Sky Watch Friday!

Thank you, Auntie Dot for the Skywatch Friday idea!

Looking out on the North Sea, Saltburn Beach, Monday night.

I have had an adventure this week, all part of my preparation for my expedition!

The journey was rather uncomfortable as I had to sit on top of Daddy's Walkers Crisps!

He loves them you know!

Auntie Maria from Argument Cottage had come to collect me.

I have been spending a few days at Argument Cottage.

Tuesday morning....having a few minutes quiet time, preparing myself for my appearance on BBC Radio Tees.

I met the lovely Matthew Davis.

Auntie Maria told the listeners about my expedition.

Mummy was listening!

After my interview I did some shopping with Auntie Maria then went back to Argument Cottage.

Auntie Maria took me into the Charity Shop so I could show Ken my new clothes.

He was very very pleased to see me.

An exciting few days!

Now I am waiting for mummy to come and collect me and take me home.

Weekend Wandering!

Over on Uncle David's Blog he asked a question...

"Who really controls the remote control in your house?"

Well as you can see it is myself.

I can tell you it is not an easy task as Wilma likes to watch all of the soaps and other drivle.

An explorer needs to watch factual programmes, documentaries are a particular favourite.

I also need to keep an eye on the weather conditions too, so I am a keen weather forecast fan!

I have been reading a great deal lately, ideal passtime when the weather has been so cold. I found this poem and thought it was very appropriate.

The TV is my shepherd, I shall not want.
It makes me lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the faith.
It destroys my soul.
It leads me in the path of sex and violence for the sponsor's sake.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities,
There will be no interruption, for the TV is with me.
Its cable and remote control, they comfort me.
It prepares a commercial for me in the presence of my worldliness.
It anoints my head with humanism and consumerism.
My coveting runneth over.
Surely, laziness and ignorance shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.
-- Author Unknown

I have busy few days, but will be back on Wednesday!

I'm back for ABC Wednesday!

D is for.....
Dressed to the nines!

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.

Somebody who is "dressed to the nines" or "dressed up to the nines" is dressed to perfection or superlatively dressed. Writers have run up a whole wardrobe-full of ideas about where the expression comes from, but one very persistent theory is that the British Army's 99th Regiment of Foot were renowned for their smartness, so much so that the other regiments based with them at Aldershot in the 1850s were constantly trying to emulate them – to equal "the nines".

As you can see I am back home after spending a few days with Grandma, Molly and Holly.

Any explorer needs to be warm yet smart and I was so thrilled to read about the history of the phrase, it is so appropriate!

I still need some boots and a hat but mummy is on the case!

D is for........................
drum roll!

here I am, with mummy's slimming group friends............
tonight raising £25 towards my fare.

Yes....................I am going to the Arctic!

Skywatch Friday...

As you know, I am still staying with my Grandma.

If you look very carefully at the first picture, on the horizon is actually the moor road from Guisborough to Whitby.

This is the road I will be travelling home on later today when mummy comes to collect me.

I have had a great time with Grandma, Molly and Holly but I am so looking forward to coming home.

I have lots to share but I must dash and pack my bags.

But I would like to thank Teddies at home for sitting on the windowsill and waiting for the sunset.

The photographs were all taken last night.

I would also like to thank those of you who have donated towards the charity.

I am getting near my target.

I only need £30 ($15) and I will have secured my ticket.

If anybody would like to make a donation please see the words in red on my sidebar! Thank you so much!

Just for you...here is the very first edition of the Teddy Times, released from the Hospice this morning.....please note my story made the paper!

Arctic Teddy Times



Welcome to the first edition of ‘Arctic Teddy Times’.

We have now officially launched our ‘Teddies to the Arctic’ campaign where we are trying to raise £30,000 for the development of the Specialist Children’s Bereavement Counselling Service at St Teresa’s Hospice.

The launch went well. Fourum folk group were well received by a gathering of some 100 strong at Northland Methodist Church in Darlington. The day raised about £600.00, which has taken our total raised so far to a little over £2000.00. Not a bad total to start with.

