The Beat Goes On ....

Hi everyone, Chelmer Bear here. I've been fairly quiet on the blog so far but I'm sure you'll recognise me from a number of pictures I've popped up in, particularly those taken on the rambles earlier this week.

Like most of my Bears Unlimited friends I've got quite a few diverse interests and hobbies, but I am unique in that I'm the only serious drummer in Bears Unlimited. I've got drumming in my blood and there are few things I like better than to settle myself in front of my drum kit and crash out a few rhythms (I've learnt not to do this too early in the morning though!)

Of course, drumming on your own isn't as much fun as playing with a band. I'm in the process of getting the Bears Unlimited band together and up to performing standard, but we're not quite there yet. I was, therefore, particularly pleased when my friend Wade invited me along to a gig his band was doing last night.

Wade is the drummer with a band called 'The Usual Suspects'. They play some great rock numbers and it is sometimes hard to tell their renditions from those of the original artists - not bad when we're talking the likes of Elvis and the Stones. Here I am with Wade giving him a hand and about to get the full force of the music (it was very loud!)


During the first half I impressed Wade so much with my musicianship that he let me do a guest drumming spot in the second half. I had sole control of the drums for King of the Road and Ride around Sally. The adrenalin really flowed and I had the time of my life.

At the end of my spot I was parched so downed a large beer in record time. I hope I can do it again soon (both the drumming and the beer).


If you live in Norfolk look out for The Usual Suspects appearing at a venue near you. If you don't live in Norfolk, it may be that I've got the Bears Unlimited band up to scratch for a spot in the Performance cafe at the next Greenbelt. Keep your eyes and ears open.

Lots of love, Chelmer xxx

We Recharge our Batteries in the Countryside

Confection, of the Midlands branch, makes a very good guide and yesterday he took us to the outskirts of Coventry for another calorie busting walk.

Early on in the walk he showed us some of the new footpath signs that the Midlands branch have helped to put in as part of their philantropic work. Confection is passionate about getting people out of their cars to enjoy the countryside under their own steam, so this is one of his pet projects and he is setting a very high standard of workmanship.


The weather was even better than the day before and yes, we even got some sunshine which made our teddy bears picnic in the woods even more enjoyable. Yes, we know that having sandwiches as big as, if not bigger, than ourselves, is not the best way to shed calories, but the left over turkey and ham was really tasty and we did have a healthy clementine for pudding.


After lunch we came across a big holly bush really laden with lovely red berries. Even though Christmas is now mostly over, the 12 days of Christmas are not up, so Noel bearfully braved the prickles to gather some for us.

We hope your day was as lovely as ours.

Love the bears Unlimited ramblers xxx

My Lords & Ladies ...

We were going to ask our readers to tell us where we are in this photo but we realised that we gave the game away yesterday when we said we drove over to Warwick.

There are no prizes, therefore, for guessing that we are looking at Warwick Castle, or we would be if we hadn't turned our backs temporarily to pose for this shot. This bridge provides a great view and we shall certainly be recommending a visit to this viewpoint in the budget traveller's section of the Warwick chapter of the Friendly Planet Guide.

Our perch on this bridge was a little precarious as if we had fallen backwards if would have been a long fall into cold river waters. We therefore clung on tightly and angled ourselves forward. After all, Isaiah's mishap was enough for one day.

We thought we would save a visit to the inside of the castle for another day as we were enjoying being outdoors and our lovely walk so much.

We've got another great walk that we did today to tell you about tomorrow.

Love Chelmer, George & Yorkie xxx

Off his head ... but not through drinking too much!

We hope you had as good a Christmas as ours. The Norfolk and Suffolk branches of Bears Unlimited joined with the Midlands branch at the Midlands branch HQ. We always have a riot of a good time when we all get together. We simply can't stop chatting and we often forget to go to sleep as we are enjoying ourselves so much. In fact one of our number talked so much he didn't exactly talk the hind legs off a donkey, but he did talk his own head off (more later).

