Rachel, Calgary, Canada

papa_always


Posted Jan 8, 2014, 5:04 am
:pHello everyone ~ I am a small sheep Rachel!!
I first on this bbs. This bbs is very interesting~~
I think I like to travel~~
Now I'm at home, and with my friends.
My home is in China's capital Beijing~~
Here going up to the year's most important holiday -Chinese New Year
Welcome everyone to my home !!!!!!!!!

My family is a big family, there are a lot of animals~~
I love them everyone


papa_always


Posted Jan 13, 2014, 5:38 am
  Today is the weekend ,My sister took me to eat Japanese food!
 
  The restaurant is decorated in the theme of Japanese comics, I think it is very interesting .

  We went to Sanlitun,Here is the very heart of the commercial district, there are many shopping malls and bars.There are a lot of very nice  lights in night.
  In the photo of the red fox is China's comic cartoon,He name is:阿狸.Means little fox.
 

  Today I am very happy to play, I want to sleep, good night  :p
papa_always


Posted Jan 14, 2014, 2:48 am
 

  I like to go shopping!!Today I went shopping!
  My favorite is the area of children's toys,Because I am a baby sheep!
  I like colorful toys and toys music.
  I really want to buy a take my home,but my sister does not agree :(
    If I have  a chance I want to buy a favorite toy to give myself!

    :pI also want to go to amusement parks
 
  I plan to celebrate the Chinese New Year in China and then set off to travel ! :rolleyes:I'm still thinking about where I want to travel:o
papa_always


Posted Jan 18, 2014, 5:32 am
    Today is weekend, we go to the suburb enjoy a  hot spring :D
    Now is the coldest day of the year in Beijing.(Although this year are not particularly cold, don't know whether because of the greenhouse effect.)Hot springs is a good choice.
   
   
    In the indoor has swimming pool, gym and other recreational activities, such as playing ping—pong.
    There are a lot of hot spring pools in outdoor.They are different.
    My favorite is the pool of bubbles.Here is very warm and fun. I want to take other friend next time to play together.
    Then we went to eat buffet dinner, my sister let me choose food,I found my favorite carrot cake, finally to eat it, the taste is great! :p
    The night we went to the hot springs, but because it was too dark didn't give me a nice photo.
      It's been a nice day~
   
papa_always


Posted Jan 20, 2014, 7:12 am
Paul and I went to China national grand theatre the opera today.
    Let me introduce China national grand theatre.
   
    The National Grand Theater is built in the shape of a shell. The whole building measures 46.68 meters in height and the deepest part built underground measures 32.5 meters in depth. The theater is more than 600 meters in circumference and surrounded by a man-made lake that covers an area of 35, 500 square meters.
  The opera hall is the most important part inside the theater. It is painted mainly in the color of gold and can seat 2,398 people.

Painted in white, the concert hall gives the public an impression that it is an elegant building with a high-class taste. The music hall can seat 2,019 people and will be mainly used for performing symphonies and Chinese folk music.

 
And there is the drama hall for displaying stage plays and dramas. The hall can seat 1,035 people.

The National Grand Theater can provide first-class services for artists and musicians. There are five places where artists can have their rehearsals, 32 rooms with musical instruments, and 80 dressing rooms. Many dressing rooms are equipped with a bathroom.

The National Grand Theater will become an ideal place for world-renowned artists and art troupes to give their performances. At the same time, China will also try to introduce its local music to the world at the country's grandest music building.

    Paul and I looked at today's opera is 《The Marriage of Figaro》(Le Nozze di Figaro)K.492, is an opera buffa (comic opera) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro (1784).
Although the play by Beaumarchais was at first banned in Vienna because of its satire of the aristocracy, considered dangerous in the decade before the French Revolution, the opera became one of Mozart's most successful works. The overture is especially famous and is often played as a concert piece. The musical material of the overture is not used later in the work, aside from two brief phrases during the Count's part in the terzetto Cosa sento!

  To be honest I don't understand the opera, I guess Paul did not understand, but we still very happy. :rolleyes:
   
papa_always


Posted Jan 23, 2014, 2:45 pm
  Have a new friend come to my home today, he is from Germany to a horse,Hansi!! He looks very friendly, I welcome him very much!

  Today is China's off-year, so we make dumplings to eat in the evening,I teach him to make dumplings, he is very clever, but a little shy shy :p

 
The first photo is my breakfast, this is a very traditional and popular food in China, We call it :Jianbing(pancakes ,But with the French pancake is different, it is salty),like hot dogs in the United States, people eat it in the street very casual,But the store is different, the boss is a young man, store is very clean and neat and fashion, is a fashion restaurant!
papa_always


Posted Jan 27, 2014, 3:12 pm
I and Chief Executive(the pink bear,my best friends)andHansi went to TaoRanTing park!!There have Ice and Snow World amusement park in the park.I like snow, but unfortunately there is no snow this year in Beijing.We snowball fight in the snow.We also saw a lot of small animals!!I saw an alpaca!My favorite is the alpaca! It is brown, not white, but still very cute :p
Hansi came to China at first,He think everything is interesting, I take him as a guide to travel Beijing.This is really wonderful day!!

 
papa_always


Posted Feb 1, 2014, 7:44 am
Happy Chinese New Year everyone!!! :p :p
Finally to the Spring Festival, I look forward to this day for a long time.

This year we choose to spend the Spring Festival at home.Most of the Chinese people in this day back to home and with family, no matter where he normally work.

My home have a visitor, Hansi from Germany and we spend the holidays together.He has never been to China, feel everything is very interesting.

After we had finished our family reunion dinner, the whole family to watch the Spring Festival Gala.This is one of the Chinese New Year customs.The whole of China all the people in this time of turn on the TV to watch the show.We like to watch the show is crosstalk, like talk show, but usually have a lot of song and dance show, there are a lot of stars.

The TV show end of more than twelve o 'clock at night.Then we go out to set off firecrackers and fireworks.

I think Hansi did not anticipate,  so he 's  very afraid.The sound of firecrackers very loudly, we can't hear other sounds in the outside.Every street in China were put in fireworks fireworks in the same time.The sky was dyed red, and the earth is also red firecrackers, we in the midst of a red.Any time in the seven days of the holiday, people set off firecrackers in the street.

But This year we have not set off firecrackers, because Beijing's air quality is bad this year, to protect the environment, we choose to not fireworks this year.But I can watch the other one  to put fireworks with Hansi.


After the holidays I will go on a trip, so I'm going to visit many places these days, it's really a happy holiday :cyclops:

papa_always


Posted Feb 5, 2014, 1:36 pm

A few days before I and Chief ExecutiveHansiPinkyHH went to the temple fair.There are so many people in the temple fair.Because every yeareveryone will go to the temple in the Spring Festival , this is Chinese's habit.

In the chinese new year, many parks have held the temple fair.

In the temple fair there have to sell crafts, selling toys, selling food, play games, performances....A shop next to the shops.Most articles for celebrate spring festival.

PinkyHH and Hansi  have never been to the temple, they saw huge crowds of people. They are very surprised.

The Spring Festival is a festival holiday, we bought a lucky New Year's gift, very happy. :p
papa_always


Posted Feb 10, 2014, 12:27 pm
This photos is a few days ago I and friends go out to play ,We went ice skating together and eat food  have a afternoon tea.

It’s all of a very happy time.

I'm leaving today.
my friends one by one say goodbye to me,I was moved.

I want to start my first trip.I'm going to Finland to find Tuijia,I think it must be very happy,But I was a little nervous :cyclops:


Wish me luck :p :p :p
Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Feb 19, 2014, 12:53 pm
Hi Mom!

I reached my first host Tuija today! I first arrived in Kajaani but I was sent forward to Kiiminki which is hostmom's childhood hometown. She's visiting there right now and she picked me up from the post office finally on Tuesday evening.

At home she opened the packet a bit so that I could jump out and take a look around. I was warmly welcomed by three other TVs - ladybird HelgaHH, moose Yuma and parrot Prajna. We cut my package open all the way and got out the card and candies you had put in with me. The gifts were much appreciated and I took a bite, too, since I hadn't been able to eat anything during my long journey to Finland.

The rest of the night I spent very peacefully. I played a couple of tunes on a guitar and electric piano, and relaxed in a rocking chair with my new friends. When it was time to go to sleep I snuggled into bed with Prajna - it was her first time in Kiiminki as well :)

Good night mommy! I'm enjoying myself very much here.

Hugs and kisses from your Rachel <3

Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Feb 26, 2014, 12:42 pm
Hi Mom!

Today I helped hostmom wrapping a gift for her brand new baby niece who is only five days old.
The very same evening we hopped on a train that took us to Nivala, a town 150 kilometres to south from Kiiminki. I'll tell you what it is like there some day this week.. :)

<3 Rachel




Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 6, 2014, 2:40 pm
This is a day of cuddly kitties! :3

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1aGeIlOKTQ/UxhtF17okGI/AAAAAAAAAsU/IV8h0EIHPu4/s1600/IMG_4123.JPG
Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 6, 2014, 2:44 pm
Watching some french anime with Yuma and Prajna!

Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 6, 2014, 3:35 pm
Hi! Today, February 28, is the day of Kalevala and Finnish culture.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZheBelDQeDY/UxiQvJZbfHI/AAAAAAAAAtY/6YjJQyDr9Uk/s1600/IMG_4177.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3V52wqpeiFQ/UxiQvLX-nPI/AAAAAAAAAtg/ArKS5Vy4y_c/s1600/IMG_4179.JPG

Kalevala is the national epic of Finland, a compilation of epic poems gathered together by the national writer Elias Lönnrot in the early 1900's. The poems of Kalevala are stories of Finnish folklore and mythology.

We took a little stroll around the town of Nivala. There was just a little bit of snow on the ground because the weather's been comparatively warm for the last week. We've been up to +5 degrees (Celsius).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gh6F00sEvVg/UxiRX_JzGYI/AAAAAAAAAug/UzI1YEs_SrY/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ov9WhOMEpw8/UxiRwQQ3DVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/9v5ggYd2hPM/s1600/IMG_4152.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_34H8aNe4eE/UxiRwVKAzSI/AAAAAAAAAus/ETsiCDfId5U/s1600/IMG_4153.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_4vOh2OQ_k/UxiRwo0MxlI/AAAAAAAAAuw/03kWkSRDSUc/s1600/IMG_4154.JPG

Oh oh! Watch out, Rachel; those berries are not for eating! :O

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-IOnSZU9eM/UxiRxM1JqLI/AAAAAAAAAvA/iu_G3HKpxBI/s1600/IMG_4155.JPG
:p

Tonight we'll leave Nivala and return to Kiiminki by car... Let's see if I can share a part of that roadtrip with you :)

Love, Rachel
Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 9, 2014, 8:26 pm
Hi!

Please have a small video we edited... it's from our roadtrip to hostmom's hometown Kiiminki :)

I hope you'll enjoy the scenery :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll9Ebt9isz8&feature=youtu.be

Love from Rachel
Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 9, 2014, 9:02 pm
Yuma is going to travel on to his next host in Spain... Have a safe journey, buddy! It was amazing to make friends with you (:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfm_JYfhUew/UxzRYEWq0tI/AAAAAAAAAvs/p_AM5KOZm_4/s1600/IMG_4273.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kIakDCnwZyk/UxzRYVCdk9I/AAAAAAAAAv0/E8BndxyIoec/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG

Oh, Helga also traveled back home earlier but unfortunately we didn't get any group pictures of her departure. Greetings to her, too, anyway - hopefully you reached home safely <3

~Rachel
Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 17, 2014, 6:38 am
Hi! We spent a weekend in Kuhmo which is a town in the very east of Finland, 100 kilometres to east from Kajaani.

Tuija took us for a walk around the town.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IwgaOsuKC0/UyaL5pCdBsI/AAAAAAAAAwU/6xfffIVC95Q/s1600/IMG_4378.JPG

Here is a popular lunch cafeteria in the town:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4fHsPh3WRMg/UyaL7gxjDWI/AAAAAAAAAww/qqf3jxRb-Gk/s1600/IMG_4388.JPG

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kz8WxkPUHPQ/UyaL7-KAj8I/AAAAAAAAAw4/270_Fs3ncpw/s1600/IMG_4391.JPG
This statue represents traveling salesmen ("laukkukauppias") who were a familiar sight in the late 1800's and early 1900's Finland, especially in the eastern regions of rural Finland. These men came from Karelia which is these days a part of the Russia federation. They spent months on the road during autumn and wintertime, carrying big rucksacks full of clothes, textiles and other smaller yet useful items. Traditionally they walked from house to house and stayed overnight in places they got customers from.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzmhUsP7t0M/UyaL8iFA-OI/AAAAAAAAAxI/yZPXMhIWa0U/s1600/IMG_4394.JPG
What a funny spruce tree :D Let me just tell you that Kuhmo is called "the town of three spruces" because the coat of arms of Kuhmo has three golden spruces on it. This town is very much full of forests and big, beautiful lakes.

