If you go up Gaddums Hill today . . .

CHAINSAW TED: Warwick Thompson applies the finishing touches to yesterday's version of Ted on the front lawn of his Gaddums Hill Road property. Ted has been decked out in different ensembles over lockdown, a resurrection of a ritual Warwick and wife Odette did in Alert Level 4 last year. Picture by Liam Clayton, other pictures supplied

There's no need to go down to the woods for a teddy bear surprise.

Just head up Gaddums Hill.

Residents Warwick and Odette Thompson have been entertaining the neighbours and others who venture that way with a teddy bear sequel to last year's lockdown.

Each day the Thompsons — predominantly Warwick this time round — are dressing up a giant cuddly toy bear called Ted in different outfits and displaying him on the front lawn of their Gaddums Hill Road property.

Yesterday's Ted was garbed in forestry gear with an accompanying chainsaw — a fitting outfit considering the Thompsons used to own Chainsaw & Mower Services.

That went down a treat with one young boy out for a walk with his mum. He was so impressed he asked that chainsaw Ted be there the next day.

Other ensembles have included an aproned Ted manning the barbecue; sunbathing Ted wearing a lei, reading a book and with what appears to be a gin and tonic on a side table; surfer Ted in a purple “wetsuit” and riding a tarpaulin wave; and “Tedwina” doing the ironing in a striking red dress and turquoise headband.

Odette said they came up with the idea during the 2020 lockdown and it became a ritual.

“We used to lie in bed and think ‘how are we going to dress Ted today'.”

Ted, who is almost as tall as Odette, was a lucky shopper prize they won in a book store competition.

Odette recalls taking their granddaughter to the shop to collect their prize only for the girl to “burst into tears” at the size of him.

Fortunately, the unanimous reaction to What's Ted Wearing Today has been positive.

Coming up with ideas has been a bit more challenging this time but Odette says others have told them it's OK to repeat themes.

The Ted series has alleviated some of the frustration from not being able to get out on the golf course in Level 4.

Odette and Warwick are avid golfers. Odette is the women's club captain at Poverty Bay Golf Club and does a lot of work behind the scenes.

Warwick, known to his golfing cohorts as Wok, usually plays three times a week and spends two other days of the week volunteering on the course.

Which brings to mind an appropriate idea to consider for a future instalment of Ted . . . Tiger Woods.