Time Off

It's absolutely great saving the world - or in our case the coast - but it's also a delight to take some time off, just to sit and think and admire the view. This is something bears like to do a lot, as you will know from earlier blogs.

Here we are taking advantage of a sunny afternoon, a bit of a rarity at the moment, and enjoying the peace and quiet and empty space before the tourists arrive.


We also like to consider some fairly weighty matters and on this occasion we were thinking about the effects of global warming and how long it would be before our view disappeared under water. We at Bears Unlimited are trying our best to reduce our carbon footprint and we hope you, our readers are also doing your bit.

Lots of love Tommy, Henry and the gang xxx

Guardians of the Coast

We're getting quite into this coast watch business. We've been out and about along the Norfolk coast once again looking out for any boats, swimmers, seals or whales in difficulties and needing a keen eye to spot them.


For our latest lookout we made use of a pillbox, left over from the war. As we were well defended we thought we could also look out for Pirates - not those of the Caribbean of course, but those of the Norfolk coast. They must have heard we were there ready to intercept them as they stayed well away. Well they do say prevention is better than cure!

Talking of pillboxes, a great debate is raging in Bears Unlimited circles. Some of us call them pillboxes and others insist that they are blockhouses. What do our readers think and is there any difference between the two? let us knwo what you think.

Lots of love Tommy & Henry xxx

Back to Our Visitors

After the pancake day diversion we'd like to go back the visit of our good friends Moose, Party Bear, Boulder, Chick & Grommit.

After we had done our bit of coast watching for the R.N.L.I. we were feeling quite public spirited and minded to do more to help to preserve the safety of all visitors to this lovely Norfolk beach.

When we came across an unmanned Lifeguard station we thought we really should step in and provide some furpower (our equivalent of manpower). We all took up position, ready to leap into action if required.


Sorry we're rather dark blobs on our photo but the light was beginning to go at the time. As the light began to fade it ocurred to us that the post was unmanned because there weren't too many swimmers (in fact there weren't any) so early in the year. We tend to forget that humans aren't quite as hardy as bears.

Nevertheless we did do a rescue that afternoon. While strolling along in front of the beach huts we came across a bear who had got locked in (we hope by accident). We saw his face up at the window and heard his muffled cries and rushed to break in and rescue him.


Our new friend was very greatful to be free again and treated us all to a pint of Wherry in a nearby pub. It was a very satisfying end to a good day out.

Love from the beach gang xxx

An Edible Hat!

Hope you're having a flipping good pancake evening as we are. We simply love pancakes and could eat them until them come out our ears. It's just a pity that Shrove Tuesday only comes round once a year.

Earlier this evening, Masterchef Oakley put on his chefs hat and started cooking some savoury mince pancakes. These went down very well and if Oakley hadn't moved quickly he wouldn't have got to taste one himself.

We enjoyed an excellent pint of Wherry with the pancakes. Perhaps this was why there was a bit of a mishap when we came to make the sweet pancakes for pudding. Oakley tossed the first pancake with a real flourish and quite a bit of welly. The pancake bounced of the ceiling and instead of making it back into the pan, landed on my head, resulting in some new head gear that was rather warm and smelt really good. I paused only long enough for this picture to be taken, before claiming the pancake for myself and wolfing it down with some lemon juice and toffee sauce - simply delicious!


By the way we're not giving up Wherry for Lent but are giving up meat. We'll have to let you know how we get on. What are you giving up?

Lots of love Marmaduke and the Bears Unlimited gang xxx

Visitors Welcome

Isn't it great having friends to stay? Having guests provides a great excuse to abandon the chores and show our friends around the local area and to stay up late chatting over a pint of Wherry.

Our recent visitors included Moose, Chick, Party Bear, Grommit and Boulder (the Penguin).

As we live so close to the sea we took our vistors over to Wells-next-the Sea. Afer a bracing walk along the harbour wall we came to the lifeboat station and learnt all about the great work the local lifeboat does.


We were so inspired by the work of the R.N.L.I. that we decided to lend a hand by doing our own bit of coast watching, looking out for anyone who might be in difficulties.


Before you comment that we're looking the wrong way for a coast watch, we'd like to point out that we had just turned round for the camera.

