BORING BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!

Well as you all know Paul and I live on the edge of the New Forest In Hampshire, to the West is the sea side town of Bournemouth and to the East is the port of Southampton.  Our roads during the past bank holiday weekend were crammed solid with Cars and Caravans all making their way to the Forest, Sea and Ports.  
We have learnt not to bother travelling over this weekend as it is one very long traffic jam in all directions.  So it was a weekend of some work and some tidying up of the garden.  It all needed doing and at least it did not rain. The pond in the front garden being to biggest challenge!  Pictures below to show the improvements! and as you can see despite all the rain the flowers are still performing very well.  As always JAZZ has to be in on the act - she is never far away when we are gardening:

We can see some of the fish once more!

A beautiful pink water lilly was hiding!

JAZZ never far away!

And of course our flag is always flying
high in our garden:

ROMEO HAS HIS JULIETTE!

Last February I made Romeo

and he found a lovely new home with Monica and her family.  Well Romeo needs a Juliette!  so last week she left my workroom to meet her Romeo:

This is what Monica had to say: Juliette has joined her Romeo and he is over the moon at meeting her as are we. She is absolutely gorgeous in every way.

Romeo simply couldn't believe his eyes when we opened her travelling box and out she clambered with her cheeky grin. They make a wonderful couple and are now snuggled together gazing into each others eyes as they get acquainted.

Her curly fur is a beautiful colour and her little face is so cheeky and happy that you simply have to smile when you look at her.

Thank you so much from Romeo and all of us at Four Paws House.

Sending you lots of beary hugs from Romeo and all of his beary friends.

Best wishes

Monica

SHORT BREAK BACK HOME FOR PAUL & MYSELF!

Paul and I took a break away from work for the past few days and made the 200 mile journey on the Harley back to the place we both grew up in - Clacton-on-Sea in Essex that is on the East coast of the UK.  My baby Brother Colin and his Wife Sue and their son John live there and it was a great opportunity to say Hello to them all again after a very long time.  We had a great few days, and found a big change in the little seaside resort that we grew up in.  Pictures below as usual will tell the story:

Sue, and my Brother Colin

Sue, Paul and Colin

Our Pier!

The wind turbines have changed our view

Under the Pier

Very early Monday morning

ANDOVER CARNIVAL DAY!

Sunday was Andover Carnival Day and as members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch we were invited to take part in the carnival alongside the RBL carnival float.  It was a very, very hot day and as usual at these events a lot of hanging around waiting for the time to roll!  There were 26 floats in all each about 40ft long - quite an impressive display.
4 o'clock saw the Carnival pull away and by 5.15 we were still going! only just though as the bikes were over heating and some had stopped all together, not a breath of fresh cooling air and we are realizing that being at the end of the procession is not a good idea on a motorbike!  We did make it to the end of the procession but had to wait for the bike to cool before we could make the journey home.  Some pictures below for you hope they tell their own story:

Bears on Parade Show

The past weekend saw our Teddies On Parade Show: there were a few hic cups with the Pay Pal Buttons but all in all it was an enjoyable show.  Five of my 10 Bears found their new homes and I had an order for a Cat! Pictures below are of the 10 Bears:

Mayfair, London Zoo Louie, Kensington, Carnaby and Chelsea

Three Guardsmen, Christopher Robin & Alice

Visit my website: http://www.ljbears.co.uk
to see who is left!

A really big THANK YOU to all who visited my page over the weekend I had some lovely
comments from you.  Also a Big THANK YOU to those who gave a Teddy a new home, all your Bears are on their way this morning, except for Kensington who is waiting for a ribbon!
We had some good fun with the Chat Room, such fun talking to other bear makers from Singapore and New Zealand.  Breakfast tea time for one and evening coffee for the other, so very strange.  I enjoyed chatting with you all.
I know Daphne will not be reading this! but I must just say thank you to her and to her wonderful Dad for making such an event happen so smoothly.  All your efforts were much appreciated.

UNEXPECTED DAY OUT TO BEER in Devon PECORAMA

It was 86 miles to Beer in Devon for the Royal British Legions' 90th Birthday celebrations held at PECORAMA (model train museum).  Beautiful early morning start nothing on the roads, our ride down to Devon is always wonderful the ups and downs as you near Devon mean you can see for miles around you, and being on the Harley we are just that bit taller than a car.  It was a wonderful day out, very well supported again.  Just six bikes this time, (there was a lot on this weekend with the Riders Branch)  we should have been in Cambridge on Saturday and Lincoln on Saturday afternoon/Sunday.  However circumstances change and we found our selves heading West!  The Model trains were fun and the little Railway was fantastic.  Paul and I had Earl Grey Tea and sandwiches in the old Pullman carriage, very 1940's - wonderful.  Anyway the pictures will tell the rest of the story - hope you like them:

The Rainbow Garden!

A secret door and Garden!

and Paul in the sercet garden!

At our dedication and plaque ceremony, we all rode there on the little train, through a long tunnel around the mines and waterfalls and ponds and through gardens.  Big kids playing Trains - what fun the poor little engine could hardly pull us all!

LEST WE FORGET

This plaque was unveiled
on 3rd July 2011
to commemorate
90 years of support by the
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
to serving and retired members
of the Armed Forces and their
dependants

And finally what a wonderful view for our plaque to look out over

So if you are ever in Devon do take a look around PECORAMA - I think you will find it well worth the journey then find our plaque as you ride around on the train and remember all our lads in uniform.

MY PREVIEW PICTURE FOR THE BEARS ON PARADE SHOW

This is my preview picture for the BEARS ON PARADE ON LINE SHOW:

To see all the remaining 74 artist bears both miniature and over 5" visit:

http://www.teddiesworldwide.com

and don't forget to vote for your favourite Bear x