Meleleuca, Bruchsal, Germany

gingermuggins


Posted Feb 11, 2008, 2:06 am
Today is my last day at home. I had some final preparations to do before leaving.

Mum helped me make a sleeping pouch.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/sami_jae/m2.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/sami_jae/m5.jpg

Then i wanted to make my traveling envelope look more then just a plain white envelope. Mum has a sticker machine that she let me use.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/sami_jae/m3.jpg

I dont think it was a good idea. The stickers stuck to me rather well!!!

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/sami_jae/m4.jpg

I then said goodbye to my friends who have kept me company this past week. They are football (aussie rules) bears. The season starts soon so they can't travel around the world.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/sami_jae/m6.jpg

I'm now ready to visit Magicwoman in the Netherlands. I'm very excited and hope to have many many adventures.
gingermuggins


Posted Feb 13, 2008, 12:05 am
I snuggled down into my cosy travel bag this morning and have left the comforts of my home. I am very excited and scared but i am sure my hosts will be lovely and look after me well.
My first destination is The Netherlands and i'm staying with Magicwoman.

Talk to you soon :)
magicwoman


Posted Feb 22, 2008, 5:14 pm
Hi Mom
Today I arrived in Holland :),it was a very long trip for me
Its so nice here,but a bit windy and rainy.
Holland is a cold country in comparison with Australia,so my host is gonna turn up the heat now for me.
They talk a very strange language here.Its really funny to hear.
I'm gonna take a nap now mummy,cause i'm so tired
bye bye Melelauca

magicwoman


Posted Feb 22, 2008, 5:31 pm
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/Afb074.jpg
Finally I arrived,the envelop was so dark and cold

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/Afb075.jpg
Now i'm gonna take a nap in my warm and cosy sleeping bag you made for me mummy :D

more photos soon after my nap
bye bye meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Feb 23, 2008, 2:11 pm
Hi mummy
After my long nap yesterday,i'm ready to do things :)
And my host has a visitor this morning,it was her little cousin and she is 3 years old.She really liked me and she said "aaw she is soo cute"
Offcourse she wants to play with me
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/Afb081.jpg
oh no..she wrapped me with my own sleeping bag...be careful little girl!!

this girl has really fantastic slippers..she had a pair of ladybird  dutch cloggies  to keep her feet warm that was so cute
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/Afb079.jpg

Wow my host has a real electric guitar :)
I play on it but it was so diffycult to do
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0002.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0004.jpg
the view out of the window,cant wait to go outside

My host has a surprise for me,she bought some typical dutch candy for me called "drop"
The fist one was disgusting,but later on I eat more "dropjes"and then I started to like them,they are very sweet and a bit bitter
You should try them to mummy
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0006.jpg

So this was my first morning here in Holland
more pictures soon mummy
bye bye
magicwoman


Posted Feb 23, 2008, 8:02 pm
I love eucalyptus,but here in Holland it is not possible that eucalyptus can grow
So after al those  Dutch "dropjes" I eat I really want to have some eucalyptus ,but I can find it
So my host put me on a dutch tree :)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0011.jpg
As you can see there is no leaf on it,thats because it is winter here in Holland

My host showed me her moped,it really looked like a motorcycle but it isnt.It is really a moped.And ofcouse she invites me for a ride :)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0013.jpg
My host is trying to talk english to me and espially the australian dialect
It feels like home,but her dialect sounds ridiculous  :cyclops:
I really laughed about it

Its really nice to be here
Bye Bye mum
Meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Feb 24, 2008, 2:00 pm
Hi mum
Tomorrow my host Marije has made a delicious breakfast for me.It was a "beschuitje"in English translated as "biscuit rusk"with "Hagelslag"it is a Dutch sandwitch filling,and it are chocolate sprinkels it was delicious,but she had to much butter on it so now i am a bit nauseous
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0026.jpg

I've met some new friends here,it were all toys who lives here,and offcourse they heard about me,some new Australian guest who has arrived here
Marije had introduced me to them,and as you can see we had a lot of fun
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0023.jpg
those 2 dogs they were funny,and the bear was very caring and friendly.The ponies are girls and they think they are beautiful wich they are,but they are a bit haughty to

More photos soon
bye bye mummy
magicwoman


Posted Feb 25, 2008, 5:28 pm
Hi mum
Yesterday Marije take me out for a walk
it was very sunny for the winter
and she showed me some nice places
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0034.jpg
This is an old factory,it was a factory back in de 60s.Nowaday it is an old building.But it is beautiful,but it is a bit deteriorate.This building is build in 1904,but they gonna demolished it soon

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0035.jpg
Here o
i'm sitting at a Dutch level crossing.
I'm gonna explain what the sign says
When the train comes you hear a sound and the red light is flashing,then you know that the train is approaching and you have to stop for it,also the barriers are coming down
The sign said,"Please wait until the red light is  out,it is possible that there is approaching another train"

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0036.jpg
another beautiful building

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0038.jpg
Waiting at the bus in a Dutch bus stop

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0039.jpg[
A Dutch Mill

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0040.jpg
unfortunately the picture is a bit shaky
but this was the sign that belongs to the mill
The mills name is "keetmolen"
it is build in 1750

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0041.jpg
eating a dutch "frikandel"it is a typical Dutch meatroll,with mayonnaise
It was delicious :)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0042.jpg
at least I was drinking a nice cup of tea in de local bar

I had a great weekend mummy
I miss you
more updates soon
Meleleuca

gingermuggins


Posted Feb 27, 2008, 6:39 am
Hello Meleleuca

I'm so happy to see you are having a fun time with Marije. It really is different from your home in the gum tree!
I look forward to seeing more lovely photos from you. Travel Safe.
Mum xx
magicwoman


Posted Feb 27, 2008, 1:53 pm
Hi mum
Good to read a message from you mummy :)
Today Marije brought me to her old house,were she lived for 10 years,it was a farmhouse,but she moved to another house in 2006.Her dad has an office there to,but the office doesent exist anymore.There is only a small office left for her uncle who lived there and he can work there.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/Afb082.jpg
pick up the phone at the office
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/Afb083.jpg
and write something down
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/Afb084.jpg
outside
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/Afb085.jpg
this is grassland it belongs to the farmhouse,you can see how flat is in Holland no hills or mountains
unfortunately there are no Dutch cows on the grass land

