đ ⛱ đ đŁ đ
Have
you ever wondered where the Sylvanians of Riverside go to have fun and
relax? Where they can do activities with their kids? Or where they
catch fresh air on the weekend?
Remember little Ferdinand McMousetail and his father Percival?
Ferdinand and his watchduck are accompanying daddy Percival to work. They got the duck at the Adopt-a-Duck during this year's Easter Brunch and couldn't be happier about their new family member. He is a very patient, peaceful and kind pet, although for some reason Ferdy decided to name him Dagger.
First of all, they say good morning to Parrot. I guess you could call him a "watchmouse", as he also keeps an eye on everything, just like Dagger the duck.
After Daddy has placed the bottles of fizz in the kitchen and has put the two green kettles to boil, Ferdy and Dagger and Parrot settle down on a blanket in front of the stove for their morning chat and a warm cup of cocoa.
Daddy is already busy as a bee. The dessert table needs to be set, cups have to be polished and arranged next to the pots of coffee and tea.
"Does Percival McMousetail own a café?" you might ask. The answer is no. Percy's workplace is much more than a café.
Maybe this will serve as a hint: After finishing his cocoa, Ferdy puts a vintage three-cornered hat on top of Dagger's little head. This is Daggers costume (or should I say uniform?) for the day.
Meanwhile, Daddy is outside arranging chairs, while two brown rabbits observe him.
Doesn't it look awesome, though? There is a boat tied to the pier. Visitors can rent it for trips around the lake. Also, there is a huge pirate's chest next to the palm tree. I wonder what's inside?
I almost forgot something! There is also William the goat who watches over the shore and the centuries old cannon! It's never been fired, but it looks to me like it's loaded and who knows what kind of things went on when the pirates still lived here!
Meanwhile, Daddy is outside arranging chairs, while two brown rabbits observe him.
Okay, okay, I'll tell you already what this place really is, no need to get huffy.
Percival is the keeper of an old pirate castle and its adjoining terrain, which is called Rabbit Island.
Is that cool or what?? To be honest with you, there isn't much left of the castle besides a small grey ruin, a palmtree and a pier...
I almost forgot something! There is also William the goat who watches over the shore and the centuries old cannon! It's never been fired, but it looks to me like it's loaded and who knows what kind of things went on when the pirates still lived here!
It's still very early in the morning, so the lakeside is filled with grey geese enjoying the calm.
Little Ferdy has climbed into the boat to say hi to Mouse, the parrot. He is called that way, because for a parrot he is rather shy and taciturn.
Ferdinand: "Good morning, Mouse!"
Mouse: "... ..."
Finally I can show it to you, the tiny piece of land that seems to have given the lake, castle and surroundings its name: Rabbit Island.
I am pretty sure what you are thinking: "Oh, it's called Rabbit Island because the island is in the shape of a rabbit head."
Nope. You are wrong. Think again.
"Oh, now I know," I can hear you say, "It's called that because there are rabbits living on it!"
Uh-uh, wrong again.
Rabbit Island is called Rabbit Island because it once belonged to The Dread Pirate Rabbit. He passed away centuries ago, but Riversiders love their cultural heritage, so they have never taken down his Jolly Roger - the black flag waving over the ruin - and Rabbit Island has turned into a well visited holiday destination.
Riversiders as well as Sylvanians from all over the country come to Rabbit Island to have their picture taken wearing Dread Pirate Rabbit's old hat or to check out the red sticks of dynamite which he used to threaten his opponents with.
As for now, all is peaceful and there are neither pirates nor visitors that could stir up any trouble on the island. William is having his breakfast next to the large rocks...
...and the geese are still enjoying the time of day when the lakeside belongs to them.
On the opposite side of the lake a couple of storks are looking for breakfast and a tortoise is sitting on one of the rocks trying to catch a ray of sun. It's not really sunny today and it's very cold, since it's already November, but the animals are all glad that there is some light and the air smells like it will be a day without rain.
On this side of the lake, apart from tables and chairs for the visitors, there is a sand pit for the children to play in.
