Four creatures recently travelled to Canada. Three came from Scotland and one from northern England. This is the story of how they met and started on their immigration adventure.
This is Edden Beara, from Edinburgh. Edden Beara is very fond of Edinburgh, but had the urgings of a young creature to see something of the world.
Bears can travel light. Edden set out with a watch and a notebook. These two things were carried at all times.
To get the feel for exploring, and with a grander plan in mind, Edden set off for the Orkney Islands.
Our next creature to meet is Orkney Owl, who mostly goes by Owl. Owl's home is in St. Margaret's Hope, a village on an island that is connected by "barriers" or causeways to the big island of Orkney. St. Margaret's Hope has a ferry terminal. The ferry terminal was currently out of service because a ferry ran aground. That was somewhat embarrassing for the ferry company and many people had to change their plans.
On a chilly, damp, windy day, Edden Beara went to see some standing stones. Edden was eavesdropping on a tour guide who was talking about some amazing features of the stones' placement and purpose. Edden thought the information was fascinating, but it did not stop Edden from feeling lonely. Then Edden saw a small green owl.
"Halloo there!" called Edden, "Are you from these parts?"
"Oooww-ooow-ooo yes," hooted Owl. "You must be new here?"
"Yes," said Edden. "I am on an explore - out to see the world, as they say."
"Ooww-oow-oow, that sounds fascinating," said Owl. "Where are you going?"
"I am thinking Canada," replied Edden, "Winnipeg, Canada."
"That sounds very far away. Is it nice there?" asked Owl
"I don't really know, but what I hear is that there is a new faerie house setting up on Garfield Street and I very much want to be one of the friends that will live there," said Edden. "I correspond with Hedgehog, who lives in a faerie house in Omi's yard in Edmonton. Hedgehog has amazing times."
"What do you have to do to join?" Owl wondered.
"Just come with me," said Edden, "We will have such fun. I am just doing a little tour of Scotland before heading overseas. Please come with me. I was feeling lonely and wondering if I am the exploring type. A friend would be everything."
The next day, Edden Beara and Orkney Owl booked passage on the ferry out of Stromness. They had to be up bright and early to be ready for the sailing.
Once they were back on the mainland, they decided to visit the Isle of Skye. On the way there they saw honest to goodness mountains.
"I hadn't been out of the city of Edinburgh before my explore," said Edden, "I had no idea Scotland was so grand. Look at the snow on the top of the mountain!"
The Isle of Skye had its own high points. Edden climbed and Owl flew (which was easier!) to the top of the Old Man of Storr.
After all the exertion of getting to the top of the 'Old Man,' Edden and Owl had a gentler explore around Portree. The sun felt lovely and warm, especially after the chill winds on the hike.
The harbour was not very big. A cruise ship was anchored a little ways out. This made for lots of people roaming around. Edden and Owl looked for a quieter place. Even so, one had to look out not to be sat on.
"Lovely view, isn't it?"
"Oh yes, it is!" said Edden, turning to see who had spoken. "Are you visiting too?"
"Yes, and it has been grand. I wanted to see this place before I leave for Canada," said the stranger. "Let me introduce myself. I am Tyne from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Formally, I am Tyne Terrier, but just call me Tyne."
Edden Beara and Orkney Owl introduced themselves.
Tyne explained about being named after the river that flows through Newcastle, a city in northern England.
"It is a lovely city, "Tyne said, "but I am ready to see the world."
"I think we have made a friend," said Edden to Owl. "How did you start your journey?" Edden asked, addressing Tyne again. "I am from Edinburgh and my friend Owl here, is from Orkney."
"I came here on the train, "said Tyne. "Lovely way to travel."
Owl asked about Tyne's trip to Canada.
"Where are you going? We are heading to Canada as well. Winnipeg, Canada."
"What a coincidence!!!" Tyne exclaimed. "Winnipeg, Canada is my destination too! I heard of a new faerie house setting up there. I have a friend called Dog who thinks faerie houses are the greatest. Dog lives in one in Edmonton."
Edden and Owl's eyes nearly popped out of their heads with astonishment.
"And I thought the world was a big place," said Edden, who went on to explain about Hedgehog, Edmonton, and the faerie house in Omi's yard. Of course Tyne had heard about Hedgehog, Frog, T1 and T2.
"Looks to me like we are a team," said Owl. "Let's carry on together and see a little more of Skye."
Fortunately, not every view had to be from the top of a steep mountain. There was farm land next to the sea.
They went to Dunvegan castle.
They went to Plockton and watched the tide come in.
The azaleas and rhododendrons were so beautiful the friends were almost dizzy.
"There are a few more places I need to visit before I leave Scotland," said Edden. "Will you accompany me to Glasgow and New Lanark?"
"Absolutely!" said Tyne and Owl. Actually, Owl said, "Absoloooowwtely."