The downtown Kuhmo is located by one of those lakes which is, by a wonderful coincidence, called Lammasjärvi (that's "Sheep Lake" in Finnish!! :cyclops: )
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLQMxsoPAWk/UyaL9YoLFbI/AAAAAAAAAxY/84YSl1avsGQ/s1600/IMG_4397.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-090e1Cq-zlk/UyaL5nzVI4I/AAAAAAAAAwM/3juAWvMDq8U/s1600/IMG_4382.JPG
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQ-ZhydB0Fo/UyaL88yGzAI/AAAAAAAAAxw/MiDtmMAIjss/s1600/IMG_4385.JPG

Sunkissed (:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Az_pVLhYGSU/UyaL-KnH1vI/AAAAAAAAAxo/eOjxo4MsMOg/s1600/IMG_4402.JPG

Contemporary art in front of a local Karelian folk art museum (which unfortunately was closed)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G4zTfhS9h_0/UyaL-y8jh7I/AAAAAAAAAx8/WvmDlqsrLmA/s1600/IMG_4404.JPG

Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 17, 2014, 6:57 am
Another day in Kuhmo...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDSe6wJRUqI/UyaZdBotCII/AAAAAAAAAyo/qkLiuRlovrI/s1600/IMG_4374.JPG

Let's build a snowman!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBSipw0j1R8/UyaZdog43KI/AAAAAAAAAys/CytDc3DY5pE/s1600/IMG_4375.JPG
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8q0x0FIC9KI/UyaZds7BkmI/AAAAAAAAAy0/sEhqXpQlAcA/s1600/IMG_4376.JPG

Relaxing with a new pal...
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54E42aGm6KA/UyaZhNFpNYI/AAAAAAAAAzU/UWmfKitTjY0/s1600/IMG_4306.JPG

And finding many familiar faces!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gvZOgg9094s/UyaZhVs9OCI/AAAAAAAAAz8/hA7dphIn4g0/s1600/IMG_4309.JPGhttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0q4nVDjI274/UyaZgS05zcI/AAAAAAAAAzM/ECjOwKgR9Cg/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YZQbPijx_Y/UyaZh1xP9WI/AAAAAAAAAzk/xEDQm3BXzLk/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG
That last one... a packet of paper tissues! Soft as a lamb's wool n.n

We watched a nature documentary on penguins...
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSnT8sEvk8c/UyaZidpj9PI/AAAAAAAAAzs/FMkXq2a9dTY/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG

...and had a laugh over silly candy teeth  :cyclops:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8GLdiTbuoE/UyaZihZXD6I/AAAAAAAAAz0/n8teWUCl-v4/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG

Love, Rachel
Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 17, 2014, 7:07 am
We got a new TV in the house today! His name is Fred Leprechaun and he brought greetings from California.
Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 18, 2014, 6:24 pm
Hi mom!

Today we visited a very exciting place here in Kajaani. There are ruins of an old castle which was built in the 1600's to function as an administrative centre, a prison, and a fort. It got unfortunately blown up during a war about one hundred years later but the ruins remained and today they are a sight for anyone to visit anytime.

The castle is located on a small island in the middle of Kajaani River which flows through the city centre.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b7Xaw882t7E/UyiJGTwQO9I/AAAAAAAAA1k/kkT7_a5p9aM/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tBbDSEyeS2Y/UyiJEgDL53I/AAAAAAAAA1E/1ggCdmkWgpo/s1600/IMG_4485.JPG

There were steep staircases! Better watch out...
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pgHRS0yfiqo/UyiJGGbWGmI/AAAAAAAAA1c/psdD-_ajIBM/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67lPdIY7qIc/UyiJGd6ckVI/AAAAAAAAA10/x6uX9B6WJCM/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CXTS4FxA_wg/UyiJH_8GtjI/AAAAAAAAA2M/x4nLiQmSLqw/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG

Lastly, we viewed he river. There was another small island there.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vhi_FH1_2XY/UyiJBJXKmzI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Stra5buVfAQ/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG

Too bad the castle isn't whole anymore... I would've loved to be a princess for a day  :D
Tatterdemalion
tuiaway@aol.com

Posted Mar 27, 2014, 10:48 am
Hi!

It's been quite a month here in Finland! Today I'll be off to Japan. That's going to be fun!

Just before leaving I got some breakfast. Look what funny stuff they eat here.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWRz3OdoENY/UzP_NzxVgdI/AAAAAAAAA2k/kyXMJFTIl6g/s1600/IMG_4526.JPG

These rye crust pies are called rönttöset. They're filled with a sweetened mix of mashed potatoes and lingonberries and they taste exceptionally nice when heated up and a touch of butter on the sides.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfpnT2_PHS0/UzP_OpLh3lI/AAAAAAAAA24/GeocNoJTJw8/s1600/IMG_4532.JPG
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLGRdzT9kdc/UzP_QAMCC2I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/47EKBAJkvz4/s1600/IMG_4537.JPG

After breakfast it was time to say goodbye to my friends and get packed and ready to travel.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TmbzTFKrupU/UzQAS0fAVFI/AAAAAAAAA3s/p22vLwitOZ8/s1600/IMG_4549.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehbm5MuXfAM/UzQAUSOEq_I/AAAAAAAAA34/K7HNTLsfnx0/s1600/IMG_4550.JPG
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRHK7YjsrCc/UzQATA_PUxI/AAAAAAAAA3w/Ug1oSTFaIqA/s1600/IMG_4551.JPG

Bye, Finland! See you soon, Japan!

Rachel
cocoaby


Posted Mar 29, 2014, 10:38 am
Hello Papa,
I arrived in Japan. Yeah!
They rescued me from an envelope. They did a heart massage for me.
I received many warm welcome from everyone.
And I showed a beautiful postcard from Tatterdemalion (Finland) for them.
My host said "You came at just the right time! Cherry blossoms will bloom soon."
I plan on enjoying life in Japan.
See you soon.
;)
cocoaby


Posted Mar 30, 2014, 2:51 am
Hi, mom.
We decided to go to McDonald's because I've heard that there is a drink of SAKURA(cherry blossoms) related for a limited time at McDonald's from my mom.
Well, McDonald's was 5-minute walk from my host's home.
It was a delicious cold drink, sweet smell and good cherries taste.
Drink of this pink is like a cocktail that does not contain alcohol at all.
We were able to see cherry blossoms began to bloom on the my way home.
Cherry blossoms will be in full bloom soon.
:rolleyes:
cocoaby


Posted Mar 30, 2014, 3:25 am
Hello!
New guest has arrived from China today.
It is my mom's an envelope.
Oh! Hansi Hü. I'm glad I could see he again.
I heard it's horse zodiac year of this year(2014) in Japan.
We might find something horse-related.
We sincerely welcome him.
:)
cocoaby


Posted Apr 6, 2014, 4:57 am
My host just came back from work, we explored the cherry blossoms around the house.
Many Japanese people loves cherry blossom so much.
It is said that it is because cherry blossom symbolizes the ephemeral nature of life due to the way it blooms spectacularly but only for a short while. or feeling spring comes and meaning everything start.
Well, we will start a week of searching the "SAKURA"(cherry blossoms) for us.
I found small flowers. It is very cute!
Then We were looking at this scenery that cherry blossoms were falling.
Of all the windy yesterday, the cherry blossoms have fallen off.
However, I heard The cherry blossoms are at their best few days.
I think I want to more enjoy cherry blossoms.
;)
cocoaby


Posted Apr 6, 2014, 5:30 am
We went to visit to hear "Tadodai-buncyosya(Tadodai branch office) " is to be opened only one week during the cherry blossoms season. But it will be closed in one hour, today. It was built in 1913.
There were many people taking pictures and watching the cherry blossoms.
You can see Japanese-style room and conference room in Tadodai-buncyosya.
Stone of Antarctica was also on display. Of course, I tried to touch to stone.
We can see the Tokyo Bay below our eyes, cherry blossoms bloomed in a nice garden.
Pond was being represented by white stones on part of the garden.
This is a typical representation of a Japanese garden.
The weather was not good, but we were able to enjoy.
:rolleyes:
cocoaby


Posted Apr 6, 2014, 6:13 am
I  went to a "Hashirimizu fountainhead".
The ground was covered in pink petals, and the remaining blossoms and leaves covered the sky giving the place a pink glow.
I am afraid the flowers will not last till next week.
Although the cherry blossoms were on a decline by the time of our visit, we were nevertheless able to catch some pleasant views. However, with the afternoon showers in the area, more petals will fall and that would bring the cherry blossoms season closer to its end.
:thinking:
cocoaby


Posted Apr 14, 2014, 8:28 am
Hello! mom.
New guest has arrived from Germany today.
Her name is Josie. She is cute tiny dog.
We sincerely welcome.

Well, Spring vacation has ended, and the new school term started today.
In Japan, April is the month when school starts and companies begin a new business year.
Everyone seems little busy.
Bye for now.
:rolleyes:
cocoaby


Posted Apr 19, 2014, 9:08 am
Hi mom!
It's sunny day.
We came to Kannonzaki park.
First, we greeting an old cat who lives here.
He looks very comfortably by basking.
A short walk, And we found a very mysterious dark cave.
Kind of an old small shrine, any incorporeal supernatural being, Don't you think so?

There's a legend that a large snake lived on this dark cave.
Monk visited small village Kannonzaki in 741.
He heard that a large snake lived in this cave, and afflicts villagers and fishermen, the people of marine transportation.
Monk was killed the large snake. Then large snake was enshrined in this dark cave .
I think we should keep away from this cave.
:D
cocoaby


Posted Apr 19, 2014, 9:48 am
For go to see the Kannonzaki lighthouse, we went up the stairs earnestly.
Kannonzaki lighthouse is oldest western style lighthouse in Japan.
November 1 is the lighthouse anniversary to commemorate the start of construction date of this lighthouse.
Collapsed in the earthquake of twice, the current lighthouse is the third generation.

We were able to see big tankers comings and goings in Tokyo Bay when we walking beach.
I found Cherry blossom tree in Kannonzaki park here. 
We playing at the beach a little. I have enjoying and relaxed.
See you!
;)
cocoaby


Posted Apr 20, 2014, 4:56 am
We went to Tokyo sightseeing by train.
You can see arrival time of trains at the station(in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean language).
B)
cocoaby


Posted Apr 20, 2014, 7:13 am
We came to the Meiji Shrine(Meiji Jingu).
Mom, I was really surprised!
Do you believe in the spirit photo?
There is a large white orb in my photo.
I heard orb appears in the sacred places such as shrines and temples. Is it just a dust on the lens of camera???
What do you think?

Through promenade in forest, I went to shrine buildings.
It was one of the visiting typical place for foreign tourists here.
Visitors to the shrine can take part in typical Shinto activities, writing out one's wish on an ema.
When we visited the Meiji shrine, we witnessed a Shinto wedding procession which  was led by two priests and two shrine maidens, followed by the couple under a red umbrella and the family and friends.
It was delightful seeing the colorful ceremony in wonderful surroundings.

When you enter the premises of Meiji shrine, you notice barrels of sake wrapped in straw stacked up near the entrance.
This is fascinating design.
To know more about these barrels, read the following text which was written on information board put up near these barrels.
And You can see the otorii, it is the gate of shrines.
:)
cocoaby


Posted Apr 20, 2014, 8:19 am
Shibuya. It is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts.
Wow, There are a lot of people.
You can see the famous crossing in front of Shibuya Station.
It is a crossing where vehicles from all four directions are stopped and allows pedestrians to cross in every direction.
:o
cocoaby


Posted Apr 23, 2014, 12:56 pm
We came to NHK Studio Park.
NHK(Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Studio Park is NHK Broadcasting thema park that is open to the public.
It gives visitors a chance to look behind the scenes of NHK broadcasting.
You can know the history of the TV show.
Stage equipment and costumes that were used in the TV show is on display.
;)
cocoaby


Posted Apr 30, 2014, 12:28 am
You can see Tokyo subway route map.
It is like a maze.
Then We went to the Kabuki-za theater.
Kabuki is a part of traditional Japanese classical culture.
We saw ladies wearing Kimono, Kimono is Japanese traditional dress, it is worn during formal events.
It was a good day!
See you.
;)
cocoaby


Posted Apr 30, 2014, 2:18 am
Hello, mom!
Today, April 14th is my birthday!
My toy voyagers friends had a surprise birth day party for me!
Look! They made cute cup cake for me.
Everyone sang me the happy birthday song.
  Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you
  Happy Birthday dear little sheep Rachel
  Happy Birthday Rachel!!!
Thank you Aura, Betty Bear, Hansi Hü, Josie.
It was a really fun time and happy.
:D
cocoaby


Posted Apr 30, 2014, 3:24 am
It is sunny good day.
We went to the "Ootawa, Tsutsuji no oka(azalea's hills) park".
50,000 azaleas have been planted here, pink and white, red flowers very beautiful, so visitors can enjoy the flowers.
Many Bee had greeted us. They loves honey too much.
Actually, It seems azalea's honey is sweet when my host tasted the azalea's honey in childhood.
:)
cocoaby


Posted Apr 30, 2014, 4:13 am
I will prepare for Betty Bear's trip today.
We repaired  Betty's red tag. It was easy for us.
My host bought her some candies.
We are a little sad to say goodbye to her.
Hope we can meet together sometime.
:thinking:
cocoaby


Posted May 11, 2014, 6:35 am
Hi mom,
We came to Umikaze(It is meaning "sea breeze") park by bicycle because it is a lovely day.
It was five minutes until the park.
Here is very crowded on sunday. Many people visited the park, and enjoyed a barbecue and fishing.
We're playing in the playground equipment.
I found funny clock tower. Let me see...It is eight twenty five in the morning.
You can see a view of the Tokyo Bay. A small island in Tokyo Bay has been called "Saru-shima(It is meaning "Monkeys Island")".
But monkeys do not live on the island now.
A big love and many kisses on Mother's Day!
Rachel
cocoaby


Posted May 17, 2014, 1:31 am
I will introduce you to some of vending machine in Japan.
You can see various drinks.
Lactic acid bacteria beverage, coffee, cocoa, cafe au lait, tea, green tea, cola, plum juice, mineral water, soup and more. cold or hot, Cans or paper cups or plastic bottles.
:o
cocoaby


Posted May 17, 2014, 2:03 am
Mom, Are you interested in FIFA World Cup 2014?
Usually my host has not interested in football.
However, She has interested in World Cup and stamps.
She showed us to FIFA World Cup stamp sheets, it was issued today at Japan post office.
:rolleyes:
cocoaby


Posted May 17, 2014, 2:45 am
My toy friend Aura went back to her home in Finland today.
We are a little sad to say goodbye to her.
Hope we can meet together sometime, somewhere.
:(
cocoaby


Posted May 21, 2014, 6:45 am
Hi mom, It is sunny and bright.
We went to Verny park by bicycle, humming to song.
It takes 20 minutes to go to this park by my host's bicycle.
The name of the park called Verny is origin of name from French engineer Verny.
He gave us any support to built a lighthouse and Yokosuka Port facilities in 1865-1867. So this park is built French-style.

