Did I mention I travelled in BA’s lovely comfy Club Class cabin?  Well, you would expect a top-class Bear to do that anyway, wouldn’t you!  It was a very long journey: 10h 30m from Gatwick to Montego Bay, and then another 2h in a mini-bus to the hotel.  Time for an early night, lulled to sleep by exhaustion and the soft sound of waves on the beach outside the window … zzzzzzzz

The next morning my Bearers slowly stumbled into life, and after a room-service breakfast we took a gentle stroll around the grounds.  They headed straight for the hotel’s shop, where I discovered that the local bears were a bit … civilian?  So we stepped outside, only to discover that this place is awash with birds.  Peacocks, to be accurate.  I think the big boy is called George, and he has a brother, and there are about 5 females floating around the place as well.  It was a bit cloudy, so we headed for the Beach Grill, for a quick Lobster BLT – I soon discovered that they can eat lobster most of the time!  Then it was more exploration of my new, if temporary, home.

So … I checked out the Bar ["The Wobbly Peacock"], the Terrace [cool open-air dining] and the Verandah [comfy and shady].  Nobody wanted to play Pool with me, though – I guess they would have been embarrassed to be beaten by a Bear.  There were sun-loungers by the pool which had to be tested for comfort, although I skipped the hot-tub as it was quite warm enough.  And I just gazed at the view of blue sea and blue sky, enjoyed the soft breeze … and chilled out.  Really chilled!!!

Did I mention Butlers?  No?  OK, I will now.  So … the guests are allocated 2 Butlers and given a cell-phone to call them if anything is needed.  They sort out all the restaurant and activity bookings, and generally make sure that everything is “no problem”.  “Hello, Garey” and “Hello, Rochester” – you are now even more famous than you were before we met!!  Rochester can be as mad as a box of frogs, bless him – I believe he thinks he’s related to “The Mask”, although he’s not green at all!!!  And they do amazing things with towels and flower petals in your room when you’re not looking [see picture, although I don't think I'm really a petals person].

Oh, that reminds me: the Beach.  There are Beach Butlers as well, who come when you wave a blue flag [or even when you don't] and get you drinks or food.  Some of the cocktails are amazing [and colourful].  “Hello, Cleon” … sorry it’s a lousy photo.  And at lunchtime there are these great old guys who provide background music in true Caribbean style! Those photos might have been better if Cleon hadn’t been feeding the Bearers so many cocktails!!

And then … more chill … and more chill … and more peacocks!  They prowl around outside the dining room, hoping for untidy eaters!  And they pose.  They really pose, especially when George feels like displaying his feathers!  I tried posing with flowers, but it didn’t quite work out as well as I’d hoped.

The food!!  Amazing!!  Two main restaurants, one of which is very posh so I wasn’t allowed to go.  And the Beach Grill as well.  The Butlers sorted out the reservations, and rotated us between them so that we were never bored by either menu or location.  One evening there was a Caribbean theme, so I had the chance to try Curry Goat, Saltfish and Ackee, Peas and Rice and all sorts of other things.  Grilled Lobster featured … in fact at various times the Bearers had Lobster BLT, Lobster BBQ, Lobster Salad, Lobster with Akee, Curried Lobster and Lobster au Gratin.  Often!!

What lovely people = all the hotel staff were so warm and friendly, with smiles and greetings everywhere we went.  OK, I don’t suppose they get many Bears staying there, but apparently the Bearers were treated in the same way.  Everyone was simply lovely.

They left me behind when they took a taxi into Ocho Rios to explore the Shopping Malls.  Again the Butlers organised the taxi with a recommended [and great] driver.  They’re geared up for the tourists [ooops, did I say that?] who come in on those monstrous cruise ships and then disappear a few hours later.  However, it generates employment and income, and some of the things on offer are really nice.

After that it was more chillin’ and gazin’ and generally being a laid-back Bear, until suddenly it was all over.  The long mini-bus ride back to Montego Bay airport, followed by a 9h overnight flight back to Gatwick.  The Bearers slept for about half the flight home, so they can’t really complain.  I slept all the way!

