Auspiciously Beyond the Wild Wood

From the confines of the small & much traveled box, could be heard a muffled & insistent voice..."I do most certainly recall your very words. Now, did you, or did you not, say.. that "The Wide World was something that doesn't matter, either to you or me. I've never been there, and I'm never going, nor you either, if you've got any sense at all?"

 "Yes, yes, alright, I did indeed say that very thing" came the tired & wearisome reply.

 "See, I told you you were wrong. We have had the grandest, longest, most superlative adventure...ah! oh do get off my leg Ratty...ouch! Don't you agree Toad?"

 Phew that's better..oh my, whispered Mole. "Ratty, Toad where in the world are we now?"

 Greeted by friends & refreshments after their long & strange journey from Darwin, Toad's pride was still smarting from reading the label on the box they had come in.."toys!!!", he exploded "TOYS" before he remembered his manners & lowered his voice a notch. Ratty was a little distracted wondering if he could be so forward as to ask for a bath this evening, he really did want to wash off that baby lick, very friendly, friendly indeed, but he'd felt hot & sticky & a tad uncomfortable ever since the squeezing episode.

A small wander around their new lodgings soon had the three friends abuzz with speculation. "Why look", cried Ratty it says "The Christmas Story". 

 "But where in the world is the snow & the Mistletoe?" mused Toad.

 Well it looks like Christmas they all agreed & there are animals that look a lot like old Badger about.

"In fact, I feel awfully much at home, just right now, sighed Mole in deep contentment..I think I shall be very happy here for the rest of the World Wide Adventure...isn't that right Toad?

via Pinterest

 But he wasn't listening, oh no, Toad's busy mind had wandered off, now captivated by the red vehicle that they had arrived in..dreaming of driving free & fast once more. "Do you have country-side here", he abruptly enquired, vividly envisioning a fast ride in a red machine.

 But it wasn't traveling in fast machines that Mole was thinking of; it was something else very large & red & juicy indeed!

 He began to squirm with anticipation & delight...oh Ratty do look!! Giant strawberries!!

Everyone stood stock still as a strangled squeal could be heard coming from the kitchen. "Whatever is the matter now?" Pop asked Toad, rushing to his rescue. The poor thing was quivering, mouth flapping, shocked & rooted to the stool he had clambered up on to have a look over the top. "Oh you really are too nosey for your own good", Pop declared, "That's just the new plug for the sink. You silly old thing!!"

 A rather blanched & subdued Toad was then quietly escorted to the back garden for a breath of fresh air. It wasn't long at all, before he had quite recovered himself & his curiosity. Much to his glee he had discovered yet another fancy contraption, soon he would be wild & free & roaming once more.

  Now, where had he hidden his sunglasses? He would most certainly be needing those on the open road.

 After a hearty supper, it eventually grew dark & at last the three were convinced that the world had not turned upside down after all, but there was in fact, such a thing as a summer Christmas.

 "Why ever do you have two babies & two mangers?' Ratty enquired of Pop. "Ah, now that's a story for another day" came the reply.

 So with the promise of vintage picnics & feasts galore..

Ratty helped a tired & very satisfied Mole find his way to bed, all the while muttering quietly over & over 

"coldchickencoldtonguecoldhamcoldbeefpickledgherkinssaladfrenchrolls

cresssandwidgespottedmeatgingerbeerlemonadesodawater––"

Good night sweet friends...sleep well x0x0x0

vin mag archive limited

I shall not be surprised if you are feeling a little bamboozled!  The Willows left Pom Pom way back in September last year, the 16th to be precise, for a Gand Tour Of The Whole World. You can find their retrospective itinerary here. They will be staying with us for Christmas before making there way home on a big jet plane.

Can you believe it..they have arrived in Aoteoroa (The Land of The Long White Cloud) on the

 12/12/12

Cheerio!

 ♥♥♥♥♥