Mom, Do you know "Haiku" ?
Haiku is Japanese three-line poetry structured in the set form of 5-7-5 syllables.
Including a seasonal word in it.
It is said that haiku is the world's shortest literature.
One Haiku is written for stone where we are sitting.
Shiki Masaoka(1867-1902) wrote ​​this Haiku, he is one of  great modern Haiku poet.
It is impression of Yokosuka port  when he visited the Yokosuka in 1888.
Haiku has been one of the most important traditional literary forms in Japan.
A contemplative poetry, nature, color, seasons, contrast and surprises.
It has developed as a verse that expresses deep feeling for nature including human beings.
This follows the traditional Japanese idea that people is a part of the natural world.

Many rose are blooming so beautifully at the best now. Pink roses, red and yellow, white roses.
That is a very smells sweet.
My host bought us matcha latte, I drank latte sitting on the bench.
We continued our tour of the park, I found historic gate.
See you!
;)
cocoaby


Posted May 27, 2014, 10:17 am
We decided make a Ramen for lunch.
Ramen is a Japanese noodle and soup dish which originated in China.
Everything looks good.
I’m want to have the Shin-Ramen! It is from Korea, so very spicy Ramen!
This Ramen is too hot for me.
Put a block of dried Ramen into boiled water and boil it with vegetables and meat or sausage and seaweed and bean sprouts for a few minutes.
Add the accompanying soup powder and stir.
It was delicious!
:p
cocoaby


Posted May 27, 2014, 11:12 am
It is a pity that the weather is bad.
We came to Yuigahama beach in Kamakura.
You can see Pacific ocean.
Many people enjoying surfing. Riding waves is so cool!
It's such a beautiful sport to watch when we're walking down beaches.
We must be careful with Hawks.
If I was kidnapped to Hawks,  I may not see you any more.
I heard we could take a lot of Sakuragai(beautiful pink color shellfish) in this beach. But I couldn't found that.
There is a monument of Sakuragai's song.
B)
cocoaby


Posted May 28, 2014, 10:09 am
After we saw the ocean, I walked Komachi street in Kamakura.
I saw burger shop and sandwiches shop, Japanese post box(old type), sewing goods shop "SWANY"(Flowers in the garden of this shop was beautiful), Japanese sweets shop and Studio Ghibli shop.
Mom, My host bought me "Kamakura-yaki".
I would say they are like Japanese pancake(green tea flavor) or muffin with bean paste of black sesami seeds inside.
Delicious!
:rolleyes:
cocoaby


Posted May 31, 2014, 5:39 am
We went to Anyoin Temple (Kamakura, Kanagawa), Important Cultural Property.
It has been said Masako Hojo(1157 - 1225) built this temple for her husband.
Her husband was a founder and supreme authority of Kamakura shogunate.
A story I heard was, Masako bought a good dream from her young sister.
How to buy a dream, Masako gave her what she want.
Tradition has it that so good things will happen when you bought a good dream from somebody.
Actually, She managed to make a brilliant marriage.
Anyoin is Masako's Buddhist name.
:rolleyes:
cocoaby


Posted May 31, 2014, 7:18 am
We came to Ankokuronji.
Ankokuronji is one of several temples of the Nichiren sect of Japanese Buddhism of Kamakura in 1253.
Tourists did not visit much here.
Fresh green garden here is beautiful, wonderful sculptures of the temple.
:D
cocoaby


Posted May 31, 2014, 8:34 am
When we visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shirine, I could see Japanese style wedding.
Called "Sho" is one of the musical instrument that is played at the shrine.
You can see "Ema(wooden votive tablet)", it was written one's  wishes on Ema(form of ginkgo).
We had a break with drink water of Cassis flavor.
Flavor water(infused water) now has been very popular in Japan.
Day trip of us is the end here.
Gokigenyou(Have a nice day!)
;)
cocoaby


Posted Jun 2, 2014, 11:03 am
I ate Sushi for lunch at my host's home.
Yummy!
:)
cocoaby


Posted Jun 6, 2014, 9:41 am
Hello mom!
We came here for Hansi's life mission.
Suburbs of Tokyo. It takes around 90 minutes from my host's home to here by train.

It is called The Tokyo Yushun, 81st Nihon Derby(81st Japanese Derby).
Every year, the Japanese Derby records the spectator numbers in excess of 130,000 and is one of the most representative big horse race in Japan.
We have 3 big horse race, It is "Satsuki-sho", "Kikka-sho", "Tokyo Yushun".
"Satsuki-sho" horse race is said that most fast horse is win.
Also "Kikka-sho" horse race is said that most strong horse is win.
This horse race "Tokyo Yushun" is said that most lucky horse is win.
That’s fascinating! isn't it ?
The victory was worth 200,000,000 yen(about 1,438,720 euro)(about 12,087,000 Chinese Yuan).

I got a admission ticket and racing program.
How wonderful the Tokyo race course is!!
We bought a betting slip for #13"Isla Bonita" by observing the horse in the paddock.
I’ll be rooting for Isla Bonita!

You can see this horse race video and result.
here(English)
here(Chinese)
Check it video and result.
"2014.06.01
Tokyo Yushun
(Japanese Derby) (G1)
Tokyo Racecourse"
That race was really awesome!

Have a lovely day!
your Rachel
:D
cocoaby


Posted Jan 26, 2015, 5:33 am
We have made plum sirup for the first time this year.
I washed the plums, wiped them well, and took stem of them.
Prepared plums for 500g, rock candy for 1kg, and apple vinegar 200cc and jar.
I put the plums and sugar alternately in the jar, them the plum sirup should be ready after 2 week so.
I can't wait it.
:rolleyes:
cocoaby


Posted Jan 26, 2015, 5:52 am
Glenn arrived my host's home.
We welcome him. We sat around and talked and drank juice till the late hours of the night.
:cyclops:
cocoaby


Posted Jan 28, 2015, 3:01 am
It's cloudy. We went to Kurihama tenjin shirine.
:)
cocoaby


Posted Jan 28, 2015, 3:28 am
Hi mom!
Here is "Fujiko F Fujio Museum" in Kawasaki, called "Doraemon Museum".
Do you know "Doraemon"?
Doraemon is very popular character by Fujiko F Fujio in Japan.
Indoor exhibits, there are cases where recording and picture taking are prohibited. I took some photos with me.
:D
cocoaby


Posted Jan 31, 2015, 5:42 am
Hi, mom.
I ate Sushi for lunch. I don't feel like eating and I'm exhausted after the hot and humid summer.
:(
cocoaby


Posted Jan 31, 2015, 6:03 am
Hello!
It's cloudy. I went to the Umikaze park by walk about 10 minutes.
Also Dockyard is near here.
We can see Sarushima Island in the distance. There are This park has palm trees.
And I love anything to do with warmer weather, including palm trees.
:rolleyes:
cocoaby


Posted Jan 31, 2015, 6:48 am
Glenn will go home once.
We said goodbye to Glenn.
I hope to see you again .
;)
cocoaby


Posted Feb 1, 2015, 2:28 am
I strolled through the nature trail in Maeda river.
The Maeda river run slowly between the low mountain.
On the way, I found small yellow mushrooms, so cute!
Finally, I could see a view from Oogusu hill, It is highest peak (242meters) of the Miura peninsula.
I enjoyed the panoramic 360 degree from the top.
;)
cocoaby


Posted Feb 4, 2015, 8:27 am
Hello!
This is my last update in Japan.
Unfortunately, I am looking for that but I can't find my today's photos anywhere in my host's computer, very very Sorry.
:(
Today, I said "good bye" to everyone. Then I was jumped in white envelope.
Mom, I can see you in Beijing! I can't wait!
a lot of love!
:)
papa_always


Posted May 4, 2015, 11:44 am
HI~~

It's springtime in Beijing,The weather was fine and warm.We go boating in Beihai park today.

Beihai Park located in central Beijing, is one of the oldest and most authentically perserved imperial gardens in China. It has a history of 1000 years.

Beihai has existed throughout the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The park occupies an area of 69 hectares including a 39-hectare lake. In the garden, pavilions and towers nestle amid the beautiful scenery of lakes and hills,grass and trees. Carrying on the traditions of garden landscaping of ancient China Beihai is a gem of garden art.

We sat in the duck boat,it's so cute,This is a pedal boat,like riding a bike,but I am very tired,I like see the scenery on board.TheWhite Pagoda  is a landmark building in Beihai Park.


We went to the old Beijing flavor Grand Canal Terminals -Shi Sha hai in the evening.
In the daytime there is a old China Street, This area is a lot of what is left of the traditional style hutong's in Beijing.But in the evening, there a bar street. Many small bars line the winding streets overlooking the canals that run through the area.

We dined on  Beijing hot pot(Beijing copper pot ShabuShabu).This is the most authentic Beijing Hot pot.Every day there's a line.Beijing people like to eat mutton slices cooked in hot pot,I'd like to eat vegetables :D So good! So yummy, yummy, yummy!
papa_always


Posted May 6, 2015, 8:09 am
HI~We started a new journey.
Beijing in the North China,So we're going down south in spring.


The first we go to Changzhou.Changzhou,nicknamed the Dragon City,is situated in China’s most prosperous Yangtze River delta.

We taking by bullet train.
For some reason we came to Changzhou to work, we still  to go to the most famous Chinese Dinosaur Park  in Changzhou.But we went to the late, no time to play playground.What a pity :(

PAPA find some information for Chinese Dinosaur Park
Enjoy the "Oriental Jurassic" reputation of the China Dinosaur Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, the new area of modern tourism and leisure area, along the Shanghai-Nanjing occupy unique geographical advantages, water, land and air transportation is very convenient. She is a museum will, photoelectric high-tech sound, video and multimedia networks, and other special effects perfect combination of financial show, popular science, entertainment, leisure and participation in the performance of one of the dinosaurs as the theme to the integrated theme amusement park.

China Dinosaur Park on the high-tech dinosaur theme and set up more than 70 exciting and attractive pleasure of the project, divided into themes of pleasure, science and technology, production, Pieces viewing, ecological performances, fun games, several major categories, and the museum display, landscaping melting Integration of different projects to meet the pleasure of tourists of different ages leisure mentality, to play the China Dinosaur Park visitors Fangruo outside the joy of the Ocean.

I Hope next time we can come again.

Next we go to Shanghai. :p
papa_always


Posted May 6, 2015, 10:49 am
HI~~

We came to Shanghai! B)

I have heard of Shanghai,I am very excited.
Shanghai is a prosperous city,There is many-storied buildings,Beijing also a bustling cityBut the two cities are different in dozens of ways large and small.As the largest and most prosperous city in the nation, Shanghai is the economic, financial and cultural center of China, while Beijing is the political heart.

In the evening we went to the WaiTan to see the night view.The Bund (Wai Tan) is one of the symbols of Shanghai.There are a lot of couples, here is the date the holy land in Shanghai :o
It is a pretty sight.To enjoy the music , with blowing wind , walking hand in hand with beikaozhaobei enjoy this romantic.

We found interesting things at the dinner table,I love this car.I want to going to a driving test B)
papa_always


Posted May 7, 2015, 8:00 am
HI ~~I'm coming

Today we went to The Old City God's Temple.

Old City God's Temple (Laochenghuangmiao)is a major yet relatively inactive, Taoist temple in Shanghai.

That area is now a highrise residence building. The "former" temple is known as the Old City God's Temple. The Old City God's Temple and the enclose Yuyuan are not only famous tourist sites but also popular shopping attractions. There are boutiques, shops selling local specialties, as well as large jewelry stores, department stores and fabulous local snack restaurants to be found here.

There are too many people here,This street is very buzzes,We also eat a lot of good food,But no time to take pictures I was tired.I'm going back to the hotel to sleep. :p
papa_always


Posted May 12, 2015, 10:12 am
HI~
Today we went to the Shanghai Museum of natural history.

This is a new museum,so We're curious.
Its unique architectural form of a round top with a square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy that the square earth is under the round sky, is a distinguished architectural combination of traditional feature and modern spirit.


The museum there are a lot of interesting Exhibition.About the human and world.We had a good time :D
papa_always


Posted May 13, 2015, 9:46 am
Today we leave Shanghai to Xitang.
It takes about 90 minutes to drive down to Xitang from Shanghai; from a 21st-century megalopolis to an altogether dreamier slice of history.

To call this lovely water-village an oriental Venice would be wildly over the mark, yet it shares similarities with its more famous Italian counterpart.Canals dissect twisting narrow lanes and pathways, rendering the community traffic-free and boat friendly.  Worn stone steps lead down to the waters and hopelessly pretty bridges span them.

Even though the place is small, it's chock-full with museums, temples and places of historic and cultural interest.

Night we live in the town,Here during the day and night is not the same.
In the morning,water flows beneath bridges,thin mist is like silk,pinkish walls on both banks stand tall and erect and tiled houses are reflected inversely in the water.In the evening,the setting sun shines slantwise,songs come from fishing boats,lamps flicker and the fragrance of wine drifts.The whole old town is like a poem and a picture.In this town,people will feel that they are seemingly in an earthly paradise.

Even though Xitang is small, it's something of a centre for the arts. In summer, traditional folk operas, concerts and a local cinema play by the waterside in the open-air. And all year-round, young artists from the cities come to paint the alleyways and canals.

It is an exquisitely beautiful spot.
papa_always


Posted May 27, 2015, 8:59 am
We leaved Xitang to Wuzhen.We  arrived WUzhen one hour by car.Wuzhen is also a old town,There are like with Xitang, but not the same.

Situated in the north of Zhejiang Province, the beautiful water town of Wuzhen is one of those ancient towns. It is a charming place full of ancient bridges, traditional hotels, boutiques and restaurants all built around an amazing water network that is part of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, the longest canal in the world.Over the past thousand years, Wuzhen has not changed its name, water system, or way of life. It is a living museum for an ancient civilization's history, food, and traditions.The buildings of Wuzhen are all a century or more old and built using traditional wood and stone architecture with tile roofs.For centuries the local people of this area have been building their homes and markets along the river's edge. Spacious, beautiful courtyards are hidden by the thousands in between the buildings, providing a delightful discovery at almost every turn.

