Rainy Weather is Shopping Weather

The next day we treated ourselves to a lie in. This meant that by the time we got up we had quite an appetite for breakfast. We could tell that Gilbert really relished his authentic French breakfast, complete with hot chocolate and croissants.


Being bears we really appreciated the small jar of French honey. As it was raining outside we had every reason to linger over breakfast and get refills of coffee and chocolate from our charming hostess, while telling her how much we'd enjoyed her restaurant recommendation of the previous night.

After a short stroll along the beach, we decided to treat the wet day as a shopping day. We decided to make City Europe our shopping venue as there is so much choice. Before lunch, we concentrated on wine buying which we took very seriously. We had hoped to have a photo of us loading our rather substantial supplies, onto the conveyor belt, but unfortunately the camera batteries died at the critical moment. This was probably for the best, as you might have been shocked at the sight.

After the morning's shop it was time for a real treat, lunch at the marvellous Flunch. This is a fantastic restaurant and simply excellent value as you can pile your plate as high as you like with vegetables and carbohydrates.


It's the perfect lunch for a piranha, such as Yorkie (sorry Yorkie, we shouldn't tease and we all admire your healthy appetite).

It was Gilbert who proposed pudding, as he simply couldn't resist the opportunity to tuck into a genuine French crepe. We watched them made in front of us. Gilbert, of course, had to have the first one and he chose to have his with chocolate sauce.


It tasted a lot better than it looked!

After lunch, it was back to Carrefour for more (non alcoholic) shopping. Once the Bearmobile was full, we decided it was time to stop and started the journey back to Norfolk. We were all feeling very satisfied.

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

Vive La France!

While Blue Bear was engrossed in the serious business of car buying, some of us got itchy feet and decided it was time for further travels. The recent arrival of Gilbert who joined us from France, gave us the perfect excuse for a trip to, where else, but France. Gilbert's been with us for about 2 months now, and while he's settled in well and nevers complains about England, we could tell he was secretly hankering to see the land of his birth again. Additionally, our wine cellar was getting rather empty, so there was nothing for it, but to get travelling.


Although Yorkie and I are the main travelling bears, we put Gilbert in charge of this expedition. He arranged us a crossing via the Tunnel and we sat on the roof of Bearmobile 1 for the short journey. We look a bit unhealthy in the yellow light but, we felt fine and the colour was only due to us obeying the rules about no flash photography.

On arrival one of our first stops was City Europe to pick up a picnic lunch in Carrefour.


Gilbert said he didn't mind us being patriotic and entering via the English gate. Once we had picked up French lunch supplies of baguette, Brie and taboule, we thought we would take advantage of the winter sunshine and blow away the cobwebs with a stroll along the coast. We thought we would go and watch the ferries entering and leaving the port of Calais.


It was typical though, we settled down on the beach at the very time that there was a lull in the arrival and departure of the ferries. It was nice to have the beach to ourselves though.

Keep reading to find out how we spent the afternoon.

Lots of love George, Yorkie, Gilbert & fellow travellers xxx