It was nice to get away somewhere warm and sunny in the middle of Winter: now it’s back to reality, and I’m wondering where I’ll get sent next.

PS:  I “borrowed” a few photos from the hotel’s website.  I hope Sandals Royal Plantation won’t object to a bit of free publicity!

So you thought I had gone MIA, eh? No, not CSgt Burra: I was just lucky enough to have had a few days off before Remembrance Sunday, and boy did I need it! Folk done err speaks funny, and it takes ol Csgt Burra a while ta get me ed around all these west country folk. But when you works it out they is fine, this Cider stuff ant to bad either! Anyway….

So after all that it was time to head back to North Wraxall, on a day which touches us in many different ways, a day when we remember … family… friends… and loved ones. Our Heroes, our lads and lasses that serve our country in the UK and all the other countries they serve in, and of course all our fallen heroes from past campaigns. I was proud to be going, proud to be taken by Alison and proud of the people of North Wraxall, in fact I’m a pretty proud bear!

So with my uniform all pressed and my new-found friends Ernie and Booful, all sporting our poppies with pride [and it was fine sunny day too!] off we headed to St James Parish Church, North Wraxall.  There was, as you would expect, a fine turn out. The first people we meet were Robert and Nicky Russell (pic 1). They were the people who arranged for myself and Alison to attend the service, they are also Alison’s brother and his darling wife. It was a Poppy Fest, so I took the opportunity to take five minutes to compose me self, calm me nerves, then what happens? Yep someone goes a sticks a camera in my face, lucky for me I had just wiped the tear from my eye, but there were some lovely wreaths there (pic 2). It was a lovely sunny day and the good people of North Wraxall were turning up in droves: it was like Ascot, but without the horses.

I was then introduced to an extremely well decorated chap, with a fine beret! It bore a fine hackle from The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, he is Colonel (Ret) Patrick F Shervington MBE, a fine chap indeed (pic 3). He was leading the Remembrance Service, and I for one was proud to be in his company. He took me up on the Lectern, while addressing the crowd, and explained to everyone there the hard work that Holidays for Heroes does, and how proud he was to have me, one CSgt Burra, attend his service. We read the Thanksgiving Prayer for Homecoming for the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, we sang Hymns together: the Pilgrim song, Eternal Father Strong to Save, When a Knight Won His Spurs and Be Thou My Vision … and Robert and Nicky Russell played guitar and flute to accompany the hymns, and of course we sang my favourite, the National Anthem: not a dry eye in the house. A fine tribute to all our brave Service men and women, I just hoped we could raise a few pennies to help our guys and gals who depend on us, but I had a good feeling about the country folk in North Wraxall.

So after the service it was outside to the Wreath Laying at Poppy Corner in the church graveyard. This was led by Major Will Hunt PARA and Captain Marie Hunt R Signals (pic 4 which also includes Rear Admiral Goodson, and pic 5) they read some very moving brief words, yet again I was proud to be in the company of all these people. Csgt Burra was standing tall, which is pretty difficult when I’m only  a wee bear!

Colonel (Retd) P F Shervington MBE then gave another reading, and then something strange happened. He stopped speaking, pulled his mobile phone out of his pocket … “A slight technical hitch I’m afraid ladies and gentlemen”. Well I know I’m only a CSgt and he is a Colonel, but I was a tad lost at this. But he then went on to explain, he and his wife live over the other side of the wall at Poppy Corner, and when he started his speech, his wife was meant to hit the play button on the CD player. At which we were going to hear The Last Post blast out. I guess because of the cuts they couldn’t get the band there, and then the CD failed, it just goes to show, we’re all human. Well you lot are, I’m a bear!! But it made everyone laugh.

Well for me it was my cue to rattle the tin, smile for the camera and do my bit to help the Holidays for Heroes guys and gals.  But first things first, I took full advantage of a lull in proceedings and managed to get a cheeky beer in! Not like me as I was on duty, but the camera never lies (pic 6) hehe.

I was then lucky enough to meet a fine young man from the Black Watch Regiment (pic 7), He was over the moon with the work we do at Holidays for Heroes. He was very impressed with my uniform. As did many of the fine people of Wraxall … see pics 8  through 13, but the wine in pic 7 was the gentleman’s not mine, by the way! Honest. Even Mabel the dog (pic 14) got in on the act, and managed to steal my shortbread, but I managed to fight her off and save me wee bottle Malt Whisky, just!