In this ancient town there is plenty to do, or nothing at all if your aim is to relax. The place is quiet, yet also offers wine bars, pottery and glass workshops, theaters, and an open-air film pavilion.Take in the delightful town from the water on a traditional wood boat, and stay in one of the many luxurious hotels or guest accommodations in residents' homes for a true taste of Chinese village life. :cyclops:
papa_always


Posted May 27, 2015, 9:12 am
Today we are still in Wuzhen.Wuzhen is fall into two towns,east town and wes town.One of them is a new town, one is the old town.Today we went to the old town,East town.

    Here to keep the ancient town of the original appearance.


  The wine brewing industry is prosperous in Wuzhen. In the Ming Dynasty, there were over 20 brewing workshops in Wuzhen, and the three most famous ones were Gaogongsheng, Shunxing and Yong Sheng Workshops.

  The Woodcarving Museum, formerly the residence of local rich people Xu Family, also named Hundred Flower Hall, is well-known for its exquisite wood carvings. It’s carved beams and painted rafters, especially the human figures, birds and four-feet animals on the doors and windows by various carving skills.

  Here the  road is very narrow,I think it is very interesting.Next we are going to Hangzhou. B) B)
papa_always


Posted May 27, 2015, 9:22 am
Mum~

We came to Hangzhou. :cyclops:
Hangzhou is one of the most famous tourist cities in China, not only famous for its natural beauty, but also famous for its history.
.Legend has it that the lake used to be an aus'picious pearl hewn into its sparkling shape by the Jade Dragon and the Golden Phoenix ,but it was later stolen by the Mother Queen of the West. When Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix scrambled with the Mother Queen, this pearl acci'dentally fell onto a land that was known as Hangzhou.

It means just as there is paradise in heaven, there are Suzhou and Hangzhou on earth.  Lying on the west edge of Hangzhou city, West Lake is the symbol of Hangzhou as well as one of the most beautiful sights in China.  West Lake has all along been praised as a sparkling pearl.the whole lake is divided into 5 sections, namely the Outer Lake, North Inner Lake, West Inner lake, Yue Lake and Little South Lake, by Gu hill, Sudi Causeway, Baiti Causeway and Ruangong Mound.
And  the beauty of the  West Lake lies in its lingering  charm  that survives the change of seasons in a year and of hours in a day. Among its beautiful sights, the most famous sites are the Ten Sights in West Lake .

We  board and enjoy the beautiful scenery.The placid lake reflected the image of the trees.The breeze is on my face and body.I feel so good.

We also went to the  Lingyin Temple.It's sacred  and quiet .

This is a nice place. :D
Jasper


Posted Jul 13, 2015, 2:25 pm
Hi mom,
Yesterday I arrived safely in Switzerland. Jasper greeted me warmly and took me out onto the balcony, where the other TV's enjoyed the sun.
I introduced myself and showed my postcards and sweets.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20001_zpsphgm9sfy.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20002_zpsniahapp3.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20003_zpsroukcbvp.jpg

A friendly "welcome" and a big group hug made me feel comfortable.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20004_zps5cyafs8c.jpg

Then they brought a deck chair for me and together we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20006_zpso9nmw1wn.jpg


See you soon, mom
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Jul 13, 2015, 2:42 pm
Hi mom,
I struggle a bit with the jet lag. While the others sleep (here it is now 6:30 in the morning), I looked around on the balcony.
What everything here is growing.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20007_zpsyza0rbdb.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20008_zpsijaroiaq.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20009_zpsinyecqc5.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20012_zpswmymj4qp.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20013_zpsm69cvu1a.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20014_zpsero9edus.jpg

Even olives and hazelnuts.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20010_zpsxbcfc7bi.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20015_zps4fldkuzp.jpg

A lot of good things for a small sheep, hi hi hi.
I think I'll have breakfast now.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20011_zpsw8mdnecr.jpg

Hugs
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Jul 13, 2015, 6:00 pm
Hi mommy
Today we took a hike to the Schwendi lakes.
The Schwendi Lakes lie between Gamser- and Chäserrugg (two of the seven Churfirsten mountains) in a hollow in a sheltered flat moorland of national importance. When the Schwendi glacier about 14,000 years ago melted, he left the hollow in which the lakes were dammed. In the following millennia caused by siltation of the lake shore gradually the moors.
A funicular took us to 1340 meters above sea level. Here we started our hike.
We had a nice view of the opposite side of the valley. There we saw the Schafberg and the Säntis.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20016_zpsz3hru0j0.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20022_zpsxvjv5dpe.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20028_zps5harxm4o.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20036_zpsrqwzh0az.jpg

After about an hour we reached the first lake.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20046_zpsezhb1ekq.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20056_zpstzjxzprn.jpg

On an information board was everything worth knowing about the formation of mountains and moorland.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20043_zpsseczb2d5.jpg

On a boardwalk we went deeper into the bog.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20059_zpsdhgcmagi.jpg

The lakeshore can only be reached through a single web. This of course was crowded.
So we contented ourselves with this sight.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20066_zpsqmuccdgw.jpg

We walked on and marveled at the many, various bog plants.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20078_zps9ovo9bmm.jpg

Up here the plants bloom between May and September. Therefore, the meadows are now very colorful.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20086_zpsvw3uedvc.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20116_zpslq8jq20f.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20117_zps1xzi0nzn.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20130_zpscmax7tes.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20142_zpskztsj7vs.jpg

We have also discovered such romantic places.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20094_zpsbkfb51qa.jpg

Even lotus flowers grow here.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20095_zpslryrzamg.jpg

And a lot more.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20102_zpsrcnee9iy.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20122_zpslar2resy.jpg

This is the second Schwendisee. Because you reached its water surface only by a marshy reeds, it is much quieter here.
On a bench, we rested and gathered strength for the descent. After all, it was necessary to overcome 300 meters in altitude.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20136_zpslx6a9aqb.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20138_zpsbgaa8gdm.jpg

I used every opportunity to rest.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20140_zpsuvicmmq5.jpg

Last panorama before descending, Jasper knees tremble already.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20144_zpsbrjtrbqp.jpg

Here we go.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/ToyVoyagers%2015%20157_zpsej1k2rik.jpg

Safe and happy back home greets you
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Jul 27, 2015, 7:32 pm
Hi mom
Today was hiking again. We climbed two of the highest mountains of the 7 Churfirsten. Chäserrugg (2262m) and Hinterrugg (2306m).

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200117_zps24bajrt2.jpg

Because it was so hot in the morning (26 °), we took the cog train for a large part of the way.
Once at the first summit, we were able to recover us at 14° and fresh wind.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200004_zpsrmcwqa8t.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200013_zpsy5zvlsqb.jpg

Then we took the "Flower Trail," to explore the summit.
The first part of the trail led along the northern summit ridge.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200007_zpsnakooa28.jpg

We saw lush Alpine pastures,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200054_zpskyjbeib7.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200044_zpsmzdplh6p.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200043_zpsjyuykjly.jpg

many well-known

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200100_zpsbickvsbq.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200080_zpszysftvcn.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200059_zpszo3xeatb.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200083_zpsj9jy98du.jpg

and even more flowers and herbs whose names we did not know.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200011_zps3vm657bo.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200012_zps3kn8bmzy.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200050_zps7dpkg2z9.jpg

We admired rock formations,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200017_zpszh7bnk11.jpg

and far below us appeared out of the haze the Walensee.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200022_zpskhyl4un4.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200024_zpsmeqkcchl.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200031_zpsmxbxzhn0.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200034_zpsm9ogkki8.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200066_zpscbkdq3jc.jpg

On these meadows you can see ibexes on cooler days.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200073_zpsqetsuwlp.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200086_zpsbyuwmpmu.jpg

Then we headed for the second summit.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200092_zpsuknlrsqj.jpg

No pictures of the ascent: Jasper had enough to do to climb up the narrow rocky staircase.
60 m shaky knees and we could again out of the backpack and enjoyed a beautiful view of the Thur valley

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200106_zpsgclemepi.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200095_zps6986vfi1.jpg

and the new mountain station on the Chäserrugg.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200101_zps7fyheyf5.jpg

This avalanche control holds back approximately 163,000 cubic meters of snow.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200109_zpslbaxrwnz.jpg

At this abyss - and the view to the next summit ends our walk today.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7200112_zpsvxowou2g.jpg

Safe in Jaspers backpack we were on our way home.
Jasper climbed and we dreamed of meadows, flowers and ibexes.

Kisses
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Jul 28, 2015, 1:57 pm
Hi mom,
the last weekend we spent at Lake Thun.
Jasper helped her daughter and family move house.
Actually, a trip was planned to the Jungfraujoch for Sunday.
The weather was unfortunately too bad: snow at -2 °.
So we spent Sunday in Thun and made a boat trip to Spiez.
We had the choice: by bus or by boat to Thun. Of course, we chose the ship.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250127_zpszjehudn6.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250124_zpsuqjqon4g.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250132_zpsddxj1buw.jpg

It looked very gorgeous.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250134_zpsdyb4xyko.jpg

Arriving in Thun, we walked along the river Aare.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250148_zpsjqlw6fvv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250153_zps5qpj9ttc.jpg

Over old bridges with magnificent flower arrangements

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250141_zpsac8ncupl.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250138_zpscl0x4r1r.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250156_zpslwefo7lj.jpg

and through underpasses with a special look,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7250144_zpsg7rfdqpj.jpg

we arrived at the old town.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260159_zpsz9bhu0cs.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260163_zpsc0giwspg.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260170_zpsa8q96o0n.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260172_zpserg9dko4.jpg

Then our way led us over many, many stairs up to the castle.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260181_zpso91lnlms.jpg

A few years ago it was still used as a prison. Today a Museeum, a photo gallery and a restaurant are housed there.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260175_zpsxjvicbdv.jpg

This invitation I did not miss. (the frog wanted a kiss)  ;)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260179_zps6beubmx9.jpg

Near the castle is the town church.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260187_zps8diwjndl.jpg

Then we went back to the dock and boarded the ship to Spiez.
The ride was enjoyable and we saw many nice places on the lake shore.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260225_zpsxzx1uytk.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260221_zpsqnb7jn5q.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260219_zps5r86jjh3.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260215_zpsz6pcjti8.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260213_zpsziemuxw2.jpg

In the distance we could see the mountains Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260211_zpsvaas1ubo.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260208_zpswjugfvgf.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260206_zpsjx2oac5f.jpg

In Spiez arrived, we took a tour of the village.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260195_zps31mh84pw.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260201_zpsy1i22hw9.jpg

We saw the castle

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260190_zpsgrogrkvw.jpg

and a blimp.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7260199_zpscbau2i8x.jpg

Spiez is nice, but nothing special - a typical holiday village.
That was my weekend.

Greetings and kisses
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Aug 6, 2015, 3:21 pm
Hi mom
my host brother invited me to take a hike.
Early in the morning I packed my backpack.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7280001_zpsln33zppz.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7280003_zpslblbweyb.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7280004_zpsjfl9xjd2.jpg

Jasper was a little worried, but host brother promised to take good care of me.
I was more worried about the weather.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7280005_zpscjkzhnqr.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7280006_zpsig9gxbl2.jpg

Not good, not bad - let us start.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7280007_zpsdalv4lti.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7280008_zpsyfmgm5bu.jpg

With security leash -  so Jasper is calmed.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P7280010_zpswqhsh3px.jpg

From Starkenbach it went towards Selun, the gentlest of the seven Churfirsten (2024m)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2008.56.30_zpskomzisim.jpg

Although the sun did not show up, I had a lot of fun.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2009.43.14_zpssgmutpkm.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2010.32.25_zps66joocgi.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2010.32.49_zpscgoz1gn4.jpg

I found beautiful flowers

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2010.43.00_zps9fbvegri.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2014.45.13_zpsn54hdqlz.jpg

and discovered my personal cave.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2010.44.02_zpsvazgolxq.jpg

Sometimes I had to climb steep walls - of course well secured.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2010.44.35_zpsuo3yicf7.jpg

I learned a lot about the origin of this mountain range.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2011.18.26_zpsyvuunq0m.jpg

On our way to the summit,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2011.20.04_zpsiovehti8.jpg

we came to the "Wildmannlisloch" (Wild man hole)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2011.25.30_zpsmpsn6pxm.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2011.31.05_zpsayog9dtg.jpg

The Wildmannlisloch located at 1650m and has a measured length of 142m.
According to legend, lived there friendly dwarfs that gave good minded people clods, which turned on the road to the valley in gold.
Of course I had to visit this cave.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2011.32.00_zpsw0b5lvbv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2011.50.32_zpsdsv06l9o.jpg

Afterwards we had lunch.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2012.33.05_zps3besdfb5.jpg

Well fortified, we made our way to the summit.
Mom, I got my first 2000er defeated.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2014.47.01_zpsbp4kzomf.jpg

The way home was no less adventurous.
From the Alp Selun we used a cable car with which normally milk cans are transported into the valley.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2016.51.02_zpsexyijpsh.jpg

A short prayer and then forward courageously.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/2015-07-28%2016.51.09_zps7mdcc5ls.jpg

Mom, I had a great day

Love you
Rahel
Jasper


Posted Aug 10, 2015, 12:47 pm
Hello there,
and once again it was time to say goodbye to two good friends.
Sansone travels to his new host to Germany and Twixx wants to fulfill his last life mission: return home safley.
As a farewell we celebrated a great Cake Party.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060014_zpsuxkt7upu.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060015_zpsn2otpgfa.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060021_zpss0wuqvfy.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060023_zpssblastdj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060024_zps6ekyd8dt.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060025_zpsdymcmcpj.jpg

With cake in the belly and melancholy in the heart we said goodbye and wished a safe journey.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060036_zpsdwetr715.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060037_zpswcoqv8zd.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060038_zpsai6xk0by.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060040_zpsgq6wcgtt.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060041_zpsvqiw1fq9.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060042_zps2dnu5xxg.jpg

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Aug 10, 2015, 1:36 pm
Hello to all at home,
today we welcomed our new guests:

The WotWots from Austalia.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8060043_zps8qajkvxk.jpg

Let's have fun together !!

