Bath, July 2010

In July 2010 we were invited over for a couple of days to stay in Bath. We stayed at a lovely penthouse right above the River Avon. This was Timo's first trip with the Travelling Bears. One of our humans had recently done some shopping in Arnott's in Dublin, and a bear came with it. For some reason Timo had had a watch around his neck so his name had to have relation to time. When we checked his birth chart, he had Saturn - Chronos - right on his Ascendant! What a coincidence! It couldn't be more appropriate for a time related bear!

Click each photo to enlarge

We took the opportunity to head south to visit the wilderness Dartmoor where wild ponies roam freely. Here were are in Moretonhampstead, where we enjoyed a lovely breakfast in the Gateway tea room behind us. The house dates back to the mid 1500s!

Dartmoor National Park, July 2010

Unfortunately, the rain was bucketing down and the clouds were hanging low. Sometimes we were actually driving around in fog - clouds! We stopped near Two Bridges to have a look at the famous Clapper Bridge. Tom and Timo didn't feel like going out in the rain just for the sake of a photo. Neither did McBear - he hates water - but Roger insisted on a photo of the famous Travelling Bears at the famous Clapper Bridge! If you notice, you can actually see the circles from rain drops in the river!
"I hate getting my bum wet!" McBear was complaining...

We drove around the Dartmoor until we finally stopped for coffee and cake at the Two Bridges Hotel.

When we got out of the car, we were surprised to meet a delagation of four noisy geese! They were tall as a 3 storey house - bear size that is - so we were a bit worried. But as soon as they realized we weren't some kind of tasty food, they let us go. Phew!

Bath, July 2010

We enjoyed coffee and cake in the lovely lounge in the Two Bridges Hotel before it was time to head back to Bath.

The next day we went driving around the lovely Cotswolds. This part of England has the most cute little villages with quaint houses everywhere. We stopped for tea in Bibury.

Bibury has a lovely duck pond and a river with swans and trout. We enjoyed the lovely atmosphere.

Cambridge, September 2007

Before he moved to Ireland, Dr. Oxford spent his first week in Oxford. He had the opportunity to visit Cambridge with its famous university.

Cambridge is blessed with many beautiful buildings, and many of them dates back hundreds of years.

Cambridge, September 2007

Here's Dr. Oxford with the famous astrologer, Judy Hall. Ms. Judy had an incredible knowledge about stones and crystals and was extremely interesting to listen to - and the cake in her hand was indeed delicious...

This was the day when another well educated bear joined the Travelling Bears: Ursula! She had studied for many years at Cambridge university and because she had completed a Ph.D., we called her Dr. Cambridge. So now, we had a Dr. Bath, a Dr. Oxford and a Dr. Cambridge!

Cambridge, September 2007

Before Dr. Oxford returned to Dublin, he shared a room at the campus with Ursula. Here they are admiring how fine they look before the farewell party.

As our owners were going to attend an international conference at the university campus in York, we had the opportunity to travel to York. Here's McBear, Roger, Pinbear, Olivia and Honeybear at the huge York minster. This was Honeybears' first trip abroad with the Travelling Bears, and he was really excited.
"Going travelling with famous bears like you guys is more interesting than watching people eating burgers all day." he said.

York, August 2003

It was in York Roger got his black leather jacket with helmet and goggles. Roger really looked like a World War II flying ace - and he totally agreed!
Here were are at the university campus.