Birthday Lunchbox

We ourselves had no need of the tea shop (at that point), as we had a delicious birthday lunchbox packed. We had to do a bit more walking before lunch though. We didn't mind, as it was lovely scenery, all new to us, and it is always good to work up an appetite. Mind you we were exercising our jaws, catching up on each other's news, as much as our legs.


When a break for lunch was called, we bears all eagerly gathered round to see what was in the lunchboxes. We were very pleased to see chicken tikka sandwiches and, one of our favourites, cheese with the famous Aunt Jessie's marrow chutney. This really makes a bear's mouth salivate (recipe available from chef bear Oakley for anyone who is tempted). In the lunchbox, we also had Aunty G's lovely buns (although it was very hard deciding between fruit or chocolate), Nutrigrain raisin cake bars (kindly provided by Fred's Mum and very good walking food) and some very juicy and rosy red Braeburn apples. Definitely a feast fit for a bear and very soon there was much happy munching.

Fortified by our lunch, after a fur raising trip across a golf course trying to avoid flying balls, we climbed up to two of the landmarks in Bradgate Park, the memorial and the Old John Tower, a local folly dating back to 1784.


We were too close to it to get the whole of Old John in our picture, and you can probably see more of the view of Leicestershire that we had, than you can of us. Some of us are there, but you'll have to look very closely, in true 'Where's Bear' fashion.

Tiny had to retire from the picture as he'd just had an accident falling into a muddy puddle (Norfolk branch minder to blame) and was in the process of being cleaned up.

As we descended from this high point, we spied the tea room again, a long way in the distance. This time, it beckoned to us, so we took a cross country route to get there. On the way we passed some lovely old trees which made a great playground for us with a soft carpet of bracken to cushion us if we fell off.


As we sat resting on this old tree, we wondered if it had been around at the time Lady Jane Grey was born in the park, and whether it had watched her grow up. We're sure that at least that stage in her life must have been happy, given how beautiful these surroundings were.

We didn't dwell on these thoughts for too long though, as our need for that cup of tea became even greater, so off we went.

Lots of love, once again from all 3 B.U. branches xxx

What's in My Lunch Box Returns

By the time we'd trudged through all that bog, our stomachs were rumbling and we were ready for lunch. As we searched for a dry place to park our bottoms, we contemplated what would be in today's lunch box. As our minders had packed lunch for us all, it was going to be a surprise.

Our lunch spot was in a pleasant forest clearing and we had sat down by a bridge over a stream to eat.


When the lunch box was opened, we initially weren't quite sure what was in it. Whatever was in it were big, which was a good sign for hungry bears, and they were very pale and interesting. As we took the food out the sandwich bag we realised we had some form of bread in our paws. We then learnt that we were about to try some authentic Irish food, as these were soda farls.

Talking to Patrick when we got back, he explained that farl is the name for the triangular shape which represents a quarter of the round and flat Irish soda bread loaf. Our farls were filled with ham and tomato and they were very tasty and filling. We hardly had room for our pudding of Tunnock's tea cake (rather squashed) but needless to say we managed it.

After that, it was a pleasant but uneventful walk back to the car.

Lots of love, George & Yorkie xxx

Boys with Big Toys

Oh dear, no-one's had a guess of what was in our lunchbox! We were only joking when we said it was hard. Either we scared you off saying that, or, perish the thought, no-one is reading our blog! Hope it's not the latter!

Anyway, what we had in our lunchbox were delicious turkey sandwiches. Just like sprouts, we can't get enough turkey, so turkey leftovers are a definite treat. We varied our turkey sandwiches by the addition of cranberry sauce in some, and Aunt Jessie's famous marrow chutney (remember Oakley making it recently with Tommy's marrows?) in others. Both sorts were wolfed down happily by hungry bears.

The Midland branch had saved up a real treat for the after lunch stretch of the walk. One minute we were walking down a muddy lane keeping a wary eye on the bull that we had to walk past, the next we were looking at something rather special.


Chelmer took off like a bolt of lightning when he saw this marvellous armoured vehicle, as he couldn't wait to see if he could start it up. Unfortunately, Chief Mechanic Blue Bear wasn't with us at this point, as he was still at the canal in Braunston talking diesel engines with a canal boat owner. Without his expertise, this tank was going no-where and was stuck fast in the mud. Still, we had a great time pretend driving with lots of war-like sound effects.


Chelmer was a little disappointed at the lack of guns until our minder pointed out that it was an armoured personnel carrier rather than a tank. That didn't stop Chelmer telling every he'd been tank driving when he got home, as he thought it sounded more adventurous than driving an APC.

Thanks Midlands Branch for arranging a walk with some much variety and a great surprise.

Lot of love, all at Bears Unlimited xxx

Out and About on Boxing Day

We hope we're not about to confuse you but, after reporting on our New Year activities, we're now going back in time to Boxing Day.

We're never too bothered about the weather on Christmas Day as it's essentially an indoor day. However, we always hope for fine weather on Boxing Day, so we can get out for a traditional Boxing Day walk.

On this occasion when we stuck our noses outside after getting up, we sniffed some mild and dry air and knew we were in for a good walk. As we were in the Midlands, the Midlands branch were our guides. They know our likes very well and included a walk along the canal, taking in the Braunston Locks, that we'd boated through last Easter, at the start of the walk.


We rather liked this diddy, working boat and thought it's name 'mouse' rather appropriate. We wondered whether we should take it with us on future canal holidays so we could dig ourselves out if we ended up 'on the putty'.

After leaving the canal we headed across some fields, and when we came across some sprout plants we realised the Midlands branch's motive for taking us this route. Being sprout lovers, we'd eaten so many on Christmas Day that supplies had run out and we needed to pick some to replenish stocks for our Boxing Day meal.


As you can see from our picture we were blessed by blue skies and mild weather. There were a couple of moments when we even needed our sunglasses.

Thanks to this fine weather we were even able to enjoy a picnic in the open air. We've got a really challenging 'What's in My Lunchbox' picture for you to guess what we were about to tuck in to!


In fact we're going to be really cruel and leave you in suspense and not tell you the answer until we next post.

We bet you'll never guess.

Lots of love, all at Bears Unlimited xxx