We ate and drank to our hearts content yesterday which was great, but today we felt a brisk walk and some energetic exercise was called for. We drove over to Warwick in the bearmobiles and spent the day walking along a canal and a river path, exploring a big park and crossing a racecourse and golf course.

The park had a excellent play area which included a bear assault course. We were all up for the challenge and our pictures will show you just how energetic we were. Sadly George's brother Isaiah suffered a bit of a mishap at the picnic table. All the talking he did yesterday, followed by the pre-lunch athletic activity led to the loss of his head as his minder was reaching in her rucksack for a coffee cream. We don't know whether it was her or Isaiah who was the most shocked when she retrieved a bear head rather than a coffee cream!

We don't want you to worry too much about this mishap though as the Midlands branch has excellent medical facilities and after a quick operation and recovery period in the airing cupboard, we are pleased to report that Isaiah now appears to be as good as new and has been pronounced fit to travel back to the Suffolk branch HQ tonight. We'll sure he'll send us a picture in the next day or two to assure us all that he is none the worse for his ordeal.

You will note however, that if you play spot the difference between the before and after lunch pictures you will see that Isaiah fails to appear.

Lots of love, all branches of Bears Unlimited xxx

In The Bleak Midwinter ...

Tonight the Bears Unlimited choir (which is all of us) has been doing some carol singing. We started off outdoors where we sang all the cold outdoor carols such as In the Bleak Midwinter and Good King Wenceslas. One neighbour was very appreciative and brought us out some mince pies and mulled wine which we thoroughly enjoyed. We think everyone else must have been watching the Strictly Come Dancing final as it as very quiet out on the streets.

We came indoors a little while ago to warm up by the fire and sing some more of our favourites. We have been singing ''now bring us some figgy pudding'' very loud but our minders haven't brought us any yet, although we have been told there is spaghetti bolognaise on the way which is an acceptable substitute in our eyes.

If only we had sound on our blog spot you would be able to hear us all singing to you, ''we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New year''. Even though you can't hear us it doesn't diminish the sentiment.

Happy Christmas to all our readers.

P.S. Teddy Bear Bill says do you like his shepherds's outfit?

Love all at Bears Unlimited xxx

Busy Paws in Norfolk

What a busy week we are having. Our paws have been working non stop getting ready for Christmas. The biggest task is proving to be wrapping all the presents we have bought for each other and all our friends. We are spending several hours a day wrapping and still we haven't finished. Mind you, for us little bears managing metres of wrapping paper without wrapping ourselves up at the same time is quite difficult and some of us, who still have fur, have lost some of it to strips of sellotape which have seem to have a mind of their own.

It will all be worth it on Christmas Day when we get to start the serious business of unwrapping. However, we will enjoy the giving part, and watching our brothers and friends faces light up with pleasure, as much as we will the receiving.

One of our present tips, if you still have some to buy is the 'Crisis' Christmas pudding . Your loved one gets a fine Harrods Christmas pudding and you get to support the great work of Crisis including providing someone with a Christmas lunch!

Love the present wrapping crew xxxxx

Addition to the Norfolk Fleet

Amidst all the excitement of reporting George & Yorkie's Indian adventures we did not get round to telling you about the new addition to the Norfolk company fleet, which coincided with our return from India.

Sadly Bearmobile no.1 had come to the end of her life. She was a much loved car and had been with us many years, but after over 165,000 miles it was time for her to retire. It was very sad to say goodbye but we were pleased to welcome the replacement bearmobile 1 to the Briston bear cave.

The new Bearmobile 1 is a silver Astra estate and she has been receiving some loving attention from Chief Mechanic Blue Bear. Blue Bear has done a fantastic job of valeting and polishing and as a result BEAR M1 is looking really good.


The cold weather is not causing Blue Bear to neglect his duties and in today's photo we see him showing off the 2 spangly clean and shiny Norfolk fleet vehicles.

Lots of love from all at Bears Unlimited xxx