Dear Bruce,
Great place this Paris. Can't understand a word they say though. That's Lynne by the way.
Apparenty this "Eiffel Tower" used to be the tallest in the world.
Not as big as the Sky Tower in Auckland though. I miss NZ sometimes but I can see the photos from my place on the speaker all the time.
Life is busy... Off the South Africa soon. I'll try to get you a picture of one of those Heffalump things.
Dear Bruce,
Just arrive in Paris. Travelled with my pals Lynne and Andy. Ivan and Oran are keepin' an eye on the property back home.
Came though a huge hole in the ground. I think this Eurostar mob have got a major mole problem.
Dear Bruce,
Just thought I'd introduce you to my new pals here in the "Old Country". Ivan, a Russian Bear, is all the way from Siberia. Oran is a Ginger from some place called Borneo. Apparently I saved him from a load of toe rags who like to grow oil. I always thought oil came out of wells.
We all sit here on top of the speaker keeping an eye on things. It can get a bit load but at least I get to travel.
Dear Bruce,
Since I left the hotel on 6th May I have travelled around all of NZ by campervan, including Queenstown, Franz Josef (the helihike was awesome), Pancake Rocks, Kaikoura, Tongariro National Park, Rotorua and Auckland. You can see a picture of me with the Lonely Planet planning the next part of my trip.
I also went to Fiji for a few nights which was lovely (although very hot in my fur coat) before heading to England where I'll now be settling permanently. If I'm ever back In Christchurch I will definitely come to visit!
Love George x
My name is Maxine and I work at a day care centre in Auckland called Bear Park and in my classroom I have this little girl called Joanne. She is the sweetest little girl you will ever meet and everyone just loves her. The other day she brought her friend George to visit us and he got LOST we have looked everywhere and the older kids have even gotten involved and they have put up posters everywhere to try and find him but he hasn't shown up. Now Joanne loves this little bear as she got it when she stayed at your hotel and she is very upset that it got lost and she understands that she shouldn't have brought it but she wanted to show everyone.
And I was wondering if there was anyway we would be able to surprise her with a new one if it hasn't shown up by Friday afternoon. Her family are moving to Shanghai at the end of next month so we would all love it very much if we could send her with her bear.
I am going to be in Christchurch this weekend and was wondering if I could arrange something?
Very Kind Regards Maxine
Dear Maxine,
Thank you for your moving email regarding Joanne and her missing bear. George loves adventures so I imagine he must have wondered off and become lost. I know he will be missing Joanne terribly now, just as she is missing him. We would be very happy to provide a replacement George which can be collected from our reception desk any time this weekend. Our reception staff will be expecting you.
Kind regards
Bruce Garrett
General Manager
Hi Bruce
Joanne would like to say thank you very much to the George hotel for her new George bear she was very excited!!! (photo attached)
The team at bear park would also like to thank you.
Maxine
I have travelled from The George Hotel in Christchurch to my new home in Indiana, USA! I now live with a little boy named Wyatt on a farm with horses and kitty cats. Wyatt takes me on the back of his new red tricycle and sometimes he lets me ride on his green tractor! I love my new home.
Not only did I have a delightful stay at the Hotel, but found a companion for my little mascot, Bernie, who made the summit of Everest in May, 2009. Bernie is delighted to have a new friend, especially from New Zealand, since Sir Edmund Hillary was the first to summit Everest in 1953.
As of May 23, 2009, I became the oldest woman(age 60) in the world to summit the highest peak on each of the Seven Continents. Thanks to the staff for taking these photos. I would like to include George in the children's book that I am writing.
I was hoping to contact some news media, but my stay in Christchurch was very brief. Thanks to your wonderful staff, I was able to connect with my cycling tour at the train station. I had overslept and they managed to call a cab and get me off and on my way to my next adventure.
George, Bernie and I will keep you posted on our next endeavor.
Kay LeClaire
My website is: www.kayleclaire.com
Dear Bruce
We have left Sydney and are now in Hawai'i staying in Waikiki and atking in the beach and the surf. We were here when the tsunami alert was triggered and had to evacuate up onto a higher floor but luckily there was not much of a surge in the sea this time.
Regards to all at The George
George Bear
George ordering room service at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, Korea
George relaxing at the Beache Palace. (Korea)
Andy and Julie were given George bear by the lovely staff at The George.
George bear is now home in Gisborne, and has been given to their daughter and son in law who are expecting their first child (named sprout at the moment)
So George bear is here enjoying his time and waiting for surf to pick up so he can head out on the waves!