Over the coming months there will be a number of other fundraising events, mostly, I would have to say at Methodist Churches in and around Darlington. One of the most entertaining of these will be a concert given by our godson Mike who is a member of the National Youth Brass Band. He will be joined by Geoff, Heather & his dad, Richard……but Mike is the star. We are greatly touched that this young lad of 14yrs is willing to give up so much of his time to help raise money for this excellent cause.

Other folk willing to give up their time are a number of friends who we affectionately call ‘The teddy Team’. These good folk can be easily identified at our events as they have all bought themselves special polo shirts and sweatshirts.

So popular are our polo and sweatshirts that we have made arrangements to have some specially printed to sell. They come in a variety of colours and all have the logo on the front (similar to the one Mike is wearing in the picture). If you know anyone who would like one, they can be ordered from me (via the hospice or the website).

We now have 6 fully paid-up bears who are ready and waiting for the trip and many more who have registered. All the bears will be given a badge with their name and a number for the trip so that when we return they can be returned to their owner safely.
Many of you reading this newsletter will still be collecting for your bear (and there’s plenty of time yet) but when you do drop off the bear for me, please put him in a bag (paper may be kindest!) and put his name and your name on it. At the moment teddy ID isn’t a problem, but the nearer we get to the trip, the harder I can see it will be to make sure they are all identified correctly.

We’re delighted to be able to say that we are receiving support from different parts of the country and in many different ways.

In December Teddy Bear Club International published a wonderful double page colour spread on our planned adventure. From that article we were contacted by two of their lovely readers, Carol and Sandra. Both have donated some beautiful bears for our fundraising events and Sandra has even made a little ‘cross-eyed’ bear specially for a church in Shildon to sponsor. (The Minister there, Graham, used to be the minister at Northland and told us once about a ‘cross-eyed’ bear called Gladly……Gladly the cross I’d bear). We know Gladly will be loved and cherished by Graham and the good folk of Shildon when he gets there. In he meantime he is living with us and being greatly admired.

We have recently seen the power of the internet at work in fundraising.
Following Heather’s interview on BBC Radio Tees we were contacted by a lady in Saltburn who has many internet friends. She wants to send Edmund Bear (named after Sir Edmund Hillary) on the picnic and asked if her friends can donate ‘on-line’. We have a link on our website for on-line donations and she suggested that she points her internet friends to that and leave a message in the comments to say that the donation is for Edmund. It’s working very well and Edmund is well on the way to raising his full fare. We’ve been really impressed with how this has gone, and if anyone else has friends from a distance who want to donate this way, do suggest that they follow Edmund’s example and leave a comment donating to your bear.

Many of our own bears have started their fundraising campaign. Barnaby, who is hosting the picnic is going to do a bunjee jump from the hospice tower, whilst Dumpling has started her sponsored slim. We’ll let you know how she gets on.

We’ll look forward to hearing from most of you (with your bears) at some point. But, in the meantime, good luck with your fundraising, and let us know if we can help at all. If you want to catch up with us at any of our fundraising events they are on the website (or the enclosed leaflet for those receiving this by post).
Thanks for your support
Heather & Geoff




Lots of love
Edmund

ABC Wednesday.........C!

C is for.............
catching up!



I watched a football match, but didn't have the proper scarf on.
It should have been red and white for Boro!





I am at my grandmas.
Here I am with Holly and Molly, grandma's dogs.
She has been knitting me some more suitable clothes for my exhibition!

Have a good day!

Edmund.

The best plans and all that!

I didn't get to grandma's yesterday!
As you can see the snow came, so the road over the moors was terribly dangerous so we stayed home. Daddy has a big truck which is really good in the snow, so when he isn't at his workshop he will take me to Grandma's.
Mummy will take her camera and take some photographs of the moors in the snow.
They look lovely.

In the meantime I will write a letter to a class of children over in America who are going to be following my expedition. Their teacher
is one of mummy's friends who joins in with ABC Wednesday!
Well it just so happens they have a class mascot teddybear, Beary Bear which is just wonderful!
I will be writing to them all!
I am so excited.
It is something I can do here at my desk whilst I am inside keeping warm.

I have been doing some research and find I need some documents.
I have been looking here!
I remember my friend, Bob T. Bear had to sort a passport out so I will ask him, I am sure he will give me some information!

I have some exciting news too......................
but I will share that later!

Thank you again for your support.
Love Edmund.
xxxx