HOME!!!

On our last night in Oxford we went out for dinner at yet another pub and we made friends with this big guy. What a sweetie! He was very polite and moved slowly about the pub and greeted guests as they arrived.










He sat behind us for a time and then moved on.












I'm hoping the Association for the Protection and Care of Paddington Bears doesn't find out what Hans and I did with one of their charges!

We were in London's Heathrow Airport when I suddenly spotted this little fellow. Now I'm not a big fan of souvenirs and I hate buying something for the sake of buying but as soon as I read the 'Please look after this bear, thank you' tag hanging around his little neck, I was hooked.
Since Paddy was very well behaved and slept in his bunk (overhead storage) for the whole 7 hour trip home we felt he should be rewarded.

Paddy, enjoying a beer.

And here is Paddy with a double bourbon and gingerale.

And finally, here he is passed out on Hans' shoulder as we wait to board that last one hour plane trip (that feels like 7 hours because we are now totally sick of flying) to the Big City.

Don't worry, Paddy will be going to live with Vet Tech Girl for a much needed drying out!

It was a crazy two weeks and I was only along for the ride. This was just one of hundreds of trips Hans has made over the years and one of the first for his co-worker who came along. At the end of it the co-worker admitted that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be and that perhaps others in the office needed to go on one of them and see for themselves just how exhausting it really is. From planes to taxis, to buses and subways (and knowing which ones to take and which to avoid) to getting past language barriers, getting to appointments on time and putting out fires back home (because just like children; employees can't wait to tattle on each other and why not text Hans about it right now!), it is a job!

Hans just makes it look easy!