Then I was lucky enough to meet a true fly boy, Nigel an ex Hercules pilot (pic 15). These boys do a great job getting our troops to where they need to be, supplies to troops in all sorts of locations and of course Red Cross missions and search and rescue to mention a few. I’ve heard talk about cider drops too, but that may be an urban myth. A true gentleman.

Then when I thought I had meet the best of the best along came Rt Hon The Lord Tom King CH, PC, Late of The Somerset Light Infantry and his wife Lady Jane, (pic16) and when I sat down and explained the work we do at Holidays for Heroes, they were overjoyed at the way we try to take care of our Service men and women. The truth was it was great to meet all the people who came to the service, they way everyone came together, is touching, when you see things like Poppy Corner it reminds me of an old saying “ lest we forget” (pic 17)

After a hard day fund raising it was time to relax a little, and have a couple of cold ones (pic 18) Especially when I saw what was for Lunch!! Gulp (pic 19)

Bye for now,

CSgt Burra, Down South (Deep South).

On arrival I was delighted to see that the lovely ladies at the Tank Museum had given us the very first stall, which meant no-one could enter the event without passing.  How very thoughtful!  The team of volunteers arrived punctually, and we were soon set up for trading – books from the ARRSE Book Club joined t-shirts and ‘Holidays for Heroes’ merchandise on the stall, and there was a ‘Guess the Weight of the Cake’ competition as a seasonal alternative to our tombola.

After our first cake break (ginger nuts again), the customers started to come through, and theoriginalphantom and Horsa’s No 1 Fan started to put their cameras to good use in the Museum.  The re-enactors, stallholders and staff were always pleased to be photographed with bears.  We met lots of lovely people, including a camel who attends Puddletown First School.  He was there with his minder, Ryan.  I’d like to have seen Ryan’s entry in the camel’s diary for the weekend!  Big brother Zac attends the Middle School and I was pleased to meet him too.

The cake competition was slow to get started, but with a little ‘marketing’ was soon taking entries.  GRB was slightly miffed that all her time with the calculator changing ounces to grammes for the chart was spent for just TWO PEOPLE who guessed in metric – an American and a New Zealander!  There was an awkward moment when one customer had to be persuaded that if a weight wasn’t on the grid it wasn’t likely to be the weight of the cake (and even a bear can’t contemplate a seven pound cake).  As well as sending a happy punter home on the Sunday, the cake contributed £36 to our total.

The two days of the Festival passed very quickly.  We sold lots of books, beads and merchandise, and met lots of lovely people.  The ARRSE Book Club may well get some new recruits as a result of our enthusiasm, and every book we sold has a copy of its ABC review inside it.

GRB would like to thank Jannine at the Tank Museum, the volunteers who yet again turned out cheerfully for two whole days and gave their time and efforts, the customers who helped us raise just over £260, the ARRSErs who dropped in to say ‘Hello’ and the Durnovaria Band, who were very supportive and even wore ‘Slingsby’ stickers on their uniforms whilst entertaining us with carols!  Amy was a little worried about falling into that tuba, and was glad that the player held her tightly.

I’m now taking a short break lounging on the sofa at Brat Towers (although she’s muttering about various assignments).  Braille is with Horsa’s No. 1 fan, also pottering to various events throughout the holidays, and Amy has gone off on pre-deployment training, as she’s heading to Afghanistan again in the New Year.

A very Merry Christmas to everyone, and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

5 Oct 11

Cpl Arnhem was supernumerary crew on board a HS 125 of 32 (The Royal) Squadron. We set off from Bahrain … the trip was to take Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach KCB CBE FRAeS, to Diego Garcia and Singapore.  Each destination was a real test for the HS 125. To fly for 3 hours with no land (just water) beneath you and great tropical thunder and lightning storms was unsettling to say the least.  However, Cpl Arnhem is a brave PARA Bear!!