Bye Bye ,
more updates soon :)


magicwoman


Posted Feb 29, 2008, 5:06 pm
Hi Mum
Today a new Toyvoyager arrived at Marije her house,I was so exciting,I wanted to know what kind of Tv it was
So I cant wait
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0045.jpg
This is me waiting for the new TV
Please hurry Marije I cant wait to see her/him

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0046.jpg
finally Marije opened the envelop
and it is.... PEBBELS a green TV from Sweden
yeaa I got a mate :)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0048.jpg
this is us togheter,Pebbels is really frienldy but she talked a strange language,it is Swedish
I have to teach her English,cause I dont understand her

We are gonna have a great time here just the two of us
bye bye
Meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Mar 1, 2008, 1:19 pm
I decided I helped Marije to cook a meal
And offcourse I'll eat some from it to
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0049.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0052.jpg
i was stirring the peanut sauce,it is a sauce made from peanuts en the Dutch people eat it ,it looks disgusting here ;)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0054.jpg
this was the result
a plate with fries,mayonaisse,peanut sauce and onions
it looks yak but is was yummi ;)

bye bye
Meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Mar 2, 2008, 2:55 pm
Hi mum
We had so much fun today,cause I was riding a bycycle togheter with Pebbels,it was great.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0061.jpg
Here i am ,it was a bit diffidult to to it

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0063.jpg
and a picture with me and the beautiful lady stattue :)

bye bye Meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Mar 4, 2008, 6:26 pm
Today we had really bad weather in Holland
It was so cold and rainy and windy,that we couldnt do thing
so we watch the rain out of the window
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0072.jpg

And I watched a dutch TV show called "RTL Boulevard"it is a Dutch gossip program
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0073.jpg

I forgot to tell you mum,Marije has take me out last sunday and we went to a beautiful Dutch church
here is the picture
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0066.jpg

Bye Bye
Meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Mar 6, 2008, 8:44 pm
Hi mum
Today we drinked tea with our dutch friends (they one i've met)it was the dog and they nice bear I drinked tea with.They also had chocolate easter eggs
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0080-1.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0078.jpg

we also played a games,with dices
but unforunately I lose :(

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0082.jpg

Bye Bye
Meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Mar 8, 2008, 3:43 pm
Hi mum
today i visited a Dutch castle in Holland,in a town called "waardenburg"
This castle gives me the creeps a bit,I'll tell you why cause they said that there are living ghosts in that castle,creepy ghosts are hanging around there .
There is a story that they bother the visitors there.I hope this story isnt true offcourse but you never know.
Also we visited a dutch mill in the same village
The grind wheat there back in the middle ages for making bread,it was really interesting
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0084.jpg
this is the mill were the made bread

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0086.jpg
a Dutch land scape

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0088.jpg
inside the castle

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0090.jpg
a book ,the sign on the left corner says "no smoking"

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0093.jpg
another room in the castle,and no ghosts around here ;)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0108.jpg
You can see the mill on the backside

bye bye
Meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Mar 11, 2008, 5:27 pm
Hi mum
today a new toyvoyager arrived at marije her house
And I was very curious to see him/her
first we (pebbels and I) hear a little squeak,in the enveloppe.
What was it,that was the question,and we really wanted to know
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0128-1.jpg

Was it a bird,was it a Plane?? NOOO
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0129-1.jpg
It was Fluffy,a little yellow chicken from Austria

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0130-1.jpg
and we are friends allready :)

bye bye
Meleleuca
magicwoman


Posted Mar 14, 2008, 11:33 am
Hi mum
Today is my last day here with Marije,tomorrow i'm going to Eryah in Alkmaar The Netherlands
I'm gonna miss it here ,and ive met some good friends here
Pebbels and Fluffy
Marije and me had a great time,I loved the mills here in Ede,and eating the frikandellen
I'm gonna miss it here,but i'm very exciting to visit Eryah now.
Tomorrow Marije brings me to Eryah personal,so I dont have to go in a dark enveloppe.Marije knows Eryah and they became friends

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0131-1.jpg
a picture with me and Pebbels giving each other a good bye hug

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0132.jpg
and fluffy gives me a good bye hug to

Bye Bye Pebbels,Fluffy and Magicwoman
Thank you for everything and thanx for having a great time in Ede
Bye Bye Ede,Hello Alkmaar :)
Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 15, 2008, 5:44 pm
Hello!

Today i arrived in Alkmaar the Netherlands! Magicwoman and i travelled by train to Alkmaar. It was a short trip and so much better than travelling in an envelope.
When i arrived i was a little bit shy but after a few minutes that was over. I met a lot of new TV's today! Lejow was also here so we were with a lot of people and TV's!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting006.jpg
This are Chompers, Nelly, Palmeke, Fluffy, Emil, Pebless and I.

After the introducing and group picture we had a drink.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting009.jpg

Magicwoman wanted to pierce her nose so we went to the city of Alkmaar. We drove to it in a BMW. They let me drive a little bit and it was so great!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting002.jpg

On our way to the city i saw some mills!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting005.jpg

After a great day we brought Magicwoman to the train because she was leaving to her home. Eva took us with her in her bag
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting012.jpg

We said goodbye and hugged each other for a long long time.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting013.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting018.jpg

Lejow left us later because she travelled with her own car. After everybody was gone i had the time to meet the TV's who are with Eva now better.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting010.jpg
This are Nelly and Palmeke
We played some funny games they discover before i was here like fitting in the house of the rabbit and guiena pig who live here.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting011.jpg

I think i'm gonna have a great time here!
More pictures later because Lejow made them :)

Big hugs from me

Eryah


Posted Mar 16, 2008, 4:57 pm
Hello!

