Well, it was an early start here at TPBD House*, too early after my weekend, but still I was up and ready. The sun was coming up and I was a bit dismayed that we were going to be stuck indoors all day. We got to TPBD's place of work, and I was having a look around when I heard growling. I looked round again, and noticed something moving in the potted plants.
TPBD told whoever it was to stop the noise and come and be polite and say hello. The other bear just glared at me and ask TPBD who the interloper was! (pic 1) I stood to my full height and told him I was Cpl Horsa and who was he? "I'm Sgt Teddy Bear" TPBD went off to play on the computer and soon enough the Sgt and I were talking over a cuppa and biscuits. About an hour later TPBD said she had had enough, and that it was time the real plan of the day started. I thought she was going to be working all day and that I would be spending it chatting, but no. We were off to the AAC museum at Middle Wallop. I asked if the Sgt could come along and TPBD said "yes, as long as we stopped growling, as it was giving her a headache". So after a short car drive (she does drive quite fast) we arrived at the museum (pic 2) and the first thing I saw was a tank outside. For a minute I thought she had gone to the wrong place, but no ... I could hear and see some helicopters in the background (pic 3).
We went inside and paid to look around (pic 4). I was a little surprised by the fact that the displays were, well, shabby. The Sgt and I stopped at each display and read the information. We wandered around some more, drawing attention to ourselves. Some airmen walked past and enquired as to who we were ... TPBD explained, and they had heard of us!! Then we reached the helicopter displays (pic 5, 6, 7, 8). Well, I loved playing in the helicopters as did Sgt. In fact I think TPBD was getting bored while we played and chatted about the information on them. With much reluctance we moved on and looked at some more of the displays (pic 9, 10, 11) when we came across my personalised display! I was happy and sat in it and TPBD took my picture next to it and said if she got chance before the week was over she would print it off for me (pic 12, 13).
After that we went and had lunch in the Apache Cafe, I found the menu was slightly limited but the view of the helicopters was brilliant. As we had our tea we watched planes take off and helicopters come in and take off. It was interesting to just sit and watch. Then TPBD said it was time to go, but we could stop at one more display before we left (pic 14). In fact we stopped at another place just for me (pic 15).
Horsa out.
* Ed: For those unfamiliar with the inner workings of holiday4hereos, TPBD is "The Phantom Bear Dresser", who makes outfits for the small Bears we sell at Charity events.
Show/Hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Holidays 4 Heroes is an informal group of people that assists wounded service personnel and their families get a precious break from the routine of rehab, hospital appointments and visits to welfare offices by facilitating holidays away from it all in accommodation donated by our sponsors in the UK and abroad. 
Deals with the cases that either lie outside the normal remit of the main Service Charities, or require a faster response than they can usually provide. Sometimes the cases require financial assistance, a little bit of nudging in the right direction for long-term help, or the application of a bit of expertise.