Toyland Here We Come !

Toyland .Look Out! Here we come ! No Kidding!

My loyal followers will be pleased to know that my last few hubs about the splendidly beautiful island of Tenerife have now turned from the morose, miserable 'poor me, I have to leave" tone to a more positive outlook about the forests, lakes, rivers and generally gorgeous countryside that I am moving to.

There is just one thing that seems to have been overlooked by the rest of my family.

We are moving to Toyland.!!

My son-in-law very kindly sent me pictures of where we'll be living. Beautiful little town (little being the opperative word population 2,500)

My first thought when I saw a picture of the main street with its one fruit and vegetable shop and 3 pubs, was that any minute now I am going to see a little red and yellow car trundling by with Noddy driving , his little bell on the end of his cap tinkling in the breeze

"Husband of mine" I cried, Whatever are we to do living in the countryside for the first time in our near-ending lives?

"Easy" he says , as he does about everything from nuclear war to what's for dinner?

We just have to learn to lie back on the grass at the riverside and practise chewing a long piece of straw.. The expression "country bumpkin' came to mind.

"That won't do, in this politically correct world, " I answered

"Well there is an escape route" murmured my hubby. (not one to be phased by anything)

"Escape route......"

"Yes dear, Over the bridge , up the very steep hill you'll find the railway staion. It will take you to civilisation or in your language SHOPS. Lots of them about an hour away. Big town".

Phew! I feel better already. Not that I don't like the countryside (for a visit) but I love the buzz of cities.

My mind flew straight back to Toytown., and the pictures my son-in-law had sent . Apartment ready for us looks beautiful.. We'll be living near our daughter for the first time in years, but I still expect Noddy to pass along the Main Street heading for the bridge over the river, no doubt, waving to Mr. Plod the policeman as he passes and stops at the little country cottage belonging to his best friend Big-Ears (another word probably not allowed anymore, lest Big-Ears be offended)

Big -Ears himself has no problem with it. It's been his name for 40 years or more, since Enid Blyton started writing about Noddy. Noddy can sometimes be a very naughty little boy, but what can you expect from a little boy who has his own house and drives his own car?

Still Big-Ears is a good 'father figure 'and always puts Noddy back on the "straight and narrow"

For small children Noddy books are still a delight. Not only does the little fellow have an adventure but the pictures in Noddy books are always so brightly coloured. They are perfect for tiny tots., and even though Noddy drives his own car , at least he is not like Mr Toad of Toad Hall. !!!

When Mr. Toad is at home in his large Manor House , (The wind in the Willows. A classic book . Needs to be read by adults too) He is arrogant and overly confident, but when he gets behind the wheel of his car he becomes a maniac.

Nothing like Noddys' driving for Mr. Toad. Oh No.! If he came through the main street of toytown, racing through, knocking things over, breaking the speed limit, Inhabitants would be diving for cover or spreadeagled against the nearest wall.

"Beep. Beep!. Hoink! Hoink! Tally Ho!" As much noise and mayhem as possible for Mr. toad as he races down to the river to meet his friends Ratty and Mole.

Ratty and Mole are much gentler characters, quite happy to be messing about with their little boats on the river, close to their riverside homes.

No Mr. Toad must stay in "The wind in the willows" he will not fit in to my new home of Toytown the way Noddy would. No screeching around hairpin bends downhill for Noddy.

Which reminds me I must get myself a set of 'Noddy pyjamas" before I move.

I think they would make me feel I fit in to my new life better than my husbands idea of learning to chew a piece of straw..