Because of the busy day yesterday we decided to stay home. That gave me the opportunity to met the pets here.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Meleleuca001.jpg
This is Luna. Normally she is scared of everyone except Eva. So we were all very amazed she didn't run of the chair when i came to her. We chat for a little while with each other and she said to me she wasn't scared of me because i look nice and do no harm to her. She's right with that. When you get to know her better she is really a sweet cat.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Meleleuca002.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Meleleuca003.jpg
This is Isis. As you can see she is fluffy so you want to hug her the whole time. But for her kind she is old so she sleep most of the time or eat something. I really love her. I know it looks like she is mad but she isn't at all!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Meleleuca004.jpg
This is Mammoet. He is a real nice guy. The others bullied me and said he bites but they were joking because if there is one thing Mammoet wouldn't do than it's bite you.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Meleleuca005.jpg
This is Merlijn. He is a newbe here. He make funny sounds all day like chirp and whistle. Eva told me he does that because he want attention or because he is hungry.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Meleleuca006.jpg
This is Dharma. I whipered in his ear that if i could i take him every where with me. He is so small! But when he's awake you have to beware because he want to play with you and althought he doesn't mean it bad he bites you and his teeth are very sharp.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Meleleuca007.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Meleleuca008.jpg
Here i am with Isis and Dharma. They both want to drink at the same time so they make al kinds of sounds to each other but in the end they gave up and drink togheter.

I made new friends today!

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 16, 2008, 8:17 pm
Hello!

Today we had a quiet day to rest a little bit from yesterday.
I met the pets as you can see in the update before this one and Palmeke and Nelly stay in bed al day long.

I think i'm addicted to candy and chocolat... We sing to Eva:
we want candy, we want candy.

Eva told us that we can't eat it all day and we have to eat something with less sugar in it.
So okay, i can imagine that but she made something that looked strange for us.

It's a cracker with cheese, onions, mayonnaise and herbs. But it taste delicious!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/eten001.jpg
Now we are whaiting for Lost comes on the television. Eva is addicted to that :)

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 17, 2008, 5:01 pm
Hello!

Today was the last day Nelly is here. Tomorrow he's going to the next host.
Eva bought cookies for us because he is leaving. It were biscuits with chocolate mills on it.
I sneaky take a bit of it...
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidnelly001.jpg

Nelly asked us if we wanna help him cook his last meal. Off course we wanted that!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidnelly002.jpg

He wants a vegetarian burger because Eva eat vegetarian food a lot and he loves it now!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidnelly003.jpg
This is the result.

After dinner Nelly want to practice if he still fits in the envelope. He was worried about that because of al the candy this weekend.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidnelly006.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidnelly007.jpg
It fits!!!

Now we are saying goodbye to each other. Althought i didn't know him for a long time i'm gonna miss him a lot.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidnelly004.jpg

Bye bye Nelly and maybe we'll meet again!

Big hugs Meleleuca

Eryah


Posted Mar 17, 2008, 7:27 pm
Hello!

Lejow gave me the pictures of the TV meeting. When is see the pictures i get a big smile on my face. I think i'm never gonna forget this day.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/P3150026.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/P3150027.jpg
Here i am on my way to the city of Alkmaar. Look my hair in the wind hihi

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/P3150065.jpg
And here i am playing with Dharma. I asked Eva to hold me tight because i'm a little bit scared of his teeth!

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 18, 2008, 2:06 pm
Hello!

First we picked up Eva her son today from the playgroup.
After that we brought Nelly to the post office and said our last goodbyes.

Mirdin (Eva her son) was the one who choose what we are gonna do today.
He wants to go to the animal farm. We were all very happy with his choice because we get to see funny animals!
When we got there we run to the farm. The first animal i see was a beautifull deer. I also saw chickens, donkeys and little baby goats. They were all very sweet and i enjoyed every moment today. I care a lot of animals. Unfortunally for me the animals were behind a gate so we couldn't get to close with them but luckely the animals come to us so we can see them and touch them.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/heiloo001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/heiloo002.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/heiloo004.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/heiloo006.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/heiloo009.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/heiloo010.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/heiloo014.jpg

If it's not gonna rain today Eva is going to learn me ride on a bike!

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 18, 2008, 9:08 pm
Hello!

I ride on a bike today! It was scary! But i also love to do it! Fortunate for me the bike has wheels on the frame. So i kept well in balance.
Look at me mum!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/fiets001.jpg

When i'm home a want a bike for myself. You feel the wind and you can go fast if you want. I notice that in Holland they do not wear helmets for your safety. Everybody here rides on a bike and the people learn it to there children almost before they can walk. I looked my eyes out.

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 19, 2008, 7:21 pm
Hello!

Today i went with Eva to the hospital. Because of her illnes she have to go to it every two weeks. It was a beautifull building but in the hospital i saw a lot of sick people. That was really hard to see.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ziekenhuis002.jpg

After that we went to the petshop to buy a cage for the rabbit and guinea pig for outdoors. Hopefully the weather is getting better so they can actually live in it.

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 20, 2008, 6:21 pm
Hello!

Today a new TV arrived.
Palmeke and i were very curious who can be in that envelope.
We speculate what it was: a monkey, a rabbit, a mousse... but it was a bear! This bear wasn't scared at all to come out. She immediatelly stuck her head out of the envelope
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/snowy001.jpg

When she came out we talked for hours about our goals and what we did here allready. It was so nice to meet her!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/snowy002.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 21, 2008, 1:29 pm
Hello!

The weather report predict thunderstorm today and hailstones. Suddenly it became dark here so i was whaiting for that kind of weather
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw001.jpg

I expect everything except snow, so it was a big suprise when i saw snow falling from the sky!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw006.jpg

Before i can blink with my eyes everything was white except for the ground. I think the ground is still to warm and wet because of the rain yesterday.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw010.jpg

Eva took us to the garden to sit in the snow. How great is that!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw011.jpg

This is so much better than thunderstorm and hailstones.

Big hugs Meleleuca
gingermuggins


Posted Mar 21, 2008, 10:03 pm
Hello Meleleuca!

I was so happy when i read your latest update. You are a very lucky koala to see snow!! I have only ever seen it once and i had to go to Germany to see it lol.

Enjoy the snow for aslong as it stays and keep warm.

Hugs to you and Eva
Mommy
Eryah


Posted Mar 22, 2008, 4:44 pm
Hello mom!

Unfortunnaly the snow was gone after a few hours yesterday. But they predict snow for tomorrow so maybe i can play in it again!

