Paddington Bear Visits Camera Obscura: Cameron’s Hall of Fame!

This week we had a V.I.B (that’s ‘Very Important Bear’) visit us at Camera Obscura, my childhood hero: Paddington Bear. I could bear-ly believe my eyes when I saw him walk through the door, briefcase and all.

Paddington arrives at Camera Obscura!

As I am a V.I.B myself, it was my job to show Paddington round the building. We had so much fun!

First I gave him a ticket and explained how the exhibitions worked. Not that he had to worry about getting lost, he had the best tour guide available.

Paddington gets his Camera Obscura ticket

We walked up all the stairs to the top floor. Stairs are tough when you have little bear legs. We had to paws to catch our breath a few times…..phew!

Paddington tackles the Camera Obscura stairs!

It was dark when Paddington arrived so he couldn’t see the Camera Obscura show but we did enjoy the views and spying on the people of Edin-bear-ugh with the telescopes.

Paddington spies on Edinburgh from the Camera Obscura Rooftop

And then I lost Paddington in the Mirror Maze….. oh no!

Paddington hides in the Camera Obscura Mirror Maze

I had such a fun day with Paddington, we are now BBF’s (Best Bears Fur-ever).

Paddington and his BBF!

I wonder who the next Celebrity in my Hall of Fame will be…….

Brilliantly Confusing Illusion!

How many people can you see in this picture?

Count the number of people, watch the top halves of the picture swap over, then count again….confused?!

Santa Claus is coming…to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions!!

 

Rawr…

Hey guys, perhaps I should keep this a big secret, but I can’t keep secrets, me. Plus, this news is SOOO HUGE, how could I keep it all to my furry-self?

Shhh, come closer. Much, much closer.

 

Ok, are you ready for this? Last night, I found out something BEARY amazing…

As I was preparing my bed for the night in a cosy corner of the staff office, a note gently fluttered from a glittery red envelope marked Top-Secret. Of course, I HAD to take a peek (a tiny, tiny one- I promise).

Heres what it read: Santa Paws is coming to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions! The REAL Santa, can you imagine?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In a few weeks time, I’ll get to say hello AND have a selfie taken with The Man himself.

Im so completely excited about this, oh my bearness! Isn’t that the best thing ever?

The wait will be un-Bear-able…

Will you be coming to meet him too? Looks like there will be free presents for all children and some surprises have been planned too. Surprises? Oh, I love surprises, me…

Meet Santa at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions on Saturday 6^th and 13^th of December 11.00 to 1.00 and 2.00 to 4.00.

*Santa experience and presents included in admission prices*

 

Teeny Tiny Toddlerfest ’15

This winter Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is thinking small. While older children return to school after the Christmas break we will be transforming the centre into the perfect place for a visit with under 5s.

On a normal day your visit includes a Camera Obscura show, six floors of interactive exhibits, a gift shop and an all-day ticket. During Teeny Tiny Toddlerfest we are adding even more. Exclusive Camera Obscura shows for familes will leave the lights up, just in case you don’t like the dark, have lots of toys to keep little hands occupied, and mean that you don’t need to worry about the noise your toddler makes during the show.

Wavy Mirrors

Extra exhibits will focus on play at a toddler’s level; both developmentally and by physically lowering some exhibits. We will also have more seating for parents so that you can relax a bit while the toddlers are entertained (we guarantee they will be).

Giant Plasma Ball

We also know that toddlers are unlikely to wait for a meal, so whilst you are welcome to head out to a café and come back later, we are also opening up a quiet room; for feeding, relaxing and sharing a cuppa with friends.

Plus, if you book before 31st December you will get your tickets at 2014 rates! Just get in touch with Alyce (details below) to buy your tickets.

If you have any other ideas for us on how to make Camera Obscura an even better venue for young children, please let us know. We have a survey here:

www.bit.ly/1m2c5TR

Anyone who participates will be given a voucher for 20% off the admission price (and don’t forget, under-fives are completely free)! Or you can contact Alyce directly.

Alyce ‘Bubble Queen’ Paton

Alyce@camera-obscura.co.uk  |  0131 226 3709  |  www.camera-obscura.co.uk