(Playmo)Bill, TVC, England

areir


Posted Jul 23, 2007, 5:22 pm
This is Bill, the Playmobil!
He is a surfer!


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/875827417_02bf946ae5.jpg?v=0

Lately the only place he can go surfing is my sink... And only when it's not full of plates...

I decided to make him a ToyVoyager to meet... new sinks!
  :p

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/875843123_1dea295e89.jpg?v=0

His travelplan so far is:

Australia:
Prowl_Worshipper
becka_kate

France:
Mood

German:
Pandamao
fam-united

UK:
Isobel/+/Neil
areir


Posted Aug 1, 2007, 11:10 am
Bill is ready to go!

He has taken his ID with him...
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1396/972887368_fd83ee7c2e_o.jpg

He got into his comfortable envelope...
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1409/972887380_033e38b907_o.jpg

And he'll be travelling in a couple of hours!
:D
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 15, 2007, 4:45 am
I have finally arrived in Australia! It's cool here which is nice after the heat in Greece! I need to wax my board before I can go sink surfing, but I will hanging ten as soon as I can!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 23, 2007, 3:41 pm
Finally a new sink!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 23, 2007, 3:43 pm
I am in the middle of the bush! When Areir told me I was going to Australia I thought my first stop would be Bondi Beach!! Nik tells me she is over three hours from Sydney - too far to take me there :(
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 23, 2007, 3:46 pm
This is a topped-up dam across the street from Nik's (it's been raining) She won't let me surf in there, she says it's too muddy and far too deep! Not fair!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 23, 2007, 3:49 pm
Well, it's not the sea, but it's better than a sink! This is a safe (for me) little bit of Laman's Creek. The water's cold but it's great to be in it!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 23, 2007, 3:51 pm
Bill in a tree! I climbed up for a view of Nik's yard. This is a bottle brush, a native Australian tree. It's not in flower yet, but when it does it will have bright red fronds like bottle scrubbers - hence the name Bottle Brush!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 23, 2007, 3:55 pm
I went with Nik to see her Nan today - she lives right next door.
I got to surf in a blue sink! And I met Nik's nan's pretty little dog Sasha, and Nik's pet rat Sugar. She is a sweet girl, but I preferred meeting Sasha ;)
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:06 pm
Awesome! Tonight I get to see a total lunar eclipse!

These photos aren't the astrophotography Nik would like to perform but I can see the moon a little!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:18 pm
Daffodil Day!

This is something special - Daffodil Day is a major fundraiser for cancer research in Australia. Nik bought me a Hope wristband, but it's a 'little' bit too big on me! So I checked out the website instead :)
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:20 pm
This is what I saw, but the photos on the Internet are much better than Nik's!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:23 pm
I have been trying to make friends with Nik's beautiful cats, but I don't think they've ever met a surfer before. Lucky was more interested in the birds in the yard...
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:25 pm
...and Rocky wasn't impressed that I woke him up!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:27 pm
What is it with Australian clothes lines? They are weird! Phileas and I both thought that! We climbed up though and had a spin on the old Hill's Hoist, as they call them here! Odd...
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:32 pm
I have been wandering about, taking in the sights of a typical Australian property. Nik showed me these Eucalyptus (or Gum) trees. These are what koalas live in, and eat the leaves all day long! I picked up a couple of leaves and they have a sharp, distinct smell. Eucalyptus oil from these leaves are used in all kinds of different things - scented oils, soap, dishwashing liquid, laundry liquid, disinfectant, in tissues, shampoo, medicines, and even sweets!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:34 pm
Nik's Red Wattle Bird came to visit me while I was walking around - can you spot him in the Bottle Brush behind me?
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Aug 29, 2007, 3:37 pm
Another very Australian sight - telegraph poles. These carry electricity to homes, but Nik says they can come down pretty easily in summer storms, then there can be lengthy blackouts.
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 12:43 pm
Philéas and I welcomed another TV today - Dilbert! Isn't he cute?
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 12:45 pm
(Playmo)Bill - your mission is to help Nik shop for a Father's Day present (as she's left it til the last minute as usual)

This is the Bucketts Way out of Stroud...
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 12:46 pm
On the long, boring Pacific Highway...
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 12:48 pm
Getting air in your tyres isn't easy when you're my size..
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 12:50 pm
Wooow! Look at the size of this hardware store!!! I bet they even carry surfboard wax...
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 12:53 pm
No wax  :( but some beautiful native plants called Kangaroo Paws...I was a little bit wary but Nik told us they're only named that because that's what they look like - there's none of the real thing!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 12:55 pm
Nik took us shopping at Stockland Greenhills after we left Bunnings.

(There must be some surfboard wax among these bags somewhere...)
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 12:59 pm
There are warnings everywhere about not transporting horses around New South Wales because of the equine flu. I hope they all get better soon.

I LOVED going over the Hexham Bridge! I wanted to surf in the Hunter River, and Dilbert wanted to swim with me, but Nik wouldn't let us! She's no fun...
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 1:01 pm
Mmm, barbeque...but where's the lamb? We all had a taste of a real Aussie beer. I wonder if I can get this when I'm home in Greece?
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 1:03 pm
Fly the flag! It's not fair that some ethnic groups in Australia protest about people displaying the Australian flag.
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Sep 9, 2007, 1:05 pm
Happy Birthday Rama!! Dilbert and I surprised Philéas by making this a joint birthday/farewell. Philéas is leaving to go to my mentor Areir!
becka_kate


Posted Sep 20, 2007, 1:04 pm
I'm now in Sydney - home to the world famous BONDI BEACH!!! I can't wait!! Bec has school holidays coming up in 10days time and she says she'll take me to Bondi. At last - I can go surfing at one of Australia's most famous beaches.

I've spent the day scoping out the sinks in my new abode. They look good for surfing. Bec's got a surprise for me tomorrow she says. Wonder what it is?
becka_kate


Posted Sep 24, 2007, 9:16 am
I went into the city today on a ToyVoyager expedition with Mei, Boone Racoon, Twinette Kani and Alpina - who is staying with Bec's sister at the moment!
Our first stop was the city shops in the CBD so Alpina could check out the fashions.

Here is Sydney Tower, it is Sydney's tallest free-standing structure, and the second tallest in Australia (with the Q1 building on the Gold Coast being the tallest). It is also the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere (after the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand).
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1126/1431144249_6ff3ad0027.jpg?v=0

Next we did some window shopping so Alpina could check out the fashions in Sydney. Bec showed me lots of surf shops, but said we could look more closely at the merchandise when we go to Bondi.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1367/1432020308_89662d2331.jpg?v=0
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http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/1431145701_9af311c339.jpg?v=0


After lunch we continued our sightseeing expedition and stopped to have a look at the flowers in Martin Place.
Martin Place is surrounded by many heritage buildings and it is very popular at lunchtime, often crowded with office workers and bicycle couriers. Sydney's largest Christmas tree stands in Martin Place every year. A Christmas concert is held in late November, when the tree is decorated. Martin Place is also the home of The ANZAC Cenotaph, commemorating the soldiers ("Diggers" ) who fought in World War One and all wars since. An ANZAC Day dawn service is held at the cenotaph every year on 25 April.

