An addition to the family tree

Still in the big smoke, today we visited Hamleys. Hamleys is one of the world's best-known retailers of toys. Its flagship store in London is the world's largest toy store. We attempted to stroll along Regent Street (avoiding the other throngs of toutists) and I couldn't resist a smile as we neared the hallowed building.

About this time last year I paid my first visit to Hamleys. Graham and I climbed the many storeys and wondered at the range of playthings available. We stood for ages watching the slight of hand of the assistants peddaling the magic tricks and I queued to purchase my own set. That was when I met Eric! He was behind the till, perched on a shelf and he spoke to me! Yes! Spoke! We were soon aquainted, left the shop with his head poking out of the paper carrier and the rest is history!

Today I took Eric back to see where he came from. He was *very* excited because I'd promised he could bring a friend back with him this time - it can be a lonely life for a bear you know! I think he was hoping for a girlfriend (don't tell him I said that!) but as soon as he arrived in store, and was carried through the first floor arena of soft toys (including Steiff), and checked out the diverse array of stuffed animals, from regular teddy bears to more exotic plushes, I knew he had found his friend for life. He chose a cute Hamleys coconut bear See him here!.

And so Ernie came home with us, soon to be blipped, just a little shy at the moment!

[Other highlights of today were our visit to the Portrait Gallery to see the Jonathan Yeo exhibition, snapping tourist sights such as Big Ben and the London Eye and wandering the South Bank at night! A busy day all round!]