Today we went to Den Helder to visit Eva her grandma.
Den Helder has ever started with the arising of Huisduinen, a whaler village. Gradually it developed into Den Helder which we know now. A city which was built within the linies of the forten. Later formed a number of districts there around. The space between the different town parts is characteristic. Den Helder is a city with a strongly maritime screen. Sea-going, the rescue being, the offshore and the royal Navy natural.

The Navy has stipulated many years' the image of Den Helder. But the Navy shrank in, Den Helder threatened to become a city with no face. By nourishing the culturehistory , the tales of the seaman and with that the coherent heroiek Den Helder has rediscovered its own core values.

Eva told me this while i was watching the ship-building yard.
You can see the bouldings of it on my right hand.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder002.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder003.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder004.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder005.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder006.jpg

Here you can see the dikes and this is also the road that leads you to the boat that brings you to the island Texel.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder007.jpg

Here you got the water tower of Den Helder.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder008.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder009.jpg

This is the sculpture of freedom
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/denhelder010.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 22, 2008, 6:39 pm
Hello!

A new TV arrived today. We came home from Den Helder and while we were eating the doorbell rang. It was the mail man. We saw a big envelope. What could be in it?
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/marcello001.jpg

It is a big yellow mouse! His name is Marcello.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/marcello002.jpg

He hasn't eat so we all decided to give him a slize of our pizza.
After dinner we sit together at the couch and talk about everything. It's great to have an other friend here!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/marcello003.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/marcello004.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 23, 2008, 3:20 pm
Hello!

Today we had a white easter! How great is that?
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw004.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw005-1.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw006-1.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw007-1.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw011-1.jpg

After that we went to Bergen to see animals. A terrible accident happened there.
Marcello wants to get on a picture with a ostrich. We all didn't know this was gonna be his last minute with us. Suddenly the ostrich took Marcello out of Eva her hand. We tried everything to get him back but it was to late.
He died bravely.
Rest in peace little Marcello mousse!

This is the ostrich that took Marcello from us:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw012.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 23, 2008, 7:56 pm
Hello!

After we get over our big lost we went to the Ruinechurch in Bergen.
This picturesque ruin church in Bergen once was the biggest church in Noord-Holland. From the 16th century church there is only a ruin left now, because the Beggars started a fire here. Only the choir of the church was rebuilt, so from the original church you can now only see the ruins.
In the village Bergen in Noord-Holland there are many beautiful old houses situated around the old village church.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/sneeuw015.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen015.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen010.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen009.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen008.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen007.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen006.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen002.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 24, 2008, 6:37 pm
Hello!

Today we went to the woods to enjoy the nature and play hide and seek. Palmeke was the first who hide himself.
We searched for hours.
At the end he get a little bit compassionnate with the us and called us. We found him soon after that.
After Palmeke Snowy was the one who had to hide himself. We searched everywhere but finnaly Mirdin found him. He was clever because he hide in the same tree :)
I hide also in the same tree but this time they were prepared for that and found me in 10 minutes. But i couldn't find an other good spot.
We had so much fun!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tweedepaasdag003.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tweedepaasdag004.jpg
It was beautifull in the woods.

When we got home Eva asked us if we want to help her. We asked her what she want from us. But is was a fun idea! She want to paint eggs with us.
This is the result:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tweedepaasdag007.jpg

Eva had another suprise for us. She hide a chocolate egg for each one of us.
I found one in the budha :)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tweedepaasdag008.jpg

I had a great easter day!

Big hugs Meleleuca

Eryah


Posted Mar 25, 2008, 9:01 pm
Hello!

Today Eva have bought clay for us. We made a green elephant of it. I think the result is great!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kleien001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kleien006.jpg

Cool elephant don't you think :)

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 27, 2008, 7:08 pm
Hello!

Today we decided to watch this house closely what we can do here.

Firstly we find a coffeemachine and make delicious coffee
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/maart001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/maart002.jpg

After that i made music for the others. I am really a supertalent! The others had tears in their eyes because it was so beautifull
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/maart003.jpg

We wanna laugh after that and watch King of queens with dutch subtitles. It was so funny!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/maart004.jpg

We really wanna do something active after the coffee, music and watch tv so we played hide and seek.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/maart010.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/maart009.jpg
Can you spot me?

We found a magazine called Mijn geheim. If you translate is it called my secret. People who have a big secret can tell it here and nobody knows who you are. We read the most shocking stories about cheating but also sweet stories about people who find their great love.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/maart011.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca

Eryah


Posted Mar 28, 2008, 7:23 pm
Hello!

Do i need to say more?
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/mac001.jpg
Mirdin got his hair cut but he was a little bit nervous so as reward Eva her ex husband took us all to the Mac :)

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 29, 2008, 3:57 pm
Hello!

Today we got a little bit bored so we went on a search in the house.
Snowy and Palmeke found some real nice gnomes and asked them what we could do. I asked it to a real nice lady.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/april005.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/april006.jpg

The gnomes and lady told us that if we want we can go to a whole other world. We didn't understand what they are meaning with that so we wanna know more about that.
They all pointed to a spot in the room.
Are they joking?? They pointed at a book-case. We decided to go in the book-case because maybe it had a secret door or something.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/april001.jpg

We tried to find it but it didn't worked. We still had no idea were to find that other world. We watched all the books and found many books of Stephen King.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/april004.jpg

We decided that we wanna read something but Stephen King is to scary for us with his stories about good and evil and clowns who do nasty things with childrens.
Suddenly we understand what the gnomes and lady try to tell us. When you read a book your in a whole other world!
Thank you dear gnomes and nice lady!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/april003.jpg
Here we are reading about Appie. When Eva was a child she read this books all the time. They are very old and you can't find them anymore in the stores. Maybe in a store were they sell old books.

So now we are in a world about Appie. When you read his stories it's almost as if you are with him and his friends.
Hoe great is that?

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Mar 30, 2008, 4:45 pm
Hello!

Today we went to Alkmaarderhout. This park is a part of an old forest with many old trees. You will find an animal farm and the prison.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout001.jpg

First we feed the ducks.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout002.jpg

While we were feeding the ducks two beautifull black swans come our way. They made such magical sounds.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout007.jpg

Their were a lot of other funny animals. Unfortunately the animal farm wasn't open so we couldn't get in but we can see and feed the animals from behind the gate.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout011.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout012.jpg
This goats really want some bread.