I was very taken with these flower gardens as their designs celebrate the Year of the Surf Lifesaver Did you know that the difference between a Lifesaver and a Lifeguard is that the Lifeguard gets paid, while a Lifesaver is a volunteer?
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1438/1431146487_2302837d3a.jpg?v=0
These flowers were planted to represent the colours of the lifesaver's caps.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1115/1431162323_f7ced7e443.jpg?v=0

As features, these gardens included some Lifesaver tools:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1324/1432022438_7712620ace.jpg?v=0
A reel and flags (you must always swim between the flags at the beach!)
And a rescue tube, which a Lifesaver might throw to you to help you stay afloat if you get into difficulty at the beach.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1361/1431161877_43b84d36ef.jpg?v=0

becka_kate


Posted Sep 24, 2007, 9:35 am
Continuing on our tour, we walked down George St towards the Harbour and Circular Quay, where we came across this interesting water feature (one our hosts / tour guides had never noticed before, seeing as they don't usually come to this side of Circular Quay station!) It marks where The Tank Stream once flowed. In the earliest days of White Settlement in Australia, the tank stream provided the colony with fresh water - until it was turned pretty much into an open sewer! To protect the settlers, Tank Stream was covered and now can't be seen at all.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1348/1432187226_6cdbb57cf6.jpg?v=0
I was just wishing I'd thought to bring my surfboard with me! Look at those gnarly waves!!!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1027/1431311043_9a04b3b2eb.jpg?v=0

Our next stop was Circular Quay,
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/1431310817_89f88fb77a.jpg?v=0

where we stopped for ice-cream and to get the obligatory pictures of Sydney's most well known landmarks -

The Sydney Opera House
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/1432025838_0a6394b42e.jpg?v=0
(would you believe that the weather the last few days has been wet, overcast and generally yuck?)

and The Harbour Bridge
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/1432023586_c39b4b71cb.jpg?v=0

Again I wished that I'd bought my surfboard, but Bec told me that you are not allowed to surf in Sydney Harbour. It's even getting so that small pleasure craft, kyacks and jet skis have difficulty accessing the Harbour! On the plus side, Sydney Harbour is much, much cleaner than it was even 5 years ago.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/1432023352_90e3fc33f1.jpg?v=0

We enjoyed watching the ferries and cruise ships coming in and out of the piers in the Quay. I think this one though is more my speed! Look - we're even in matching colours!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1155/1431150759_a36a664a6d.jpg?v=0

This is part of the Museum of Contemporary Art. The flag in the photo is the Aboriginal Flag. The black represents the Aboriginal people, the red the earth and the yellow the sun. Many people believe that the Union Jack on the Australian flag should be replaced with this flag. It is a topic of great debate every time it comes up!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/1431149771_ff6ec3bd98.jpg?v=0

Around Circular Quay are these plaques in the pavement which make up the Writers Walk which is a series of round plaques with quotations commemorating various literary figures who have some significance to Sydney or New South Wales. I think I agree with the sentiments of Arthur Conan Doyle:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1245/1431149159_2099b73d81.jpg?v=0
Or at least I probably will once I get to experience the beach culture for myself!

becka_kate


Posted Sep 24, 2007, 2:47 pm
Have you ever seen Mutiny on the Bounty starring Mel Gibson? If you have, you will know who William Bligh is.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1428/1432027264_8e6e42c422.jpg?v=0

But, the reason he has a statue in the Harbour is that in 1805 he was appointed Governor of New South Wales, and his failure to deal with the corruption in the Army Corps lead to the only successful armed takeover of government in Australia's recorded history (ie another mutiny!), otherwise known as the Rum Rebellion of 1808. He doesn't have the greatest career on record, does he?


Next stop:
The Rocks was established shortly after the colony's formation in 1788. For most of it's history the area had a reputation as a slum, but was "refurbished" in the 1970's/1980's and is now a historical and tourist area full of little lanes containing mainly shops and restaurants. Today (and every weekend) the main street in The Rocks is closed for the Rocks Markets. Here you can find all sorts of interesting things.....
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1067/1432027732_edf2ede01b.jpg?v=0

This sculpture is called First Impressions and has three sides depicting a soldier, farmer and convict  which symbolise the beginnings of the colony of New South Wales. (Mei and Twinette Kanihave the other parts in their logs).
I have the farmers (free settlers) in my photo.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1095/1432028042_bc31ee702d.jpg?v=0

Also in The Rocks you'll find A LOT of pubs! It is said that once upon a time, there was a pub on just about every corner of The Rocks area! Many of the pubs are historic buildings, but this one is only around 80years old.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1149/1432028576_26688367d5.jpg?v=0

Almost the last stop on our tour of Sydney, Observatory Hill, which is the highest natural point around Sydney Cove. From the hill you get great views of the Harbour Bridge and west  side of the Harbour (Parramatta River).
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1093/1432019266_643495e2a5.jpg?v=0
An Observatory was built here in 1858 to provide accurate time readings for the colony and to observe stars in the then fairly unknown southern sky.

Well, that's it - end of expedition!

becka_kate


Posted Sep 25, 2007, 11:12 am
I got my surprise today.

Look at this sink!! It's in Bec's classroom.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1151/1436757319_232773c213.jpg

Sadly, no plug so you have to surf quick before the water escapes through the sponge stuffed in the plug hole!!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1379/1436756883_491aff5635.jpg?v=0


becka_kate


Posted Oct 4, 2007, 8:59 am
We've all been a bit quiet lately. It's school holidays here and we've been relaxing and taking full advantage of there being no schedules to keep.
Yesterday I checked out the new deck in the back yard. A nice place to hang out. (Especially when the builders / roofers / painters etc have gone home!)
These nice people offered me a ride in their hot air balloon. Never one to pass up a new experience, I leapt at the chance!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1362/1481455595_03c497a9e5.jpg?v=0

I enjoyed the new perspective of my current lodgings, despite the fact that they're a little messed up due to the renovations!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1093/1482230694_b786c74c3a.jpg?v=0

Later I found this container of sand one of the roofers had left behind. I can't say I enjoyed the feel of it. It was very coarse, but Bec assures me that the sand at Bondi is much nicer!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1149/1481372381_adb37cbea8.jpg?v=0

I've also been checking out how to become a Surf Lifesaver! I was very excited about the part where you don't have to be 6 foot tall. I wonder if they'd accept someone who is just shy of 3 inches? I do have a super positive attitude to surf life. Surely that counts for something?????

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/1481494853_c90bd9c2dc.jpg
becka_kate


Posted Oct 7, 2007, 11:32 am
Another mission complete: Surf in the Sea!

