SCOUT: "Paddy! Paddy! Come quickly!"
PADDY: "What is it, Scout? Not a snake or a pidie I hope!"
SCOUT: "Oh no, Paddy! Luckily it isn't either of those nasty things."
PADDY: "Oh that's a relief, Scout." *Fans face with paw.* "So what did you want to tell me, Scout?"
SCOUT: "Nothing Paddy."
PADDY: "You mean you brought me over here for nothing, Scout?"
SCOUT: "Oh no Paddy! I just didn't have anything to tell you. I have something to show you!"
PADDY: "What is it then, Scout?"
SCOUT: "Look Paddy!" *Points.* "I found a heart on the rock amongst the lichen."
PADDY: *Looks.* "Oh yes, Scout. That's very observant for you."
SCOUT: "Do you think we could scrape it off and give it to Daddy as a present, since we didn't find any gold in the Ovens River."
PADDY: "Oh that's very thoughtful of you Scout, but we probably better not."
SCOUT: "Why ever not, Paddy? I want to give it to Daddy as a present."
PADDY: "I know you do, Scout. This is a National Park, so the flora and environment are protected, so we can't take it with us."
SCOUT: "Not even for Daddy?"
PADDY: "Not even for Daddy, Scout." *Shakes head.* "However, we can point it out to him. I'm sure that would be just as lovely for him. He might even take a photo of it for us to remember."
SCOUT: "Oh that's a good idea, Paddy! I'll call Daddy now!"
PADDY: "Very good, Scout."
SCOUT: "Daddy! Daddy!"
DADDY: "Yes, little Scout?"
SCOUT: "Daddy look! I found a heart in the lichen for you! I wanted to scrape it off for you, but Paddy says that this is a place where things are protected, so I can't. However Paddy said you could take a nice photo of it."
DADDY: "That's a good idea, Paddy."
PADDY: "Thank you, Daddy!" *Blushes.*
DADDY: "But I have an even better idea. How about I take a photo of you two with the heart, because I love you both so much!"
PADDY: "Oh that's an excellent idea, Daddy!" *Claps paws.*
SCOUT: "Oh yes Daddy! How exciting!" *Jumps up and down.*
DADDY: "Now, look at me and say 'grumbly tummies.'!"
PADDY and SCOUT: "Grumbly tummies!"
Paddy, Scout and I recently took a trip to the Alpine region of Victoria to take in the autumnal colours. This included a visit to the beautiful Mount Buffalo National Park, where we visited Bent's Lookout and Echo Point. Being slightly colder up there, both Paddy and Scout are wearing hand knitted scarves and Paddy is wearing hand knitted hat by Lorna's Lovely Looks. Paddy sports a strawberry pin and Scout insisted on wearing a Hungry Caterpillar one, which seems most appropriate. Both were gifts from a good friend who is very fond of Paddy and Scout.
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.
Mount Buffalo National Park is located in the Australian Alps, around 350 kilometres north east of Melbourne. In November 1898, an area of 1,166 hectares was reserved on the Mount Buffalo plateau around the Eurobin Falls to form the Mount Buffalo National Park. This makes it one of the oldest national parks in Australia. In 1908 was expanded to 10,406 hectares, before being expanded again in 1980 to its current size. The park exists on a high elevation around the top of the mountain, and it has striking granite boulders, outcrops and rock formations which make the landscape look striking and in some places, almost alien. This is enhanced by many dead trees which were a result of a bushfire that tore through the Mount Buffalo National Park in late 2006 and early 2007. It features The Horn, Cathedral Mountain and Lake Catani amongst other beautiful places to see. The Horn is the highest accessible peak on Mount Buffalo and it offers wonderful views from the top. Lake Catani is a man made ornamental lake which is very tranquil and beautiful. A road into the Mount Buffalo National Park was opened in 1908, and so the alpine tourist trade began. Visitor accommodation was made available at the historic guest house, the Mount Buffalo Chalet, built in 1910, until January 2007. Parks Victoria and the Victorian Government undertook restoration work on the exterior and gardens of the Chalet in 2017 and 2018. The chalet overlooks large sheets of granite and has views of the Ovens Valley and Buckland Valley below. During the winter season, Mount Buffalo is a destination for cross-country skiing. There are a number of cross-country ski trails near the Cathedral, and toboggan runs at Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley, both of which are used by beginners. The Mount Buffalo National Park was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2008, listing it as one of eleven sites that make up the Australian Alpine National Parks and Reserves.