Oh, I forgot to mention in my previous mail I already made a new friend 'Nero' here in Belgium :O)
Sorry for the late response, but I just arrived today in my new home in Belgium. And, as you can see in the attached picture, I'm very happy here ;O) I was too late for the survey, but anyhow, many thanks for the great stay in your perfect accommodation!
George Bear, happily adopted now by Ann & Rudy
Greetings from Bruges Belgium for your whole staff.
Hi Bruce
No prizes for guessing where we are now. Supposed to be here to visit David's grandchildren but couldn't resist a spot of sight seeing
Regards
George Bear
I was taken to a town in Tasmania before we left that was named after me - see photo. David reckons there aren't many towns called Bruce in the world.
Next stop Sydney, so hopefully a few photo oportunites there
Regards to all
Gearge
Dear Bruce,
We have just finished Tasmania and attach photo of me before we got on the train at Strahan. Off to Hobart and then on to Sydney for 10 days.
Regards
George
I have just got a george bear he is so cute and i,ll love him from now on
Hi Bruce, We have arrived in Melbourne at the start of our 6 week trip. Today we went to the MCG, Marilyn did not complain too much but I suspect we shall have to do some shopping later to compensate. Attached a 'photo of me with Denis Lilley who David says probably did as much damage to the Kiwis as he did the Poms. We liked Melbourne but it's not a patch on Christchurch. Will send more news from Tasmania soon. Hope all is well with you and the staff at The George.
Regards
George
You will be pleased to learn that I have been in the company of the Forresters who had a great time travelling round the South Island in accomodation like the George and meeting locals who have much to teach hospitality in Scotland, They say that they have had a ball ..same as they had three years ago when they travelled from Christchurch North and then over to the North Island.
Incidentally I have been in good company of the BEAR TYPE! I met a horific pepermint bear who joined the FORRESTERS on their last trip having been bought in my home area (purpose of being acquired was to provide an ID object in the rear window of their hire car) The pepermint bear has technically been round the WORLD and I have gone half way!
My home in Gartocharn is very pleasant ,companions include STEIFF FAMILY COLLECTOR ITEMS so be happy in the knowledge that I have found an excellent home in SCOTLAND
THe family wish me to convey their regards and to wish all at the GEORGE A MERRY XMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR
Bear c/o Forrester,
How are you, I hope all is well at The George. Marilyn and David are busy packing for a trip to Melbourne, Tazmania, Sydney, Honolulu and California and have promised that if I behave they will take me with them.
Regards
George
i`m your permanent reader now
emm.. luv this post.
Hi Bruce
Here I am in Seattle working hard from my desk at Uniquely New Zealand Travel, with my Chocolate Lab mate Milo. We are busy getting lots of people down to New Zealand, a few who I'll get to see over the summer months, when I get back home. It's raining non-stop here in Seattle (sounds like it might be that way for a while) so I plan to head home soon to help take care of our guests.
George
I was part of the travel agent famil from the U.S. that stayed at The George in July. After we left, I started taking pictures of George in various poses and places including sampling a cheese roll in Dunedin. I know he's wearing the wrong beanie! The one from the Blues was the only one I had, so sorry about that. Myself, and the rest of the group, enjoyed having George travel with us and I plan on taking him on all my trips now.
Just thought I would share. And I'd also like to thank you once again for your fabulous hospitality. I hope to be sending lots and lots of tourists your way.
Thank you again,
Best regards,
Nancy Purdin
We were deeply moved by your plaintive appeal to be freed from the drudgery of luxury living in the George Hotel and decided there and then to make every effort to free you. To this end we set about saving all our pennies and eventually had enough to travel on our quest to release you. We travelled half way round the world for 6 weeks calling at Singapore, Perth, Cairns, Sydney and then drove 3,000 miles around both islands of your homeland before eventually finding The George Hotel in Chistchurch on the very last two days that we had remaining before our funds ran out.. When we enquired at reception of your whereabouts we were told that you had ‘run out’. We had not seen you depart although we may have been able to=2 0spot you from any other room but 401 from which one can only see a flat roof. We now regret telling our grandchildren about our mission as we have to go back to England empty handed and break the bad news to them. Marilyn and David
Imagine my distress when I received your message to learn that after all your travels and efforts I was nowhere to be found. As you can see from this email that I am now back and deeply saddened that I missed the opportunity to have new adventures and a travel to distant lands. However all is not lost for I am not a bear known for sitting around and sulking but am a bear of action. I shall stow away aboard a plane and make my way to 17 Woodside Close in Storrington, West Sussex where I hope to find you and entertain your grandchildren with tales of my travels. Please accept my humble apologies for being absent during your visit, hopefully I will be able to make this up to you when I arrive in the near future. Kind regards, George Bear
We were so pleased to hear from you and that you are ready for new adventures. So, we await your arrival with great anticipation. Our grandchildren have lots of exciting things planned for you when you arrive and your stay (hopefully a very long one) with us will be filled with many activities. We also intend to take you with us as we travel around the world. Although you are a very well travelled bear, we hope to be able to show you places you have never been. Bon Voyage George, and we look forward to seeing you soon. With kind regards Marilyn and David
Just to let you know that I arrived safely in Storrington this morning (see picture) only to be immediately whisked off to Ireland (see picture taken at Gatwick Airport where we were lunching as we waited for our flight) where I am currently enjoying the rain. I am so looking forward to meeting the 3 grand-daughters who are, of course, looking forward to meeting me. Thank you for facilitating my journey to England. I can see I am in for an exciting time with Marilyn and David. I hope to keep in touch with you as I journey around. My very best regards to you and all at the George. George Bear.
