Edward Explores: Eating out at his local pub

Edward has been on an adventure this month, which pleased him greatly. With restaurants permitted to reopen after lockdown, enquiries were made at his local pub. Hurray! Restrictions have been lifted and customers are being made to feel welcome again. Younger bearer decided it was time to go out for his delayed celebratory birthday meal. Edward likes birthdays. 

Always eager to be appropriately dressed, Edward chose carefully based on the heavy rain that fell on the day selected for the outing. Thankfully, by the time everyone was ready to walk to the venue, clouds had cleared.

The friendly waiting staff offered a table by bookshelves, giving Edward an excellent vantage point from which to observe proceedings. Drinks were ordered along with a sharing platter. Edward was not entirely convinced this was for him.

After a lengthy wait, during which Edward had time to peruse several books, more appealing portions were delivered. These looked very tasty.

From chocolate brownie, biscoff cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding, Edward chose the brownie. He had to try quite a lot of each before coming to this decision. They were all delicious.

As well as eating out, Edward has welcomed two new friends who came to live with him. 

Bungle is a rescue bear, spotted in a charity shop window and brought home to comfort youngest bearer who had been feeling a little down. Edward has never been able to understand how loyal and undemanding bears end up in such places but is pleased that Bungle – who provides excellent cuddles – has now been given a new forever home.

Oskar is a one of a kind bear from Susie’s Button Bears, purchased to celebrate a bearer’s new job. He mostly lives on her bookshelves along with some other bears from her extensive sleuth.

Edward hopes you are all keeping as well as is possible in these trying times. He is looking forward to further adventures while his bearers remain free to take him out and about again.

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Edward Explores – Lockdown Life

Welcome to another post keeping you up to date with how life is treating a small (but perfectly formed) teddy bear named Edward Gainsborough. When this series was introduced last month, Edward had been hoping to be out and about on exciting adventures by now. Sadly, the lifting of lockdown restrictions was postponed meaning he is still confined to his house and garden. He has, however, been working hard at keeping his bearers’ spirits up as much as is possible – a task teddies are particularly adept at.

When, for a brief period at least, the sun came out and temperatures rose, a cheering barbeque was requested. Edward enjoys barbeques. He and his good friend, Al (a build-a-bear companion made for youngest bearer) took their sunglasses and deck chair into the garden to watch an exciting table tennis match while food was cooked on flames – they stayed well back from those. Edward particularly enjoyed the chocolate stuffed banana he was given, eating it all up before it could be photographed – yum!

It is always an exciting day when a new bear comes to live at Edward’s house. Helga (a Steiff bear from the Netherlands) brought with her a tulip and a small companion who had kept her company in the box they travelled such a long way inside. Edward introduced her to all her new friends, whose names she cleverly committed to memory. She is a lovely addition to the sleuth and gives excellent hugs.

When the weather turned damp, Edward suggested a pancake night – something that brings his bearers together, drawing them out from their private spaces within the house. They listened to music and talked about football, a sport Edward was to learn a great deal more about in the weeks ahead.

With the need to find entertainments at home, the recent European football competition has provided a welcome distraction. Edward joined his bearers to watch the Scottish match, although that team’s supporting bears wanted to know where their flag was. They also wondered how to turn the big television on – in their excitement they had arrived a tad early for kick-off. Teddy bears are, of course, very patient but were keen to learn what exactly footballers did and why this was so exciting.

Although Edward’s bearers shout a lot at the players – something a quiet bear would never do – he was pleased to note that they seem to enjoy themselves, especially when their team wins the match.

 

There was also a birthday to celebrate this month, which required cake. The chocolate orange creation didn’t last long but was declared delicious by the young bearer it was made for. Edward agreed.

More football was watched and goodies eaten in celebration of the England team’s continuing success. The bears enjoyed sharing the edible balls provided. They may need more time to master the skills required to make use of the one they were provided with to kick.

 

Limited as they are to home entertainments, Edward is pleased to see his bearers interest in the sporting action, even if it is only on a screen. He wishes the England team good luck in the final. He is hoping a win might result in much joy for his bearers, and perhaps another celebratory cake.

Edward Explores – An Introduction

By quite some margin, the most read and shared post on my blog, year after year, is one I wrote in 2014: 10 Common Misconceptions About Teddy Bears. The very fine bear featured is called Edward Gainsborough. He is a small, jointed bear handmade by the now defunct English Teddy Bear Company. I believe the business was bought by Harrods who promptly closed it down – presumably to remove competition to sales of their own brand of delightful bears. I was saddened to see it go.

I recently received a message from a reader who asked if I still had Edward. Of course I do! And he still accompanies me on all my best adventures, even if these have been somewhat curtailed over the past year. The reader asked for more teddy bear content on the blog which prompted me to consider an occasional series. For my book loving readers who have no interest in bears, these posts will be clearly titled to ensure they may be ignored if desired.

Pictured above is Edward on a rock in Brecon, on the English / Welsh border. When the sun is shining he loves to be out and about (rain plays havoc with joints so is best avoided). Along with many people, he has missed going on his regular adventures. So what has Edward been doing during this time? Read on for the update requested.

When the first COVID lockdown began it became obvious that people who were suddenly confined to their local areas and, perhaps, worried by the ongoing media frenzy, needed something to add cheer to their days. Teddy bears are, of course, ideal for such a task. The village where Edward lives organised a bear hunt – bears placed in street facing windows to wave at passers by as they took their daily exercise. Edward joined some of his Merrythought Bear friends who understood the importance of this enterprise.

Unlike humans, teddy bears do not require exercise to remain healthy. Nevertheless, given the global concerns caused by the pandemic, Edward thought it best to have his heart checked by an expert. It was no surprise to anyone when Dr Snuggles (an upcycled bear from Susie’s Button Bears) declared that Edward has enough love for everyone. Teddy bears are always available to offer comforting hugs and listen to concerns without judgement. They truly are ideal companions.

With few opportunities to travel, Edward has spent much of his time in bed. Naturally, a little sustenance is required from time to time to keep him in tip top condition. He prefers cake to bread, even sourdough. Although missing his visits to tea shops, he has remained cheerfully stoic and provided much solace to his resident bearers.

To help pass the time, Edward has also been reading. He enjoys discussing stories with his friends, even those that do not involve his own exploits. This book is a particular favourite – one of three written by Mawson, an author bear who lives in Australia. As well as providing unconditional love, teddy bears often share wise thoughts if listened to carefully.

In troubled times it is important to look for the positives. Celebrations may have been muted due to imposed restrictions but special occasions have still been enjoyed at home. Edward has joined his friends and adopted family to mark Christmas, birthdays and Easter. A teddy bear’s presence is always an asset, bringing as they do smiles and appreciation of the many simple pleasures available to all when looked for.

Edward is hopeful that travel will again be permitted from later this month that he may venture further and, once again, explore our beautiful world with his bearers. He raises a glass to your good health and hopes you will return to read about wherever he goes next.