New Lanark was a cotton mill in the 1800s, noted for the attempt to treat workers better than was usual for the day. There was housing, school for children and medical care. It has long since stopped being a cotton mill, but there is now a woolen mill. Edden was interested in the wool part. Edden knew it would be good to arrive in Canada with some skeins of wool.
Tyne sensed that they were being watched. Tyne turned around slowly. Some distance away, Tyne saw a fox.
"Halloo there, are you friendly?" Tyne called. Foxes have a reputation for being tricky and maybe a little bit mean.
Edden and Owl turned around to look too.
"Oh yes! I am friendly. I have been envying your friendly party. Can I join you?"
"Perhaps you should first state your business." said Tyne, warily.
"I don't have business. I came down from Edinburgh, mostly to look at sheep -- from a distance, mind you. I thought a woolen mill would be a place to do that, but I have not found sheep, only wool."
"Edinburgh!" exclaimed Edden Beara, "I am from Edinburgh too! But now, you see, I am on an explore. We here -- and by the way, my name is Edden Beara, this here is Orkney Owl, and over there you see Tyne Terrier -- anyways, as I was saying, we are off to Winnipeg Canada."
"I am just called Fox, and I don't really have a plan. What's this about Winnipeg, Canada?"
At first Edden, Owl and Tyne all spoke at once.
"This is no good," said Edden, "Owl, you tell it."
Owl told Fox about the faerie house in Winnipeg, how Edden knew Hedgehog and Tyne knew Dog, and Hedgehog and Dog both said faerie houses were great, so they - Edden, Owl and Tyne - were all going to Winnipeg.
"If you don't have anything up, would you like to come too?" said Tyne, who was beginning to trust Fox, "There is room for one more."
"That sounds so amazing," said Fox. "I would love to come to Winnipeg, Canada."
On the way to the train station, Fox paused to see if there were any sheep to see on the hillside.
"I don't bother sheep, you have to understand," explained Fox, "I just love to watch them."
They caught the train to Glasgow.
In Glasgow, the friends went to see the Armadillo.
"I was not expecting a building," said Edden, "but it certainly is an interesting one and I understand the name."
They went to the Royal Botanical Gardens.
At the gardens they found a knit-covered bench. They didn't stay long; they blended in so well that, who knows, they could have been sat on. Being small creatures, this was always a risk.
They went to the Necropolis, which is an old cemetery on a hill.
"Does it strike anyone else as odd that a cemetery is a tourist attraction?" asked Edden, thinking about the glories of the Edinburgh castle, the Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat.
"There is a nice view," said Owl, "And some of the stories on these monuments are quite interesting, even if you don't know the people."
The day came to begin their journey to Canada. The friends had a serious talk about their commitment to going, and shared what they would miss about home. They were all ready for something that they knew would be exciting and very different from anything they had known.
First up, a train ride to London.
An overnight stay in Hounslow, London was necessary.
"This is not a place to watch sheep, " said Fox, who had decided that for all the hype about London, it wasn't all THAT great.
Heathrow airport was very big.
"I think that is our plane," said Owl.
They were all feeling pretty intimidated by it all. Each of them was glad to be doing this adventure with friends. Owl was the only one who had flown before, but using your own wings is a very different thing than being crowded into a full airplane. They hunkered down and kept out of the way.
Their first stop was Edmonton. They would meet up with Hedgehog, Dog and the others before travelling on to Winnipeg.
Dog flung the door open.
"You are so welcome here!" Dog said, "I was waiting in the yard for some time and just went in to recheck your travel information." Turning to Tyne, Dog said, "Tyne, how wonderful to finally meet in person!"
Hedgehog heard the commotion and hurried to the door.
"Edden Beara! How wonderful to see you! You look just how I expected." said Hedgehog. "What fun! Please introduce your friends."
Edden piped up, "This is Orkney Owl and Tyne Terrier and Fox."
Fox was hanging back a bit. Sometimes other creatures are worried about a fox, until they know the fox is friendly, and in this case, a bit shy as well.
"Excellent," said Hedgehog and Dog together. "We'll get the others. They are as excited as we are."
Frog and T1 came out next. Frog had been cooking in anticipation of the weary travellers.
T2 had been helping Frog and came out when the job was finished.
Introductions were made all around. What a special moment.
Tyne asked for a quick photo with Dog to send home.
Edden and Hedgehog did the same.
Hedgehog thought about showing Edden around the garden, but realized that the new friends were probably all very tired and hungry.
"Another time," thought Hedgehog.
"I have some snacks for you that are ready now. Supper won't be long," said Frog. "Come on in. You must be tired."
They all went in except Owl and Fox. Both of them needed a moment to gather their wits and settle their feelings.
"It is nice here," said Owl quietly, "And the creatures here are very friendly."
"Yes, it will feel like home with time," said Fox. "Right now the newness of this world is a little overwhelming. I will feel more ready to take it in after I have a good supper and a sleep."
They looked out into the promise of the faerie house garden.
"Yes," they both thought, "This is an adventure worth having."
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