Mirdin showed us how to feed a deer. We were all a little bit scared that a deer bite in our fingers.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout013.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout014.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout015.jpg

We also see the jail. It is called 'Schutterswei'. This prison is for men. The prison for women is in Heerhugowaard. That's a town near Alkmaar.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/alkmaarderhout008.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Apr 2, 2008, 5:38 pm
Hello!

Today we went to the shopping centre in Heerhugowaard, a town near Alkmaar.

Here we arrived at the parking place
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/middenwaard011.jpg

The shopping centre called Middenwaard and is covered
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/middenwaard003.jpg

You can find many shops here
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/middenwaard004.jpg

Eva can really shop a lot! I didn't feel my feet anymore so Eva offered to carry me in her bag.
Here you can see the plaza with the council-house and a funny spot were weather gushed out of the ground. You didn't see it clear on the picture unfortunally
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/middenwaard009.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/middenwaard010.jpg


When we finnaly got home we decided to make a nice meal for everyone.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/middenwaard012.jpg
Can you allready see what is it?


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/middenwaard013.jpg
It's a delicious bread with pizza toppings in it :)


Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Apr 4, 2008, 7:56 pm
Hello!

The love of cooking is rising!
The last time was so much fun that we decided to do it again. We search at internet for a formula. We found one that sounds great.

Our first step was make the tomatoes (tomaten) hollow
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tomaten001.jpg

The next step was putting cheese (kaas) in it
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tomaten002.jpg

After that we cookes egs (eieren) and spinach (spinazie)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tomaten004.jpg

This was our delicious result:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tomaten006.jpg

We went to the woods of Bergen again after dinner. We really love the woods now. It's very calm there and you can find such beautifull trees to climb in.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tomaten020.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tomaten011.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tomaten010.jpg

Look at this great view:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tomaten012.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Apr 5, 2008, 1:35 pm
Hello!

Today we asked Eva to show us two typical dutch sites. We start with a mill.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken009.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken018.jpg
Here i am in front of the Molen van Piet. Actually it called Molen de Groot but the family Piet lives here for a lot of years so it became the Molen van Piet. This is the last mill you can find in the town centre.

After that we went to a coffeeshop. It was pretty exciting to see this. I didn't smoke, don't worry, because i was a little bit scared of it. Eva told us you get a strange feeling when you do this.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken004.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken005.jpg
When we took the pictures we start walking back to the car but a man stormed out of the coffeeshop and start screaming to us why the **** we were making pictures of him. Luckely Eva was calm and explain to the man why we did it. He said some nasty things and walked back into the coffeeshop. We were all very glad we didn't smoke, because if this is the result...

After that we wanna do something with less risk.
We went to the Big church in Alkmaar.

During building the largest medieval church in Alkmaar, the church was already called the big church, because of its size. The big church is not only the largest and highest church in Alkmaar, but also the church which trough the centuries, stood most and called the jewel of the city. Originally the church was dedicated to Saint Laurens. That’s why, for centuries, the church is called The Saint Laurenschurch.

The church was probably designed by architect Anthonius Keldermans (Belgium) (1440-1512)

Beside Anthonius Keldermans brother, also his son was involved in the disign of the church, in which 26 freestanding columns support the roof. The Saint Laurens church is a basilica,

The outside walls rest on a fundation which is just below the ground. Built in the Brabant’s gothic style, which is bigger and more massive in its form than the French gothic. The building is 35 meters high and has a cross length of 85x56 meters. The outside walls rest on a one meter broad foundation which is just below thethe ground, and gradually becomes broader to a depth of tree meters. The last resauration of in-and exterieur was accomplished in 1996.

The large saint Laurens church counts two, world famous organs: Van Covelens organ (also called choir organ) and it VanHagerbeer/Schnitger or large organ. The choir organ descends from 1511 and has been placed against the northern wall of the church. The last restoration of this old, still playable, organ in the Netherlands, was completed in the year 2000. In 1636 arose the idea for the construction of a large organ in the church. Several organ builders have worked on it, but in 1645 Jacobus Caltus van Hagerbeer completed the large organ. Jacob Van Campen devised the organ cupboard and in 1643  Caesar Van Everdingen got the task to paint the doors of the organ cupboard with the ‘triomfe van den Coninck Saul’. This painting belongs to his first large work. Above the organ the painter Romeyn de Hooghe painted in baroque striking, (‘de deugd, die de ondeugd verplettert’)" virtue crushing the vice". From 1723 up to 1725 the large organ was restored and extended by Frans Caspar Schnitger. In course of time there have been several restorations on this organ.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken010.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken019.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken020.jpg

After that we watched the St. Joseph Church in Alkmaar.
This church was put in use in 1910. Designed by famous church builders and students of PJH Cuypers, the Margry brothers. The church is built in neo-gothic style, which shows by the way the towers are placed and by the arched roofs.

The church is placed beautifully and is in possession of wonderful stained glass windows. The statue of Christ has been placed in 1948, in memory of Alkmaar war-victims. Their names are placed on a memorial plaque on the churches wall.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken015.jpg

Because of all the siteseeing we get hungry. Eva took us to the Burger King!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken001.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Apr 5, 2008, 5:51 pm
Hello!

Here i am again. A new TV arrived this evening.
We were sitting on the couch wondering who can be in that envelop.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/iggykorn007.jpg

Suddenly the TV kicked his helmet out the envelop. We were frightened to death!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/iggykorn008.jpg

But he didn't mean to scare us so he jumped out of the envelope to comfort us.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/iggykorn009.jpg

His name is Iggy-Korn

He's such a funny guy!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/iggykorn010.jpg

Big hugs Meleleuca

Eryah


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 3:48 pm
Hello!

Today we went to 'Het Geestmerambacht'.
The recreation area Geestmerambacht, which lies at north of Alkmaar, offers all kinds of possibilities for recreation in natural surroundings.
There's a nature area and a big lake and many many more, but we want to see the lake.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Geestmerambacht004.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Geestmerambacht006.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Geestmerambacht005.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Geestmerambacht010.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Geestmerambacht011.jpg

Unfortunate it was to cold to swim in the lake otherwise i did it immediatelly!

