A Daring Rescue

Hi all, two posts in two weeks - wonders will never cease! (Watch it!)

This week we were off to Germany.  He doesn't work on Fridays, so what were we doing working in Munich on Friday? (You may well ask bear. Sometimes I just do - Sigh).

Anyway we flew out on Thursday and I was safely tucked into his bag with my book to read. All very nice and not at all forgetful, otherwise he'd have never heard the end of it.  He ought to understand that our heads may be full of fluff, but we have LONG memories.  (I do understand, and I try not to forget you, but sometimes it happens that way. On with the story, 'cos it's quite 'citing).

Well, anyway, I got out in his hotel bedroom and had a good read and next morning we set off for a business meeting with our friend Herbert.  He says it was a good meeting, but I just had a read and a zizz. (Luckily no-one else noticed the snoring from my briefcase!) What, me? Snore? I don't do that. Anyway, who wants to listen in to a scabby old business meeting?

There was a slight hope of another meeting but it didn't come off, so we had a few hours to ourselves in Munich. So his bag was parked in the station and off we set.

It was cold and grey in Munich, but we made the most of it. One of the first places we saw was a big place that was a prison for bears. Look at the picture and you can see some bears behind the glass - I wanted them to come out to play, but they couldn't 'cos they said they weren't 'dopted whatever that means.  We went inside and saw some other captives, I saw one and said to Alan that I really wanted to help him to excape.  I asked the bear his name and he said "Andi."  I said, "Would you like to come home with us?" Well he got quite tocited about it and jumped up and down. He said, "Ja, wunderbear!"  That's your actual bearish German, you know. Aren't you impressed that I understood it? (Watch it big head.) I don't know what you mean.

The staff said we'd have to think about it and come back later.  "Oh, oh," I thought, that means "We'll see," and we all know what that means don't we. So I waved bye, bye to Andi, who looked quite crestfallen. But I told him I'd be back, and I'd drag my human with me if necessary.

So we walked out, with me craning round to wave goodbye to a tearful Andi,  and went down the street and until we came across this dramatic boar.  I sat down at his feet so you could see just how big he is. Look at his tusks. He looked very fierce, but really he was very friendly and he let me sit right on the end of his nose, but I had to keep away from his sharp tusks.

 After that encounter we went to a brewery for lunch. The food was very tasty and we washed it down with a dark wheat beer. Then we moved on the the famous Marienplatz with the city hall and statues all around.

There was quite a fierce looking cherub slaying a dragon, and all that bronze was a bit cool under my bot.  But the idea of a fierce cherub got me talking to Alan about my plan for the daring rescue.  He said that it would have to wait until we got back up to the shop.  "Shop!" I said, "it's a nasty prison for bears, I see'd it and I know."  He just chuckled, but I wouldn't let him off. He hadn't said, '"Yes," but then he hadn't said "No," so I was getting quite hopeful.

 It was quite a walk back up the road and we saw lots of strange people purtending to be statues, but then they moved so I could tell they weren't really statues after all.

Then he stopped for some fresh dates, something to do with pudding, but fruit isn't pudding. (I know but much better for my waist line than a big bit of cake.) Maybe, but not half so sticky.

Then, hurrah, we entered the place of captivity and stood looking hopeful by a cabinet full of bears including Andi.  Then a gaoler lady came along with a whole set of rattly keys and she opened the door and we managed to get Andi out. He came with a little travelling box and a tissue blankie. We had to queue up and the staff waved a bit of plastic about. I wanted to know what it was for, and Alan said it was to pay Andi's ransom.  I thought we should just run out, but Alan explained that paying the ransom meant that we were 'dopting Andi, so I was happy about that.

When we got outside Andi and I got quite tocited. He dried up his tears and had a long drink of his beer. Then before any nasty people chased us and put him back in gaol, we sat down and had our picture taken with the prison in the background. The staff said I shouldn't worry, but until we were well clear I couldn't relax. 

Soon enough we were at the airport and the plane was late and that made us anxious, then we got to Dusseldorf where the plane to Manchester was late, and that made us even more anxious.  It was very late when we finally made it home, where Andi was introduced to Ann.

Here he is to-day. Aren't his lederhosen very smart, and he has his own stein of Bavarian beer. Isn't he lucky?

I'm really happy to have Andi as a friend 'cos he's even smaller than me, so I have someone that I can boss around at last. (Excuse me bear, did I hear you right?  That's not fair and I won't let it happen.) Well...... but someone has to show him the ropes around here 'cos he's much less experienced than me.  (That's guidance, not bossing around.) Yes, I suppose you're right.  I'll enjoy doing that.

Until next time.