Today we took the Bondi Explorer Bus to the famousBondi Beach
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/1503639551_91b177a100.jpg

I was so excited to get to the beach. Despite the less than perfect weather, the beach was extremely busy (which is the reason we took the bus, not the car. Plus the price of parking at the beach is astronomical!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/1504501506_8ed2d09ec3.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/1504502300_7804dc28d0.jpg

I couldn't wait to get on my surfboard and hit the waves!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/1503641871_4b8211df53.jpg?v=0

One problem though - Bec wouldn't let me out of the shallows. She was too worried that I'd be washed out to sea and never seen again! After she got wet up past her knees by a surprisingly strong wave ('Thank goodness for fast drying board shorts!!' says Bec) I had to forgive her.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2122/1504493800_438a9041da.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/1504491776_3844452762.jpg

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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/1504513544_090912e4f7.jpg?v=0

Boy that water was cold. I think if I'm going to do much more surfing in the sea I'll have to invest in a full wet suit!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/1503947485_1a3a4c7d75.jpg?v=0

After going surfing we walked along the beach for a bit (to dry off!!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2186/1504494840_229171f09f.jpg?v=0
and reached the Bondi Icebergs Club.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/1503633215_84207ff2e4.jpg?v=0

This club is famous for its membership conditions. The swimming membership rules are that a member must swim with the club on three Sundays out of four to a total of 75 swims in five years to become a full member. Nothing special about that you might say? How 'bout the additional criteria - their swimming season starts in May and concludes in September (ie WINTER!). And, to start the season they dump a tonne of ice into the pool!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/1503633215_84207ff2e4.jpg?v=0
Mood


Posted Nov 5, 2007, 6:24 pm
Hello Areir!!
Here I am in St Orens with Mood my new host...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2258/1875722727_cce07d234c.jpg?v=0
... As you can see, Becka Kate left this postal card of the famous Bondi Beach ...
When I came out of my travel package, what I saw was quite strange : white and hairy ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/1875724199_abf3673919.jpg?v=0
After enquiry, I've learnt it was Romeo the cat ... I told him I could learn him to surf, but he just bristled when I said it was about sinksurfing ...

By the way, you can imagine what my very first preoccupation was... How does Mood's sink look like ???
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/1876551268_09d83989e9.jpg?v=0

And I couldn't wait a minute more to try my board

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/1875730631_22986f6681.jpg?v=0

hey, look at this floater !!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/1876554388_5cf5a04749.jpg?v=0

After one hour trying several freestyles, Mood announced she had a surprise for me...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/1875727349_c0196c5ddf.jpg?v=0
I suppose, she felt sorry for me as I was standing dreaming on my sink
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/1876557610_1f22be7431.jpg?v=0

In fact, she said she was going to take me to the Atlantic ocean so that I can surf for real !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Mood


Posted Nov 5, 2007, 6:59 pm
Youuupyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here I am on the road to the beach !!!!!!!!!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2242/1875438845_34fb5e964c.jpg?v=0
This morning we got up early, fixed my board on Mood's car, and took the highway to the Atlantic ocean ...
You can't imagine how excited I am !!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/1876260190_131589186a.jpg?v=0
look at the road signs ...

In fact we are going to  Hossegor and Capbreton
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/1876258406_a52d7b52eb.jpg?v=0

It makes me really nervous ! Indeed, Mood told me that Hossegor was well known as a seaside resort and surfing center, and even considered as one of the best surfing locales in the world!!
It has become one of the premier surfing locations in Europe, with a series of world class beach breaks such as Gravière, La Nord, Capbreton, La Piste and Seignosse... woaouhhhh!!! I can't wait !!!!!

Mood


Posted Nov 5, 2007, 9:06 pm
At least, here I am in Vieux-Boucau, our first step to this crazy surf journey. Behind me, two surfers with their boards
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/1876265080_3b57a2ced0.jpg?v=0
As you can see, the weather is sunny, but quite windy ... and I forgot my wet suit !!!
So I just wandered in the surroundings to immerse myself in the atmosphere of the town ... Is surf really a religion here???

Let's see ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/1875451463_6b6b209a97.jpg?v=0

sounds good ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/1875453159_dea1c181ac.jpg?v=0

Hey, I even found a club !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/1875448767_b4b15b6ecd.jpg?v=0

and a school !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2204/1875445295_f050f62c9e.jpg?v=0

I would have liked to come in, just to offer to be THE new surf master, but it was closed ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/1875447013_14a8c2bdb7.jpg?v=0

so I went on my way ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/1875454893_35952fb00a.jpg?v=0
Hey, have you seen ? Hawaï ... I hope some day I will go there !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2306/1875458191_7c5f143f44.jpg?v=0

It's a shop where I spent time looking at their boards
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/1875456651_411748c809.jpg?v=0

hmmm ?? Which one ??
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/1875459899_59613f475c.jpg?v=0

Why not a long board ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/1876285038_68c030ab74.jpg?v=0

Dommaaage !! It seems I came too late to take part to this competition
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/1876273752_10f9e5e93e.jpg?v=0

Anyway, long board isn't my speciality !





Mood


Posted Nov 11, 2007, 5:16 pm
Today, I have decided to buy a wet suit and to go surfing in the sea!

First step : find a wet suit
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/1875443629_ebaa5ff31b.jpg?v=0
I'm afraid, they don't have my size ???? Anyway, I said I would surf, then, I WILL surf !

Second step : Find THE wave ... Let's go !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/1876286808_33b5402db8.jpg?v=0
These three guys behind me told me that the water was too cold ... anyway ...
(Playmo)Bill said he would surf, and nothing will stop him ..
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2356/1876288468_e1848d4103.jpg?v=0
He's the master of the wooooorld!!!

Well .. let's see, how the waves look like ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/1875466641_0e774d9ef2.jpg?v=0

Let's FEEL the waves
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/1875469819_1d8a22c5b6.jpg?v=0

Seems to be good
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/1876294814_0f971c5e74.jpg?v=0

Hey look at me !!!!!!!!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/1875478269_4fff5d7c6e.jpg?v=0
I think I have found THE fabulous spot !!!!!!

I'm flyiiiiiiiiing !!! http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/1876303018_d7766f5ca1.jpg?v=0
Unfortunatley, Mood took the picture too late ... (so pathetic photographer this girl is!!!)

Anyway .. It's time to have a break
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/1876304496_743b760454.jpg?v=0

My new surf friends joined me, as I have found the very good place to surf .. They came with their four-wheel drive
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/1876306192_0c5079241d.jpg?v=0

Their technic is not as good as mine, but they are not too bad
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/1968179749_a206614b93.jpg?v=0

Hey, look, my board is nicer than theirs don't you agree?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/1878170482_9f131370b2.jpg?v=0

Well, as you can see, it's time to go back and have a drink ... Look at the girl behind me, I think I have a ticket with her as they say in french
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/1969006632_a69d31a12d.jpg?v=0

Here we are in a surfers bar ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/1875433771_2f944fed26.jpg?v=0
We talked together a long time about each others life ... She told me her name was Odile ... she was coming from Lille (not a real surfer town!!!) ... Anyway ... she's a good surfer too
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/1876255178_3530c36123.jpg?v=0

I told her about my different travels around the world, looking for THE very good spot  ...
I even told her about the time I surfed against a ferocious shark in Greece...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/1875519639_bd4c88df7c.jpg?v=0
She was very impressed I must say !

Then we talked and talked ... She promised me to make me visit the best places in Vieux-Boucau ... and make me look like a REAL surfer ... I don't really know what she meant, as I AM a surfer .. anyway ... we'll see




Mood


Posted Nov 11, 2007, 6:07 pm
I was waiting for the wave ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/1876311320_0f57ae67fd.jpg?v=0

... when Odile from Lille came to me.. .
She wanted to introduce me to some of her (strange) friends ... the (Play)Bics as they call themselves... Odile told me they were crazy about skiing, indeed, they ARE !!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2312/1875498107_a304efdf90.jpg?v=0
They ski everywhere, even if there is no snow ... sand is perfect as you can see!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/1876319634_344c70b602.jpg?v=0
So here is Cedric (the one in green), Patrick (on the sledge), and Soizic, the blond haired-girl ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2076/1876324308_1eca63d95f.jpg?v=0

Soizic is Odile's best friend, and a haidresser (as I could learn later...)

