Recently, we had invited Frasier and Teri Chocolate around for a meal. Their eldest daughter - Stella - was babysitting their three youngest children. As for Freya and Coco, they were missing Frasier's parents due to an extended holiday, so it was thought to give them some loving grandparent time with Teri's parents. This took the form of a brief boat trip.
"They'll be having a great time, I expect," said Cecile.
"According to reports from both them and my dad, they did indeed," Teri said, smacking her lips after clearing her plate. "Lovely meal, wasn't it Fraze?"
Frazier nodded and rubbed his tummy in appreciation.
"Reports?" said Cecile. "They phoned you?"
"No need," said Frasier, "since they're back."
Teri explained. "That's right. My parents returned to Mellowdene docks yesterday. We met up for a nice chinwag and afterwards the children asked to stay aboard the houseboat a little longer."
"Well, it is a lovely boat," I commented.
A bit of background: Around five years ago I was visiting Horatio Seadog on the docks and had my first sight of the houseboat named the Seaside Cruiser. From my previous writings you may have gained the impression that the Marita May was the only regular craft to spend time at the docks. Not so, but as a longstanding family friend of the Seadogs I tend to speak about them most. There are other commercial boats calling at Mellowdene via the river - deliveries arrive not only by canal and road - and now Teri's parents - Morgan and Isla Hopscotch - are proud owners of the Seaside Cruiser which berths at the far end of the docks for extended periods throughout the year. They live on board and have two youngsters as their wards, these being distant relatives of the Chocolate family and going to school in the village. And, as I said, it is a lovely boat.
Frasier Chocolate nodded. "I have to agree, Jackson. Was I less involved with the chocolate making business I'd be tempted to go on trips on board that particular home from home."
"Freya and Coco enjoy it certainly," said Teri. "They were full of news about this last trip."
Our Chocolate Rabbit friends were happy to tell us all about it.
o 0 O 0 o
Freya and Coco walked to the downriver end of Mellowdene Docks via East Dock Lane and found Grady and Esther Chocolate by the Seaside Cruiser awaiting their arrival.
"Hi Gray," said Coco. "Are Gramps and Granny aboard? I thought they'd be meeting us."
"Maybe they're off talking to Captain Horatio or something," suggested Freya.
"No," said Grady, "They're beneath deck, sorting things out."
"Captain Morgan asked us to take you aboard when you arrived," said Esther.
"That's right," said Grady. "As soon as you're settled in they want to leave dock."
"Do you know where we're going?" asked Freya. "Granny Isla said Gramps wanted to surprise us."
"We don't know," said Esther, "and it probably wouldn't be right to spoil the surprise if we did."
Coco was gazing towards the upper deck looking up at the name of the boat. "Maybe we're going to cruise to the seaside."
"Maybe," said Grady.
With that, the four children left the shore and boarded the Seaside Cruiser.
o 0 O 0 o
On board, after Coco and Freya had hugged their grandparents, Freya's question was answered.
"I've had thoughts about our journey," said Morgan. "I considered going to the sea but I thought calmer waters might offer us more. This isn't a zippy boat and we will enjoy the views as we travel sedately downriver."
Freya and Coco exchanged glances.
"I know it doesn't sound very exciting, but there's more. Tell them the rest, Morgan," said Isla.
"I was going to say later... oh, alright. Captain Seadog gave me a copy of a map..."
"Not a treasure map, Gramps?" said Coco, becoming excited.
"He didn’t say. He only said if we follow it, it might be fun for you. And that is ALL I'm saying for now."
o 0 O 0 o
As Morgan Hopscotch took the Seaside Cruiser away from the docks, the children remained below deck and examined the map.
It appeared to be a rough diagram of an island with numbers written evenly around the edge. Other than that, there was a short, scrawled verse.
"If I should swap land for the sea,face green waters telling mespot a puddle, ford; four foundmuch happiness from those around."
"What does that mean, Granny?" said Coco.
"It's a riddle, I think," said Grady, "but who are 'those around'?"
"Look at the map," said Isla. "It might not be a 'who'. There are numbers around the edge."
"It also says 'four found' so maybe we have to choose four of these numbers... no. What's the point of that?" said Esther.
"I suppose we could join them up with two lines and where they cross..." said Freya.
"...X marks the spot. It is a treasure map!" said Coco.
"We don't know that for sure, dear," said Isla, "but you might find solving the riddle is fun in itself."
"Hmm," said Coco, the four young rabbits being more interested in a piece of paper rather than the scenery as they gently moved along the river. Isla let them ponder a while before ushering them up onto the deck.
o 0 O 0 o
The children chatted a while before a meaningful suggestion was made.
"I think it's about enjoying the waters," said Freya. "and what we can learn from them. It actually says 'green waters telling me'."
"It can't be the water itself. If we're told anything it must be by people who know best about the green waters. Who could that be?" said Coco.
"Sailors, swimmers, fishermen..." said Grady, counting off nautical professions.
"What about the river warden?" asked Esther.
"That's a good one, Esther," said Freya. "Mister Wade Waters is river warden, and his name is in the poem. 'Waters telling me.'"
Grady nodded rapidly. "Yes, yes! And we see him sometimes as he's based around here."
Coco had another question. "But how does that tally with the 'four found' bit?"
Isla smiled knowingly. "Maybe you need to ask four people for the numbers."
"That sounds good," said Grad, sounding more excited. "People like Mister Waters who will work near the river!"
They spent a few minutes congratulating themselves until Coco made a good point.
"Tell Gramps," he said. "We don't want the boat to chug past any of them. Meanwhile we'll look for more clues."
"Right," said Grady, and the young rabbit rushed off to talk to Morgan, not seeing that the captain had heard all of this and was gently smiling.
o 0 O 0 o
"Do you think there are other names hidden in the poem, like Mister Waters?" asked Esther, who was eagerly surveying the river banks.
"There might be," said Freya. "Some of the wording is a bit odd. For example, Puddle and ford might refer to the Puddleford ducks if you squish the words together."
"They often swim in the river," said Grady.
"I think I've found another one," said Coco. "Don't you think 'spot a' sounds like 'Spotter'? It does to me. Clay Spotter is the best fisherman in Mellowdene. Perhaps we should watch out for him too."
"Ooh!" said Esther. "I think I can see Mrs Puddleford up ahead."
"I'll tell the Captain the names we've found," said Grady.
At the wheel, Morgan talked over his shoulder. "I can hear you. I'll stop for each of those people."
And so the quest began...
o 0 O 0 o
(To be continued)