Kirklevington Scarecrows - 4

Each year there are a number of scarecrows set out in front of the village hall during the annual Kirkfest.

With Mary Poppins in charge

Others had links to different trees found in the village; I hope I can remember what they were.

The Queen - Chestnut

Paddington Bear

? - Birch

Acorn with his bucket and spade

Postman Pat - Willow

One more post to come later in the week to complete my scarecrow shots.

Children, Games and Toys - Sunday Stamps

I found stamps from several countries that met the theme this week.

Dubai -  Children's Day - 1968

And the Year of the Child:

Ecuador - 1979

For toys I found a Teddy Bear

Sweden - 1978

And then one of my daughter's favourite bears all the way from Peru.

Great Britain - Paddington, 10 Jan 2006

"More About Paddington" by Michael Bond with Peggy Fortnum's illustrations was first published in 1959.

These four stamps were what I originally meant to post until I found this presentation pack of mint stamps on my favourite market stall.

Great Britain - 16 May 1989

The stamps depict from left to right;

• 19p - Toy aeroplane and train
• 27p - Building bricks
• 32p - Board games
• 35p - Toys

The information card is a gem in itself covering the history of toys. The pack also contained a second set of the stamps and a Stamp Card for each one, like this;

Royal Mail Stamp Postcard

To play more children's games and with more toys please go over to and follow the links at Viridian's Sunday-stamps-122.

Hello Dolly - Sepia Saturday

I was sure I was going to have problems this week until I remembered.

But when we had an electrician working in our loft earlier in the week others saw the light.

1960s Doll

Originally this doll had a bottle which when filled with water resulted in the doll wetting herself. No bottle now and you can't see that she has lost her knickers. She is still the proud owner of a carry cot equiped with a pillow and blanket to keep her warm, and with a cover and hood to keep her dry.

She had a companion in the loft whom I thought had gone to a charity shop some time ago. So let me introduce, from the same era:

Tiny Tears

As her name implies she wept realistic tears. Perhaps she now fears what is going to happen to her.

Much to my surprise I found another doll on display in our house. So here's a Brazilian who seems to wink at you.

Doll from Brazil

So that you get some idea of size here are the three together - rivals to the Pussy Cat Dolls?

The family favourites have travelled a bit, probably more than the Brazilian. So all the way from Peru we have:

Paddington Bear

I hope you will agree that bears are allowed as well as dolls. Teddy made his intoduction at an early age.

Teddy in a future garden and loved already

He even took precendence over Paddington and the heartthrobs on the wall.

Teddy in prime position

Teddy has been all round the world and now resides with Paddington in the USA. He still looks good to this day.

At ease

Meanwhile his larger brother Herbert has had his share of love.

Herbert gets a cuddle

But Herbert wants to know when his turn will come to leave our loft and wend his way to the USA.

For tales of other dolls you now need to switch to Sepia-Saturday 109.