They took me to their own shopsurf called "Bicsurf":
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2157/1875502839_0f13ad322b.jpg?v=0
and while the girls were trying new "bikinis" (look the collection behind me)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/1875504489_b4e4134d2d.jpg?v=0

I just dreamt I had won the quicksilver pro
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/1876334060_08afc13f15.jpg?v=0

and pose in front of my new sponsors !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/1876329380_543f179cc7.jpg?v=0
If only it could become true!!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/1875512735_8f4a4efd6f.jpg?v=0

Then I looked for some postcards for Areir ...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/1875509533_c3636b8892.jpg?v=0

and then we went to the restaurant
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/1875516309_dbf3e25454.jpg?v=0




Mood


Posted Nov 11, 2007, 6:48 pm
SURPRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISE !!!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/1876493496_a0092325ab.jpg?v=0
Here I am !!!! with my new surferlook !

This is an idea of Odile from Lille... She says I really look cool and sexy this way !!!!

Yesterday, after the restaurant, Odile and Soizic took me to their home called "Hurle-vent" (behind me)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/1875662139_dceb4dced6.jpg?v=0

and then, Soizic dyed my hairs blond.. I must admit it suits me well, don't you agree?

Of course, I HAD to test my new look as a cool and sexy surfer, so I went to the sea
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/1876491660_71bbdcfc93.jpg?v=0
but as you can see, there was no good waves ...

So I have decided to go to the beach
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/1876483252_4a7e0af7f2.jpg?v=0
to take a cool meal
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/1875521407_8b72a379c6.jpg?v=0

Hey !!! look behind me !!! Odile asked me if the terrible greek shark looked as ferocious as this silly one
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2080/1876346412_26df089949.jpg?v=0
Of course, I just laughed as I am a cool guy now ...

Then we took the Bics (cool) van
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/1877350161_6aa3678103.jpg?v=0

to go to Hossegor !!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/1875682395_64561f789a.jpg?v=0

Where I saw weird things, like these strangelookingguys looking for something hidden in the sand
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/1876517106_289019d872.jpg?v=0

Seemed to be something important ??
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/1876515584_b5f7db2911.jpg?v=0

In fact, Odile from Lille explained it was a rescuer contest ... look at them, diving in the sand !?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/1876520284_af1b167cbe.jpg?v=0

I left them play in their sandpit
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2260/1875685605_35122fdb58.jpg?v=0

and went surfing ... But still no good waves..
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/1876521934_c35e1358ab.jpg?v=0
Only wetsuits drying

So I just wandered in the town, found this bar
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2293/1875698483_081877b3e6.jpg?v=0
where I met new surfers friends ...They told me they would take me to a good spot, so I followed them
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/1877351069_50245b649e.jpg?v=0

hey, have you seen, we've got the same haistyle !!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/1878167814_23fb3a0eff.jpg?v=0


Mood


Posted Nov 12, 2007, 11:21 am
Days have past away... and on the last news, (Playmo)Bill was still waiting for THE spot in Vieux-Boucau
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/1876502284_49dd056251.jpg?v=0

which gives him some kind of Robinson Crusoe look
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/1876498690_b98378ada6.jpg?v=0

or Tom Hanks in the Cast Away movie
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/1876495200_61497a4161.jpg?v=0





Pandamao


Posted Dec 23, 2007, 10:11 pm
Arrived in Munich just before Christmas.
Pandamao


Posted Dec 23, 2007, 10:13 pm
I had a nice, long walk in the English Garden today and had a mulled wine at the Christmas market at the Chinese tower.
Pandamao


Posted Dec 27, 2007, 10:16 pm
Visited the famous Nuremberg Christkindl market.
Pandamao


Posted Dec 28, 2007, 10:30 pm
Today my host said that I should have a mulled wine to taste. The usual mulled wine is made with red wine and spices. For this occasion I got a special one - made with elderberry wine! Mmmmh, delicious  :p
Pandamao


Posted Jan 3, 2008, 7:57 pm
Yesterday we went up all the way from Munich to Wilhelmshaven - a seven hour train ride. Today we all go on a ferry to go onto one of the East Frisian Islands in the North Sea - Wangerooge.
Pandamao


Posted Jan 4, 2008, 10:27 pm
We had a nice New Year' party last night. Today we just have an easy day walking around the island.
Pandamao


Posted Jan 4, 2008, 10:29 pm
I also had the chance to do some surfing in the North Sea - but, man, was that water cold!!!!
Pandamao


Posted Jan 9, 2008, 10:51 pm
Today I wanted to surf Pandamao's tub. First I took a deep dive, then the foam came but my surf board did not float .... so I had to dive for it to get it out again. Have to say that was much better surfing than the ice-cold North Sea waters.
Pandamao


Posted Jan 14, 2008, 11:14 pm
The weather was still not good enough to go out so I decided to do some more indoor surfing.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 3, 2008, 8:50 pm
Today the weather was really nice so we all went to Munich's city center, Marienplatz and Neuhauser Straße. Lots of people were out to celebrate carneval - it's called "Fasching" here.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 3, 2008, 9:07 pm
When we came close to the Stachus we saw a strange creature flying --- we had a nice chat and talked about toyvoyaging. But no way this creature will become a toyvoyager, the postage would be enormous  :(
Pandamao


Posted Feb 5, 2008, 8:35 pm
I passed the German Museum (a science museum) when I went shopping with my host. We all sat in front of a big part of a turbine which is used in hydro power plant. Imagine, how big this plant is!
Pandamao


Posted Feb 8, 2008, 6:39 pm
There was a knock on the door and when we looked outside there were two little packages sitting on the doorstep. Visitors! Sylphide, Tenderheart Bear and Snegovik!
Pandamao


Posted Feb 10, 2008, 11:25 pm
Today Barthélémy wanted to visit the "Alter Südfriedhof" (Old South Cemetery) so I just came along.

This is what I read about the cemetery:

It is a little known fact that Munich's oldest green area is 450 years old, that it's in the heart of town and that it's a cemetery - the Alter Südfriedhof. The cemetery is something of a conservation area and bears unique testimony to the city's cultural history. Its romantically overgrown graves, tombs and mausoleums pay homage to distinguished Munich figures - artists, architects, master builders and scientists.

In the plague year 1523 graveyards within the city walls were so overfilled that a new cemetery - the "Äußerer Freithof" - was opened outside the city gate at the Sendlinger Tor. The cemetery wall and all the buildings were later destroyed as a preventative military measure in the Thirty Years War. Well into the 18th century the cemetery was looked on as a poor man's burial ground. In 1844, a new section designed by Gärtner was added and it continued to be Munich's central burial ground up to 1868.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 11, 2008, 12:05 am
The cemetery suffered severe bomb damage in 1944-45. Today, only a quarter of the graves are identifiable and many are in urgent need of renovation. Work is underway.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 11, 2008, 12:36 am
Even if the cemetery is not in use anymore many people were walking there. It is like a park nowadays. We saw little spring flowers blossom and sat on a bench in the sun.

