Tim, the Technical Director.
Technical Director.
It may seem to be a bit pompous to have a Technical Director for something as trivial as a blog. But then, Bobby isn’t renowned for doing things normally. It also seems a bit wrong to be posting something so trivially amusing as this after last night’s events. So, please take a minute in silent contemplation and respect for all those affected before reading on. (more…)
When Bertie is on His Holidays…
Holidays!
Bertie and Bobby are on their holidays, so they have foolishly handed the reigns over to me. Tim. The Technical Director! (more…)
Unveiling the Bench in Memory of Diddley.
The Bench.
Chris. National Trust Volunteer… “Chris of all trades”.
Continental Railway Journeys to Venice.
Venice.
So the romance was over before it had even begun (see Brief Encounter). Good luck Giz A La (Gisele). It was fun. So, here I am. Venice. Walking out of the station, you look down on the Grand Canal. On a scene quite unimaginable the first time. But for a first time you really need to come by train. Planes, coaches and cars are all outside the ancient city. The railway station is right in the middle.
Venice Santa Lucia Station. Down the steps. Walk. Waterbus. Gondola. Launch. A man with a barrow.
Brief Encounter on a Journey.
Continental Train Journeys with Bertie… A Brief Encounter.
I am a little embarrassed this week. Bobby is so keen to tell you about the journey to Venice that I feel a little “excluded”. I did after all spend most of the journey hidden in a rucksack while he was in full flow.
Bobby… “You’re jealous. Because I proved that you are not the crumpet puller everyone thinks you are. My brief encounter had nothing to do with you, but rather my own panache and charm!” (more…)
GAD Update: Out of the Darkness.
Out of the Darkness.
Into the light…
Relax, cheer up, it’s a big day. Bobby came out…
(more than one way) (more…)
A Day in the Life of GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder).
GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder).
PS… Is “postscriptum”, written after. A letter, maybe, or on this case, a blog. This PS was written after the story that follows. The story of Bobby’s battle with mental health. Written a few days before Prince Harry revealed to the world’s media that he too had suffered mentally years after his mother, Princess Diana, was killed in that Paris car crash. And written before he learned that the royal trio, Harry, William and Kate were a driving force behind today’s London Marathon being in support of the “Heads Together” campaign. A charity set up to break the stigma of mental illness. The official charity for this year’s event. Some may say that the attention being given to mental health is not before time. Better late than never. We would say that there will always be mental illness, and hope that a more conciliatory world will help future generations avoid the prolonged agony experienced by Bobby and his contemporaries.
So it’s appropriate that this “PS” comes before the story that follows. (more…)
Mindfully Bertie – The Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
Hello there!
My name is Bertie. I am a teddy bear. I do think a lot as many bears do and have done in the past. Bears like Winnie the Pooh and Paddington.
My best friend is Bobby Ballcock. He talks a lot. Everybody says so. Together we hope to bring you a ray of sunshine through our stories. Where we go. Who we meet and what fun it can be. And each week we light a candle to Diddley. Bobby’s wife who is now in heaven. Never forget the ones you love.
Coming from a teddy bear shop in Dorking run by an old gentleman like the one in Pinocchio. The toy maker. The shop isn’t there any more. When Bobby met Diddley it seemed only right I should be best man at their wedding. Just the three of us. Before that he and I were on our own, and now we are on our own again. It’s OK to be sad. but not forever. In our blog we say –
Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, so live for today. And that is what we try to do.
This is a Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Sometimes when your life changes you can do things you couldn’t do before. Bobby loves trains. And planes. And old cars. And Fulham Football Club. Which club do you support? Me? I support Sutton United. Put it all together and there are so many opportunities. The best one being travelling by train to our favourite place in Austria. A week walking in the mountains. A week to get there by train and a week to get back. On the way I went to Paris and up the Eiffel Tower. To Germany and the BOB train. To Austria and the mountains. And Venice, with all those boats. On the way back through Germany I found the most wonderful upside down railway with a very funny name…..Wuppertal Schwebebahn. Try saying that eating an ice cream.
All packed and ready!
Eiffel Tower.
View from the Eiffel Tower.
The BOB train.
Austria. For bears. And a Teddy Bears’ Picnic!
Venice.
Wuppertal Schwebebahn… upside down railway!
Kyla at the Dream Jar Trail.
Driving an old fashioned tube train.
Flying an aeroplane.
New girlfriend.
Sutton United.
If you look at my blog, you will see many other stories about the life a teddy bear can have. A veritable Teddy Bear’s Picnic. He has a good friend. And lots of grandchildren.
Here is the blog… www.mindfullybertie.org.uk.
There are many stories to write. Last week we went to Brooklands Museum. A wonderful place for bears.
Brooklands Museum.
And, of course, we always finish with Lighting a Candle for Diddley. This time here at Laurel Cottage where we all had such happy times. And still do. Where the family and friends and you through this blog are always welcome. Just bring a smile.
Lighting a Candle for Diddley at Easter
Lighting an Easter Candle for Diddley.
Bernard Bruty: Ernie’s War.
Ernie’s War.
This week we are delighted to welcome our very first visiting contributor. Long time friend Bernard is writing about his father’s military adventures in ‘Ernie’s War’. Over to you Bernard:
Delving into my family’s past has been a great fascination for me. Capturing these memories is important. A little more on that subject at the end. Ernie’s War is the story is about my father in the early stages of the war. Joining the Air Training Corp, through to the RAF and his continued involvement post war. (more…)
Laurel Cottage. The home of Mindfully Bertie.
Laurel Cottage.
The home of Mindfully Bertie. A Cottage full of love, memories, grandchildren. Back in 1998 it was quite different. Diddley was already living here. Facing losing it in unpleasant divorce. When, at the eleventh hour and fifty nine minutes, newly married she was able to email the entire office she and Bobby worked in……..
“Thank you. In my darkest hour I dreamt of being saved by a handsome prince on a white charger. Little did I expect white van man in a boiler suit”.
1998. Laurel (left-hand side) and Vitae (right half) Cottages.