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Apr 7, 2008, 4:50 pm
Hello!

A new TV arrived today.
This time we were a little bit nervous because of Iggy-Korn his enter.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/lillebi001.jpg

But a sweet girl came out of the envelope so our fear wasn't  necessary at all.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/lillebi002.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/lillebi004.jpg
This is Lillebi

I think we gonna have a great time togheter!

Bigs hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Apr 9, 2008, 5:28 pm
Hello!

Today was the first sunny day we had in months here in the Netherlands so there's only one thing we really have to do: get a tan!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/zon001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/zon002.jpg

At the end of this week they predict rain again so this was our change. Hopefully tomorrow we can enjoy the sun again.

Big hugs Meleleuca
Eryah


Posted Apr 10, 2008, 6:16 pm
Hello!

Tonight is my last evening here in Alkmaar. I'm going to Lejow tomorrow. I allready met her at the big TV meeting so i'm not nervous at all. I decided to say goodbye to everyone today so i won't have to cry tomorrow. I had a great time here in Alkmaar! I see so much and did such funny things.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheid001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheid002.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheid003.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheid004.jpg

Palmeke and Snowy are also leaving tomorrow so Eva decide to made us a typical dutch snack as meal.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheid012.jpg
She made patat, kroketten and kaassoufle. It was delicious!

I hope i arrive in Poeldijk soon.
I keep you posted!

Big hugs Meleleuca
gingermuggins


Posted Apr 10, 2008, 10:28 pm
Hello Meleleuca :)

You certainly have had a wonderful time with Eryah. I enjoy seeing your photos and am happy for you. Please give Eryah an extra hug from me to say thank you for having you in her home. Have fun at Lejow's home. You have been in the Netherlands for so long now, maybe you can call it your 2nd home ;)

Take care, hear from you soon.
xx Mommy xx
Eryah


Posted Apr 11, 2008, 12:29 pm
Suprise!!!

Today Eva took me to the cheesemarket as a goodbye gift. This is such a great way to say goodbye!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt002.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt006.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt007.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt017.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt018.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt019.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt022.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt025.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt026.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt027.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt028.jpg

The moment you read this i'm at the postoffice. Poeldijk here i come!

Big hugs Meleleuca




Lejow


Posted Apr 13, 2008, 3:50 pm
Hello!!
Today was full of surprises
After a really really short trip i arrived at Lejows house, I was a little shy.. wich TV's were waiting for me? But when I came out I saw a lottt of faces, Bene, Tony and Chompers were allready there
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/aankomtmele.jpg

Next, Lejow told us that we were going to Scheveningen! To the beach! Beacause it was such nice weather!
We saw so much
First we went in a souvenir shop:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meledelftsblauw.jpg

Then she showed us the Kurhaus, it is one of the most beautifullest, biggest, nicest, expensive Hotels of the Netherlands, because it is right at the beach
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melekurhaus.jpg

We went on 'The pier' that is a long big thing you can walk on, that lays in the sea. So the view is marvolous!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melezee.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melezee2.jpg

And then.. that was so cool! At the end of the Pier, someone went Bungee Jumping!!
He jumped right when we are watching!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melebenejump.jpg

Hug Meleleuca and Lejow
Lejow


Posted Apr 16, 2008, 4:56 pm
Hello!

Today we had to say goodbye to two TV's. Bene and Chompers are going to their next host.

As a goodbye game, we played Monopoly.
Chompers won.. I hope he didn't cheet  :p
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/monopoly1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/monopoly2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/monopoly3.jpg

But then the bell ring! A big envelope came in.. what was it ?? a new tv?? Lejow made it open.. and there was Sylphide!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/sylphyde.jpg

We had a last talk and hugged each other
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/knuffel.jpg

and then it was time for Bene and Chompers to go
Bye, have a nice trip!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/chompersenvelop.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/beneenvelop.jpg

Hug
Meleleuca and Lejow
Lejow


Posted Apr 20, 2008, 8:56 pm
Hello mum!
What a big surprise, today when we came out of bed.. The sun was FINALLY shining!! And not even a little, no no the sun was shining so much and so warm!!

We immidiatly went in the car to go to the Beach, we went to Kijkduin!

We went walking and sitting on the pier, it was a little scary because the water came a little closer every minute!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/pier1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/pier2.jpg

When it came to close, we decided to go sit on the beach.. Did I get a little tan?
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melestrand.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/zandkoekje.jpg
We even made cookies of sand!!

Then it was time to go home.
Lejow wanted to make Roti today, a typical dish from Surinam, wich Lejows loves very very much.
It is hard to cook, with al the herbs and stuff..
It is a dish with the roti (pancake like food), chicken, unions, potatoes, and long beans.
So she followed the recepie and here we went..
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meleroti1.jpg
chicken

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meleroti2.jpg
potatoes

DINNERRRR TIMMEEE
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/rotieten.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meleroti3.jpg

It tasted very nice, but the taste wasn't even close to the real roti made by Surinam people :)
Maybe next time.. she just has to practise I think haha!

As you can see in the picture we ate at the balkony, it was such nice weather. We enjoyed the sun
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melezon.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melezon2.jpg

Unfortunate the weekend is over allready, and it is time for us to sleep now

Hug
Meleleuca and Lejow
Lejow


Posted Apr 25, 2008, 4:12 pm
Hello!!

Unfortunate Lejow has the flu  :( So we stayed inside the last couple of days!
Lejow is a big fan of Greys Anatomy (a serie on tv about people who work in a hospital), she had a lot of time to watch it now!!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/greys3.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/greys2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/greys1.jpg

And because she still has a lot to do for her school, I decided to help her!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melehelpen.jpg

Boy.. that Dutch language is difficult!

Hug
Mele and Lejow
Lejow


Posted Apr 28, 2008, 7:31 pm
Hello!

