The Pig finally got his wish last week - a holiday that didn't involve anything trying to eat him.

We took them to Cyprus to a wedding (they didn't go to the party - far to high a risk!) so the Pig got to sit on a beach at last.

For years he's been going on about wanting a beach holiday so he can soak up some rays, and he certainly enjoyed his time on a lunger. Balloon, of course wasn't so keen. It seems Bears don't like it too hot - though the idea of catching some fish did appeal.

As you can see BB doesn't worry about huge animals with bit pointy teeth - on the contrary he thinks they are all his friends and waves to everything.

We saw these lions in South Luangua national park in Zambia and were it not for the fact we were already searching our luggage for frogs Balloon was trying to bring home as pets we've no doubt he would have hatched some sort of plan to bring a lion home with him as a pet.

And so the trauma is over for another year.....

We've just returned from holiday in Zambia, a wonderful country with fantastic people - but African holidays are full of angst.

First of all there's the leaving home bit. Rodney and Little Brown clearly get upset at being left out, but as they won't leave the house there's little we can do other than tuck them up in bed and leave them the remote control for the telly.

Once we're away Balloon Bear isn't a problem - he loves watching wildlife (though he will insist on waving to monkeys despite warnings they will come and kidnap him and pull off all his armies and leggies!).

It's the Pig who gets the heebee geebies about holidays in Africa. He thinks everything is out to eat him and is very cautious of coming out of the bag. Normally he can't wait to have his picture taken, but on these holidays he burrows as far down in the day bag as possible. His paranoia even has him taking sides with the Bear who for ten days at kleast is his bestest buddy in the whole wide world (arse kicking returns as soon as he lands at Heathrow).

How pleased was the Pig to be back in front of his own TV, telling Rodney and Little Brown how brave he was faced with a roaring Lion charging out of the bush on the back of a rabid Elephant supported by robot dragons and giant man eating snakes.

We'll post some of the pics of the Pig and Bear in Zambia (more of the Bear obviously) shortly.

Okay..... it's been a while since they featured in the blog. I'd like to say they have been deep deep undercover, but the truth is blogging for a Pig and a bear can be tiresome.

Anyhoo - they've just got back from a trip to South Africa. Now the bear loves seeing all the animals, but the Pig is sure something is going to eat him. Every year he gets worse.

Still at least they found a friend this year, a French / German duck. Who said the entente cordial is dead?

Balloon like any form of transport. It started with "boop boops" (trains), but now extends to any form of getting somewhere. He therefore loved going on the trams in Munich, waving (as you will know one of his other areas of expertise) to anyone and everyone.

The inhabitants of Munich must really like Bears, as no-one batted an eye! 

Even on a chilly Munich street the pig will always come out for a photo with a "relative". 

We suspect the Pig might have a drink problem. 

Whilst in the museum the boys found loads of things to do - here Balloon found a model balloon which took off when you pressed a button. He may need a little work on his paws now as they were red raw from pressing.

Still it kept him occupied and out of trouble for a while. 

We took Balloon Bear and the Pig on holiday last week to munich in germany. There's a great museum there with loads of buttens to press - sadly we couldn't find the button to set off this ejector seat exhibit!