Horsa and The Phantom Bear Dresser

It's been a funny week here with TPBD. I had lots of fun over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend, just about managed to stay out of trouble. The week really has gone quite fast. Today once again "TPBD", "GrownupRafBrat" and "Shopgirl" are meeting for drinks and a meal to hand me over to Sgt Slingsby (where I expect to be put on report for my weekend antics). Then the Sgt and I can get ready to join the Hols4H guys at the Welsh Warrior Festival at Abergavenny

TPBD had to stay at work for a couple nights, first night not a problem there was a nice comfy bed that I could kip in. However that changed last night. Sgt (who is going on tour at the end of July begining of August) was off to do some training and as he left mentioned that I could use his tent I said thanks for the offer, but I would stay where I was. TPBD soon put paid to that idea. She said I was going "soft" and did I need my cuddly blankly and comfy bed to sleep in. Well I couldn't let the side down now could I? So off I went to inspect this tent in the grounds (pic 1) and there is where I stayed. How it rained and the wind howled, and I was freezing cold, I peered in a window and could see TPBD tucked up on the sofa, watching tv, chatting to the others, drinking wine in front of a blazing fire. Then one of them shut the curtains and I was alone in the cold and wet. I bunked down for the night, but I swear there where wolves sniffing around (I later found out it was one of the Vicars chickens, but thats beside the point). When TPBD got up and came to check on me, I was miserble. I took my sandwiches off her in silence and refused to look at her. She was muttering something about grumpy bears when the Sgt turned up (pic 2). He said I survived the night and said, "Come on we will go practise hiding in bushes ready for when I goe away in a couple months." (pic 3, 4, 5)

Anyway I got over being cold and when the TPBD came to find us we had hide so well, that I scared her to death when I uttered my loudest roar and jumped out at her. She screamed and told me to stop being a child and get my kit together we had things to do, so still chuckling I said goodbye to the Sgt and followed her to the car. She refused to tell me where we were going. So I was quite surprised when we reached a Rifles' Museum hidden away in The Close in Salisbury. There was a smallish reception being held, and the Mayoress of Salisbury was there and also a retired Director of the Army Air Corps. Neither of them had time to have a photo with me, but The Director admired my uniform and asked TPBD a lot of questions which resulted in him scribbling down the web address, and (get this Boss) said he thought what we Bears were was a brilliant idea, asked if we had been to the AAC museum (we said we had) and he said it was being closed soon, for a refurb and extension. Which sounds good for the museum.

Anyway the reason we had gone to the Rifles Museum was because they had a display of Afghanistan, including artefacts, photos and tributes to the soliders of the Rifles Regiment (pic 6, 7, 8). This museum is quite small; only two rooms really and the garden, which was stunning (pic 9). I signed the guest book, making everyone happy.

After we left the museum, I thought TPBD would have to go back to work but she said she had cleared her schedule and was free for the rest of the day. We went into the Cathedral, as TPBD thought I may be interested in some of the things in there. The first thing I noticed was a rather famous grave - Edward Heath has been burried beneath the floor of the Cathedral and it was strange on Election Day to be standing on a former Prime Minster.

The next thing I saw made me stand a little taller and straighter. I had not known about the stained glass windows commemorating 50 years of the AAC nor the one for the Glider Pilot Regiment. I just stood there for ages looking at the way the sun shone though and reading the inscriptions (pic 10, 11, 12, 13). There was also a poppy wreath for the AAC there. TPBD let me sit in silence whilst I remember the fallen and those who had come home (pic 14).

However, the week would not have been complete without me doing some kind of work. So it was with great reluctance that TPBD handed over a sewing needle and thread and let me loose on one of the PTI Bears for Weymouth. The poor little bear was petrified as I kept stabbing him in the leg with the needle: I promise I was not doing it on purpose!!! (yet another thing the Sgt will need to take me to task for). TPBD bravely let me loose on the sewing machine as well ... I had, at the weekend, broken two needles when attempting to use it, so had for the most part been banned. TPBD said I probably should have made the bear undress before trying to feed him though the sewing machine, but hey what ever works right?

While I was busy making clothes for a nice young man, TPBD was busy making something else. While I have been here I have had my beret shaved (and no she didn't using shaving foam, although she did ask me if she was supposed too!) and re-tacked into place. She also very kindly made me a set of trousers, which of course match my jacket. This was done in secret, and it wasn't until she put them on me that I knew she had done it! So now I'm a smart and fully dressed bear, ready for anything! I just know the Sgt will be jealous as his butt still hangs out in the wind.

So now its just my goodbyes. I went looking for Sgt Teddy Bear in the grounds and found him hiding in a bush, it was jolly hard to spot him. Saluted him, and said Good Luck with his Mission in July/August ... he said someone would be in touch to see if one of us wanted to join him helping out the orphanages. I waved goodbye to the others who work with TPBD, gave a couple of the girls a hug and a kiss. Then TPBD loaded all my kit into the car (I got presents for BMG as way of an apology for bringing myself into disrepute again) and away we went. It didn't take long to get to where we were all meeting (have I mentioned she drives like a loon?) and there waiting for me was the Sgt!! I hung my head in shame and waited, but he just laughed and started asking if I had brought any girls for him to play with!!!! I of course said yes, but that we would have to wait till TPBD had gone and GrownUpRafBrat was sleeping!!! The Sgt gave me a wink and into the supper we all went. I had the fun of driving home a little green mini with the sgt working the gas and brakes, but we really needed a third to work the gear stick! I relaxed and started to look forward to the next adventure ... ABERGAVENNY.

Look out Wales, HORSA and SLINGSBY are in town.

Ed: As always, our warmest thanks go to TPBD for her hard work dressing dozens of small Bears for sale and auction ... and thus raising funds for holidays4heroes.