likes to sing and comes with his own songbook, "Irish Airs for Teddy Bears". He has a wobbly head to give him animation when he's talking to you, and is made of English mohair, has paws of ultra suede and eyes of glass. Quite a happy-go-lucky little character....
Algie is made by the same friend who made Jago, Daisy-Maud, Orson and Danny Boy. He is is made of sparse English mohair, has paws of ultra suede and eyes of glass. A very adventurous little boy, he loves to climb and sit on top of gates, edges of tables and chairs. He adore climbing trees, and will cheekily sit there with crossed legs. He's very friendly and he loves adventures of any kind.
Duckie I saw when I was at a Sunday market on a stall of homemade knitted and crocheted items. She caught my eye straight away with her happy, smiley face and bright colours. I think she finds life with my bears intriguing and perhaps a little confusing, however she is learning.