Home from Scotland

Here we are back home from Scotland. I'm so happy to have my knife back! We left it behind because our parental units were afraid it would be confiscated by Airport Security. It is hot here in Spain so we had to strip down a little bit.

Yes, BB, I like your new summer kilt. It shows just enough leg and the bare (bear, get it?) top is most becoming.

I was a little embarrassed by all that skin showing, but I'm getting used to it.

You aren't showing skin, silly, we're fuzzy kids, remember?

Oh, I forgot for a moment. Speaking of showing it all, your sequined bikini is really sexy.

Do you think so, BB?

Well, I like your summer look. It is quite becoming. We do make a handsome, if somewhat mixed metaphor, couple don't you think?

What has meta . . . whatever it is have to do with it? You sometimes use pretty big words, BB.

Metaphor. That's like . . . well, its like . . . oh, never mind.

You explain things so well, BB.

Really? I thought I was at a loss for words.

Well, I'm never at a loss for words--even if I don't always know what they mean. Use it three times and it's yours--that's my motto.

Well, I'll leave it at that. We have to get ready to go to Barcelona tomorrow. The parental units just can't stay in one place for any length of time. Still, its going to be a great adventure.

And we'll be traveling with Boulder Anne. She is a good friend and understands us completely.

So its bon voyage all over again.

Oh, my heart goes pitter pat when you speak in French, BB.

Hmm, well, yes indeed. Ahem. Uh.... By the way, Feelie McCool, we are missing you! Send us a photo or a comment!

Leaving New Friends Behind

Here is our final posting from the tour of sacred sites in Scotland. We have found many new friends, including Feelie, and Hannah, who is holding us in this photo. We are sad to be leaving all these wonderful companions behind. It seems we have just gotten to know all of them and we have to say goodbye.

Yes, HB, I feel I have a new buddy in Feelie McCool. We had many great conversations in bars all across Scotland, not to mention nights in our hotel rooms.

And all the beautiful new clothes. Especially the new stole Hannah knitted for me.

And my new bagpipe, which Feelie and Mara gave me. It came in handy holding off wild animals in one of the hotels.

I'm just so, so sad. Parting is such sweet sorrow!

Don't be over dramatic, HB.

I'm not being over dramatic, I'm being literary.

Well, I wouldn't know about such things. We bears don't go in for literature, except for stories about our cousin Pooh.

We bunnies read a higher class of literature.

Whatever you say, HB.

New Stole

My new best friend, Hannah, saw how I was being deprived of my daily new clothes. She hand knitted me this lovely stole.

You say you stole it from someone?

No, silly, you know better than that! You're just trying to get a joke line in to take attention from my glorious garb. Mom even bought me a special pin to wear with it. I'm just beside myself with pleasure.

Well, HB, you are often beside yourself in one way or another.

You're just jealous, you silly bear.

What's Hannah holding? Looks like a lollipop.

That's my thank you gift to my new best friend--Hand made soap.

Hmm, I'll bet she is going to smell good tomorrow!

Animals!

Yikes! We're surrounded by all these wild animals. Some are just heads on the wall and some are in glass cases. Pretty scary!

It's OK, HB. They aren't alive (or even enlivened, like us). They are just the whims of some person who liked to have them around. I actually sort of like this guy behind us who looks like he just caught a fish. I can relate to that.

Well, I can't! I think they are creepy.

Well, as for me, I'd have to say that things have just gotten stranger and stranger since I hooked up with you guys. What do you think, Puffy?

I'm speechless. (And I hope that guy doesn't take a liking to me and put me in one of his glass houses.)

We will all have to stick together and protect each other. We'll make it through this scary place, you'll see. (I wish I had my trusty knife with me on this trip. Looks like it might have come in handy here.)

Oh, Brown Bear, you are my hero as always! (I think Feelie is pretty sexy, but there is nothing like the presence of a true friend in times like this.)

OK Fuzzy Clan, let's all pull together and watch each other's backs! We'll make it through this jungle. (What is that Bengal Tiger head doing up on the wall? Brrrr. Pretty creepy.) Maybe if I play a piping tune on my new bag pipes we can make it through this.

OK troops, Clan McFuzzy goes into battle led by Brown McBear screeing a tune on his pipes.

(Thanks, Feelie, for the great gift. You and your friend Mara are the greatest!)

McPuffin

Hey guys, how about a rousing rendition of Kitten on the Keys? Now that Puffy McPuffin is a member of the MacFuzzy Clan we can play it with six paws and two wings! Now that I've found my voice (thanks to a whole day of instruction from McBunny and McBear) I have so many ideas for us all.

