The Hollowbridge Heroes (Hamish Hamstring) by Heathcroft
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Description
Some time before Christmas I uploaded something completely different, an illustration from a children's book I am updating and I had several mails asking for more excerpts, so here is the front cover and another character from the book, Hamish Hamstring.
I am really sorry not to have been around lately or to be able to comment, but hope that I will be able to visit more soon and I'd like you to know I have missed all my friends here.
'Hamish Hamstring was practising his bagpipe playing while standing on one hind leg. He had, actually, no option in this last matter, as he only had one hind leg, which created something of a balance problem.
Only someone who has witnessed a hamster wearing a kilt, playing the bagpipes and balancing precariously on one leg, could fully appreciate the ridiculous sight that Hamish presented. Particularly ridiculous were his inevitable falls, where he revealed his rump to the world, thus exploding the myth about what Scots wear under their kilts. In Hamish’s case at least, this item turned out to be a tartan posing pouch.
“Something amusing ye laddie?” he would inquire of any passing youngster who had the audacity to laugh at his attire.
The mirth that Hamish inspired was, of course, understandable, which was why he sought the solitude of a grassy knoll high up on a hill overlooking Hollowbridge. It was the only place that his terrible playing was tolerated. Except, perhaps, on Burns night.
It was after Hamish’s fifth or sixth tumble that he noticed some activity on the usually quiet stretch of road that ran alongside the woods at the boundary of the village. A constant stream of bright yellow trucks were being driven along by a variety of rats, stoats and weasels. A trail of discarded beer cans illustrated their disdain for the beauty of the countryside through which they passed. “Hoots Mon! Toonies!” Hamish exclaimed, as he watched the convoy draw to a halt in a distant field. “I dinna ken this at all,” he fumed.
Tucking his bagpipes under one paw and his crutch under the other, the angry hamster hopped back to the village as fast as he was able. It was his intention to inform the authorities.
Hamish had a gut feeling (and a hamster’s gut is not to be ignored) that something nasty was about to happen. Although a silly sod when it came to bagpipe playing, he was fiercely protective of the land.
Hamish, unusually for a hamster, worried constantly about the state of the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, and the other dangers that beset his everyday world. He hopped on, muttering to himself.'
Thanks for dropping by!
Dave
Previously....
"The Pretender"
I am really sorry not to have been around lately or to be able to comment, but hope that I will be able to visit more soon and I'd like you to know I have missed all my friends here.
'Hamish Hamstring was practising his bagpipe playing while standing on one hind leg. He had, actually, no option in this last matter, as he only had one hind leg, which created something of a balance problem.
Only someone who has witnessed a hamster wearing a kilt, playing the bagpipes and balancing precariously on one leg, could fully appreciate the ridiculous sight that Hamish presented. Particularly ridiculous were his inevitable falls, where he revealed his rump to the world, thus exploding the myth about what Scots wear under their kilts. In Hamish’s case at least, this item turned out to be a tartan posing pouch.
“Something amusing ye laddie?” he would inquire of any passing youngster who had the audacity to laugh at his attire.
The mirth that Hamish inspired was, of course, understandable, which was why he sought the solitude of a grassy knoll high up on a hill overlooking Hollowbridge. It was the only place that his terrible playing was tolerated. Except, perhaps, on Burns night.
It was after Hamish’s fifth or sixth tumble that he noticed some activity on the usually quiet stretch of road that ran alongside the woods at the boundary of the village. A constant stream of bright yellow trucks were being driven along by a variety of rats, stoats and weasels. A trail of discarded beer cans illustrated their disdain for the beauty of the countryside through which they passed. “Hoots Mon! Toonies!” Hamish exclaimed, as he watched the convoy draw to a halt in a distant field. “I dinna ken this at all,” he fumed.
Tucking his bagpipes under one paw and his crutch under the other, the angry hamster hopped back to the village as fast as he was able. It was his intention to inform the authorities.
Hamish had a gut feeling (and a hamster’s gut is not to be ignored) that something nasty was about to happen. Although a silly sod when it came to bagpipe playing, he was fiercely protective of the land.
Hamish, unusually for a hamster, worried constantly about the state of the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, and the other dangers that beset his everyday world. He hopped on, muttering to himself.'
Thanks for dropping by!
Dave
Previously....
"The Pretender"
Comments (64)
Faemike55
Out standing drawings and story!
brewgirlca
Oh that is just so good! The story is charming and whimsical. It brought several giggles and snickers. One wonders if Hamish is not a metaphor for Heathcroft as they seem to share similar values. I have missed your delightful posts. It is so good to have you back. I was going to write you this weekend to see how you were doing and how the battle to save the wetland was proceeding. Welcome back Dave.
MagikUnicorn
COOOL
shadownet
Great work!
gaius
Sooo good ! Excellent drawings, beautiful story.
bpclarke
This is adorable! Splendid drawings and characters. Bunny
barryjeffer
these are awesome, as is the story... Outstanding work. seth
annie5
Great concept and idea..so cool! I like it :)
jocko500
super looking. love it
lyron
Fantastic work!!
Chaosphoto
A greeny hamster that has one leg and plays bagpipes. I can believe that lol. I know my son would like your illustrations too
sylki
Welcome back!!! What a lovely story, now you've got me wanting to know if Hamish's gut was right and what do the yellow trucks contain! Fantastic tale and super sketches, a definite favourite!
Minda
This is awesome work great story and amazing drawing..and welcome back dave..
andrewl
Wonderful story, great picture :)
allnaydi
Wonderful illustrations, characters and story Dave! It's great to see you back my friend.
delbeke
fantastic story. I've got news for you, there is a whole clan of these wobbly critters, yep playing the pipes and all that come marching through my kitchen at least once a month during a full moon. Drives my Westies and Scottie up the wall.:o) Wonderful art writing. Lovely
huismus
Great to see you are uploading again! Beautiful drawings and story! Make me feel young again.
gillbrooks
OH hilarious!! I love the illustrations too. I had a hamster as a kid but he didn't play bagpipes - or wear a kilt. Prolly cuz he wasn't Scottish......
flaviok
Magnifica história. Que belo projeto. Ilustração soberba, excelente meu amigo, aplausos (5)
theprojectionist
Great Piece Dave
Rodma_Hu
This is pure delight. Wonderful!
brycek
Wonderful work!!
3x3
charming story and awesome work Dave 5+
npauling
Superb work and I love your one legged hamster. A delightful scene beautifully created and with a great story too.
magnus073
Dave this is simply delightful or as Joe put it best charming. Not only is the artwork outstanding and able to entertain all by itself but the story is playful and captivating too. Now though you have me wanting to know what happens next and if his gut feeling was right.
jif3d
Great illustrations and I like the bag-pipe playing Hamish character, crazy, zany and just right for a children's book ! Nice line work Dave & ~Cheers~
Darkwish
Really great work! I like this one!
45Cool
Kewl!!!!
renecyberdoc
i bet the kids love this book,i really saw him standing next to me ,one one hind-giggles. wonderful work done here altogether.
cyberknight1133
Your illustrations have a very distinctive touch. Absolutely wonderful!