Last week I went out to chiner (wonderful French verb meaning to hunt for antiques/second hand curios etc.) with my husband, Spike (nickname... real name Mark). We were searching for mirrors, lights and other decorative items to top-up the stock on my stall in readiness for an important brocante coming up on the bank holiday of All Saints' Day in Meschers sur Gironde (update on that coming soon!).
As we wandered around looking for items of interests we spotted across the room a battered old wooden box with the image of Dougal and Florence from the Magic Roundabout on the front. Both being children of the seventies we rushed over, brimming with nostalgia, to investigate. The box contained sand-filled cubes which could be made into six different pictures and although not my usual kind of truc I couldn't resist the pull of that old sugar-lump eating pooch. After a little discussion we both decided we loved it and happily proceeded to the checkout to pay.
There was a kindly faced old man at the till who first looked down at the box then looked up at me and staring directly into my eyes said in a very matter of fact way "Pollux!". Well really... even though I could appreciate that it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea I did think that was a bit strong. It took a moment to sink in as he explained that Pollux was in fact the name for dear old Dougal in France.
I already knew that The Magic Roundabout or as it's known in these parts Le Manège Enchanté was originally a French creation but I had no idea until now that their Pollux has an outrageous British accent and speaks in broken French.
I won't go into all the French names for the characters we know and love but I have to confess that I was a bit disappointed that Dylan the rabbit is known in France as Flappy! I have also got to say that I found the recent film version a bit of a let down as the Dougal that I remember from my childhood not only spoke with a cut-glass accent but was also an incredibly snooty, self-righteous canine indeed.
At home we have a beagle called Oscar that we have noticed often assumes the same high-brow expression as Dougal (especially when ensconced in his very own leather armchair by the fire). At times there really is a little of the 'Noel Coward' about him and I can imagine him sitting by the fire wearing a cravat whilst effortlessly throwing out witty asides (note to self.... must get out more!)
Anyway, I appear to have digressed more than a little but have truly enjoyed this little foray into the recent(ish!) past but with all things said and done, and as much as I love dear dear Dougal, my heart will always truly lie with Bagpuss!