Still enjoying my travels and new friends. Attached are two photos of me enjoying the early spring sunshine on the shore of Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. Also attached is another of me with Erin, the youngest of the Irish grandchildren. More news to follow. Kind regards George Bear
Thank you so much for your letters and photos. I am delighted that you are enjoying your new life and it is great to see you in your new environment looking loved and well cared for. You certainly are a well travelled bear and have chosen the right time to emigrate to the northern hemisphere. As the autumn is approaching here and cooler weather is around the corner, you are enjoying the delights of spring and the wonders and beauty of new countries. By the way, I have been so taken by your correspondence, along with that of your new owners, I hope you don\'t mind that I have posted it all on the Hotel website - http://www.thegeorge.com/comments.htm. With all the doom and gloom around the world regarding the economy we also thought the local paper might be interested in your tail [sic] as a feel-good story to help cheer everyone up. If you, Marilyn and David don\'t mind, we will forward the details to the paper and if anything does get published will certainly send you a copy. I wish you continued safe travels and look forward to hearing more of your exploits. Kind regards, Bruce
As you can see from the attached, I am maintaining my reputation as "Action Bear". I am looking forward, though, to warmer weather which I have been promised will eventually arrive. (It was snowing slightly as I kayaked my way over Lough Swilly). Best regards George
Yesterday we did the cultural bit of Derry/Londonderry although only scratched the surface as there is so much history here. Attached is photo of me sitting on the city wall with the street behind me running up to The Diamond, which is the centre of the walled area of the city. The hotel you see is not a patch on the George!!!!! Weather turned wintery last evening with some quite heavy snow in places but this morning it has gone and we have what looks to be a nice spring day ahead, although a little chilly. George
Have just spent the weekend looking after David's 3, Irish grand daughters(see attached of me with Amy, the middle girl) so we are all worn out. However we have today been for a bracing stroll along the edge of the Swilly, this time beyond Buncrana and Marilyn and David showed me where the Life Boat Station was just in case I ever get lost in the kayak. This break in Ireland ends tomorrow but there are a few 'photos left that I have to send you during the week. Hope all is well at The George. Kind regards George B
Just to let you know that I am back in England now having arrived from Ireland late last night, hopefully I will now get to see some of this country as we left for Irelend the moment I arrived in Storrington. I attach three 'photos from yesterday which was a lovely spring day and the sun had some real, promising warmth to it. It is hard to imagine that Lough Swilly is connected to the Atlantic Ocean on a day like yesterday when it gets mirror flat. I have a few more 'photos from Inch to send including one from Inch Experimental Farm but David says he has to get government approval before we can send it, hopefully this will not be too long in coming as it is a very interesting picture. Please give my best regards to all at The George Yours George B
Thank you so much for the regular updates on your travels along with the beautiful photos. You have certainly been making the most of your new found freedom although I understand you may be settling down a bit more now. We have loved hearing from you and are certainly intrigued about your latest "top secret" government assignment. I imagine you have been grateful for your fur coat as you seem to have been outdoors quite a lot and taking in some stunning scenery. We have been putting your photos up in our staff-room so all the team can see what you are up to and are still working on getting some local media to pick-up your story. You also appear to have met some lovely children and we know how much you love spending time with them. I imagine that once you settle in to your new routine you may not be in contact as much but that is okay, we will still remember you fondly and wish you all the best for your future life and adventures yet to come. Kind regards, Bruce
Thankyou for your recent email, I am flattered that the staff are interested in my travels and all the time I am doing new things I will continue to keep in touch and let them know how I am doing. I am at present in Hampshire staying with David but had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn's daughter and grandson, Barnaby at the weekend when they came for the day. I have met Murphy the cat and he doesn't seem too bothered by my presence (see 'photo) and this afternoon had a ride in a car, David has promised me a flying helmet and goggles (nothing was mentioned about ear plugs as I really need them too) for the next trip out in it as it is very windy and I was really pleased I had my fur coat. Kind regards George B