Hugs,

Jock

Reeling around

Well, this week he was good.  He and Ann were off out for the day and he took me along.  Ann was surprised when I popped out of the bag when we got to our destination.  They were at some sort of school thingy, so I thought "Boring," and sat and read my book.

It was a nice day and I had plenty of time to read, or so I thought, and all sorts of nice people came and spoke to me and picked me up.  I was quite enjoying the attention, and my book was very exciting, so I didn't notice what was going on for a while.  But then I became aware of 'Tum-te-tum-te-tum te-tum" noises and when I looked up everyone was dancing!  I thought, "This is the sort of school I want to go to."

I told him he hadn't told me people would be dancing and he said, "Silly bear, I did tell you it was an RSCDS (Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society) Day School."  Well, I did scratch my head and I have to admit that, having been so aggranoyed at him the previous week, I had not really let that settle in. That made it an even better surprise. 

SO.... I had a wee nosey around and I met this nice man called John who played all day and for the evening too.  I bet his hands were tired when he was done. He played lots of tunes, reels and jigs and a hornpipe and some Strathspeys. Some he played lots of times while everyone learned new things and some he played only once when they had the dance.

I really liked the banner that John had on his music stand and he let me sit down in front of it.  I know that Katy and the clan live at the Littlest Thistle - well I think I was sitting in front of the Biggest Thistle! 

John was helping a very nice lady called Linda Gaul who was teaching the classes.  There was a session in the morning and one in the afternoon, and then in the evening there was a great dance. Everyone dressed up and the men wore their kilts. Here are some of the others having a dance.

 

I got to dance too. Once I danced in Ann's pocket and then I was her partner. It's a bit tricky doing jetées when you have stiffish ankles, but everyone thought I did well for a beginner.  Mind you it fairly puffs you out. ('Scuse me, you did one dance when you weren't in pockets.  We danced all day long.)  All day long? (Yep!) Nope.  (??) You had breaks for lunch and dinner so not all day at all. 

Whether they actually danced all day or not is immaterial, by 10.00 pm they were quite worn out poor old things. (Watch it bear, we're just experienced!) Mind you, as you can see from the photie above he coped quite well.  This was at the end of the day and I'd just been birled and jounced around.  I didn't know whether the dizziness or the height was worse, 'cos it was a long way down past his kilt.

I have to admit that even I was a bit tired, and I was really glad to get home at the end of the evening.  I wonder what's next?

Keep in touch,

Jock

The Runaway Bear

Sniff, sniff, is there anyone out there who loves a bear?  Abandinged again! I would seriously consider an offer of new home.

So there I was yesterday morning all tocited And ready for another adventure, when off he swans happy as Larry and leaves me behind!?!  I was sitting there shouting for him and he just waltzed out the door with his camera bag and went off to Liverpool ON HIS OWN - swine.

 

He saw nice yellow lorries that go in the water and a big red boat with a light on the top and I didn't get to see them.  I could have had great fun playing with them, but it didn't happen, 'cos I didn't go.  I just sat and cried and cried.

 There was only one thing for it - to teach him a great big LESSON.  I decided to run away and see how long it would take him to catch me.

 Well, I told Ann that it was all too much and that I'd be leaving as soon as I was packed and ready.  She was very sad, but I said that there was no changing my mind, and could I please use that nice spotty hankie as it was perfect for taking all my belongings.

 So I got some hunny and chocolit and biskits and a book to read and I wrapped them up in the spotty hankie, and got a stick so I could carry them.

 Then I made for the big wide world, and it looked quite scary, 'cos I'm only a wee bear and even what he calls "Those bloody cats." are quite big. I'm smaller even than the singing blackbirds and they're very pretty and tuneful.

 I was very determined, but then I realised that the jar of hunny weighed more than me and the step was quite high.

 I was still trying to get over the step when he cam home and picked me up.  He was very sorry, but I wasn't ready to forgive him.  But then he let me have a pickernicker on the spotty hankie, and it's amazing how good a biskit dipped in hunny can make you feel better, specially if it's accompanied by a bit of chokolit.  I had a nice read of my book too.

 Ann came home and found that I hadn't run away after all, so she was very happy and dried up all her tears.

So it all ended quite well, though he had better watch out, 'cos next time he might not be so lucky.

I'm very, very sorry Jock.  I didn't mean to leave you behind, and I had pangs of conscience when I realised, but by then it was too late to go back home.  I'll really, really try to remember to take you next time and to write it up too.  Next month we're off to Portugal and Amsterdam, and in December to Colorado, so you'll definitely get out and about for those trips.

I forgive you this time, but you'd better remember to take me or there'll be trouble.

Till next time,  all the best,

Hugs, a slightly mollified,

Jock

There's a BIG snowy mounting

It's called Mt Blanc and we were very near it on our last walk.