Oh, you are sooo cool, Feelie! I can call you Feelie, can't I??

Sure, babe! Anything you say.

Well, don't give her too much encouragement. She can get out of hand.

This is all going way too fast for my bird brain to keep up.

Stick with us, kid. We'll get you up to speed in no time.

Feline McLouie

Hey Bud, how about a little nip of the single malt whiskey? It's on me!

Oh, you boys! Can't you find any better way to do male bonding than by drinking?

Well, we have to loosen Louie up a little bit and get him talking. You know how liquor loosens the tongue.

I'll bet I can get him to talk. Hey there, big boy, what'cha doing for the rest of the day? We have a neat pad here on Iona, and the parental units will be away all day. What do you say to that?

Meow!

Well, that's a start. Just get permission to visit us and we'll teach you a thing or two. By the way, your new kilt is smashing and sure beats that green sweater you've been wearing.

Meow?

OK, the sweater isn't that bad. And it is sure revealing, what with nothing on the lower quarters. Anyway, let's go to our room and get to know each other better.

Honey Bunny, you are shameless! I'm going to have to come along and chaperone or you guys will get in serious trouble. Oh, and by the way Louie, your new kilt that Mom made for you IS the cat's meow! (Cat's meow, get it??)

Meow!

That's better. Lets have another drink and split this joint. There is much to discuss once the parents leave.

We've Gone Native

Hey guys, look at my cool new kilt! Mom has outdone herself this time. I think my medicine bag/sporen is out of sight!

Well, BB, my adoring fans will notice that I don't have anything new to show off, but I do have a new name! HONEY McBUNNY!

And, of course, I'm BROWN McBEAR!

What do you all think of that?

We are having the best time ever here on the island of Iona. Our parental units even took us out for the morning tour of the abbey.

Well, they didn't let us out of the bag very much.

Maybe tomorrow. We hope that we get to see Louie again and make him part of the clan!

Here we are in Highlands of Scotland, a Scottish lassie and her Scots warrior. The tour so far has been everything we dreamed of, lots of attention from all the other people on the tour.

Yes, and one very nice lady actually knitted my headband for me. I hardly miss my knife at all.

And Mom found this wonderful plaid dress for me. Well, actually it was made from a cap, but Mom invented a way to turn it into a lovely frock. The only disappointment so far is that Louie (I think that is how he spells his name) is a bit standoffish.

He is a cat with a long tail and he rides up above in the luggage rack on the bus. He doesn’t appear to speak at all, but his long tail sometimes hangs down from above.

I hope he warms up a bit and comes down to visit with us. I’ve never been fond of cats, but I could make an exception for him I think.

You wouldn’t believe how beautiful the place we are staying is. We have a full view of the loch in front of the place.

I’ll ask Mom to take a picture of it to share with all our adoring fans.

New Stuff

At last at last! Mom FINALLY bought us new clothes!
Now Honey Bunny, she's been trying for months, but she couldn't find anything worthy of us.
At last at last! What do you think, Brown Bear?
I think you look--well, you look absolutely amazing! I'm speechless.
Thanks, I think! My swimwear goes with my ankle bracelets, doesn't it?
Indeed.
The only problem is, I don't know what Mom was thinking--we're in Scotland, not Mallorca! It's cold and rainy! I don't think I'll be swimming anywhere soon.
We are going to the islands, you know--Isle of Skye, Iona, Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides to see the Callanish Stones....
Oh. Maybe that's what Mom was thinking. But I still need more clothes--I can't meet the mystery guest in my swimsuit! It just wouldn't be proper.
What do you think of MY new outfit?
Cool, Brown Bear. A Manchester United backpack. You are just so cool! And you can carry my extra wardrobe accoutrements in it, can't you?
Well, actually, I was thinking about carrying fishing tackle and maybe a sleeping bag and an umbrella. For when I'm out in the wild, rugged mountains of Scotland.
That's just so rav, Brown Bear! Are we ready to go or what?! Let the journey begin!

We're on the Road Again

Here we are in beautiful Scotland. Well, at any rate, our parental units assure us it is beautiful. So far, we've been kept locked up in the hotel room. HELP!!!

Now Honey Bunny, you know you are always over-dramatic. We have been mostly in the room, but you remember that the maid played with us and we got out in the train station and on the airplane. And how about that beautiful picture Dad just took of us in the garden behind our hotel?

Well, maybe it isn't quite as bad as I said, but I want to meet everyone and be admired.

That will happen soon enough. We join our tour in a few days and then we'll be front and center. You will be universally admired and we'll have all the company we want--including a new "mystery" friend!

OK, but it better be soon or I'll pout.

You'll pout anyway, HB. I know you too well.