Sharm

June. Packing the bags was good fun, I have never been allowed to throw clean clothes around before. Did get a bit worried as loads seemed to be going in the case, Mom had promised me a nice big area of my own and it appeared to be getting rather cramped.

Didn’t have to worry though, there was lots of space and it was indeed very comfortable. Together with a torch, a good book and a bottle of water I was fine, and the journey passed very quickly.

Mind you, that was just to the airport …… I heard Mom being asked all sorts of questions like "did you pack the case?", I felt like shouting out "no, I did" but thought better of it. Going along the conveyor belt was a bit bumpy, and when they closed the aircraft hold it felt very odd, maybe because by that time I could have sworn I was upside down.

Luckily I fell asleep for most of the trip, woken abruptly with the lowering of the undercarriage and we finally touched down a short time later with a screech of brakes.

Mom and Dad of course endured a typical holiday airline flight, but they did meet up with a new friend, Jillie, who clearly looked as if she had had enough of spending time on the duty free trolley. So Mom decided to put Jillie out of her mystery. I was to have a new friend, a pink bear.

Getting through immigration was pretty easy, they didn’t ask to see my passport, well I wasn’t even there at the time, still being in the case I mean. Soon we were at the hotel, the luggage had come off the aircraft very quickly, good thing, as I was beginning to feel a little hot by then. The hotel car had air conditioning which helped. It was a bit annoying when I could hear that Jillie was getting a big fuss made of her, I had not even met her, just heard mention of a new friend for Freddie whilst in the car.

Mom rescued me from the case when we got to the room, introducing me to Jillie. Think I was supposed to fall over backwards in love, all right, so she is rather sweet I guess. Didn't work out though did it?

Didn't last though did it!

See Jillie and Harry's Wedding

The room was great, lovely and cool, I even had my own bed, they must have been expecting me! Mom said I wouldn’t like the food in the restaurant, or maybe that was an excuse not to take me, still I did get some nice bits of chocolate, bread and honey and super fruit cocktails.

Finding somewhere cool outside was difficult, it was very hot during the day, there were loads of sun shades and palm trees. I did have a go at climbing one.

Best place I found was the hammock, that was really good. Fantastic gardens surrounded the hotel, these were maintained by a team of gardeners led by a chap named George, who picked Jillie some lovely flowers one afternoon. There was a big chess set outside, and lots of statues, I had a lot of fun!

I know we bears swim, but I did not like the idea of going in the big pool, all those people messing about. Mom took me to see the big whirl pool at the health spa which looked good.

All too soon it was time to return home, and guess what, as soon as I looked out of the window the next day, it was raining!

My new collection.

Taba

Mid December. Whilst everyone seems to be getting ready for Christmas, we are off to visit our "trees" in Taba.

The flight was fine, not overcrowded, but oh dear the food - well, we will not go into that! Five hours later we saw the lights of Saudi Arabia and Jordan twinkling in the distance across the Red Sea, and were soon rumbling along the runway at Taba.

Having found our taxi, then had to wait for the very last passenger who was going to our hotel. We headed off in convoy with the other coaches and a police escort for the hotel. For anyone not used to the trip, it can be a bit fractious, the airport is on high land and to get to the coast involves a journey through and down the mountains. Taxi drivers seem to have an aversion to being behind other vehicles, most of which drive without lights on and often on the wrong side of the road. Best to keep ones eyes firmly closed for the forty minute journey.

Checking in did not take long, soon we were unpacking in Mom and Dad’s room. Now I have to say this was far more comfortable than the one in Sharm. Only problem being I did not get a bed of my own and had to make do sleeping in the middle of the very one …….. or Mom said I could have the settee to myself.

The hotel staff had been very considerate

and had me left a beautiful plate of fruit,

must have known I was coming!

Apart from inspecting the trees, this was proposed to be a very lazy holiday, so we enjoyed most of our time on the beach.

Of course the very unexpected arrival of Pilot Bear was a big thrill, I am still not quite sure how he found us.

The hotel staff were great, nothing was too much for them to do.

My Garden. The disappearance of the bushes wasn't anything to do

with me! Luckily more were replanted just before we left!

Time flew by, and we were soon packing our bags and heading for home.

Sharm: late November 2009

I was really excited about returning to Egypt, the weather was great and we had a fantastic restful time!

Hilton Resort, Sharks Bay, Sharm

New friends, the towel boys!  

Pilot Bear and Eddie the Editor enjoying a fruit drink and crisps

at

The Hilton, Sharks Bay    

Freddie on an elephant

Is this a tunnel entrance?

Family photograph

View from our suite

Anyone for golf?

Morning paper

New friends

New home?

Help! Oh my goodness, I hope it doesn't bite!

Is Pilot Bear in trouble?

Hat for Pilot Bear

Swan song!

Our sitting room

This is the life!

Here are some of Freddie's favourite photographs from the past

Freddie's Operation

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