Some of the graves are inside the back wall of the houses. And windows pop up between the statues on the graves.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 11, 2008, 2:39 pm
Our host had bought red cabbage ... because she could hardly eat 2 kg of it on her own we decided to prepare and preserve it. Sylphide did the research and found a nice recipe. Then our host had to cut the onions and red cabbage. We sprinkled everything with salt and now it has to rest for a whole night.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 12, 2008, 8:55 pm
After one night we washed and dried the cabbage, filled it in glass and filled the glass with vinegar (prepared with oranges and spices - mmmh, great smell). I helped to close the lids. Now the cabbage has to rest for 3 or 4 months - too bad, because I'll travel and not be able to test the taste.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 16, 2008, 9:27 pm
For the weekend we visited our host's dad. He lives in a small town in the North-East of Bavaria. I took a walk in the city center - nice houses. The battery of the camera was low so I only took photos of the houses.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 18, 2008, 4:34 pm
The weather was sunny but cold. We went for a walk (together with half of Munich's inhabitants) to Nymphenburg Castle and park.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 18, 2008, 4:35 pm
After having surfed all the sinks in the near reach I decided to search for adventure elsewhere - I climbed into a box with Fusco and Amara Anthea to visit fam-united in Bruchsal. Good-bye Munich!
fam-united


Posted Feb 20, 2008, 3:20 pm
The group tour arrived at Bruchsal and I had been a member of it together with Fusco and Amara Anthea. Let's see, what the time here will bring. Right now it seems like we brought rainy weather with us.
fam-united


Posted Feb 24, 2008, 12:08 pm
It is still raining outside and so we were happy, that Petra found a new handicraft, that is called Kumihimo. She ordered it from a catalog and I asked her, whether I can try it. I'm not so sure, whether I will be great at Kumihimo, but the result looks great, if you know, how to do it.

Of course at first I tried to surf on the model, but without water it just isn't the same.
fam-united


Posted Feb 29, 2008, 11:38 am
Today was a wonderful day and so I hoped to see some water, that maybe flows in a river or maybe a quarry pond, where I get a chance to surf. But no! Petra told me, that we will drive to Mannheim to visit the Planetarium and see a show there. Unhappily she wasn't allowed to take photos in the hall, so you see me only with the Planetarium in my back.
fam-united


Posted Feb 29, 2008, 8:48 pm
The next day Petra thought, that it is a good idea to show us a part of the palace garden, but we only had a little time and we still hope for better weather. So you only see me with the backside of the palace. The second photo shows the jailhouse ahead. It is a very interesting building, but hard to take photos of it, that's what Petra told me. There are "famous" murderers in this prison, what made me really feel unwell for a moment.
The last photo shows a private grammar school, which was founded by patres of the Pallotti order. In the far you see the baroque church St. Peter

fam-united


Posted Mar 7, 2008, 9:11 pm
Tomorrow we will go to a birthday party. So I helped Petra to bake a biscuit cake. The whole family loves it, because it is easy to make and really tasty with the butter cream layers.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/2315249132_40fab23153.jpg?v=1204899312
fam-united


Posted Mar 7, 2008, 9:18 pm
I had a little sightseeing tour through Bruchsal today. Petra showed me the palace again and told me a little bit about the history of Bruchsal.
Bruchsal was first named in 976 A.D, although the oldest settlement was discovered dated back to 640 A.D.. located near to the St. Peterskirche. Since then Bruchsal had been a place for Kings to visit and for Prince Bishops to live. 
In 1rst March 1945 during the second world war about 1000 people lost their lifes. The inner city and baroque palace were destroyed and the palace was rebuilt during the 70th.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2315249134_72f48fe958.jpg?v=0
church tower of the catholic church St.Damian and Hugo, which was also baroque until 1945, but was rebuilt rather modestly. The part with the three dormers is the church.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2315249138_38f988a1bf.jpg?v=0
On the left side you see the gate St. Damianstor, next to it you see the big red tower of the jailhouse. The building on the right side is the county court.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2315249142_af35225b60.jpg?v=0
While the palace is in the flat area of Bruchsal, which belongs to the Rhine valley, the Belvedere is at the edge to the Kraichgau. It was a former hunting lodge and is now used as theatre platform during summer. Close to it a few clubs celebrate garten parties in summer too. My hosts like to go there, when there is a party of a choir, in which some members of their families are singing.

Next to the Belvedere is the oldest grammar school of Bruchsal, which uses the Stadtgarten, the park next to the Belvedere, as a school yard.


Only a few stairs down from the place before, Petra showed me some views over Bruchsal.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2315249144_8e35f72cf0.jpg?v=0
I just will try to remember the towers names, because I think, I forgot everything else.
The tower on the left side is the old tower of the old castle of Bruchsal, which is called Bergfried. I remember, that there is the Bügerzentrum, where citizens meet for cultural events and where also is a restaurant. Then you see the tower of the city church, which is in the inner city, where the market place is located. And at last you see the Lutherkirche, which is one of the two evangelic churches of Bruchsal.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2315249146_54691dce52.jpg?v=0
On this photo you see the two towers of the baroque church St. Peter. And maybe you see a big building right under the crane. This building is called Sancta Maria and it is close to where I live right now.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2315251546_2405d791ab.jpg?v=0
Next to me you see the older people houses, a new one with the orange colour and the roof in the right corner and the white building behind it is the old part. Behind this white building you see the grey building of St. Paulusheim, which is a private catholic grammar school, only open for Christian pupils, because they do many religious things in their free time.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/2315251558_21ab0af3c8.jpg?v=1204924740


Now I'm in front of St. Peter. It is only a few metres from my hosts home to go. Petra told me, that this church is also baroque inside, but mostly it is closed.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2315251564_708aebf5fc.jpg?v=1204924776
Another view to St. Peter. I'm on the area of the graveyard right now. The graveyard is a very silent place with a wonderful view over Bruchsal, but it is hard for older people to walk there, because it always goes up and down.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/2315251550_d3560060fc.jpg?v=0
Standing nearer to the church I had this view to the grey building of St. Paulusheim again.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/2315251566_41717b6b53.jpg?v=0
Maybe you remember, that I mentioned Sancta Maria. This building with its nice garden is on the left side of the photo. The left tower is the City church tower and the other tower is the one of St. Damian and Hugo.
fam-united


Posted Mar 8, 2008, 10:18 am
Because the weather was much better than the days before, Petra took us to her school, where we had to wait for her in the car for hours. Then she drove to Untergrombach, which is one of the suburbs of Bruchsal. The Michaelsberg, a small hill - only 296m high, belongs to Untergrombach. You have a wonderful view over the Rhine valley and if the weather is very very good, you can see the Palatine Mountains in the far.
3500 - 2600 BC first signs of humans had been found on this place, the "Michelsberg culture".

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2317404050_33b7047ef3.jpg?v=0
Here you see a part of Bruchsal .


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/2317404054_8d35ab20b3.jpg?v=0
The quarry pond belongs to Untergrombach, which you see on this photo. This is the best view to see the Palatine Mountains on the horizon, but today we had no luck. Of course I would have loved to go surfing on the quarry pond, but Petra said, that she had no time for it today.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2310/2317404058_09f3cf5a30.jpg?v=0
You see another part of Untergrombach. You see, that it is also to the border of the Kraichgau, just the same as Bruchsal.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2317404060_0f6cd63ee4.jpg?v=0
This nice chapel is called Michaelskapelle and it is on top of the Michaelsberg. Petra told me, that there are many couples, that want to marry in this chapel.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2049/2317404062_1e8bbc5f8a.jpg?v=0
Here you see so-called "Steinriegel" (field clearance cairn), made by people working on their fields a long long time ago. They threw the big stones from their fields to the border of the neighbour's field, so that in the middle all stones were accumulated. Many animals and flowers love this gaunt places and that's why a few weeks ago, people cleaned the Steinriegel from all the earth, that came between the stone during the many many years and from all the other plants, that love to grow in earh.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2316596705_d0558a24a0.jpg?v=0
Another word I learned is "Magerrasen" (neglected grassland), which is typical for the Michaelsberg.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2317404066_98a3dc7bf0.jpg?v=0
Here we are still standing at the same place like before with view back to the chapel. You see the "Magerrasen".