Lots of love, Bears Unlimited & friends xxx

I've started so I'll finish ....

We bears like a good quiz and, although we don't like to boast too much, we're rather good at them. Our natural ability extends to both answering the questions and setting them.

On the third Friday of every month we have a quiz at one of our local village halls and we are regular attenders. Earlier this year we won by a handsome margin and thoroughly enjoyed our prize of a big box of Celebrations. Needless to say they didn't hang around long.

The other part of the prize was that we got to set the quiz for the following month. We put our thinking caps on and came up with some ingeneous rounds: the blind crisp tasting to identify the flavours went down rather well and gave everyone a good munch.

Being beer lovers we had to have a beer and wine round and learnt a few interesting facts in setting the questions. For example, did you know that alcohol is actually bacterial excrement? Puts a different complexion on your pint doesn't it?


In today's picture you see the efficient scoring team. They worked hard behind the scenes for little credit so we thought we'd give them a pat on the back now by publishing a picture of them hard at work. Good job they're good at maths!

Love from the brains of Bears Unlimited xxx

Top Gear Fan Club

We've just been watching Top Gear and haven't laughed so much for a long time. Did you see it? It was the episode where Jeremy, James & Hammond bought cars for $1000 in Miami and had to drive them across to New Orleans in a kind of alternative fly drive holiday with lots of adventures on the way. It was the sort of challenge that Bears Unlimited bears would love to do, so perhaps we should get in touch with the Top Gear producers and see if we can team up and do a special for them.

We were thinking about the type of vehicle we'd want to take on a Top Gear challenge. We're unanimous that it would have to be that British classic, the Land Rover. After posing with the Hindustani Ambassador on our Indian holiday, it seems a good time to redress the balance and appear, doing some topless modelling (only a bear can say that), on the bonnet of a Land Rover we came across recently.


We hung around for a bit to see if the owner turned up as we were going to ask if they'd sell it to us. Perhaps it was for the best that no-one turned up as we're very fond of the 2 bear mobiles we've got.

Anyway, back to Top Gear, we're very pleased to see 'The Hamster' back, aren't you?

Love from all at bears unlimited xxx

Chelmer saves the Day

Yesterday we told you that a lovely day out at Ikea nearly ended in disaster. Here's what happened.

We mentioned that there are lots of opportunities for making new friends of the furry kind at Ikea. Quite early on in our visit we met Croc the crocodile who was very friendly and not at all scary. It therefore, wasn't surprising, that when we found a pool of sharks, Rocco thought they would also be friendly. He climbed straight in, thinking a swim would be lovely and refreshing and that he might even get to ride on the back of a great white.

It didn't take him long to realise that he'd got it horribly wrong. The sharks were not friendly and they quickly circled him getting ready to move in for the kill. If it wasn't for the quick reactions of Chelmer we hate to think what might have happened. Our hero leapt onto the back of the shark and literally pulled Rocco out of the mouth of the shark just before he had had time to snap his jaws shut.


The shark was so surprised he froze for just enough time for Rocco and Chelmer to leap to safety.

We're going to write to the manager of Ikea suggesting he does a product recall on the sharks as they are not safe to be on sale.

Love from a very relieved bunch of Bears Unlimited bears xxx

Shopping the Swedish Way

On our way home from our Derbyshire adventures we were treated to one of our favourite shopping experiences: a trip to the Ikea store at Nottingham.

East Anglian readers will straight away appreciate why this is such a treat; it is because there are no Ikea stores in East Anglia (good job there are other things to recommend it).

We like Ikea as it is a very bear friendly store, even so there are certain features that we particularly like. We think it is great that they provide lots of computers to allow us catch up with our blog entries after being away for a few days.


We also like the bright and cheerful design of the bedrooms which makes us feel at home and we always appreciate the chance to make new friends, including in this picture our new friend Croc.


We'd also like to applaud Ikea, not only for the lovely Swedish meatballs served up in their restaurant, but also some of their wacky and innovative products. Our favourite from this recent trip were the inflatable animal cushions which we demonstrate to you in our final picture for today.


Our visit nearly ended in disaster, however, when Rocco nearly came a'cropper in the store. You'll have to read our next entry for the dramatic details!

