Earlier in the week, I caught sight of Bambi’s (NorahBrent) Missing Melody amidst the various Halloween destinations in the (at the time of writing) Recently Added section of the Destination Guide.
Given I’m not an overly great fan of Halloween (as people have likely noticed!) and prior to my visit back in May 2026 it had been three years since I’d dropped into the region, I thought I would bounce over and see what’s going on.
For autumn 2026, Bambi once again provides a quite small setting for Missing Melody, making it ideal for a casual, quiet visit whilst leaving plenty for room for Mirai Melody as it remains seated on its sky platform in all its iridescent bustle – a place I visited back in 2024.
Given that we’re now into what can be a frantic part of the year – Thanksgiving has just taken place in Canada, Halloween is everywhere, November 5th beckons in the UK with US Thanksgiving not far behind, autumn celebrations in Japan and so on and so forth – and of course there’s the end of the year looming on the horizon with all that it involves – dropping into somewhere in which to catch one’s breath can be something of the godsend.
And that is exactly what is offered here: a timeless setting of two halves faintly European in looks, a broad canal-like body of water spanned by a single bridge separating them.
To one side is a cosy parade of little shops which espouse that European feel, all of them sitting on cobbles themselves raised above the water by a broad deck. Here can be found the familiar in the form of the Oh Deer Café in a new design – a staple of Bambi’s Missing Melody howsoever it is dressed, and a reminder of both Bambi’s brand (her store also sits high over Missing Melody) and of her former region which once stood under the same name.
Also along this row of shops is a little touch of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie, a stirring of humour in the local bookstore’s name and, in keeping with the seasonal trends common to the end-of-year: a timeless toy shop with a promise of gifts and Christmas, and a rather spooky-ish store next door.
Across the water and bridge is a small park where the grass has grown beyond a summer’s length ideal for picnics and both cobbles and street lamps guide the way to a pavilion awaiting the arrival of musicians.
And that’s perfectly fine: pretty much every shop along the parade having something to peruse inside, whilst the Oh Deer is simply sublime in its homeliness – even if there is one feline occupant determined to get up to mischief – or maybe just doesn’t like plants…
However, those who do venture out into the rain will be rewarded, because – as is always the case with Missing Melody – there are a lot to be discovered in terms of detail within the setting, together with opportunities of photography.
Just before the bridge, a carousel turns slowly, offering rides to those so inclined, whilst on the bridge respite from the rain can be found – to some degree – with a warming cup of freshly brewed coffee and / or a good wholesome sandwich (or at least, a bread roll or two!).
Along the path leading to the pavilion are details aplenty, from a newspaper headline well in keeping with the weather, through to the (hopefully not abandoned) puppy in his carrier bag complete with a reminder that puppies need regular feeding(!), and more.
Oh, and do mind the red squirrels skittering about on the cobbles – they might not be considered an endangered species (outside of the UK, at least), but they are protected, so please do try to avoid stepping on them!
Benches along the cobbles offer outdoor seating – although the rain can make clicking on them to do so a little difficult – but then, rain does tend to make sitting outside a little difficult – or at least unpleasant, if not suitably dressed – at the best of times. But couples can at least enjoy a cuddle or two!
Should the rain prove a little too much – don’t forget you can also visit Mirai Melody up in the sky.
Slurl Details
- Missing Melody (rated General)
- Mirai Melody
- Oh Deer Store