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2316596709_92aebc4b78.jpg?v=0
The Michaelsberg is nature reserve area, I'm sure, you already realized this too. Soon there will be beautiful seldom flowers and animals.



We all wanted to go into the chapel and take some photos there too. It is nice baroque, not too many paintings or golden things.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2316596711_3568c86e85.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2316596715_9bb205cb30.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2316596717_91cb549327.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2316596719_6535270680.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/2316597709_b69e794ffb.jpg?v=1204971598
fam-united


Posted Mar 25, 2008, 9:09 pm
Today we had to say Goodbye to some of our friends:

Elle travels to Munich now and Lucky Bunny to India. Mocke, a really new toyvoyager, travels to England and Chocolate Moose will stay at the German border to the Netherlands. I'm sorry, but somehow I fell out of the photo
fam-united


Posted Mar 25, 2008, 9:10 pm
Hi mum
Today two new toyvoyagers arrived and Petra said, that they - AliG and Curly - brought sunny weather to Bruchsal.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2342212547_97d5a06b2d.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2343038154_1a701f32aa.jpg?v=0

We already had some fun together. You know, it is springtime and we all are a bit hilarious. I'm not sure, how Petra will handle this ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2343037564_18b8d0bafd.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2342211647_96c4f278d1.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2342211923_0e197cc844.jpg?v=0

After we built this toyvoyager pyramid (have I every seen another here???), we sat down - yes, we really just sat down quietly- and listened to Holiday Harry, who told us many things about Bruchsal. It was kind of sitting in school and listening to a teacher. Petra said, that she really wondered, how Holiday Harry, this crazy monkey, remembered so much about this place.

First Petra told us everything and HolidayHarry jumped behind our backs like crazy.
This photo shows the Damian's Gate. It's the northern entrance to the palace area.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2342212223_b8b1d33563.jpg?v=0

This photo shows the palace and the rooms inside. The palace was destroyed during the second world war, 80% of Bruchsal's buildings had been destroyed. The palace was rebuilt during the 70th. In the south wing of the palace the parish of St.Damian and Hugo has its church with a modern interior.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2343041516_7184e1dc1d.jpg?v=0

We all thought, that it is silly to take photos, where everyone can see only us toyvoyagers and the real photos only while making a handstand, so we asked Petra to take the photos standing behind us and letting Holiday Harry explain everything. He just couldn't sit quietly enough, so he had something to do now and he seemed really proud of it.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2342213167_dbfa125dea.jpg?v=0

HolidayHarry told us, that there are concerts in the palace sometimes. And there is an exhibition of Mechanical Musical Instruments.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2342213445_6697cc8264.jpg?v=1205839073

There are several events in front of the palace during spring and summer.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2342213831_ab6acbe010.jpg?v=0

One of these events is the summerday procession in May, when they burn the snowman in front of the palace.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2343042848_34b32a1278.jpg?v=0

The carnival procession is especially interesting, because you can listen to the crazy music called "Guggemusik" - a music, which even Holiday Harry had been unable to explain. On the right page you see the baroque church St. Peter and the arm of Bruchsal. The flags of Bruchsal are in front of the old town hall.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/2343043212_7f086aa156.jpg?v=0

Each Wednesday and Saturday there is a market in Bruchsal, where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables and flowers. You can also buy plants for the garden.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2343043518_95d4c97638.jpg?v=0

On the left side you see the limestone building of the Pallottines' private grammar school St. Paulusheim, built in 1923.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/2343043822_5399d5d316.jpg?v=0

The Belvedere, a former hunting lodge, was built in 1758. It serves a very fitting background for open-aur plays.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2342215351_18ab9f22bc.jpg?v=0

This left building is really interesting, but not easy to take a photo with it. It is the men's prison of Bruchsal, built in 1841 and called "Café Octagon".
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2343044714_ae706fddea.jpg?v=0

The baroque church St. Peter: Cardinal Schönborn began the building in 1740 and Cardinal Hutten completed it and had the interior finished. The architect was Balthasar Neumann from Würzburg. The church holds the remains of the last prince-bishop in a cryp.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/2342216503_65e0a8f44d.jpg?v=0

I realized, that I already knew some parts of it, because I heard them on our tour through Bruchsal.
fam-united


Posted Mar 25, 2008, 9:12 pm
Happy Easter to you!!!


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2356894733_e59ab409a8.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Mar 25, 2008, 9:15 pm
Hi mum!

We all thought, that we maybe would have better weather now. It started to be so nice, when we arrived here in Bruchsal, but I think, that I have to travel to a far away place to stay in the warmth. It is only warm in the house, when Petra heats the oven in their livingroom. Yes, and today it was really warm in the kitchen, because we all helped to bake a biscuit. It was really crowded in the kitchen.

This was the place we had to sit down at first, because Petra had to get everything prepared.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2356885871_536d66b6f3.jpg?v=0

Then everyone was allowed to hold the stirrer for a while. Wow, I think, if Petra wouldn't had been there to help me, it could have been really dangerous for me. I had been trembling from head to toe.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2357722694_59a5d2950d.jpg?v=0

Then I wanted to help to stir the flour under the dough.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2357727198_43fe93f0d6.jpg?v=0

While we waited for the cake get ready in the oven, we wanted to walk into the garden to take a look at the flowers there.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2357737838_7c8a8683df.jpg?v=0

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This is the basket, in which Petra carries us around, when she takes us to other places in her house. She says, it is the only way to carry so many toyvoyagers. If you wonder about the amount of toyvoyagers, that are here right now: Petra just started to find several hosts in Asia, Africa and South America. And now she activated many toyvoyagers and of course she wants to make some updates, before they start their travels. It is really exciting to hear about the places, which they plan to visit soon.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2356925463_711a8d8f75.jpg?v=1206359177

Finally the cake was ready - ok, not really ready, I suppose. Petra talked something about butter cream and chocolate icing. So I will see, how the cake looks like later.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2357759308_c766b06cab.jpg?v=0

Finally Petra is there to get ready with the cake.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2369206867_964a11f255.jpg?v=0
I thought, that I probably should try to surf on the spoon.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/2369197615_d025ccec9e.jpg?v=0
Do you see, what I have to do to have a good view on things? Here I'm with one foot in the sugar caster.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2369195985_affe609b5d.jpg?v=1206810468
fam-united


Posted Mar 29, 2008, 10:03 am
Hi mum
here is a big big toyvoyager meeting now. I had been very surprised, when I saw all these other toyvoyager crawl out of the package, that arrived today. Of course we knew, that some other toyvoyagers will arrive, so we were very excited, when the postman rang at the door.
Now we are 13 toyvoyagers:
Florence, Tilda, Mingus Moose, Josh, Chokito, Davy, Tortilla and Bullet arrived today and you surely remember, that Amara Anthea, AliG, Curly, HolidayHarry, Pebbels and I had been here for a while already.
I think, it would be a good time to have a party now and I saw, that Petra baked some muffins today. Maybe we can ask her to throw a party for us tomorrow???

