Reunited

I couldn't believe my eyes...we were at a car boot sale on Sunday and who should be there sat propped in an ornamental plastic urn, but Pooh Bear's Long Lost Brother.

Pooh, featured on the left hand side, was my first ever cuddly toy, given to me to mark my birth in 1978. He's an Alresford Crafts bear made in Hampshire and has been very much loved for my third of a century. He is sporting the handspun, handknitted jacob's wool jumper that my mum made for me (it was too big for him really, but my mum gave in when I explained that he would "grow into it"...and personally I think he has)

Colin, on the right (named by the kids) is almost exactly the same. Same label, same handstitched nose, same quizzical eyebrows, slightly the better for wear...despite his nudity.

I dithered for a few seconds about whether Pooh would be upset if I arrived home with his lookalike, but then Milo convinced me it was his brother, and they do seem very pleased to see each other. I wonder if they were next to each other on the production line?