Lots of love, George, Yorkie, Chelmer & Rocco xxx

Tiptoe Among the Snowdrops

As a rule, we're not too keen on this time of year and long for the clocks to change and spring to arrive. However, one of the good things about the winter is the appearance of one of our favourite flowers, the snowdrop.

We don't have to go very far to see some very fine specimens. They really cheer us up with their fine and delicate looks so we go and visit regularly.


Mind you we think they look even better in the snow and we're wondering what happened to the snow forecast for today. It's looks like we'll have to put the bear skis away for the time being.

Lots of love, the smaller members of Bears Unlimited xxx

Real Life Drama on the Box

When Bears Unlimited was first formed, we had branches in Suffolk, the Midlands and Hertfordshire. However, due to office relocations and transfer of personnel, the branch in Hertfordshire, slowly shrunk in size until the last member, TBB (Teddy Bear Bill), feeling lonely, decided to move on a semi-permanant basis to join new friends and former Hertfordshire Branch members at the Norfolk Branch. However, whenever he can, he still likes to pop back to visit his minders or invites them to come up to Norfolk to see him.

Recently one of his minders became a V.I.P. in hospital in Luton. As TBB had a bad cold which he didn't want to pass on, he asked me, Jimmy, being an ex Herts member, along with Noël and Chelmer, to head off to Luton to do some hospital visiting. As is the Bears Unlimited way, as well as cheering up our sick relative, we needed to undertake some essential quality control work. I asked Chelmer to lead, building on the experience he gained back in October last year visiting a Midland branch V.I.P.

Noel and I both have some expertise in electrical equipment so decided that the all important heart machines should be given a full check. Firstly we checked we could get a good trace from a healthy heart, then we decided take a full ECG, again this test proved entirely satisfactory. Just as well as we wouldn't settle for anything else!


On checking out the non medical equipment, we discovered that hidden in the television system was a bear sized keyboard connected to the Internet. Noël took command and sent back to all branches news of the sucessful quality control checks and news of our loved one's good progress and excellent care.


With a sucessful mission acomplished we all then headed of to the nearest Pizza Express for a scrumptious Sloppy Guiseppie and some of those lovely dough balls.

Love from me, Jimmy, and my fellow hospital inspectors xxx

Another Great Filling!

We rather like our new food theme, so will share with you another rather delicious sandwich filling that we enjoyed while walking in Dovedale on our recent holiday.


If you look at Yorkie's face in today's picture, you will see how much he rates butter bean in tomato sauce sandwiches. His nose is quivering with excitement and it looks as if he can't wait to get to the contents of that tin ('I couldn't', says Yorkie).

Like the dolmades, the butter beans we enjoyed that day came back from Greece in a tin but don't despair there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't make up your own batch at home. After all beans and tomato sauce are not exactly rare items.

Thinking about it, perhaps we should try a baked bean sandwich to see how that compares. It doesn't appeal quite as much but there must be similarities.

Hope to hear from you with your ideas soon.

Love George and the gang xxx

What's in Your Lunch Box?

As we had lots of days out on our Derbyshire trip we got through a lot of packed lunches. Now we don't know about you, but as regular sandwich eaters, we find it can be quite difficult to keep thinking up new and interesting fillings. At Bears Unlimited we are on a mission to dream up some new and inspirational fillings. If we get enough ideas we will publish a book to accompany the Friendly Planet Guide.

We got off to a flying start in Derbyshire with our dolmade sandwiches which we happily munched beside the High Peaks railway line. For the uninitiated dolmades are Greek vine leaves stuffed with rice and other nice things. They mght not look particularly appetising (we do realise what they look like in our photo) but they taste delicious.


There are just 2 drawbacks. Firstly, you either need to have a tinned supply brought back from a Greek holiday (as we do) or an ethnically diverse local supermarket. Secondly you need to have a Swiss Army knife, or similar, handy to flatten them, as being round there is a danger of them rolling out of your sandwich and getting lost. We should also say you need to be careful that oil from the tin doesn't get on your fur. Although it's probably good for it, it can be a bit messy.

Do write in if you've any ideas to share with us and we'll continue to share our own favourite suggestions. Better still send us a photo of you enjoying your sandwich and we'll publish it on the blog.

Lots of love, all at Bears Unlimited xxx