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2369244547_0fe930e22c.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2369243263_a72257e913.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2370078658_4c76915c47.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2369243915_d3192c048b.jpg
fam-united


Posted Apr 10, 2008, 7:05 am
Hurray!!! Hurray!!!

We had a little party today!!!



We had some snacks and water to drink and a lot to laugh about, of course. Dogs became friends with cats, a turtle with a kangaroo, a monkey with a moose and more.

We played with a big and a small ball and we learned how to play the card game "Mau Mau".


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2370671235_70948ecf37.jpg?v=0
Didn't the table look nice?


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2370667805_a7bce2df90.jpg?v=0
Mingus Moose prefered to sit on the ballon.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2371503540_895080569e.jpg?v=0
I decided to not eat anything, because I was afraid to be too thick for my hobby.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2370668873_a02633dc92.jpg?v=0
Bullet wanted all the peanuts for himself.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2371505608_b6be497842.jpg?v=0
Coco first had been a bit sad, because there was no honey on the table, but she liked the gouda then.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2370670611_7ae0f5222b.jpg?v=0
Everyone wondered, how I received that peanut.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/2371515494_f0e0cd9ae2.jpg?v=0
HolidayHarry had been really thirsty after eating a lot of sweets.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2371516326_fe87c81d96.jpg?v=0
Florence is very hungry and wants to try a chocolate banana muffin.


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Pebbels thought, that the Harry Potter muffin looked nice. It was a muffin with blueberries. Curly took the chocolate banana muffin too.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2371517512_5d38e5f4c7.jpg?v=0
Amara Anthea tried a muffin american style, just on with chocolate drops.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2371518108_7dc4c47471.jpg?v=0
AliG played the detective. But he didn't tell us, what he had been searching for.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2371518938_293d0c92ac.jpg?v=0
Do you see how happy Tortilla and Josh look with this dish filled with gummi bears?


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2371519728_9db9119e2f.jpg?v=0
Chokito, Davy and Schnuffi shared another Harry Potter muffin.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2371521376_de74a2e1b0.jpg?v=0
Only Hasi prefered something healthy - she wanted to eat a carrot.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2211/2370685509_f2bece64a5.jpg?v=0
Tilda hadn't been sure, whether she should try a "nimm 2 " or whether it is better to eat a carrot too.



Then we started playing with balls. At first we choose the Australian ball, but it was so big, that the little toyvoyager among us had big problems.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2371521910_0f687d7a4c.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2370687117_644167ea1c.jpg?v=0


Later we decided to use a table tennis ball, which of course is much easier to play with.

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At last we learned how to play "Mau Mau".

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Our first winner was: Chokito
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2370692047_7a68ac4509.jpg?v=0

Second place: Bullet
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2370692657_52caa01fce.jpg?v=0

Third place: Hasi
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2370693307_a21d8e39eb.jpg?v=0

Fourth place: Pebbels
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/2370693837_51400072fe.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2370694447_bda41f920d.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/2370694983_23644f3d66.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Apr 10, 2008, 7:13 am
Today it's time for baking cakes for my host's mum's birthday. She is 70 years now and Petra was asked to bake two cakes: Donauwellenkuchen (Danube waves cake) and Zebrakuchen (zebra cake). Petra decided to bake a surprise cake too, with a part of the Happy Birthday song.

We sat all together watching and helping Petra with preparing the dough.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/2397956457_e91ac8de36.jpg?v=0

So here are the photos with me. If you are interested in recipes, I can try to ask Petra to write them here or send them to you.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2397958503_a9c4b0aabf.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2397959485_42bdb57367.jpg?v=0
You see, I had been very curious, how to prepare the dough.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2398789430_7d50e44fb3.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2397990677_b32caaf918.jpg?v=0

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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2398022859_a6c9f8f307.jpg?v=0

Finally the cakes are ready

The nougat cream cake:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2199/2398023565_298b6a8172.jpg?v=0
only the words "Happy birthday" have to be put on the cake now.

The Zebra-cake
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/2398024347_65b1dbb453.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2398025009_363a9a2d73.jpg?v=0

Somehow we miss the last photo of the Danube waves cake, the one with the cherries.
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Apr 26, 2008, 5:20 am

Hello!,
I have safely made it to the Sunshine State. I arrived today also with Ceryni from Germany. I also met 3 other toys but they are in their envelopes are they are traveling tommorrow. I am so excited to surf in new places such as new sinks, bath tubes, showers, and even a pool!!! How exciting. It is late and I am Jet-lagged so I will update tommorrow with pictures.
Bye!
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Apr 26, 2008, 6:11 pm
Hello!
Now I am all rested up and ready to begin my journey :)
I am sure I will have a great time here in the Sunshine State.
Andrea says I am very photogenic. Here is a picture of Ceryni and I.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2443547538_e4d30f999c_m.jpg
Now Andrea is going to show me around the house and places I can surf.
Bye,
Playmo(Bill)
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Apr 26, 2008, 6:15 pm
Hello!
I asked Andrea if I could do some surfing around the house and she said sure! I wanted to go with something easy first so I tried 2 sinks in the house.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2443547630_0c20823cac_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/2442720579_0895e45b64_m.jpg

Now I am ready to try the pool out!! What a big risk since I am rusty as I havent been able to surf in a while but I know I can do it!
Bye,
(Playmo) Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Apr 26, 2008, 6:48 pm
Hello!
I have surfed in the pool! What an acomplishment for me.
First I met Andrea's dog Chloe. Good thing she didnt try to eat me, I bet im not that tasy anyway.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2442806729_4ef7ac86f1_m.jpg

Here I am in front of the pool, which is sooo much bigger then I am  :stare:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2442806933_fca693b38f_m.jpg

First I hesitated.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2442807071_a685ed395d_m.jpg

Then I got the hang of it and before I knew it I was surfing!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2443634594_17b989b762_m.jpg

Then I decided to just float around as I got really hot in the Florida sun.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2443634786_ea7ea161ef_m.jpg

After I gave a try in the patio sink.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/2443635120_2a935546b0_m.jpg

After I relaxed on the chair.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2442807603_1f1eda4ef0_m.jpg

Then I dried off with the towel that is my size.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2443635258_7c155d0582_m.jpg

What a fun day already!!
Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Apr 29, 2008, 2:05 am

Hello!
Today we didnt really do much but we played hide and go seek in the front yard before it rained.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2450028011_a42711bc1a_m.jpg

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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/2450853250_b46562502c_m.jpg

Can you spot me??

After we played a little basketball.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/2450027767_fb45970076_m.jpg

Then we grilled out chicken for dinner-we were very carefull around the grill!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/2450028165_5ee68c7d18_m.jpg

After it rained really hard and we had to go inside.

Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Apr 30, 2008, 9:57 pm
Hello!
It has been so hot outside so we havent been outside much but this weekend we are going to the beach. I am ready! I havent been to a beach in a while. Andrea says she knows I will like Florida beaches  ;)
Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted May 4, 2008, 10:57 pm
Hello!
Today Ceryni and I went to the beach. I havent swam since I was in Australia at a beach so it was so nice to come here.