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Aug 14, 2015, 10:52 am
Hi mom,
Today I got a new collar.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100058_zps5uvdruv8.jpg

I love it.

Kisses
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Aug 14, 2015, 12:24 pm
Hi Mom.
today we helped Jasper bake a cake.
The cake is not for us, she wants take it to work.
We helped anyway.

These are the ingredients - oops, we forgot the sugar.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100059_zpsb9wzjwhy.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100061_zps0fvd7dvr.jpg

While the WotWots separated eggs, Nili and I put the paper in the form.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100064_zpsw85tkily.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100065_zpsgs4ujivy.jpg

Oh, we had a lot to do.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100071_zpslroee2hf.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100073_zpsrj20mhe5.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100074_zpsapw4rwvc.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100079_zpssak6pjo6.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100080_zpsxycgobbx.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100081_zpsbmxwt8zi.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100082_zpsqgcyzsuz.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100089_zpsfpoqqrqv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100088_zpsvy7s1hko.jpg

Snacking dough was allowed. ;)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100090_zpsrqwgywkp.jpg

Then the cake had to bake an hour.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100093_zpslmdcpcu0.jpg

Now snacking was no more allowed - but the cake smelled so good.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100094_zpsizdzhpwj.jpg

This notices nobody, right?

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100096_zpss1p3yawc.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100097_zps0hg4dbsp.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8100099_zps8tknmegx.jpg

Love you
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Aug 16, 2015, 11:33 am
Hi mom,
to enjoy some cooler air, we visited the Säntis today.
After a 30 minute drive we arrived at the Schwägalp.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130101_zpspisf7kp0.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130217_zpsi0zbdfkz.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130216_zpsivjz064l.jpg

Schwägalp peak (el. 1,360 m or 4,462 ft) on the north face of Säntis, is the starting point of the aerial tramway to the top of Säntis.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130104_zps7c5tn20f.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130202_zps1mng5ozg.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130195_zpsyvzmr535.jpg

We boarded.

At 2,502.9 metres above sea level, Säntis is the highest mountain in the Alpstein massif of northeastern Switzerland. It is also the culminating point of the whole Appenzell Alps, between Lake Walenstadt and Lake Constance. Shared by three cantons, the mountain is a highly visible landmark thanks to its exposed northerly position within the Alpstein massif.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Saentis_Gipfel_Sommer_zps1bvlxxoa.jpg

What a colorful welcome." Grüezi" means Hello in Swiss dialect.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130184_zpsn4jqavkh.jpg

The panorama from the summit is spectacular. Six countries can be seen if the weather allows: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France, and Italy.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130110_zpszbfwswci.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130111_zpstmvl7d6s.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130115_zpsmrekhmd4.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130118_zps72uvhp1m.jpg

The exposed position of Säntis results in weather conditions normally observed in the high Alps. For example in April 1999, just beneath the summit on the northern snowfield of the mountain, a snow height of 816 cm (321 in) was recorded. The daily mean temperature is −1.9 °C (28.6 °F)
Today it was 19 degrees warm and there were definitely no 8 meters of snow.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130152_zps05cntrf9.jpg

The International Meteorological Congress of Rome in 1879 declared it as a necessity to build weather stations on adequate and accessible summits. Therefore, the Swiss built a weather station on Säntis. The position of the northern ridge proved to be ideal for such an endeavour. The weather station was commissioned in autumn of 1882.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130163_zpszfgfwkby.jpg

During a refreshment break

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130125_zpscuu6unss.jpg

Jasper told us about a crime that has happened up here.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130123_zpse7wh5yin.jpg

The so-called Säntismurder happened in the winter of 1922. It refers to a crime in which the weather station keeper and his wife were murdered. The murder was only discovered because of missing weather reports on 21 February. As a result of the missing reports, a search party was sent to Säntis, where they discovered the bodies. The prime suspect was shoemaker Gregor Anton Kreuzpointer, who committed suicide three weeks after the murder. The truth about this double murder hence remains unclear to this day.
Horrifying  :(

We moved on.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130136_zpszhqnbcho.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130137_zpsgjcrmoqk.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130145_zpsafweipm0.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130148_zpskgltntlx.jpg

Time for lunch. We had fried sausage and hash browns.
A typical Swiss specialty.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130129_zpscydagruw.jpg

Located at the peak of the Säntis is a 123.55 meter high transmission tower, which was commissioned in November 1997. The original tower stemming from the year 1955 had to be renovated several times due to the rough weather conditions before finally being replaced.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130138_zpshu1aaxaz.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130141_zpsuftoretw.jpg

The big white cloud at the lower edge - that's me.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130156_zpsnuuiqzrf.jpg

We walked from observation deck to observation deck and enjoyed everything to the fullest.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130167_zpsljord4ug.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130170_zpstjc5wv5g.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130174_zps6gmuan1b.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130175_zpsiu5spruj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130176_zpskct8nbdi.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130177_zps4dzbo6at.jpg

Then Jasper discovered something funny. A smiley.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130181_zpsepzfoxsu.jpg

She explained the reason:
On the Schwägalp is on Sunday a "Schwingfest" (Swiss wrestling festival) take place.
Schwingen (from German schwingen "to swing"), also known as Swiss wrestling, is a style of folk wrestling native to Switzerland, more specifically the pre-alpine parts of German-speaking Switzerland. Wrestlers wear Schwingerhosen ("wrestling breeches") with belts that are used for taking holds. Throws and trips are common because the first person to pin his/her opponent's shoulders to the ground wins the bout.
The match takes place in a ring, a circular area with a diameter of 12 meters that is covered with sawdust.
And this piles of sawdust look from up here like a smiley face.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130182_zpsi16nka3c.jpg

While we waited for the next cable car to the valley, we discovered a showcase with fossilized marine animals.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130190_zpsasp13s7s.jpg

These fossils were found here on Säntis and at Schwägalp.
Millions of years ago here was a sea - incredible.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130191_zpsglsewran.jpg

Back at Schwägalp we also found evidence of a primordial ocean here.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130206_zpszdy1ulin.jpg

Unicellular organisms.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130211_zpsyewxmtqm.jpg

Aha, here they build the wrestling arena.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130213_zpstohfarzy.jpg

A piece of cake made the day perfect.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8130201_zps8blc1ssq.jpg

That's it for today - see you soon.

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Aug 28, 2015, 5:12 pm
Hello there,
our Sunday walk took us to the river Thur, just five minutes from Jasper's home away.
On our way we saw old apple and pear trees

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230231_zpsoxmcgpht.jpg

and plenty of fresh, green grass.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230232_zpskjtgismv.jpg

I was immediately hungry.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230233_zpspi1urjki.jpg

We saw a big bee house - and kept respectful distance.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230236_zpsqi0ilj0w.jpg

Here you can see where I live at the moment.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230242_zpszuu5yzkl.jpg

This is the great bridge of the ring road.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230248_zpszukgjhbf.jpg

And that's the Thur.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230249_zpszcyuzydt.jpg

Thur is a 131-kilometer-long (81 mi) River in north-eastern Switzerland. Its source is near the mountain Säntis in the south-east of the canton of St. Gallen.
It flows into the river Rhine on the border with Germany, south of Schaffhausen.

Because of the persistent heat, it has very little water.

On one of the gravel bars we discovered a little piece of art - a heart of stone.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230254_zpsaynsxlux.jpg

Then we came to a small forest and had a blast.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230258_zps0add86z2.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230263_zpszaept1fi.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230269_zpszof8etif.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230272_zpsycnvkbq7.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/P8230279_zpsylhqjmsq.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230281_zpsc557lt9p.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230282_zpsyboabkx4.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230283_zpsxumkw0tv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230284_zps0ji093yl.jpg

Can you see me?

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230285_zpsavkkgb9t.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230291_zpshq7gdzti.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230297_zpsyq7vqlt2.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230301_zpsd9hioavc.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230302_zpsn4dl5t1c.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230305_zpskr1jkn1t.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230308_zpsogwe9xwq.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230312_zpsijfuyemj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230313_zpsp5hey7bt.jpg

Red rocks in Lichtensteig.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230318_zpsykennqjx.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230327_zpscbbfam6n.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230328_zpsq6rrdxk2.jpg

End of the path on this shore.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230321_zpsxdt7rhjv.jpg

Will not know what has happened here.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230332_zpshkce0yuw.jpg

We found beautiful flowers

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230336_zpsggugydjv.jpg

and suddenly I stuck in strange stalks.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230345_zpsr9ochoot.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230346_zpsncjszgt0.jpg

The first signs of the approaching autumn.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230350_zps34dww5oo.jpg

Blackberries. Yummy.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230407_zpsc9uaueep.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230351_zpsc5uznpwx.jpg

No place so beautiful that you could still make it "more beautiful."

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230363_zps5kjj8g9n.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230364_zps0gtrfpwo.jpg

So little water,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230365_zpsrwh8uod5.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230373_zpsycsuze8z.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230374_zpsw85gyxdj.jpg

normally I would stand here in the middle of the river.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230372_zpsgz3cyyuh.jpg

Despite all -  beautiful here.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230382_zpsjcrtwlwv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230383_zpsl1vnarxs.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230400_zpssvnkmn6z.jpg

Elder

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230390_zpsxzpwt0o3.jpg

Hmm?

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230393_zpsw5agxzyd.jpg

Rosehips

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230403_zpswt3gxp2h.jpg

I like this silvery tree.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230413_zpsytaxky6q.jpg

Along the Thur towards the waterfall.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230415_zpsxecle16k.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230419_zpsy3rxc9pq.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230425_zpsgnhkrdim.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230428_zpsckrbih7k.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230435_zpseya2aq7c.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230436_zpsq8ud2m57.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230441_zpslj8kkjwq.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230445_zpsa9x0gpfa.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230446_zpsy3katnux.jpg

Oh fruits, looked delicious. Jasper told us: just look, do not touch.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230452_zpscieqncmx.jpg

(It was a private garden)

Then we took an adventurous path through the woods.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230455_zpskg3yjtzb.jpg

Narrow, steep, through rocks.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230460_zps42bqwwa6.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230463_zps6rbfxyol.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230468_zpsdeilvmeg.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230470_zpsv3zqcyzd.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230478_zpsdcfyvtnb.jpg

Suddenly we saw it - the small waterfall.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230473_zpsm16efeqz.jpg

Today it was even smaller than usual.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230485_zpshrvunflr.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230483_zpspmyydg3k.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230488_zpsxrip1js7.jpg

We walked along the shore,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230492_zpsw5bvylli.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230510_zpsikbyaiuu.jpg

discovered more "rock art",

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230497_zpsjhxypwqw.jpg

sat in trees

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230499_zps7i8pj4z9.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230500_zpsy51frjho.jpg

and won us new ground by man-sized plants.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230502_zpsni5htf4p.jpg

That was our way home.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8230509_zpsuloey1j1.jpg

What a beautiful day

Kisses
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Sep 12, 2015, 12:15 pm
Hi mom
flowery greetings from our balcony garden.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8290553_zpscolu9yhj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P8290552_zpsqu9wotb1.jpg

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Sep 12, 2015, 12:25 pm
This morning we saw a hot air balloon landing on a nearby meadow.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9120582_zps8anemm7v.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9120585_zps82mpbghg.jpg

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Sep 12, 2015, 12:40 pm
Hi family,
Jasper's car has broken down. Now she has to take the train to work.
Pff, wait even longer until she gets home.
For safety's sake, we are looking for a new car.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9100574_zpscvzqv2zj.jpg

These are our favorites.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9100576_zpscgyhivqg.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9100577_zpsdbrlu1qc.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9100578_zpsvp3we3ye.jpg

All the best
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Sep 12, 2015, 12:52 pm
Hello mom,
good news! The car is repaired and Jasper has bought new hiking boots.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9100565_zpsrig925dd.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9100566_zpskvh6tieq.jpg

Now we can get started again.
Keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates.

Kisses
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Sep 12, 2015, 1:09 pm
Dear mom,
wish you a great day, many gifts and all the best.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9120588_zpstnuoin9v.jpg

Lots of hugs and kisses.

Love you
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Sep 22, 2015, 5:11 pm
Hi Family
today Jasper had to buy food. She hates shopping.
But the weather was so nice, so we joined the shopping with a walk.
We parked the car in front of the shopping center and walked off.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210589_zpskbhszclo.jpg

Here was a large factory a few years ago. After the demolition new apartments and shops are built.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210596_zpshbzvdihx.jpg

That's one of the many bridges over the river Thur.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210598_zpsvczph0ea.jpg

We walked along the shore

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210602_zps8qnjl2f1.jpg

and saw the Post bridge. In the background you can see the tower of the Catholic Church.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210605_zpslem1vll6.jpg

That's the high school.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210610_zpsxb8hdior.jpg

Many old villas are on the shore.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210614_zpsmhm0fvht.jpg

Next Bridge - a pedestrian bridge.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210618_zpsn2cxzthr.jpg

This is the train station.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210621_zps0wc5mnzr.jpg

The building is quite old, but the station square was redesigned two years ago.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210628_zpsfdtmp4kb.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210629_zps2e5ve8cz.jpg

Next Bridge.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210636_zpshzjbkcwk.jpg

That's the cinema,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210641_zpsgmyb20le.jpg

and this is the profession - and training center.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210640_zpsebaypyln.jpg

Back at the shopping center, we had a dispute over the purchase.
Sweets or healthy stuff.
As punishment, we had to wait in the car.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210646_zpsvlpwa6om.jpg[/img]

With Jasper's shopping we were in agreement.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210647_zpsqzq2iynd.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210648_zpsv0fryjqn.jpg

At home we threw ourselves on the candys.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210649_zpsmf6gmkid.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210650_zpspxdxlziq.jpg

Despite some difficulties, they tasted very good.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210655_zpsjt2nqsk1.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9210656_zps1pgqjhny.jpg

Bye for now
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Sep 29, 2015, 8:58 pm
Hi mom
this morning we had to get up very early. A special trip was on the agenda.
We visited the Jungfraujoch.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270003_zpsmw3f6o6w.jpg

The Jungfraujoch is a col between the Jungfrau and the Mönch. It lies at a height of 3,466 meters (11,371 ft) above sea level in the Bernese Alps, on the boundary between the cantons of Bern and Valais, halfway between Interlaken and Fiesch. It is a glacier pass, on the upper snows of the Aletsch Glacier, and part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch area.
At 7.35 we boarded the train in Interlaken to Grindelwald. We felt displaced in earlier times - so uncomfortable were the seats.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270004_zps4actbiwr.jpg

In Grindelwald we changed the train to Kleine Scheidegg.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270007_zpsebksawb5.jpg

The weather did not look very good - high fog. Jasper calmed us: it will be beautiful.
And really, after a short time, we broke through the fog and had a breathtaking view.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270012_zpsiejebfjh.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270017_zpsyip2isxb.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270022_zpsl21hipgi.jpg

Then an announcement came: Eiger North Face to the left. Not all of us were fast enough to see the infamous rock face.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270020_zps8rcrbuvm.jpg

Jasper told us we all could admire them.
Next Stop: Kleine Scheidegg.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270197_zpsgea8hlk0.jpg

Jasper, her son and some edgy TV's climb out of the train, run to the next platform, posing for a picture with the Eiger north face

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270199_zps83cqbje7.jpg

and get on the next train.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270025_zps7woaggfx.jpg

The Jungfrau railway is a metre gauge rack railway which runs 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from Kleine Scheidegg to the highest railway station in Europe at Jungfraujoch (3,454 m), between the Bernese Oberland and Valais in Switzerland.
For a few minutes we were silent and enjoyed the views of Lauterbrunnen valley

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270031_zps1cxc2ti4.jpg

and the Eiger Glacier.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270191_zpsx20y9wkj.jpg

How big must have been this glacier, when one considers the abraded rock.

