Just last month Zo� and I had the chance to meet up with Michael Bond and his wife Sue at the HarperCollins offices in London. What a cheery reception! Who knew that such a clever editorial, art and marketing staff would also have great chefs hidden in its midst. Many of the treats from the Paddington Cookery Book were on offer. As was a bit of bubbly. Clearly a good time was had by all.

We saw the new-look Paddington books, to be released with the upcoming film, and they look very sharp, indeed!

As always, Mr Bond was his usual dapper and happy self. The equally charming Sue took us around to Paddington Station where there is not only a lovely statue of Paddington and his suitcase, but also a large shop of all things bear related. Near the station, in a little park, just flowering, is a statue of Mr Bond holding a bear, very much in the same pose as in the above picture.

For those that don�t know, Mr Bond also authors a children�s series concerning the adventures of a guinea pig named Olga Da Polga (newly illustrated by Catherine Rayner), as well as a France-based mystery (and culinary) series for adults featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful bloodhound Pommes Frites. Take a look.