Here is before we left, we packed up snacks, drinks, chairs, and other stuff.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2465813756_4963242774_m.jpg

We decided to build sand castles when we got there.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/2465814752_f0be30d16e_m.jpg

We dug deep enough in one who so that water came, enough for me to surf of course!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2464985831_fd50d932aa_m.jpg

Then we build walls.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2464986491_81d4dc1cf1_m.jpg

Then I was ready to face the water :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2465817568_eeef04325f_m.jpg

Getting closer
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2464988911_148802ca2f_m.jpg

Yay! I was like a natural out there because I am. Everyone must have been staring because I am so good!  ;)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/2464989273_3233a98040_m.jpg

After we ate lunch.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2464990167_eae7b7dcca_m.jpg

What a fun day! I am so tired.
Bye,
(Playmo)Billl
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted May 10, 2008, 3:02 pm
Hello!
Today a new TV arrived, her name is Lillebi.
Here is a picture of us.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2479780211_6f3bbd4266_m.jpg

Shortly after we went outside and saw a turtle. It started to run away from us so we had to take a pic really fast! Can you see it? It is towards the right but blury.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2479780129_d731be2b95_m.jpg

Here is a picture of it with out me there.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2480595232_2b3972cb66_m.jpg

Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted May 11, 2008, 10:53 pm
Hello!
Today we decided to make breakfast for Andrea's mom in honer of mother's day. We made her breakfast sandwhiches.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/2484555798_91ae2978fa_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/2484555934_b3666b9a4e_m.jpg

*Gulp* These were very yummy....I mean they look yummy. I didnt have one or anything.... ;)

Guess what?? On may 31 and June 1 Andrea is out of school for the summer and we are going to Disney. It is 1 hour away from Tampa. We are going to Epcot, the disney park, if you want to look it up :) There will be new places to surf too at the theme park and the hotel!
I am so excited to go to Disney!!
Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted May 18, 2008, 2:39 pm
Hello!
I am sorry I havent updated in a while, Andrea's exams start this week and end next Friday so she is super busy. So today she took us to Chick-Fil-A the resteraunt. It was yummy and after we played in the play area.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2502098120_98f572de20.jpg?v=0

Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted May 27, 2008, 1:50 am
Hello!
Andrea has one exam down and 4 more to go. Latin is tommorrow. That is going to be her hardest exam. I also just met Budin who arrived from Malaysia. She is a very nice bear.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2525672859_e6b721e9aa.jpg?v=0

I will update soon,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted May 27, 2008, 1:59 am
Hello!
Today Andrea went to her friend's house and she has a very nice pool. I have brought my surf board and decided to give it a try.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/2525673525_aa295f6492.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2526493260_92cffbf423.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2526492950_e15b0a041e.jpg?v=0

Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted May 30, 2008, 8:55 pm
Hello!
Andrea's last exam was today and now she is officially on spring break. After disney she said I will be leaving for somewhere cooler. Yesterday Ceryni left and also Ceryni's brother arrived. His name is Joonas and he is a cute fire salamander. As you can see I am the shortest.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/2536413335_b2c27c4ae0.jpg?v=0

Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Jun 2, 2008, 3:08 pm
Hello!
We just got back from Disney, on Saturday we went to Epcot and here are our pictures from there.

Here is a sign when entering Disney
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2542901557_f39c07c287.jpg?v=0

Some beautiful flowers.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/2543728654_1d6228b991.jpg?v=0

A Teepee(a place where native americans use to live)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2543729088_338450ec2a.jpg?v=0

A fun place for kids to play
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2542902745_230a899c72.jpg?v=0

A bush carved into a dog shape
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2542920893_49a6ed34ef.jpg?v=0

A fun ride called "Fast Track"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2543730888_335e6f1e65.jpg?v=0

Here is a picture of a ride we went on. It is a cute mexican boat ride.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2180/2542904639_df3c0dece2.jpg?v=0

The China area of the world showcase.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2542905083_e3cc3808be.jpg?v=0

The German park of the world showcase.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2543732608_ddf4dc81d6.jpg?v=0

The French park of the world showcase.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2543748942_493d6e29ba.jpg?v=0

When we ate dinner there was a dancer.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2543733502_af8dc50e5c.jpg?v=0

In front of our hotel.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2543728512_83ecc5c592.jpg?v=0

A cute shaped bush.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2127/2543729620_c8f8ff833e.jpg?v=0

A butterfly shaped bush.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2543729856_7415636cdc.jpg?v=0

A view of Epcot.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2542904403_1df3c21dd5.jpg?v=0

The Norway part of the world showcase.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/2542921293_178863fe1d.jpg?v=0

We saw a Chinese acrobat show-very cool.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2543747888_f840fd17fc.jpg?v=0

A sign in the German part of the world showcase.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2542921927_8afe2ea8a3.jpg?v=0

The American part of the world showcase.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2542906169_d28ff3c467.jpg?v=0

Also, I saw the coolest toys-Playmobill stuff!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2543732434_43b0fa618b.jpg?v=0

Those are our pictures from Epcot. We went to Animal Kingdom too. I will show you pictures later.
Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Jun 3, 2008, 6:59 pm
Hello!
On Sunday we went to Animal Kingdom. We wnt for a quick visit and we went on a safari ride and saw lots of animals and due to the speed of the jeep we couldnt put the toys in the picture and getting good pictures so the animal pictures dont have the toys in them.

Here is the sign:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2542907155_b8d6fa1547.jpg?v=0

Big fish:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2543749510_22aca4a9b8.jpg?v=0

Parrots:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2542907781_b7b8223d6f.jpg?v=0

A cool sign:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/2543734768_5309f8053e.jpg?v=0

The big tree of life:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2543735118_6d69164c23.jpg?v=0

Flamingoes
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2542908743_f0c82d9b57.jpg?v=0

A cute otter sign:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2542908887_fe09947a92.jpg?v=0

An Okapi:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2543735766_58801632dd.jpg?v=0

A bunny rabbit:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2543736072_1fc3196115.jpg?v=0

A big scary snake:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2543738800_b880231ed3.jpg?v=0

A fruit bat:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2542912251_22b8752db3.jpg?v=0

A malaysian tapir:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2542912017_4c389abf48.jpg?v=0

A cool place where some monkeys live:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2542911761_40e55a7dff.jpg?v=0

A rhino:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/2542911275_25c5d900cd.jpg?v=0

A giraffe:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2542910977_52fc6116f2.jpg?v=0

A sign:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/2543736740_2bc3964d6e.jpg?v=0

The jeep we rode in:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/2542909903_9d5ebb7517.jpg?v=0

A gorilla:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2543736340_44c2ac67b4.jpg?v=0

An ostrich:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2543750392_032704f113.jpg?v=0

A Komodo Dragon:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2543750532_70c6828253.jpg?v=0

An Elephant:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2543750266_05d6251ef5.jpg?v=0

I hope you enjoyed the pictures.
Bye,
(Playmo)Bill
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Jun 3, 2008, 7:14 pm
Hello!
(Playmo)Bill left yesterday to Isobel&Neil in the UK.
Thanks for visiting,
Andrea
Isobel&Neil


Posted Jun 21, 2008, 2:18 pm
(Playmo)Bill has arrived safely at ToyVoyagersCentral.

Updates to follow....

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