Then the train disappeared into a tunnel.

The railway runs almost entirely within the Jungfrau Tunnel, built into the Eiger and Mönch mountains and containing two stations in the middle of the tunnel, where passengers can disembark to observe the neighbouring mountains through windows built into the mountainside.
After a few minutes into the dark the announcement came: 5 min. stay into the Eigerwand Station.
Only separated by a window, the rock of the Eiger North Wall was close enough to touch.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270040_zps23vvi6j7.jpg

And the view !!

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270043_zpskwzt39en.jpg

Next stop was Eismeer. Here we marveled at the glacial ice

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270049_zpsqvmg57u7.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270062_zpstyq9gvu2.jpg

and the deep crevices.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270054_zpssfqrvcyf.jpg

And then we reached our destination: The Jungfraujoch railway station, at an elevation of 3,454 meters (11,332 ft) is the highest in Europe. It lies east of the saddle, below the Sphinx summit, and is connected to the Top of Europe building, which includes several panoramic restaurants and a post office. Several tunnels lead outside, where secured hiking trails on the crevassed glacier can be followed, in particular to the Mönchsjoch Hut.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270064_zps0rgedeva.jpg

After more than 2 hours on the train we just wanted to get out. So we took the elevator to the observation platform, which lies 117 meters above the station. With 6.3 m per second, we raced against the fresh air.

On the platform we enjoyed a spectacular panorama.
The Aletsch Glacier

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270070_zpsy0b4tllr.jpg

The Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps. It has a length of about 23 km (14 mi) and covers more than 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi) in the eastern Bernese Alps in the Swiss canton of Valais. The Aletsch Glacier is composed of three smaller glaciers converging at Concordia, where its thickness was measured by the ETH to be near 1 km (3,300 ft). It then continues towards the Rhone valley before giving birth to the Massa River.
The whole area, including other glaciers is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270094_zpslsghfb7a.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270084_zpsyy9dw3zh.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270108_zpshb3notym.jpg

The Aletsch Glacier

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270070_zpsy0b4tllr.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270095_zpsseuasmv6.jpg

Der Mönch (4107m - 13474ft)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270078_zpswrtvpq6o.jpg

The Mönch ("monk") forms together with the Eiger and the Jungfrau  a highly recognisable group of mountains visible from far away.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270113_zpsortdzhcr.jpg

The Sphinx observatory

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270085_zps4mwhwsb7.jpg

The Jungfrau (Virgin)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270093_zpstwhcagmp.jpg

Then we took the elevator down and walked on the glacier.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270125_zpsf0rqtf7q.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270126_zpsq5exs7ut.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270137_zpsqkdq2djk.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270138_zps7idxnmuw.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270148_zps8gq7bwox.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270149_zpsvgh4cjop.jpg

We wanted to play in the snow, but Jasper only allowed to walk on the marked area.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270130_zpsgsdub63j.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270132_zpsqgqd4y18.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270133_zpskqoi0zyg.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270134_zpsnhjciih6.jpg

All around there are deep crevasses where we disappear forever.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270159_zpsqlsf3iaq.jpg

Then we looked at the plaque for the miners. 30 men lost their lives during construction.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270162_zpsfjkarxfu.jpg

In ice palace it was mostly too dark to take pictures.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270166_zpsqcuvknwu.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270167_zpssegwkovs.jpg

But an interesting discovery we have made anyway.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270172_zps9one9y3g.jpg

After a last panoramic view of the imposing mountains we had to head home.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270175_zpsvix4q7rl.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270182_zpsoe0azxo3.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P9270187_zpsxptwkkhm.jpg

It was such a great day.

Kisses
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Oct 12, 2015, 4:05 pm
Hi mom,
Rocky has made his way to Miami, Florida.
The lucky one. While I'm freezing here, he flies in the sun.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA110220_zps7ohtj3uu.jpg

Bon Voyage my friend and let hear from you soon.

Kisses for you mom
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Oct 28, 2015, 11:45 am
Hi mom,
A few days ago told us Nili from her fun with the little red cheese.
We also wanted to have fun.
So procured Nili cheese - enough for all.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA120223_zps31xlcgxu.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA120225_zpsf0tecjy7.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA120227_zpsm8njhj21.jpg

Everyone took what he wanted and had fun with it.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA120228_zps6jczxxr7.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA120231_zps6beaz3cn.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA120232_zpshrkso8po.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA120243_zpsicxzi8r4.jpg

Later we ate the cheese - yummy.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA120247_zpsgqwyrw6n.jpg

See you soon
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Oct 28, 2015, 5:30 pm
Hi mom,
since weeks we are trapped under a gray blanket of high fog.
From morning to evening - always gray.
Sun's from 1000 m. So we go to the mountains.
Taking the chair lift we head to Wolzenalp at 1130 m above sea level.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250250_zpsomp7gqhj.jpg

On the high plateau Rietbach a beautiful upland moor with springy soft peat soil waiting for us.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250262_zpsbd2nws7p.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250278_zpsp4wscay2.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250261_zpsbdukcftl.jpg

Of course, no flowers and herbs grow more now, but the autumn-colored trees and the mild sunrays put us into euphoria.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250269_zpsfunqild2.jpg

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http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250294_zpsstwrbhyx.jpg

Jasper has a lot to do to keep us on the prescribed routes.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250343_zpsuaznyi8x.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250320_zpslkyyvrzt.jpg

In summer there is a barefoot trail through the marsh.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250323_zpsxxz1s5d5.jpg

We imagined, what we would look like after such a barefoot fun.
Out of sheer laughter we were toppled by a hair in the brown broth.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250331_zpsgopkbfbn.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250336_zpsf69o5il0.jpg

Up here, the air was so clear

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250355_zpssvxxh72n.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250360_zpsbnrahaam.jpg

we could even see the Säntis.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250348_zpsznqgs8nn.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250369_zpskdcehoe5.jpg

Some friendly cows looked at us interested.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250387_zpsspikkr3g.jpg

Then the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250375_zpsflwi5cut.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250376_zpssjo95qpr.jpg

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http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250397_zpsiwwnk5j5.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250403_zpsncynf2kr.jpg

and we headed for home.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250411_zpsv2p16rwe.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250417_zpsfthkswuj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA250419_zpstlrh7wmn.jpg

What a wonderful day.
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Oct 29, 2015, 4:48 pm
Allegra (so welcomes you in the Engadine)

we started on Tuesday morning for a trip to Graubünden.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270426_zpsput4clrf.jpg

By train we went to Thusis. (Thusis and the Rhaetian Railway are UNESCO World Heritage Site)

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270428_zpsvtnyys6d.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270432_zpsantsqkhv.jpg

There we were up in a yellow Postbus which brought us to the Rhine Gorge "Viamala".

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270433_zpsspsrwgxj.jpg

Viamala or Via Mala (Which in Romansh literally means "bad path") is an ancient and notorious section of a path along the Hinterrhein River between Zillis-Reischen and Thusis in the Canton of Grisons. This narrow gorge was the most serious obstacle on the approach to two mountain passes: the Splügen and the San Bernardino.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270437_zpsbbfmgef6.jpg

Even the ancient Romans used this way.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270494_zpsayhvrzvj.jpg

28,000 years needed the Rhine to dig so deeply into the rocks.
The traces of water can be seen everywhere.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270442_zpsws3bun3t.jpg

321 steps took us to the gorge and we marveled at the power of water.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270446_zpsyqwwkedq.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270451_zpssumj75oc.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270452_zpstm8v5c55.jpg

This white foundling does not come from this region and nobody knows when and how he got here.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270457_zpschne0juh.jpg

(from the bottom only a few pictures without TV's. It was too dark and the one-handed flash images are blurred.)

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http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270491_zps8guc1hoi.jpg

High water level

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270487_zpsio5fyf85.jpg

Here the Viamala seen from the Wildener bridge.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270495_zpsoztqbzyn.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270502_zpsifwr70zv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270503_zpsmbwm1dis.jpg

Then we started to go on the "Via Spluga" a cultural and historical hiking trail back to Thusis.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270508_zpsqdb6y9vf.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270512_zpstb1myg2j.jpg

After an hour of back and forth, we came to a real challenge for Jasper.
We - or better Jasper had to cross the Rhine Gorge.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270518_zpsmitxlinm.jpg

The Traversina web is actually a hanging staircase. 57 m long it hangs about 50 meters above the abyss. 176 stages to overcome a height difference of 22m.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270517_zpssujug34s.jpg

10 minutes to change your mind, then Jasper took heart and started walking.

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http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270525_zpsmkzm6syg.jpg

With trembling knees but proud to have managed it we made a short break.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270529_zpscsa82wrz.jpg

As the legs obeyed again, we hiked on.

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Shortly before Thusis we saw the castle Raetien.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270571_zpse8xvw7sm.jpg

This trail is really adventurous.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270574_zpsttb4o4r9.jpg

Then we saw Thusis.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270579_zpstxi3tmae.jpg

At the station we were waiting along with a "nice lady" for our train home.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270584_zpsnp5a9c98.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA270585_zpsp8h81gk9.jpg

That was an adventure!
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Nov 1, 2015, 2:24 pm
Hi mom,
we were on Lake Thun and visited Jasper's daughter.
On Friday, we enjoyed the sun during a walk to Oberhofen.
In the distance we saw the fresh snow Bernese Alps with the famous Three - Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300591_zpsdndlcmyo.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300595_zpsa3nht6wf.jpg

Then the first look at Schloss Oberhofen.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300596_zpsexcivs9w.jpg

Along the way, we were looking forward to autumnal trees.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300603_zpsh5ridsye.jpg

Oberhofen Castle - unfortunately they had annual holidays.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300604_zpsmxdzvfnn.jpg

Too bad, but quickly our attention was drawn to a film crew.
The Swiss Television filmed a documentary on the Swiss dialect singer Polo Hofer, who lives in Oberhofen.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300608_zpspfrqgp20.jpg

We walked on

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300609_zps8hh086zd.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300610_zpslt1kjsm5.jpg

and enjoyed the afternoon and the beautiful view.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300616_zpsu8lkf2gi.jpg

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http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300639_zpsciujncqy.jpg

Then we discovered a monument to Sir Winston Churchill.
Winston Churchill stayed from 23 August to 20 September 1946 in Switzerland. His vision of a new, united Europe attracted attention worldwide.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300631_zps2b7llylg.jpg

Unfortunately it was too cold to swim - the water of Lake Thun is so clear and clean.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300645_zps4b7scqqg.jpg

We marveled at the vineyard in its autumnal splendor

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300648_zpsooqspmud.jpg

and as the sun slowly sank behind the mountains, we headed for home.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA300624_zpswv07f1jo.jpg

Tomorrow we will make a trip to ...
Jasper says anything, it should be a surprise.

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Nov 2, 2015, 8:21 pm
Grüezi, Hello and Bonjour,
in our last destination many languages are spoken.
In addition to 7,000 cows and a few locals here is the jetset home.
We were in Gstaad, a small but beautiful village in the Bernese Oberland.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310680_zps7nuirvux.jpg

"Last Paradise in a Crazy World". So Hollywood and Broadway star Julie Andrews describes her holiday home Gstaad. Even though his international flair Gstaad has remained alpine genuine. The atmosphere is quiet and discreet. And exactly that appreciate its famous guests from royal families, film, art, sport and business.
Sir Roger Moore once said, "They are less interested in me than for my car."
Richard Burton and Liz Taylor spent their holidays here. Likewise, Gunter Sachs, Bernie Ecclestone, the Thai royal family and many more celebrities.

The little calf at the village well was made by Elizabeth Taylor's daughter.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310651_zpsa1h4ramu.jpg

Many beautiful houses can be seen here. They must be all built in chalet style.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310657_zpsnzcbcada.jpg

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http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310671_zpsj3fckarx.jpg

We could not resist and had to try this wooden bathtub.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310661_zpshbncu7cr.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310662_zpswlmf6tkr.jpg

In the distance we saw a castle-like building - there we needed to go.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310675_zpswmx7oriw.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310668_zpsjjozc1ua.jpg

With horse-drawn carriage up the hill.

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That would have been nice.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310686_zpsh8jkolsk.jpg

We were allowed to test it out,

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310681_zps2rjccaqi.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310682_zpshgqp6abb.jpg

and had to walk afterwards.

