owner's arm. The following morning Sophie said her knee felt okay when it was strapped. Teddy insisted he needed to come too and was dutifully packed into the day-bag and we headed across to Dixons Kingdom under a clear blue sky with little wind and some lingering snow from a few days before.
Not one to hide his light under a bushel, Teddy was the first to pose for a photo when we arrived, sitting himself on a handy direction sign. Euan had climbed the Temple, scrambled up Solomons Throne to enjoy the view and joined Sophie to explore the pretty Pool of Bethesda. He had generously carried the larger pack with the extra weight and was tired and sore, with the earlier exhilaration of both children giving way to tiredness.
Teddy was so eager to be photographed that he forgot to remind us to collect him when we left Dixons Kingdom, and so it was that we returned back to camp, packed up and walked out without him. It wasn't until
we arrived home that we realised that the freeloader had decided to remain playing with the possums. Euan was tired, sore from carrying the extra weight and now distraught. Luckily, we had the photo and with the help of social media were able to send out an SOS. Nearly 48 hours later and although people were very supportive there was still no bear.
With the weather forecast holding, I decided to launch my own rescue mission. Euan was miserable and like any good team you can't leave a boy or bear behind. Euan also helpfully pointed out that even if I didn't find Teddy then paradoxically this would still be a worthwhile excursion, as it would mean someone else had. Armed with this logic, I set out at 5am from Launceston and unfettered by overnight gear was able to make good time along the track. I met a couple of hikers on their way out who said they had seen Teddy loitering around Dixons Kingdom hut the day before. Not long after a large
Damascus Gate, Solomons Throne and the West WallSophie Best