Welcome to Mindfully Bertie

Posted on 01/08/2016 By

Mindfully Bertie

This is a preview of what is to come and, hopefully, amuse you. A smile is all I ask of you.

My name is Bertie. I am a teddy bear.

I do think a lot as many bears do and have done in the past. Some far more famous than I. My best friend is Bobby Ballcock. A larger than life character who tends to talk a lot. Everybody says so. Together we hope to bring you a ray of sunshine through a mixture of adventuring, laughing, crying, naturing, thinking, remembering.

Each blog will end with a short “Lighting a candle to Diddley.” A homage to Bobby’s late wife, Diane. Not sad, but a reason to light candles in remembrance and tell you where they were lit. There will be visiting contributors including candle lighters. When we get underway you may like to offer to contribute.

But first. Who am I and how did I meet Bobby?

Mindfully Bertie

Best Man at Bobby and Diddley’s Wedding.

Way back in 1991, Bobby’s mother Dorothy died and left him a few quid. (My years with Bobby have given me a Sarf London accent). He had never had a teddy bear. How sad is that.? At that time there was a teddy shop in his home town Dorking in Surrey. Run by a character reminiscent of the wood carver in Pinocchio.

I had come from America and was a very expensive posh bear. It was love at first sight. He bought me, but not before an important admission. I am a twin with Oscar. In fact I was Oscar originally. Bobby had a work friend called Oscar. A very nice chap, who had long flowing blonde locks and got married in a pure white Bee Gees suit with big lapels. At least he married a woman, but Bertie I became. I joined a family with a wife and son. Not long after wife and Bobby went their separate ways and we had our first period alone together. Just the two of us.

Some years later he fell madly in love with a beautiful lady. They married by a Scottish loch. I was best man. For many years, life was wonderful. I went everywhere with Bobby and Diddley. Her pet name derived from Diddley I Di. Itself from Diane. In recognition of her mad, loveable crazy personality. As the years went, by the grandchildren arrived one by one and you will meet them all as the weeks and months go by.

Mindfully Bertie

Chief Mourner

On 23 August 2015 a great sadness descended when Diddley passed away. I was chief mourner at the funeral. Bobby and I were alone again. Sadness is OK, but Diddley wouldn’t want that for too long. And so here we are. Writing a blog together to celebrate life but never forget the lovely lady.

The very first candle has been lit by Bobby here at Laurel Cottage where we all had such happy times. Where the family and friends and you through this blog are always welcome. Just bring a smile.

Bertie

 

Coming soon:

Dream Island

Dream Island

 

Frank Mansell

Frank Mansell

 

Dreaming

Dreaming

 

Grandchildrening

Grandchildrening

 

Adventuring

Adventuring

 

Photographing

Photographing

 

Naturing

Naturing

 

Chatting.....up

Chatting…..up

 

Crying

Crying

Lighting a candle for Diddley.

Lighting a candle for Diddley.

Welcome    


  1. Tim Clarke says:

    A thoroughly enjoyable first blog post. I am looking forward to the next one.

  2. Lovely first post, Bertie. Hope to read some more soon!

  3. Fliss Drewett says:

    Bertie dear chap. Rodders the Hoolikitten and I congratulate you on this blog. We are looking forward to more.Glad you and Bobby have been getting out and about. He’s sent me the holiday photos. (Rodders and I love the hat by the way!!) We know you’ll be looking after Bobby.

  4. Marla says:

    Fallen in love already with Bertie!
    Roll on blog 2

  5. Chris Norman says:

    I wait with baited breath.

  6. katherine lanham says:

    Bertie is beautiful

  7. Julia Griffiths says:

    Good to see you again Bertie. I shall look forward to hearing more from you. You’ve certainly brought a smile to my face xx.

  8. Amanda says:

    Lovely first blog Bertie, it made me smile x

  9. Mary B says:

    Brilliant start Bertie I am looking forward to your next blog very much.

  10. Marie says:

    What a lovely first post! Made me smile! Well done Bertie and Bobby!

  11. kristian paxton says:

    I love this idea…great page Bob. What a wonderful way to remember Di

  12. Andrew Ball says:

    Bonkers but beautiful! – Di would be proud.

  13. Justine Tabak says:

    So lovely and what a poignant story. Diddley would be proud. Looking forward to meeting the family. Love the daisies!

  14. Mark Whale says:

    Such a touching first post, Bertie. Looking forward to hearing about your continuing adventures.

  15. […] Here’s the club shop. And Frances. A lifelong Sutton supporter and teddy bear lover. Her late husband used to make her teddy bears and she still has “Oscar” made by him. Goes everywhere with her. I let her into the “secret ” of Bertie being Oscar originally… (see preview blog). […]

  16. […] you read the first blog, it’s all there. I am going to ring Andrew now and find out about those […]

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