Tortoise is looking at it, wondering who will be building sand castles today.
I've heard a rumour that the Periwinkles are planning to go to Rabbit Island. Let's come back when they have arrived...
Oh, wow. First of all: THE PERIWINKLES HAVE GOT A CAR !!! And second: Looks like there is already a lot going on.
Say hello to Jemima and Quackie. Today, Jemima is accompanied by her good friend May. The two of them can't wait to play together.
Guess who the green car belongs to.
It's the Babblebrooks' car! Yes, they have one now too!!
Let's go around the island and wish everyone a good day.
Mrs and Mrs Tarte are standing next to the dessert table. Madeleine is holding baby AdĂšle who doesn't seem fully awake yet.
"Didn't I say there would still be enough cake for everyone at this time of day?" Evangeline says as little Edmond forges a bond with the strawberry Ă©clair.
The pier is crowded with Babblebrook children. Tim, Tegan and little Toby are just as curious as we are and have opened the treasure chest.
There really is a treasure inside! The chest is filled with Dread Pirate Rabbit's shiny gold legacy...
Teresa and Troy Babblebrook are much more curious about the pastries and are enjoying them with juice and tea.
Pickles and Fudge are here too, obviously. Fudge never misses any gathering where he can get something to eat or drink...
Oh look! The Hogwarts and their bacon rolls - I mean babies - are taking a walk along the shore. Rona and Ralfie have come to collect some shiny stones.
On the opposite side of the lake, Sabrina is playing ball with her pet ducks which she also got at the Adopt-a-Duck. Her baby sister Valentina Zoraida is watching them from her pram.
Isn't it funny that, although Valentina Zoraida is probably Riverside's tiniest baby, she has one of the longest names?
Right next to the Canguros, the Sylversons are settling down for a picnic. Freya is already sitting on the blanket munching on a peach. Misty wants her dad to give her a banana.
And still there are more Sylvanians arriving. Here are the Woodchucks.
Fudge has ordered a strawberry tarte and is watching Pickles make acquaintance with two ducklings.
Looks like they heard me. Maxino is rowing and they have almost reached the island.
The rabbits are cowering together nervously. What do those children want??
Ever so gently Angeli and Maxino pick up the rabbits and place them inside the boat to bring them back to the pier. It turns out, Percival told them the rabbits haven't been ahore for three weeks, so they offered to go get them.
How did the rabbits even get to the island? Did someone take them there? Did they swim on the back of a duck? Or by themselves? Did they fly...??
I guess we'll never know, at least so far nobody has told me.
Please tell me what you think of Rabbit Island and if you have any theories on how the rabbits got there three weeks ago.
Little Ferdy has climbed into the boat to say hi to Mouse, the parrot. He is called that way, because for a parrot he is rather shy and taciturn.
Ferdinand: "Good morning, Mouse!"
Mouse: "... ..."
Finally I can show it to you, the tiny piece of land that seems to have given the lake, castle and surroundings its name: Rabbit Island.
I am pretty sure what you are thinking: "Oh, it's called Rabbit Island because the island is in the shape of a rabbit head."
Nope. You are wrong. Think again.
"Oh, now I know," I can hear you say, "It's called that because there are rabbits living on it!"
Uh-uh, wrong again.
Rabbit Island is called Rabbit Island because it once belonged to The Dread Pirate Rabbit. He passed away centuries ago, but Riversiders love their cultural heritage, so they have never taken down his Jolly Roger - the black flag waving over the ruin - and Rabbit Island has turned into a well visited holiday destination.
Riversiders as well as Sylvanians from all over the country come to Rabbit Island to have their picture taken wearing Dread Pirate Rabbit's old hat or to check out the red sticks of dynamite which he used to threaten his opponents with.
As for now, all is peaceful and there are neither pirates nor visitors that could stir up any trouble on the island. William is having his breakfast next to the large rocks...
...and the geese are still enjoying the time of day when the lakeside belongs to them.
On the opposite side of the lake a couple of storks are looking for breakfast and a tortoise is sitting on one of the rocks trying to catch a ray of sun. It's not really sunny today and it's very cold, since it's already November, but the animals are all glad that there is some light and the air smells like it will be a day without rain.
