All the Bears in the Wild Wide World Tour, 2014 #Week 1.

Then one day they all set off on an adventure, Mr Stenham, the artist lady and All the Bears in the Wild Wide World with Little P and Mary, Queen of the Bears. They went in the Dragon Van.

It was a long road they travelled from Pembrokeshire to Cornwall stopping only at Wellington in Somerset to sign books for Clive at Keeble Antiques. They came to rest that first night in the home of an artist, the wonderful Catherine Hyde, where a warm welcome met them and there was some drinking of gin and tonic and sharing of a meal of roast pork and potatoes.

The next day All the bears were nervous as this was their first big public appearance, in Edge of the World Bookshop in Penzance. And what a welcome awaited them, with piles of books to keep the artist lady busy and a whole shop to explore.

Soon All the Bears were out of their basket and into the arms and the windows of booksellers!

It wasn’t long before she was dressing up booksellers, and rummaging through shelves looking for treasures. Found Stanza Stones by Simon Armitage. Just wonderful with the weight of words, so spare, so right, so beautiful in landscape.

There were lots of books to sign. and Hannah Willow came too, all colourful and bright. After signing it was time for lunch with Catherine and a visit to The Lighthouse Gallery where next year the artist lady is having an exhibition with Catherine. And then to Sennen Cove and on to Mousehole to visit the wonderful Jane Johnson and Abdel.

And Jane and the artist lady talked about dragons and pirates and flags and The Others Beach, while Abdel and Mr Stenham talked about politics.

They slept the night in Mousehole where the dreams are all of pirates and fishermen, then she woke early, the artist lady and sat in the window seat reading The Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, watched over by Nighteyes and it seemed the perfect place to read of Bingtown and traders and Liveships.

Away again to Catherine’s and seals and otters and bears, but not until they had dressed Abdel and Jane up in  Spirit Hoods. You see, the artist lady had been sent a special new Spirit Hood by the company in America who make them, just for the tour of All the bears in the Wild Wide World, so that she wouldn’t feel left out. It is a Grizzly Bear hood and she loves it. And Abdel and Jane looked so lovely, all foxy and grizzly.

The next day All the Bears piled back into their basket and the long road stretched out, through Truro to Mevagissey and Dulverton via Plymouth. The bears had such fun in Waterstones in Truro and Libby looked lovely in the bear hood and Mevagissey was beautiful as was Hurley Books.

The artist lady found Curley Wurleys in the basket of All the Bears when she went to put them away, and she loved Mr Stenham just that little bit more because of it. Catherine had a write up of great excellence in Elle decoration magazine for her forthcoming exhibition at Foss Fine Arts.

It was a long road and dark and cold when the dragons drew up in Dulverton. A welcome meal and then sleep, for the next day would be busy, in Number Seven.

Waking in Dulverton was wonderful. Each time the artist lady visits this small emporium of beauty and delight she finds new things to buy. On this day people had been invited to come and watch the artist lady painting and reading and Nicola Davies reading and talking about books. The artist lady had a secret desire that Nic might sing to her and she wasn’t disappointed. Soon All the Bears were out of the basket and all over the Welsh Dresser and into people’s arms. The artist settled to paint and Nic arrived, with stories and song and people came and went and took away books and jigsaws and it was warm and peaceful and beautiful.

For those who could not come, here is a small part of what was heard.

That evening the road led to Tiverton. And the next day was a day of dragons and The Promise, with a room full of teachers. Davina from Number Seven hauled books across from Number Seven so that all the teachers could buy books and they bought so many!

Late afternoon saw the dragons back on the road heading towards swans. The end of the first week, packed full with friends, beauty and adventure. But more was to come. Swans and bears, wolves and honey, a cathedral. All the Bears were tired, but excited. So tune in soon for the further adventures of All the Bears in the Wild Wide World, the artist lady and Mr Stenham.

But before you do have a look at Number Seven’s blog, because the artist lady left something behind. Something shaggy and scruffy and brown. And it needs a new home.

Nb. All the Bears in the World were made for the artist lady by the deft felt fingers of Karin at Celestine and the Hare. She also made Mary Bear and Little P, who are both very good at helping the artist lady with her work.

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