First fuel stop was Mumbai. We allowed 3 hour on the ground for this as the handling there is notoriously slow. The landing line flew right over shanty towns, and how we didn’t have a bird strike is anyone’s guess. As we were parked up there was strong sewage odour in the air, emanating from the river running by close to our ramp. Eagles hovered above in as many numbers as our native crows.

Next fuel stop was Mali. The air was very warm and the handling was very efficient. The stop was very quick.

Then it was on to British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Garcia. 7° degrees south of the equator and 35° centigrade in air temperature. The crew had about 18 hours rest, in which we took full advantage of the island’s beautiful natural beaches.

6 Oct 11

It was on to Singapore, but first a fuel stop in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The handling, there, was very efficient and we were guarded by soldiers. The ‘Tamil Tigers’ could have attacked at any time!!

Next fuel stop was Phuket, Thailand. Monsoon season … it was WET!!!

Then it was onwards to Singapore. We dropped off our passenger. We had 30 hours rest time, in which we explored the city. I have one word to describe Singapore. Efficient!

8 Oct 11

It was time to start our return journey, with no Pax, and the first fuel stop was Phuket. A very quick turn around and we were on our way to Colombo, again. However!!! There was an area over the Indian Ocean in which we needed diplomatic clearance to fly over. This was overlooked by the relevant authorities (and nothing to do with the crew or our Ops team), thus causing us to turn around and go back to Phuket. It just so happens that this period was just the day before an Indian National Holiday, and no clearance was going to be filed for about 3 days! In Thailand!! I love Pad Thai! Mmm!

11 Oct 11

We resumed our journey, which was uneventful, except for the huge lightning storm provided by the man upstairs. We fuel stopped at Colombo and then flew to Goa.

12 Oct 11

At last we were headed back to base, via Musana (Oman). We were greeted by our engineering support crew, in Bahrain, who were very envious of what was a very memorable trip.

I got a little bit sore having that wing-fence jammed up my bum while posing for photos, but it was a very interesting experience.  I’m still not sure whether I get a medal for doing it, though.

Four acts (Sooz Kempner, Donald Mac, Andrew Roper and Nick Wilty) entertained the punters with their unique brands of comedy. (All can be seen on the London Comedy Circuit or on ‘You Tube’) Each comic was very funny and warmly received. The evening was rounded off with a few sets on the discs by DJ AV8 (aka Flt Lt Nick Bell). All in all a good night was enjoyed by all who attended.

The Sword and Wheel Committee Members deserve praise for their efforts in both the run up to the evening and on the night itself.  Cpl Banks, 32 (TR) Sqn, was the event organiser. Cpl D Lewis, BFPO, was a great help especially when Cpl Banks was tasked with a short notice flight/tasking with 32 (The Royal) Squadron and was unable to be available for the final preparations; she stood in and ensured that everything was ready on time.  Cpl J Baxter PE’d Flt and SAC C Tidbury Central Band for their support and sterling efforts to sell tickets.  Thanks must also go to all the ISS Sword and Wheel staff, for their support and efforts in helping to make the evening a success.

ED …  and we say very well done to the organisers, and thank you RAF Northolt.  The money you raised will ensure another family gets a well-needed respite vacation next year.

After receiving numerous emails from one Ernie O’Kirkalea, another BurraBear now residing in Bristol, I was dispatched to Bristol to see Ernie and the promise of many adventures,.  The first was being packed back into a shipping container, not for the claustrophobic, but a breeze for me.

Once I arrived in Bristol, Ernie and his mum Alison were out! Harrumph, not a good start! But they had left instructions to be left with a lovely lady two doors up, Mrs Woods. She released me form the box, gave me hug and a couple of gold coins in my tin, I think that it may have been paper money, yahhh. What a cracking lady she is, as you can see. (Pic 1)

After that it was a short walk to number 10, to meet Ernie and Booful. Now this was another great first meeting once they calmed down, as they were very excited!! They broke out the shortbread and Malt Whiskey ( Pic 2), it seems these boys had done their homework! This could be the start of meaningful relationship boys! There’s me thinking we can relax over a few whiskeys and some shortbread, get to know one another and chew the fat, but WRONG! It was out the box meet the neighbour, then the boys, then off to a Fireworks display!! Don’t they know Burra bears are flammable!!

