I am very fond of teddy-bears, and I pass a building in Frenchay which always reminds me of one of mine! I expect that many of you know The Manor House in Beckspool Road. As a child, I was often there, as the owner, a Miss Fry of the 'chocolate' family, was one of my Aunt's best friends, as they were both Commissioners in the Girl Guide movement in Bristol.

Miss Fry gave me A.A. Milne's book 'Winnie the Pooh' and wrote inside it "To Esmé, because she loves Teddy". Until I started at infant school, I always had my favourite Teddy under my arm. I remember being amazed that one person lived in such a huge house.. Manor Cottage next door is a well-thought-of Care Home, and it is believed that most of the servants lived there. The buildings are from the 15th century and are listed.

I wondered where the name 'Teddy' came from. A.A. Milne first called his bear 'Edward' or 'Teddy' for short. He changed that name to 'Winnie' after a bear in London Zoo called 'Winnipeg', and so his book became 'Winnie the Pooh'.

Theodore Roosevelt loved bears so much that, on a shooting trip, he refused to shoot one! Did you know that Giles Brandreth and his wife have opened a Teddy Bears Museum? I wonder how many of you reading this still have your teddy-bear? The last present that Ron, my husband, bought me in France, comes wherever I am in my flat.. That was from the year 2000. The bear is very big, white, and is called 'Cuddles'.

Enjoy September!

Esmé

If you wonder why I chose Southmead for my holiday, I didn't choose it: it chose me! (Written while in Southmead Hospital) I came here more than a week ago after making a 999 phone call!

I am writing about it, as my experiences may help somebody reading this. Over the years, I have been an out-patient in both the Eye and Dental Hospitals, and an in-patient in eight Bristol hospitals!

Here I arrived in 'A and E', and since then, I have been in four different wards! My favourite hospital was the Maternity Hospital, as I left with a beautiful baby. May I put your mind at rest about having a MRI scan, as many people are scared about being in a tunnel. Do not worry: you have a buzzer to press for help if you need it. Try not to do that. I always ask how long it will take. Last Saturday they said 15 minutes. I count. I know that I can reach 400 in 15 minutes. That way, when you reach 200, you know that you are half-way through the scan.

There is one reason why I prefer stays in French hospitals: you have wine with your meals! I realise that our NHS would not want that extra expenditure, but I wish that I could buy a glass with my meal now!

The last time I was in a French hospital bed, my GP came in with his guitar, sat on my bed, and played it for me. It was really good relaxation treatment!

I am very grateful for the kind and efficient help that I am receiving here in Southmead Hospital, of course.

Stay well.

Esmé

Editor's Note: I am pleased to report that Esmé was discharged from hospital when they felt able to conclude that there was no serious ongoing problem, and she is now settled back home.

And thanks again to her for writing the article, even though she was in hospital!