SCOUT: "Goodness Paddy! Look at all the pretty ribbons, and listen to the music! What's happening?"
JAGO: I think I know what it is, Scout!"
SCOUT: "What is it, Jago and Paddy?"
PADDY: "It's New Year's Eve, Scout!"
SCOUT: "New Year's Eve! Already! Hoorah!" *Jumps up and down excitedly through the sea of curling ribbons.* "Luckily I am wearing my new tutu that Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear gave me for Christmas, so I can celebrate! Are you ready to celebrate too, mijn beste vriend Peter? We can dance into the New Year with Spencer and every other bear that wants to join in."
JAGO: "Tonight, Bruno and I are going to dance with Odessa." *Blushes pink beneath English mohair fur.* "I hope she will like dancing with us."
BOGART: "She will love dancing with you Jago. You are a very good dancer. I have seen you dance. She will not have sore paws from being trampled on, that's for sure."
JAGO: "Thank you so much for the compliment, Bogart!"
COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Now is also a good time to reflect on the passing year and celebrate the new year as it begins."
BOGART: "Oooh! It looks like this New Year is going to be fun!" *Joins Scout jumping up and down with excitement.* "And I have a new best friend, Fuzzy, now, whom I will cheer with and make feel less homesick for Canada. We are going to have a wonderful time!"
PADDY: "Oh yes! We can dance and play, laugh and cheer!" *Starts dancing.* "Come along Oleg, mijn best vriend and everybear friend we have! Let's all dance!"
JAGO: "Come along my best friend Benny! Let is dance and sing and celebrate! All bears celebrate!" *Starts dancing.*
BOGART: "How wonderful!" *Starts cheering.* "Wheeeeee!"
SCOUT: "Wheeeeee! Come on everybear! Let's dance, sing and play!"
COUSIN PADDINGTON: "Wheeeeee!"
JAGO: "Wheeeeee!"
DADDY: "Australia is one of the first places to celebrate New Year, so Paddington, Scout, Cousin Paddington, Bogart, Jago and I..."
SCOUT: "And my Little Red Riding Hood dolly Daddy!"
PADDY: "And Scout's Little Red Riding Hood doll Daddy!"
DADDY: "And Scout's Little Red Riding Hood doll are getting into the spirit (and champagne) early!"
SCOUT: "Champagne Daddy?" *Looks concerned.* "You said I am too young to drink, and if I am, then Dolly certainly is!"
DADDY: "Well Scout, that's true for Dolly, but we can make a special exception tonight for you. You may have a very small glass of very good quality champagne. I will put a glass out for you, Cousin Paddington, Bogart, Jago and for Paddy."
PADDY, SCOUT, COUSIN PADDINGTON, BOGART and JAGO: "Oh thank you Daddy!"
DADDY: "Happy New Year Paddy, Scout, Cousin Paddington, Bogart and Jago!"
PADDY and SCOUT: "Happy New Year Daddy!"
PADDY: "Scout, Cousin Paddington, Bogart, Jago, Daddy, Little Red Riding Hood Dolly and I would like to wish all our Flickr friends and followers the very best for the New Year. Thank you for your support, encouragement and comments. Thank you also for all your wonderful photographs! May your New Year's Eve be a festive one, however you are celebrating this year, and if you are fortunate enough celebrate it with others, may those others be people you love and who love you. May 2022 be a happy, prosperous and artistic year for you all. We are sending you lots of New Year's Eve big little bear hugs and snuffly kisses!"
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.
Jago is a recent addition to my ever-growing family. 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.
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.