So best foot forward and off we went to North Wraxall, we all went! Just when I thought I was getting the hang of life in the West Country, Alison made yet another detour! Mind you this was a great one. As we went to the local ASDA to pick up our poppies, we met these lovely people (Pic 3) … he-he, we gave them a donation then they gave us one too! I’m getting to like it here. OK so off to the fireworks, and more fund raising, no rest for CSgt Burra, move out!!

So when we arrived at the North Wraxall fireworks display, Alison introduced me to all the people there. Ernie and I pulled a flanker and sat ourselves by the bar, and set up shop, ching ching, plus lots of Tom soup and we could smell whisky, but we were on duty so that would have to wait! (Pic 4)

The people of North Wraxall were really nice, everyone wanted pictures with me and Ernie, which was good fun, and thirsty work too.

As you would expect in the West Country, I met loads of Farmer Folk, who of course wanted their pictures taken with moi (he-he, more cash) and the odd tipple of a strange apple-tasting drink that made you almost blind! They called it Cider?? Seems it makes you talk funny too, like they do.  (Pics 5+6+7)

After the odd snifter of cider and mulled wine it was off to the display, all those pretty lights along with cider and that warm mouldy stuff made for a strange light show man!  Groovy, some chick gave me a glowing neck band, cool ( Pic

My new friends and I (one of whom  seems to think he is James Bond, by the way), made it home safe and un-singed too. It was time for a hot chocolate (Pic 9), before hitting the sack in my new barracks(Pic 10). That was a hard but fun day with my new friends, but boy the new bunk was super comfy, Which helped a lot with the head spins I was experiencing after that cider stuff!  Lights out!

CSgt Burra

PS:  They think that the C in CSgt stands for cider drinker, strange!!

(ED:  It sounds as though you’re doing a great job with the collecting tins!!  Well done you, and your Bearers of course!)

“No” I replied

“Great, you’re going in a week, pack your stuff – your Bearer will sort you out with a parka when you get out there”!

And I was off.  It turns out that our Bearer had been in Lapland for the last couple of months, and having found out (disappointingly) that Polar Bears could not be found in Finland he decided that the path was safe for one of us to come out .

Having been packed into my snug travel box, it was revealed that I was to initially accompany relatives of my Bearer out to Finland via Amsterdam. Alas I would only being going as far as a change of terminal at the airport … the delights of Amsterdam would have to wait for another day!

After a simple journey via Amsterdam and Helsinki I met my Bearer in the quiet town of Rovaniemi.  Rovaniemi has around 20,000 people living there, however it is more famous for two things.  One of these shall be revealed later,  but the other and more amusing one is the Rock band Lordi, famous for their Eurovision winning song  “Hard Rock Hallelujah” ( I’ll wait while you YouTube it …  Done ?  Excellent!)  As you can see they dress as monsters, and their victory in Eurovision was of such importance to the town that they renamed the town square after them.  Yes, it is now known actually as Lordi Square.

The second reason I came to Rovaniemi was to meet a special man, a man who has brought joy and happiness to millions of children over the years. This man is Santa Claus.  My Bearers decided to take me on a day trip 5km outside of Rovaniemi to Santa Claus’ village. Despite it being a misty day with No Snow I took the time to wander around the village, cross the Arctic Circle and see how the native people of Lapland live. These people are called the Sami and they are the only still living Indigenous group in Europe. After that, I took a look around Santa’s post office where I assisted in sorting letters (Santa receives over  300,000 letters per year, and I had a general nosey around his sorting operation.

After this it was time to meet the big guy himself. I, along with the Bearers, got a chance to grab 5 minutes with Santa and ask him how he does it. He also instructed me to remind the rest of the Bears to be good because otherwise we won’t get Honey for Christmas.

Then it was time to retire to do some shopping, and meet some of the local friends that my Bearer was staying with. They were a very nice bunch who showered me with hugs, and indeed I had to be rescued several times after the Bearer noticed I had gone Awol!

As a final gift the Bearer took me to the Northern-most McDonalds in the world. It seemed to be the same as every other one though!