This weekend Lejow finally was feeling better, so she went to see her boyfriend in Rotterdam.
She let me drive the car!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meleauto1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meleauto2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meleauto3.jpg

I was tired of the ride, so we went to sleep in the bed of Lejows boyfriend
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/slapen.jpg

Sunday, we went to The Hague, to see the Binnenhof, were al the ministers are working and discussing and stuf.
It is a big beautiful building, with a lot of towers. And in each tower a Minister is Working
In the biggest tower (not on the pictures) Minster Balkenende is working, he is the most important one!
He kinda runns the Netherlands, together with our Queen.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melefontein.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meletoren.jpg

And this is the 'Ridderzaal', every year on the third tuesday of September, its 'Prinsjesdag' the Queen reads then the 'Troonrede'. It says were al the money has gone to past year, and how they going to do it next year.
It's an important speach
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meleridder.jpg

This day.. Lejow had a Suprise for us.. She was not totally beter, but well enough to buy a NINTENDO WII!!!!
So we went to the store, and everywhere its sold out, but in one store, they had one for us!!
We immediatly bought a game with it, and lejow let us play!
It is sooo cool, but you become tired so fast, you have to move your whole body!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/wii.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melewii1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melewii2.jpg

Now Lejow is going to play further so I'm going to watch!

Hug
Mele and Lejow
Lejow


Posted May 2, 2008, 10:19 pm
Hello!

I am having a great time over here!!

Wednesday the 30th of april we celebrated Queens Day. It's a national day and we celebrate the queens birthday.
Only not of the queen at this moment, Queen Beatrix, but from her mother, Queen Julana.
When Beatrix became Queen, the date of Queensday stayed the same.
Everyone (ok almost everyone) weares something orange this day, thats the national color of the Netherlands

We watched the Queen on the Television
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melekon1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/koningin.jpg
Cool oranje stuff don't you think?

Thursday we went to Eryah in Alkmaar, it was a long drive. I loved to see her again, she had missed me  :p
But when we came there it was a lovely weather, so all of us (look how many!!) went sitting and lying down in the sun
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/zonnen2.jpg
I've met Iggykorn, Lillebi, Davy and Willy Wau and I saw Bene again!!!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/zon2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melesyl.jpg


Hug Mele and Lejow
Lejow


Posted May 6, 2008, 2:04 pm
Hello again!

This week Tony went to the next host and a new TV arrived, when we opened the envelope, not one, but two TV's came out!!
They are Hottie and Nottie, just married !!!

Today it is may 4th. A very special day for the Netherlands.
At the 5th of may, 63 years ago, the World War II ended.. And today is the day that everybody in Holland rembers the people that had died in that War.
Not only the people, but also all the soldiers that served our country.

On every TV station, round a quarter before 8, the remembrance of the death begin.
In Amsterdam, on the Dam, the Queen (Beatrix) and her Son (Prince Willem Alexander) put down flowers as a remembrence of the people who died.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melebevrijding1.jpg
Look at all the people who came and see it

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/8uur.jpg
At exactly 8 o clock, everybody (ok at least a lot of people) have two minutes sillence, to let everybody know it is 8 a clock, someone plays a special song on a trumpet.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/bloem.jpg
See the queen and her son laying down the special flowers.

It was a special day, it let me think about the war, and all the people who died. Even if it's 63 years ago, it's important to allways remember it.

Hug
Mele and Lejow
Lejow


Posted May 8, 2008, 7:46 pm
Hello!

We don't know what's happening.. The whole week is such beautiful weather!!
De dutch people arren't just to this kind of weather in May :P

So we went cycling.
Lejow showed us the glass warehouses. Those are typical for the area she is living in : 'Het Westland'.
In the glass warehouses, they are growing a lot of things. From plants, to vegetables (roses, paprikas, tomatoes, etc. etc.)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melekas2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melekas.jpg

And this is the village she is living in, Poeldijk!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/bord.jpg

Hug
Meleleuca and Lejow
Lejow


Posted May 10, 2008, 6:42 pm
Heeeeeeelllo!!

Today Lejow found her balcony a little bit boring, so we went to a gardencentre, to buy all kinds of plants and flowers..
We worked very hard, but the results where beautiful!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melebloemen.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melebloemen2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/justbloemen2.jpg

She even bought a strawberryplant!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/aardbei.jpg

Hug from us
Meleleuca and Lejow
Lejow


Posted May 14, 2008, 2:45 pm
Helllo!
It arrived.. My last update from the Netherlands.
I enjoyed my time here sooooo much!!
I saw so much nice things, beautiful buildings, I have met the coolest people, have met sooooo much other TV's (made a lot of friends!!), and I have done such nice things overhere.
The people, the food (patat en kroketten, delecious!!) I am gonna miss it!!

To 'celebrate' my goodbye, we went sitting on the balkony yesterday evening. The weather in Holland is still nice and warm. So even on 10 o clock in the evening it was nice to sit outside (and that is rarely!)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/balkon2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/balkon1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melebalkon2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/melebalkon1.jpg

Today, when I was ready to leave and crawl in the envelope.. The doorbell rang!!
It was a big envelope.. What is in it??
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/envelop1.jpg

We decided to take a look
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/envelop2.jpg
Hellllooo???

It was Pimboli Who came out!!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/envelop3.jpg

We had a short talk, and a big hug, and than my time had really really come.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/knuffel-1.jpg

Bye Holland, Bye everyone!!
France heeeree I commmeeeee!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/meleenvelop.jpg

Big hug
Meleleuca and Lejow

Fleurdunord


Posted Jun 15, 2008, 11:08 pm
Hello!
I'm safe in France ! My host Fleur has a hectic time at work, so even if i do many things, we have less time for updating. You can notice I have many stay at home toys friends and a few tvs called Stasiek (from Poland) and Jeniqua (from the netherlands). Then, Nanu the polar bear from Taiwan joined us. We baked some "tyroler cakes" all togather. With nuts and chocolate chips, it was very yummy !!
We travelled by train to Wardrecques in the countryside at Fleur's parent's home.
Fleurdunord


Posted Jun 22, 2008, 10:38 pm
Bonjour !
At wardrecques, I did a long walk near the channel river. I've also seen some cows.
Fleurdunord


Posted Jun 22, 2008, 11:00 pm
I went back to Wardrecques and you can see me playing with the roses in the garden.
Fleurdunord