Jasper said, "Movement is expedient for you"

So we started walking and could shortly afterwards admire the 5 * luxury hotel Gstaad Palace.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310694_zpsbfyhqe0e.jpg

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Amazed, we listened to Jasper when she called us some figures about this hotel.
104 rooms, 26 suites, 2 Tower suites in the hotel towers. 1 Penthouse suite with its own sauna and roof terrace.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310706_zpsn9vd7txn.jpg

5 restaurants, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
And - before you ask: too expensive for us.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310718_zpsqiq7umkf.jpg

Okay, we did not ask - but maybe ...?

Jasper thanked God that the hotel is closed until the beginning of winter season.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310721_zpsnp3dji5k.jpg

We still enjoyed some views and made our way towards the village.

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http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310750_zpszsnamwql.jpg

An image with a Capricorn

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310743_zpslb3aizfy.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310744_zpsuu1fmnv4.jpg

and brief glimpses to a Ice Hockey Match and already had passed our time in Gstaad.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310754_zpsiqzvxaqe.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PA310755_zpsfxpwo0qx.jpg

But don't forget: Liz Taylor was here, Roger Moore was here aaand
Rachel was here !!

See you
Jasper


Posted Dec 6, 2015, 10:23 am
Hi mom,
Today we say goodbye to Jasper.
not by our host, but by "Jasper the moose"
He travels to Wuppertal.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB020766_zpsrzinmwzf.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB020768_zpslgdfsjpw.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB020770_zps0031apcm.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB020775_zpsnq5kmke0.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB020776_zpsfgupaydr.jpg

Bye, bye friend. Have a good trip and many exciting adventures.

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Dec 6, 2015, 10:37 am
Hello there,

another foggy day.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC050871_zpsitv3bwiz.jpg

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Dec 6, 2015, 11:50 am
Hi mom,
today brought Jasper much greenery.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB280794_zpsjghjt9ik.jpg

It was time to make an Advent wreath.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB280795_zpscpbtlhfx.jpg

The branches smelled good but it stung.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB280804_zpspfosb7x7.jpg

Bravely we went to work.
We cut the branches and wrapped them with wire to the straw wreath.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB280809_zpsbf3mkdtu.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB280810_zpsdqakh0zy.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB280816_zpsmowbcvql.jpg

The decorating was Jasper's thing.
Does the wreath not look beautiful.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB280825_zpsasz4mrqv.jpg

We are all looking forward on the 1st Sunday of Advent.

Many kisses
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Dec 6, 2015, 12:05 pm
Hi
What a surprise this morning.
The first snow.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB260791_zps3xknhs9v.jpg

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Dec 6, 2015, 12:42 pm
Hi mom,
today is baking day. We need Christmas cookies.
Jasper has already prepared the different doughs. So it goes fast - she thinks.
Well then, set to work.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB300831_zps6f2zko3n.jpg

We are rolling and forming and cutting out.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB300832_zpsowevwfbd.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB300833_zpsy1cp5cz6.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB300834_zpsjjbqxuhe.jpg

Then we put the cookies on sheets and Jasper pushes them into the oven.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB300836_zpsowfhsrwv.jpg

It smells wonderful.
With a little icing sugar and jam, they are even better.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB300854_zpsncpri4dg.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PB300855_zpsl4madlx3.jpg

Delicious

Bye for now
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Dec 6, 2015, 12:51 pm
Finally,
the Christmas season begins.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC040868_zps44decvzd.jpg

Hugs and kisses
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Jan 4, 2016, 1:36 pm
Hi mom,
Last weekend we stayed at Jasper's daughter.
On the way home we made a small stopover in Bern and visited on the Parliament square an event called "Every penny counts"

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130876_zpswfkpyao4.jpg

Radio SRF 3 sends each year for a week their program from a glass box and collects donations for a good cause. This year was the motto "Together for young people in need"

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130881_zpsfa96jotl.jpg

Around the clock you can watch the presenters when they welcome VIPs from sports, business and more.
For a small donation can you wish songs or send greetings.
This year more than 4,000,000 Swiss francs have come together.
Later, we strolled through the old streets

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130892_zpslzkfon62.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130895_zps6nai28pk.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130902_zpstmvtsarj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130903_zpsaczvxmo0.jpg

and over the Bernese Christmas market.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130884_zpshml35hid.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130889_zps0y4hf2sj.jpg

That's one of the many fountains of the city of Bern. It is called "Kindlifresserbrunnen" (Child Eater Fountain) and dates from the year 1545.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC130908_zpso8nnfdrd.jpg

With a creepy feeling in the stomach, we drove home.

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Jan 4, 2016, 2:06 pm
Merry Christmas
This year we had a quiet Christmas.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC311117_zpsl1q4qgka.jpg

Grandfather gave us some worries. (a surgical intervention)
He is now on the mend.
Tomorrow we will travel for a few days to Jasper's daughter.

Bye for now
Rachel
Jasper


Posted Jan 5, 2016, 5:24 am
Hi Mom,
Holiday on Lake Thun.
Today we made a trip to the Niederhorn, a mountain vis-a-vis of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
We started in Thun and boarded the paddle steamer "Blüemlisalp"

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280917_zpszp70k5oq.jpg

The Blüemlisalp was built in 1905 in Zurich and was the showpiece of the Lake Thun fleet.
The ship is 60.45 meters long and has a width at 13.15 meters. 800 people can be accommodated on it.
1971 Blüemlisalp should be scrapped. 20 years it lay unused at anchor, waiting for its last trip. The association "Vaporama" enabled, a 2-year renovation and since 1993 the Blüemlisalp is again the favorite of tourists and locals.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280918_zpsoqslccs0.jpg

So, enough of numbers and data, see for yourself how nice it was.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280919_zpsjtxzrzp8.jpg

The ride in the morning had something magical.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280925_zpszfhjz56f.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280927_zpssywheoun.jpg

We were fascinated by the landscape and also the interior of the vessel amazed us.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280929_zps57i91ohj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280934_zpswfucgxnv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280937_zpswdno7oy1.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280942_zps3hlcrmcj.jpg

In Beatenbucht we left the steamer. Before we boarded the funicular, we could admire the ship in all its beauty.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280944_zpsklezingm.jpg

The funicular took us to Beatenberg. The view during the ride was terrific.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280951_zpsxk5ked2q.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280955_zps51smy1hc.jpg

Then we moved into a gondola and arrived after a short ride, the mountain station of the Niederhorn at 1950 meters above sea level.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281026_zpsmdymoefg.jpg

The view was spectacular, even if only pitiful remnants of snow were to be seen.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280956_zps6scghb1v.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280962_zpsmuq1aohl.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280971_zps88lkrek1.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280972_zpsj7y0vbun.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280973_zps35apwiwj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280974_zpstioqwmh7.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280981_zpscff4t202.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280984_zpsmdl8yxk7.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280993_zpsi2ux5sgl.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC280999_zpsxc3zeefo.jpg

Instead sleigh rides the scooter is used and instead of skiers enjoy themselves the paragliders.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281002_zpsyni5atge.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281008_zpsb9p5dlnx.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281009_zpsaaiii4qk.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281010_zps5rq2kchf.jpg

Snow or no snow, no one could spoil our mood and we enjoyed the day to the fullest.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281017_zpsglpdqv43.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281018_zpsdehhfjeb.jpg

Here we are waiting for the ship to go home.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281030_zps432fvyqu.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281031_zps13yr6aai.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC281037_zpsj9zomekb.jpg

We had a wonderful day. I wished I could experience everything with you.

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Mar 3, 2016, 2:19 pm
Hello everyone home,

the last hours of the old year we spent loud and funny.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC311127_zps2usc1uel.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC311128_zpsvbmsjhds.jpg

After a delicious dinner, we played, sang and partied until the early morning hours.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC311129_zpsbkcw5tyh.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC311130_zpsageupa6s.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC311131_zpsdpjkqvte.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC311134_zps2kuqruhm.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P1011145_zpsckubumoj.jpg

I wish all a Happy New Year.

Rachel
Jasper


Posted Mar 3, 2016, 3:01 pm
Hi mom,

today we celebrate the birthday of the WotWots.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2011147_zpsezkcyulk.jpg

There is chocolate cake with frosting in blue and pink.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2011148_zps8lr1xys4.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2011150_zps6w2oycst.jpg

We will have a happy day.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2011153_zpsoeqxozlw.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2011154_zpsk180zx8n.jpg

Love
Rachel
Jasper


Posted May 2, 2016, 2:48 pm
Hi mom,
it was so boring today, so we snooped around a bit, and found these things - laboratory glassware !!

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221156_zpsmiadfcxt.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221158_zpsnhpuls23.jpg

Let us explore and invent.

This flask was clearly too big for us. We quickly searched matching sizes.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221159_zpsqqgqfkgf.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221163_zpspwiowopy.jpg

Then we started our tests series.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221169_zps2dwv8wg8.jpg

All we found in Jaspers cupboards was poured together, heated, distilled and how it all means.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221168_zpsps41kzdb.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221173_zpsewsphlv3.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221174_zpsmbkwmsve.jpg

It seethed and sometimes smelled terrible.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221176_zpste2jvfwv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221177_zps4vabmkf5.jpg

The result - you will not believe it - gold.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221171_zpsqwnobulf.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221184_zpsfnwkjvir.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/P2221185_zpszij6vivg.jpg

Unfortunately we have forgotten in the heat of the moment to write down the recipe.

Sorry mom, can't send you a fortune back home.

Rachel
Jasper


Posted May 2, 2016, 4:22 pm
Hi mom,
finally nice weather again. We did not hesitate long and were on our way to Sigriswil, a small town in the Bernese Oberland.
After train - and bus ride we walked to a known destination called "grave mill". Here you can fish for trout and gold panning. There is a zoo, and barbecues.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301041_zpsadhzplfj.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301046_zpszdlbzb98.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301048_zpsoxyrcmok.jpg

Unfortunately was still closed.

But we saw an alpaca breeding.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301051_zps1y8kfoya.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301054_zpsknadvuw6.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301055_zps4jzuug0c.jpg

Mom, ALPAKAS !!

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301056_zpsgyscwkim.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301058_zpsqk5evder.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301060_zpspimnwv6o.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301061_zpsceq6gha9.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301062_zps4dw8rtds.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301063_zpsa60ubr2l.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301067_zpsjoeqolv8.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301068_zpshgy7cegu.jpg

After a good lunch at the Hotel Bären, we visited the Sigriswiler panoramic bridge.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301072_zpsrpomrd9e.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301073_zpsmzw49wja.jpg

It is 340 m long and 182 m high and one of the longest and highest pedestrian bridge in Europe.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301091_zpsd6lcg7xu.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301085_zpsoosnxqpt.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301088_zpsvwhxtsgo.jpg

The views of Lake Thun and the Bernese Alps is breathtaking.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301079_zpsbwqwj2lv.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301082_zpsxtmf5vrr.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301090_zps4hpkzpeu.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301102_zpskihg7xdw.jpg

And the view into the canyon makes Jasper trembling knees.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301092_zpsp4tyhcax.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301093_zpswindtf3t.jpg

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301096_zpskcct1dkk.jpg

After a last look at the bridge

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301106_zps5cnlhfrl.jpg

and the parish church

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301109_zpsj1rav4an.jpg

together with vicarage we were on our way home.

http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u614/Hemming60/Hemming%204/Hemming%204001/Hemming%204001001/PC301113_zpsqbvxb6dw.jpg

After a long time without the sun we enjoyed this day especially.

All the best
Rachel
smaug


Posted Jul 23, 2016, 2:00 am
Hi Mum,

Guess what? I’m in Canada :D. Today, after a few days in the mail box :rolleyes:, my traveling quarters were eventually picked up and I felt suddenly surrounded by action :stare:.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1696_zpseo76ehck.jpg

As my envelope opened and I came out, I found a crowd of TVs welcoming me here in Calgary :). They were very impressed with the gifts that my last host gave me ;), and we spent the evening listening to and telling travelling stories…and chewing on those sweets ;).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1697_zps0nh36vkh.jpg
smaug


Posted Jul 23, 2016, 2:10 am
Hi Mum,

After a rather surprising (well, at least for us since sammino didn’t mention anything in advance :rolleyes:), uneventful and long trip, this morning we woke up in Italy :stare:. And even better, we woke up in front of a lovely breakfast :D.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1699_zpslrilhmcv.jpg

It is actually very hot here, so I think we will spend a few days just chilling out ;) and recovering from the jet lag.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1730_zps1b82pqe9.jpg
smaug


Posted Aug 1, 2016, 3:12 am
Hi Mum,

smaug has been very lazy on this holiday :rolleyes:, but at last today he took us out for a little walk :). We started the day looking down at the green pastures around Passo Vezzena :)

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1703_zpsy739zapf.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1706_zpsvjqrykxf.jpg

…and when we reached the highest point of the day, we had a lovely view over the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico :D.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1714_zps2by8mqms.jpg

As it happens the WWI front used to pass in this area :o, so we had a chance to do a bit of history tourism when we stumbled into this old Austrian fort :stare:.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1728_zpsx2smbjua.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1729_zpsp0z2yz5q.jpg

It did not look very comfortable :rolleyes:, and the years have clearly taken their toll, so we decided it was not worth exploring the inside and just stayed out an enjoyed the sun till it was time to go back home ;).
smaug


Posted Aug 22, 2016, 1:47 am
Hi Mum,

Today we were, as usual, looking for food :rolleyes:. In this case we were attacking the last few supplies that we brought back with us from Italy ;) when we had a feeling that someone was looking at us :stare:.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1813_zps5m0mqpo5.jpg

It was Landroval, one of smaug TVs who just arrived back home after visiting Japan :), and he brought some lovely presents too. :D.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1814_zpslgix12cv.jpg

Of course, we ended up spending the evening listening to travel stories ;).
smaug


Posted Aug 22, 2016, 3:45 am
Hi Mum,

Today smaug decided to take us to a lovely trip to the mountains :). What was less lovely is that, to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, he made us start at a very ungodly hour :rolleyes:. Nevertheless, after a bit we started having a nice view.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1731_zpsu1p0qxdx.jpg

For the first part of the morning we aimed for that lovely grassy col :)

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1732_zpszoza2ffz.jpg

…and when we reached it the view improved further.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1745_zps2eadcahz.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1746_zps4r8ecr8v.jpg

Sadly, it looked like the trail was not going to be nice and grassy for much longer :rolleyes:

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1747_zpsqwguei1u.jpg

…and soon we were in the middle of a fairly lunar landscape :o.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1803_zpsodyg9fcn.jpg

Our destination looked deceiviously close…

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1798_zpslmnoy6ly.jpg

…but it was quite some time before smaug eventually carried us to the top, where the view was spectacular :D.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1769_zps5whmdtcg.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1779_zpsat1ydhb9.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1780_zpsmnuxrmfw.jpg

Of course, true to the summit name, the weather was far from ideal, so smaug decided to quickly retreat down to an elevation where the odds of being smitten be lightning were a bit less discomforting :rolleyes:.
smaug


Posted Sep 5, 2016, 1:49 am
Hi Mum,

Today we had another day of decent weather so smaug took us again up to the mountains :). Early in the morning we were still in shadow but we started seeing our destination in the distance.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1833_zpslojs8wyz.jpg

On the other hand, we had a lovely view over Kananaskis Valley :)

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1831_zpsktzcm67k.jpg

…and we could see the highway getting smaller and smaller beneath us.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1832_zpsch6mpver.jpg

When we reached the ridge we were aiming for...