First though, the staff were napping yesterday and quite forgot to include this picture of a furry friend.  As we walked up the hill near the refuge on the previous day we could hear lots of sharp high-pitched whistles.  I wanted to know who was making them, but the staff said I'd have to wait and see.  Now that's usually grown-up talk for, "That's for me to know."  But, no he was being truthful, I waited and I saw this chap,  close up. When we'd stopped at the cross for our pictures there was a furry object that let out a very loud whistle and then disappeared, whoosh. The staff chuckled when I jumped.  He said, "That's a marmot, and they usually run away when you get close."  That's not fair, 'cos I thought they'd be nice to play with.  Later on though this chap was much bolder and Alan got his photo.  Apparently the marmots eat lots and lots and lots at this time of year and then they sleep while it's cold. That sounds very sensible to me.  (I really don't think that you need to fatten up young bear.) S'not fair so it's not.  Just 'cos you only eat one meal on Mondays and Thursdays doesn't mean I have to. (You're alright bear, I want to lose 14 to 20lbs and this is a good way to do it and at the same time reduce all sorts of health things like cholesterol and growth hormone 1.  I'm quite enjoying it in a masochistic way and I've lost 6lbs already.)  Well, bully for you, but I enjoy my food.  Back to the story!!!

We started the walk at a later hour than before after we drove round through Chamonix and Argentiere before finally parking on a saddle at about 1400m.  In the car park we drew up beside a car which contained two English men and one partner.  The men seemed rather fragile and a bit threadbare. We reckoned at least in their late seventies or early eighties.  "Hello," the said, "Where are you off to?"  Alan explained and then he asked them the same question.  "Oh we're off climbing.  Enjoy your walk and don't get lost."  With that the picked up their hats and rucksacks and headed for the rock faces, closely following some much younger climbers.

The sun was shining and the path seemed smooth from my viewpoint (Not bad from mine either.)  First of all we climbed through the trees with only glimpses of the mountings and things.  Then we were out in the open and this was the view down the valley.  The big hill with the snow on it Mt Blanc the highest place in western Europe.  Himself would love to go up it if he could find another victim, masochist enthusiast to get up there with.



Up they puffed with great views and some scary drops to the left (Not really, though it was a bit airy I suppose.) At one point the path follows logs fixed to the mounting and he took a photo up what he called the stairway to heaven.  Somehow he and John started humming a tune, I don't know why.  He's threatening a photo show called just that.  Soon we reached the top and found a sign saying 2201m, that's 7220ft in old money. No wonder he was puffing like a steam train.



We really liked the views from up there.  After a little snackeral of bread, cheese and ham we took full advantage of the lovely weather to look in all directions.  Here I am enjoying the vista.  Just beyond the rock I'm sitting on you can see the tiny houses down in the valley a mere 1400m/4600ft down in only a few steps.  I was a very brave bear wasn't I sitting up there so close to the edge? (You certainly were.)

 This picture and the next show some of the very high mountings. He wanted to climb the one in the picture below.  It's called Mt Buet and it's 3096m/10157ft high, but with no Bill they thought it best left to another year. Whoopee, that means we can go back doesn't it?  (It certainly does.  We love the area and there's still lots of walking to be done.)


















Soon enough we had to leave what John called, "The best lunch stop ever." He promised both John and me a blueberry tart in the refuge part of the way down.  We got there and his tongue was hanging out; he was fairly slavering, I can tell you.  (Was not!)  Were too! (Was I?) You were. (Oh dear, how undignified.) 
So we settled down for  our tart but there wasn't any!  We could have apple crumble (or crumbel as the French would have it,) so we did and it was not half bad if a bit pricy.


Highlight of the day was John getting a new hat.  I really like the strawberries on it.  It was a bit cumbersome in the wind but I think it suits him, don't you? Alan says something about the red matching his nose, but that's not fair is it?

And, just to prove that I'm not an incoholic I eschewed the beer and had a Coke instead.

We made our way back down to the car park only overtaken a couple of times on the way, and who should turn up at the car but our friends fro the morning.  They hadn't fallen off the rocks or fallen apart, but they had left Mrs Climber somewhere.  I think she got fed up and left them to it.

Well that was it for this year.  Just time for me to show a couple of photos of me in my snug walking compartment.  It's quite tight but, when he leaves the zip open a bit, I can get a great view out - and of course his right ear is just there for me to sing at. (And don't I know it.)