Had a quiet week, catching my breath from all this ‘jet setting’ and enjoying the English spring time. Back in Storrington now with Marilyn and have met Lucy, Marilyn’s pride and joy and we got on really well as you can see. Spent yesterday in the garden smelling the hyacinths. Will write again when I have something to report. Take care Regards George B PS Q: Why was the little bear so spoiled? A: Because its mother panda'd to its every whim
Marilyn and David have shown me an extract from The Press which you may be interested to see, so I am attaching it to this email. Bearly yours George B
BEAR IN BAR Earlier this week, a report came in that a bear was seen walking into the top Christchurch hotel, The George at Park Terrace. He entered the 50 on Park Bar and ordered a pint of lager. The bar tender, Bruce, who was multi-tasking, amazed that the bear could actually talk, silently gave him a beer. “Thanks”, the bear says, “what do I owe you?” Bruce, forever with an eye to making a profit, stopped and thought for a moment. Even though this bear is smart, he thought, he probably hadn’t been in many bars. So Bruce said “That’ll be NZ$20 please, sir”. The bear handed over the money and started drinking his beer. After a few minutes, Bruce gave in to his curiosity and walked back over to the bear and said “You know, we don’t get many bears in this bar”. The bear looked slowly up from his beer and said “Well, at twenty dollars a beer, I’m not surprised”.
Great news. I can bearly contain my excitement, we now, at long last, have received clearance to publish the photograph from the day we went to a secret location on Inch Island where they are carrying out some experiments with genetic engineering on animals. At this location they are trying to cross breed giraffes and sheep. See the two resulting animals in the background that David tells me are called Sheraffes .
Have a good day
George B
At last, the pictures we have all been waiting for. I imagine you had to be blindfolded on the way to and from the location so that you couldn't divulge the information. I hope that you were not too shocked by seeing this top secret programme. I take it now that the pictures have been released this experiment will soon become public knowledge and we will be seeing reports in our news media.
Whatever next? Mind you here in New Zealand we already have agricultural fairs where we display a sheep/cow cross. We call them "shows".
Kind regards,
Bruce
Marilyn and David promised me great fun today with the grand daughters who were all coming to Inch for Easter Sunday and they were right. When the girls got here there was great eggcitement for they told me that on Easter Sunday the Easter Bunny always came and hid Easter Eggs around the cottage for them to find. Caitlin informed me that it was very impawtant that we all kept our eyes shut while he wandered around hiding the eggs. This we did and then it was all off running to hunt for the eggs. Here’s me with the girls and the Easter Bunny, me with Amy and another of Erin with a smaller version. I think that they must have eggscaped from the genetic engineering farm down the road.
Regards
George B
Enjoying the Easter break here. Been quiet as the girls are in Sligo for four days but we are seeing them again tomorrow.
Yesterday we walked the whole of the Derry city wall, see photo of me in front of the magnificent Guildhall. The rest of the time we've been relaxing and just taking things easy.
Hope you are all well at The George
Regards
George B
Not much been happening since the excitement of the wedding but we did go down to the woods the other day, sadly not for a picnic, but to see the bluebells which are quite something to see and attached is a photo of me admiring them.
Also attached are two pawtraits of me .drawn by Amy and Caitlin while they were over last week
David has gone to Ireland for Amy's birthday this week so I am off to Cardiff with Marilyn.
Please give the staff at The George my best wishes.
Regards
George B
Water, water, everywhere - it rains in Wales (as indeed it does in Ireland!). I've been with Marilyn for a few days and we took a trip on a narrow boat on the Brecon Canal (see pictures). I even came across a boat named Dancing with Bears - had to restrain myself from dancing!! We stopped on an aqueduct over the River Usk and I was prebeariously perched on the bridge for a photo - I held my bearth!!
Our next outing is to see Maj (the Queen) at Windsor. Of course, she will be delighted to meet me, and Marilyn or David will get some pictures of us together. Hopefully the weather will be better as I am told another boat trip (on the River Thames) is in prospect.
Hope all is well at The George - please give my regards to all who know me (and that must be everyone).
George Bear