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1855_zps6jurxhg5.jpg

...the view over the valley improved :)

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1856_zpsqahdb7bz.jpg

…and we could also see Kananaskis Lakes in the distance…

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1857_zpscmf86lqd.jpg

…and Mount Evan-Thomas and Mount Packenham right in front of us :D.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1858_zps7ahqlg4l.jpg

We also found a summit log and we all signed it. Of course you write way more interesting things while getting some sugars in the belly ;).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1865_zps0barqi4l.jpg
smaug


Posted Sep 12, 2016, 12:23 am
Hi Mum,

Today we took advantage of the fair weather and went for a short and quick hike :). It was actually still a bit shadowy early on the trail…

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1869_zpslkztw3sq.jpg

…but by the time we reached our destination it was a beautiful sunny morning :D.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1881_zps5zcvl7kr.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1882_zpsl1glmqnk.jpg

Recently smaug has been less forgetful than usual about our sugar needs :rolleyes:, and luckily today was no exception to that trend ;).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1887_zpsatssfyyn.jpg
smaug


Posted Sep 12, 2016, 12:43 am
Hi Mum,

Today we gathered to say goodbye and wish a safe journey to Arn, who is travelling to Norway :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1890_zpsaxaoxldv.jpg
smaug


Posted Oct 13, 2016, 8:41 am
Hi Mum,

Today we gathered to say goodbye and wish a safe trip to Landroval who is flying :o to a new host :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1922_zpsqlg7qxic.jpg
smaug


Posted Dec 12, 2016, 1:21 am
Hi Mum,

After a long time, today smaug had again some time for us and took us a for a short hike near Banff :). It was sometime before we shortly came out of the trees and had a nice view of Lake Minnewanka.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1931_zps4euwblmd.jpg

This used to be a mining area and it is still full of hidden holes. To prevent distracted toyvoyagers from wondering into one of the deepest ones :rolleyes:,there are plenty of chainlink fences around.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1934_zpseqrrhzqd.jpg

Further up the trail we reached a nice glacial cirque :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1940_zpsonwsuohm.jpg

With a final effort we reached the highest spot of our day where we enjoyed the lovely view :)

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1948_zpslmkaj0z5.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1947_zpsdkbhc6qo.jpg

…and spent some time basking in the sun :rolleyes: before heading back to the car.
smaug


Posted Jan 9, 2017, 12:32 am
Hi Mum,

Today was a lovely morning (we didn’t have too many recently :rolleyes:) so we went to the mountains :). We were a bit surprised about how little snow was around :stare:.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1953_zpszbrmraxq.jpg

Actually our destination looked really barren.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1954_zps50kyhcgb.jpg

Anyway, when we reached it, the view was great :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1972_zpspp7rr0gd.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1974_zpsro8iibtn.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1975_zpsfqzynqts.jpg

Alas, the wind was great too…damn freezing cold :rolleyes:. So we quickly went back into the backpack and let smaug out dealing with it ;).
smaug


Posted Jan 9, 2017, 12:49 am
Hi Mum,

We are going to spend some time in Italy for Christmas :D, so today we went to Calgary airport and visited the new international terminal :stare:…which turned out to be as boring as the old one :rolleyes:. At least we had some fun joining a family of bears that was busy playing in the departures area :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1980_zpsie1kvrek.jpg
smaug


Posted Jan 9, 2017, 1:29 am
Hi Mum,

So far our holiday has been very quiet ;), but at least today we were joined by Krystal and Sigfrido who will be spending Christmas with us :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1996_zps7g0r0c62.jpg
smaug


Posted Jan 30, 2017, 12:51 am
Hi Mum,

Merry Christmas :)!

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1987_zpsjotws3g2.jpg

Luckily today there was no shortage of sweets to celebrate with :D.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1988_zpsecwbomyz.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1991_zpsh8oiaowb.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1992_zpsr4qnz8eo.jpg
smaug


Posted Jan 30, 2017, 1:27 am
Hi Mum,

Today we said goodbye to Krystal and Sigfrido and got ready to travel back to Canada :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1993_zpsvhag5ttv.jpg
smaug


Posted Jan 30, 2017, 1:52 am
Hi Mum,

Happy New Year :D!

We arrived back in Calgary last night and found a typical Canadian weather ;). Probably a good day to stay nice and warm at home :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN1997_zps9it0z829.jpg
smaug


Posted Feb 26, 2017, 9:29 pm
Hi Mum,

This morning, despite the cold :rolleyes:, we went for a short hike :). Actually smaug was in early-morning mode :stare:, so we reached the trailhead and started going when it was still way too dark to try snatching any photo. Luckily, by the time we reached the top, there was at least a reddish glimmer of light that allowed us to appreciate what a nice morning it was :D.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN2001_zpszs6ppqdm.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN2000_zpsaludhisa.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN1999_zpsygavwyjm.jpg
smaug


Posted Apr 10, 2017, 2:28 am
Hi Mum!

It’s been a bit boring around here recently :rolleyes:. Nevertheless, even if the weather was not really good, today smaug took us for a short trip to the mountains :). It’s full winter and it is usually freezing cold, but sometimes it warms up really quickly and the snow disappear as it looked to be the case on the prairies :stare:.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN2022_zpsxn5wo34f.jpg

Still Barrier Lake was still frozen solid.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN2023_zpslkmk1d3h.jpg

As we moved up along the trail the sky was getting darker and darker,…

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN2029_zps9aa0pyva.jpg

…so we found a nice sheltered spot where we could relax and top up the sugars ;) before slowly walk back to the car.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN2031_zpsufvnspcj.jpg
smaug


Posted Jun 12, 2017, 1:32 am
Hi Mum,

After quite a long time, today smaug took us to the mountains again for a short hike :).

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN2033_zpsokkhk8l0.jpg

Interesting enough, it looked like the snow was almost gone other than from the highest peaks :stare:.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN2039_zpskhmmuglu.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/Rachel/DSCN2040_zpsdyspljqw.jpg

We almost started wondering if summer was going to come early this year ;).
smaug


Posted Jun 12, 2017, 1:41 am
Hi Mum,

Remember that yesterday we noticed that the snow was almost gone on the mountains? Well, it’s back :o, lot of it, in town too :rolleyes:!

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN2047_zpsbokyqseq.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN2048_zpsaxsspamm.jpg
smaug


Posted Jun 12, 2017, 1:49 am
Hi Mum,

Happy Easter :D!

Today we noticed that last night we had a fresh dump of snow :rolleyes:,…

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN2050_zpsyumccqyj.jpg

…but luckily there was no reason to go outside since we had plenty of chocolate eggs that we could feast upon to celebrate Easter :p.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/smaug_tv/sammino5/DSCN2051_zps05u3o5dz.jpg
smaug


Posted Aug 21, 2017, 1:03 am
Hi Mum,

Today we went for a short hike near Calgary :). As usual we spent some time under the trees, but eventually the view started to open up :)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4397/36531467042_7563f42791_b.jpg

…and we got the first glimpse of our destination.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4425/36700760765_fa7f8cce84_b.jpg

Much later, the view improved…

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/35865761774_678e539c94_b.jpg

…and it improved even more from the summit :).

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4404/36531465362_f8fc356782_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4398/36531463542_f5284d15e6_b.jpg

Still those clouds were promising rain, so we didn’t linger and quickly started moving back down the mountain ;).
smaug


Posted Nov 6, 2017, 12:50 am
Hi Mum,

Today we went for another nice trip into the mountains. As usual the approach was tree-covered, but once we reached the crest of Mist Ridge the view was great :D. We had mountains to the south…

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4437/36700902905_b0489cc5d7_b.jpg

…Mist Mountain to the west…

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4391/35865914144_07d0233bc3_b.jpg

…more mountains to the east…

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36700901885_fe10bf43e5_b.jpg

…and the Sheep River valley with even more mountains to the north.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4367/36562660901_50b656412d_b.jpg

We were surrounded by mountains ;).
smaug


Posted Nov 27, 2017, 2:11 am
Hi Mum,

Today we went again up to the mountains :). Early in the morning we walked along Mosquito Creek, which was quite true to its name, so smaug decided to speed trough as fast as possible without stopping for taking photos and somehow we limited the number of bites we got :rolleyes:. Later on, we got out of the trees and the wind sent the mosquitoes packing ;), so we could take a look at the valley from above.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4585/38611423026_2fd24cd3b7_b.jpg

Eventually we reached our destination, Molar pass. The view from the west side of the pass was great :)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4532/38635654212_8c25b1c6a9_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/38635653582_80659fc58c_b.jpg

…but the view on the east side if anything was even better :D.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4580/38635653262_057feb2f02_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4527/38611423426_d19c24a0b4_b.jpg

After soaking in as much as we could of the view, we covered ourselves with insect repellent and made our way back to the car trying not to donate too much blood to the mosquitoes :rolleyes:.
smaug


Posted Jan 22, 2018, 3:10 am
Hi Mum,

Today we went for another nice hike. It took a long slog through the forest, but eventually we reached Guinn’s Pass, where the view was great :).

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4719/39118306934_ac3ee3c8c8_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4751/28049386959_8b36fa8416_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4630/39827711781_bd1900213f_b.jpg

We decided to make a little extra effort and walked up the ridge east of the pass from where we could see lower…

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4620/39796279422_2106b30f1b_b.jpg

…and upper Galatea Lakes.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4764/39827711401_2e122af837_b.jpg

On the other side of the ridge Ribbon Lake was just below us.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4613/39827711181_2520d689cd_b.jpg

As we walked up the ridge we meet an unexpected friend :o. Landroval was flying in the area, spotted us and decided to stop by to say hello :D.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4702/39827637921_98d4b19eef_b.jpg

We had lunch with him ;), and then started making our way back.
smaug


Posted Jan 29, 2018, 1:50 am
Hi Mum,

October has been a cold one…

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4673/28176211249_6c9614f589_b.jpg

…and I guess our friend Squab decided he is not in the mood to deal with another winter here ;) and he is ready to go home, so today we gathered to say him goodbye and wish him safe travel :).

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4612/28176211139_b234560fc4_b.jpg
smaug


Posted Mar 26, 2018, 2:39 am
Hi Mum,

Today we gathered to say goodbye and wish a safe trip to Aura who is travelling back home :).

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/798/40125012775_6eb49455e7_b.jpg
smaug


Posted Apr 9, 2018, 12:10 am
Hi Mum,

Guess what, we are back in Italy on holiday :D. And as we arrived we met Landroval who came here flying and claimed that he was getting bored waiting for us to eventually show up :rolleyes:.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/41018607751_269f641548_b.jpg
smaug


Posted Apr 9, 2018, 12:18 am
Hi Mum,

Our numbers suddenly grew today :stare: since some of smaug’s TV arrived here to spend Christmas with us :D.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/40976450942_04d075cbc7_b.jpg
smaug


Posted Apr 9, 2018, 12:29 am
Hi Mum,

Merry Christmas :D!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/807/39209506360_8cf322ff29_b.jpg
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/817/41018714641_01a757645b_b.jpg
smaug


Posted Apr 29, 2018, 2:40 am
Hi Mum,

Today we got ready to travel back to Canada and said goodbye to Orpheus and Sigfrido who will stay in Europe :).

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/871/41726883942_e3e4137982_b.jpg
smaug


Posted Apr 29, 2018, 2:57 am
Hi Mum,

Happy new year!
We arrived back in Calgary last night, and it’s cold, very cold, almost -30C :o. I think we’ll just recover from the trip by staying at home ;).

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/830/27898937128_ba5044b3c0_b.jpg
smaug


Posted May 14, 2018, 2:06 am
Hi Mum,

Happy Easter!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/947/39960351630_24d9ef3259_b.jpg
smaug


Posted May 28, 2018, 2:52 am
Hi Mum,

Today smaug came back with an envelope, a very interesting envelope :o.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/874/41495624645_5359529f9e_b.jpg

As we opened it, a new guest came out, Beppe, a nice beaver from Italy :D.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/877/41674429174_7ff6b8dfda_b.jpg
smaug


Posted Jul 9, 2018, 1:20 am
Hi Mum,

Guess what? smaug has decided for once not to be lazy and took us out for a little hike ;). As we came out of the trees we had a nice view of the Little Elbow River valley :)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1736/40589877870_a6cb4c1dfd_b.jpg

…and once we reached the summit the view was great :D.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/881/42398182051_523918e1a2_b.jpghttps://farm2.staticflickr.com/1746/27527540107_fc3e34aca7_b.jpg
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1730/27527539947_b577086509_b.jpg

Of course, such a nice day was also a bit windy, so we had no time to linger and were soon shoved back into the backpack :rolleyes:.
smaug


Posted Jul 9, 2018, 1:34 am
Hi Mum,

We are going on holiday :D! All ready and packed :).

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1809/43287509451_32b9f6fb5d_b.jpg

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