Back soon,

Hugs,

Jock

Snow fun

Well it is fun getting to play in the snow, and that's just what I managed to do on our next walk up near the Lac d'Anterne.  First though we had a day of mooching about.  He said they were tired after two days walking.  I said I didn't understand that, after all I felt perfectly fine and for me it had only been ONE day. (You're not going to forgive me are you?) Nope, why should I? (Ah get over it there's not a lot we can do about it.)  I'm going to huff for ever.  (No you're not, you're a happy bear and happy bears can't manage a petted lip for very long.) Well, OK then, you're right sticking out that lower lip was getting a bit tiring. Shall we get on?

After a day of mooching around and reading and stuff it was time for the hills again.  The weather forecast was good so I got to go, though when we set out in the car the cloud looked a bit low and misty.  It reminded both John and himself of 2004 when they had walked from Samoens all the way to the lake and to the next refuge.  We drove and drove for what seemed like ages and dodged the road crew who were laying tar and stones until we finally made it to our car park quite high up the mountain at 1180m/3870ft in fact. In 2004 they had walked all that way first and the cloud only lifted when they walked through it after the lake where we finished up.

It was still a bit gloomthy when we set out through the woods, but as we got higher up the sun came out and suddenly we were above the clouds.  Staff says it's called a temperature inversion, but how can that be when we weren't standing on our heads.  We were definitely the right way up, so that can't be right.  (It just means that the valley temperature was lower than that higher up so all the mist was down low and it was sunny up on top.) Well it's to clever  by half, and much too much for a bouncefill brain.

We stopped for a break to take in the view and I got to sit on John's rucksack for a few minutes. Isn't it pretty with those mountings sticking up through the mist?  In the second picture you can see that I'm taking on plenty of water.  You have to do that when you're walking and I hoped John wouldn't notice.  (Well, he did notice later when he ran out of water just about this point on the way back down!) Oops, sorry John.  (No harm done, I think he's forgiven you.)

On we walked, and on and on. Before he says anythin' I suppose I should say - on they walked and on and on. They walked off the track so we could see this view of the valley.  Isn't it gorgeous?  It was a bit scary standing down by the cross, because just beyond it was the very quick way down to the valley. The cross was already at 1818m/5965ft and the valley just behind was at about 1318m/4325ft, and that's a long way down in one step!!!!! About 640m/2100ft up from the car park and more to come. 

My tummy was telling me it was time for a little something, and just in the nick of time we reached the Alfred Wills Refuge. Now remember that genepi liqueur? Well it turns out that the Mt Blanc Brewery makes genepi beer, so we just had to try some and very very tasty it was too.  He and I are licking our lips at the memory of it.  It slipped over very nicely indeed, but at 5.9% we decided that one bottle would be plenty.

Lunch when it came was a fantastic plate of charcuterie, two types of sausage, dry cured ham and three sorts of cheese.  Coo, it was all we could do to finish it.  I liked the gherkins too, but they made me burp later on and he complained about that.

He has written a blog about the organisation of these refuges on his work website It's something to do with Lean processes, but after we finished all that food we weren't feeling lean, quite the opposite. He witters on about how the people who run the refuges have to be very smart and plan to get the food, beer and wine up there on donkey back. Not to mention the gas for cooking.  It's all very clever and he thinks so too.

We were soon finished and try as I might I couldn't get any more out of that beer bottle!

On we went even higher and we rushed on ahead of John. I was able to get my photo taken on he path to the top of the hill at 2120m/6955ft before we dropped about 50m/170ft to the lake, our final destination. If you look beyond John you can just make up the huts of the refuge where we had our lovely lunch.






As were neared the top of the hill I saw this friendly rock so I sat on it and had my photo taken again. Well it looked friendly, but maybe it was the beer that made me feel that way.

I had to be careful where I sat 'cos lots of dirty birds had been there and the rock was quite besmirched, poor thing.

At the lake we had a well earned rest and I decided to go down and maybe think of a paddle.  The water was very cold so I didn't go in.  It's a snow melt lake and there had been some recent snow though you couldn't tell it that day.  We saw  the curious sight of lots and lots of big plump tadpoles swimming in the shallows as we approached.  Imagine seeing tadpoles this late and not in March.  Aren't the hills behind the lake special?  Just beyond them is a dessert desert.  (That's right it's not a creme brûlée it's a dry place where it hardly ever rains and people come from far and wide to see it - though we didn't.) Those hills are the Rocher des Fizz, maybe you have to drink champagne when you climb them.

Then we looked around and saw some snow!!!! "Hooray," I said, "I want to make snowballs." I scampered over there as fast as my wee legs could take me. It was a bit warm really for snow and it was a bit soggy, but I got to sit beside it on a stone to stop my bot getting wet.

So that was about it. We had a lovely little sit down, but soon enough the rucksacks were slung on backs and off we tramped all the way down to the pub at the car park, where we just had time for a quick beer before we headed back into the village for our well deserved dinner.

Until next time, hugs from me,
Jock