Overall I enjoyed my trip to Finland, and as I write this my Bearer has planned a trip behind the former Iron Curtain. But that’s another story ……

From Bournemouth I went back to Belly dance in Southampton at Stephens dance centre, just in time for the girls to do their exams. I’ve just found out that they all passed because of, or despite, my help.

A full roast dinner and  cake before heading back to Aldershot did wonders for me. I don’t always get a place set for me at the table when I’m with a bearer.

The weekend was over, so it was back to Aldershot and back to work.  I went on my team medic course which, like the Belly dancers with their exam, I passed. It was hard work, but fun. It’s a shame but they don’t seem to do standard dressings or tourniquets for bears. I shall have to pass that one along the system and see what can be made.

More adventures to follow,  then I will be spending 3 and 4 December at the Bovington Tank Museum Christmas Fair where we have a stall.  All visitors most welcome.

Tuesday saw me heading to Southampton for a Zumba class … why ,oh why, did I agree to that? It’s murder, to music. Wednesday was a day off and let’s face it,  once in a while a bear deserves a day off.  Thursday evening was a different matter as it was time for Belly dancing, photos of a bear wearing Belly dance gear to follow. I thought that Zumba was bad enough, but belly dancing is totally different kind of self punishment.  It’s exhausting work, you know. Another visit is due, as all the women will be dressed up in full belly dance gear for their exams. I may just take it a little easier this time.

Halloween … and I handed out sweets to trick-or-treaters, and shocked a few teenagers (with a camera flash) who were old enough to know better.

Over the next week there was a trip around the walls of Southampton (a long walk but very interesting), and on the way round I stopped by the Medieval Merchant’s house, Titanic museum, and several memorials.

Bonfire night came and I even helped host a small firework party. I’ll have you know that I kept to the firework code as much as possible, however it’s difficult to get gloves that fit a bear, no matter how brave and heroic.

Over the next week I shall be visiting a football ground, maybe a trip to a school on the 11th for their special assembly and later dropping by the Aldershot military museum.

We arrived at the main arena to the sound of muskets and cannon as a Napoleonic battle was taking place.  The French infantry were driven from the field by a unit of redcoats supported by the 95th Rifles and some Light Dragoons  (1-4).

After that exciting start we went to explore the event further, starting with ancient Greece and Persia (5-7).  Next stop was the Roman encampment where Braille almost got himself fired from their crossbow (8-10). This turned out to be the first of a number of narrow escapes.  Braille’s curiosity also got us into trouble with the Celts (11).

The Medieval world was far safer for little bears.  The Knights Templar (12-13), Landsnecht (14) and others (15) were all very friendly.   We moved on through the centuries with an English Civil War society (16) and a group of 18th century Redcoats (17).

Into the 19th century we went with our first stop in the Napoleonic Wars.  After getting directions from two very smart officers of the 95th and their lady (18) we headed for the Napoleonic encampment.  On the way we met a familiar and famous face, Rifleman Harris (Jason Salkey) from the television Series Sharpe (19). The English camp was quiet when we arrived but we received a warm welcome (20-21).  Our welcome was even warmer in the French camp (22) where they suggested roasting me over an open fire!!! (I’m sure that’s what they meant). One lovely young lady wanted a cuddle, which we are always happy to give (23).

After escaping the clutches of Napoleon’s finest, we headed (metaphorically) across the Atlantic to the American Civil War where we immediately found ourselves in trouble again.  This time we were being held at gunpoint by a group of Bushwhackers, whose camp we unwisely wandered in to. (24). Escaping, we made our way to the main ACW camp (25) where their surgeon was only too happy to share his knowledge of 19th century field medicine with a fellow medic (26).  In the Western camp (27) we met Wyatt Earp and his brothers busy apprehending a villain (28) and also some re-enacting bears (29).

Back in Victorian England we met a very interesting gentleman with his Museum of Curiosities (30) which contained fascinating and sometimes gruesome exhibits.  Our final stop was with a regiment of Queen Victoria’s finest (31).

We had a great time on a beautiful day and we’d like to thank all the re-enactors who gave us their time and a warm welcome.  I don’t get out much, but I can do it Boss!