On this side of the lake, apart from tables and chairs for the visitors, there is a sand pit for the children to play in.
Tortoise is looking at it, wondering who will be building sand castles today.
I've heard a rumour that the Periwinkles are planning to go to Rabbit Island. Let's come back when they have arrived...
đ° đ° đ°
Oh, wow. First of all: THE PERIWINKLES HAVE GOT A CAR !!! And second: Looks like there is already a lot going on.
Say hello to Jemima and Quackie. Today, Jemima is accompanied by her good friend May. The two of them can't wait to play together.
Guess who the green car belongs to.
It's the Babblebrooks' car! Yes, they have one now too!!
Let's go around the island and wish everyone a good day.
Mrs and Mrs Tarte are standing next to the dessert table. Madeleine is holding baby AdĂšle who doesn't seem fully awake yet.
"Didn't I say there would still be enough cake for everyone at this time of day?" Evangeline says as little Edmond forges a bond with the strawberry Ă©clair.
The pier is crowded with Babblebrook children. Tim, Tegan and little Toby are just as curious as we are and have opened the treasure chest.
There really is a treasure inside! The chest is filled with Dread Pirate Rabbit's shiny gold legacy...
Teresa and Troy Babblebrook are much more curious about the pastries and are enjoying them with juice and tea.
Pickles and Fudge are here too, obviously. Fudge never misses any gathering where he can get something to eat or drink...
Oh look! The Hogwarts and their bacon rolls - I mean babies - are taking a walk along the shore. Rona and Ralfie have come to collect some shiny stones.
On the opposite side of the lake, Sabrina is playing ball with her pet ducks which she also got at the Adopt-a-Duck. Her baby sister Valentina Zoraida is watching them from her pram.
Isn't it funny that, although Valentina Zoraida is probably Riverside's tiniest baby, she has one of the longest names?
Right next to the Canguros, the Sylversons are settling down for a picnic. Freya is already sitting on the blanket munching on a peach. Misty wants her dad to give her a banana.
And still there are more Sylvanians arriving. Here are the Woodchucks.
And the Peachblossoms are on their way too.
Here is a view from above.
And here of the opposite shore.
Some time later the Periwinkles have settled down next to the sand pit. Ralfie sees Jemima and comes over to greet her.
Jemima is skeptical about the sand. She has touched it and thinks it feels strange. "Feels icky, Daddy," she complains to her father, who tells her to give it another try, she might change her mind.
Jemima is skeptical about the sand. She has touched it and thinks it feels strange. "Feels icky, Daddy," she complains to her father, who tells her to give it another try, she might change her mind.
Quackie seems to like the sand. A lot. So Jemima grabs one of her toys and climbs in.
"Hello Mr. Periwinkle," says Ralfie.
Soon, the three friends are happily playing in the sand.
Julie Periwinkle is watching them from a table. She is having tea and a cupcake. The other one is for James.
Fudge has ordered a strawberry tarte and is watching Pickles make acquaintance with two ducklings.
At first they eye him suspiciously, especially his horns and his long tail.
But after a while they seem to get along rather well.
Look at that, the Grigios are here too! Mother Chiara waves from the pier as Angeli and Maxino climb into the boat and start to row.
Hey, you guys forgot to loosen the rope!
The rabbits are cowering together nervously. What do those children want??
Ever so gently Angeli and Maxino pick up the rabbits and place them inside the boat to bring them back to the pier. It turns out, Percival told them the rabbits haven't been ahore for three weeks, so they offered to go get them.
How did the rabbits even get to the island? Did someone take them there? Did they swim on the back of a duck? Or by themselves? Did they fly...??
I guess we'll never know, at least so far nobody has told me.
đŽ THANK YOU đŽ
FOR READING THIS EXTREMELY LONG STORY. đ
Please tell me what you think of Rabbit Island and if you have any theories on how the rabbits got there three weeks ago.
Or anything else you would like to share!! đ
Have a wonderful week!!!
