Hello, I am ZArnold from South African and I live in Johannesburg with Cristina Graham.

I have been waiting for this very special moment to tell you all about the exciting week that I had last week.

It was the launch of the A380 in Johannesburg. I flew to Cape Town because I heard that the A380 was going to fly over Table Mountain. Well it really was worth the trip!

The next day I was back in Johannesburg. I took the Gautrain from Sandton to OR Tambo International Airport Johannesburg. I was invited to go on a two-and-a-half hour flight on the A380 where I enjoyed champagne afternoon tea (I drank orange juice!), music from Freshly Ground and Buskaid, as well as a fashion show from Harrods of London. I really enjoyed Zolani Mahola the lead singer from Freshly Ground singing through the cabins. She has the most amazing voice and I do hope that she noticed me.

Today, 12 Feb 2014, the inaugural flight from London to Johannesburg takes place so I hope that a lot more teddy bears get to fly on this beautiful new aircraft in the future! What a privilege it was for me.

Pilot Ted - Touching down in Austria

Hallo friends,

Hope you're all well?!

I have arrived in Austria and I can't wait to go exploring. My fellow teddy bear's have told me a lot about this Country. Did you know it was the birth place of the famous music composer Mozart?

The picture above is of me relaxing in the Captain's chair just after landing - I was exhausted!! I think I may need to get a slightly smaller chair.

No time to rest though as I need to search all over Austria for other teddy bear's who are coming to London with me to have a teddy bear's picnic. This is to raise money for Flying Start, a charity in association with Comic Relief, aiming to give disadvantaged children a flying start in life. It's a fantastic cause and one which I am flying all over Europe to raise money for.

Please sponsor my journey on the link below and I will continue to post about my fantastic adventure that I am having along the way.

http://donate.ba-flyingstart.com/funraiser/AsOne 

Over and out,
Pilot Ted

Pilot Ted - Poland Pick Up

Hi again!

Just landed in Poland to pick up some more bears for the Teddy Bear Picnic in London - I'm so excited to be reunited with all my friends and family again I wish I could just go there now. However, I have a duty to carry out and my fellow bears are depending on me to pick them up from various destinations in Europe.

Here is me in the cockpit of the plane addressing the passengers via the on-flight communications system. What do you think of my Captain's hat? I think it's slightly too big for me. Do you know where I could find a smaller one?

I had a chance to visit Poland whilst I was there and it is so beautiful! My friends showed me around Wroclaw - the largest city in Western Poland. Look at this amazing square with brightly coloured buildings surrounding it. Have you visited before? I really recommend it.

Tomorrow I am jetting off again on pursuit for more teddy bears to take to London with me. I am sad to be leaving Poland as I really enjoyed the culture here, but I am more and more excited to arrive in London in a few weeks time.

Thank you so much to everyone who has already supported the great charity we are raising money for: Flying Start, in association with Comic Relief.
Please visit our donation page to help us reach our target

http://donate.ba-flyingstart.com/funraiser/AsOne

I'll post again when I arrive at my next destination (it's too dangerous to blog whilst flying!!)

Big hugs,

Pilot Ted

London Ted - Chinese New year

Happy Monday! Happy Chinese New year!

Did you know this weekend was Chinese New Year celebrations?

I did not manage to go and enjoy the biggest Chinese New Year Celebration outside Asia, but I can tell you a little bit, as my friends were telling me all about it!

The Chinese New year dates are determined by the lunar-solar Chinese calendar, which means the dates changes every year (similar to some other celebrations, including Easter, Ramadan, Diwali).

Besides the parade, you see dragons visiting shops, it’s said that the dragon needs to visit your shop, so it scares all the “bad influence” and “bless” the place for a prosperous New year.

This is the year of the Horse, for those born during Horse years (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990 or 2002) are cheerful, witty, talented and good with money.

All in one, it’s a fun and colourful celebration.

Sorry for the lack of pictures this time! L

Before I forget… I am still trying to get money to fly my family back to London, so they can attend the Teddy bear picnic we will host to kids from different schools and nurseries! Please donate, and support us!

http://donate.ba-flyingstart.com/funraiser/AsOne 

Alternatively, you can donate using paypal here...

*disclosure - if you use paypal in this page, we may be charged an admin fee.

PS. I was not there as my friends from India Vishal and Ramiz were going back to India, and I went to say goodbye!  (below you can see my picture with them)