Posted Jun 22, 2008, 11:16 pm
Back to Arras, i enjoy a good cup of tea, near the roses
Fleurdunord


Posted Jun 22, 2008, 11:27 pm
Look, we welcomed 2 new friends : Pebbles and Rocket !
Fleurdunord


Posted Jun 29, 2008, 10:04 pm
Bonjour !

here is a good cake Fleur's grand-father got for us.
Fleurdunord


Posted Jun 29, 2008, 10:13 pm
back at Arras, I've eaten a good "soufflé au fromage" cooked by Fleur.
The day after, a new toy voyager joined us : Fluffy the owl. I also visited the library (sorry no pic)
Fleurdunord


Posted Aug 28, 2008, 8:58 pm
Bonjour!
I'm sorry for this long delay but i was so busy ... In late june i went to the library, then to the market and Fleur got for us some of these tasty cheeses ...
Fleurdunord


Posted Aug 28, 2008, 9:02 pm
Later the same day, i went to the seaside, to a beach resort called Berck. Don't you like those lovely little cabins ?
Fleurdunord


Posted Aug 28, 2008, 9:07 pm
The day after, at Wardrecques, i played with the pony. We went back to Arras by train.
Fleurdunord


Posted Aug 28, 2008, 9:11 pm
In mid july, we went at Fleur's grand-father's, at St Pol. Look at all those redcurrants we picked. We had a good tea with bread and jam.
Fleurdunord


Posted Aug 28, 2008, 9:17 pm
I've visited the city of St Omer, with Aude (Fleur's yougest sister). I liked the ruins of the abbey of St bertin. It was a few days before we travelled around England.
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:33 pm
[color=crimson]Bonjour!
After the eurostar, we travelled to Cambridge by train. it was very interesting to visit some college. We stayed in a youth hostel.
[/color]
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:36 pm
York was a beautiful city. We 've been to a park close to the Minster.
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:40 pm
there's a beautiful lake at Windermere. We stayed in a comfortable B&B.
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:46 pm
Chester was interesting to visit : the rows, roman ruins ... we had a good tea at the hostel.
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:50 pm
Cheltenham was great for shopping. We stayed in a amazing B&B!
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:53 pm
After Bristol, we've been to the roman baths. You can see the royal Crescent.
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:57 pm
Cornwall was beautiful and the B&B very comfortable. We've been to Land's end and the wonderful cliffs.
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 10:00 pm
There's a beautiful cathedrale at Salisbury but we prefered the parks.
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 10:04 pm
Oxford was our last stop. Many famous people have studied there. We've seen several college.
Fleurdunord


Posted Sep 17, 2008, 10:09 pm
We also went for a shopping day at London with Fleur, her mum, her youngest sister and her cousin. We travelled by ferryboat.
fam-united


Posted Sep 29, 2008, 1:59 pm
Hi everyone,
I just arrived at fam-united's home in Bruchsal. Petra took me out for a little walk, but suddenly her camera fell out of her hands and on the ground. Now it is broken and Petra is very sad.

Bye, Meleleuca

fam-united


Posted Oct 4, 2008, 6:40 pm
We wanted to visit the Japanese Garden in Münzesheim.

At the entrance you first have to read the rules, so you know how to behave in the garden
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2893570502_fee71c7310.jpg?v=0


This photo was made at the place, where Petra's camera dropped down.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2892730271_22cbbd0caa.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Oct 12, 2008, 10:01 am
Petra's husband bought something for dinner at Aldi, while we sat in the car waiting for him.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/2913894647_84457153a7.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Oct 12, 2008, 11:28 am
This morning Petra's family received a call from the ostrich farm, which we visited during their summer holidays. Petra had asked to call her, if they have an ostrich egg for her family.

So we headed to Rülzheim and while Ralf bought the egg Petra took us out of the rucksack and showed us the ostriches. I can tell you, it is a really big farm with many many ostriches.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2934178612_1e7e34a03d.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2933322405_5fec91cc26.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2933331603_971a715443.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Oct 12, 2008, 12:46 pm
On our way home Petra wanted to show us the Rhine. So we stopped in Rheinsheim just to take photos of the Rhine and us.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2933343605_59f7886afa.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Oct 12, 2008, 1:37 pm
Today I asked Petra to take a photo with me and the Easter egg - emmh, no not Easter egg . I mean a photo with me and the ostrich egg, of course.

That's a really really big egg, don't you think so?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2934209748_2991a0c459.jpg?v=0

fam-united


Posted Nov 1, 2008, 8:52 am
Today we watched the football /soccer match between Wales and Germany.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2988860611_bc5e65d6b8.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2988862023_32b7e61960.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:00 am
Today Nori from Canada arrived at my host's place. She will stay here, because she takes part at the toyvoyager exchange challenge.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/2989722650_ba7e29f15c.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2988869677_b93a2b81af.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/2989725840_7439e41432.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:04 am
Because Petra has to be off from work for a while, she isn't allowed to go out so much. So she watched many movies on dvd. Here it is a Miss Marple movie. She seems to like it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2989729102_1a0768b752.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:17 am
Today we played Monopoly. Being so many toyvoyagers it wasn't that easy to receive many streets, that belong together. Here you see us right at the beginning of the game.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2988882349_1e8d50a294.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2989738142_acbb485324.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2988885781_fa6c4faeee.jpg?v=0

A bit later we bought our first streets. Petra wondered, why we all payed with the 10 000 DM - they all name it Euro now.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2989741420_a0ced6a540.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2988888563_128650c67c.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2989744204_c6f857147c.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2988891487_4f68f7ae9d.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2988892831_a4ea307a0d.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2989748228_0a8a4823d9.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:30 am
For afternoon tea we had some Strudel today, which was filled with apples and some red marmelade. It was not selfmade, so no recipe of this one.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2988898021_4e244dbfa5.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:40 am
Four grass parakeets live with my hosts' family:
Clowny, Fleckchen (both blue), Wolke (white) and Lilly - Lilius (thought it was a girl, but seems to be a boy:) , the green one)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/2988903933_1c84e549da.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:55 am
It is time to bake some cakes now, because tomorrow it's Fabian's 18th birthday. Of  course we toyvoyagers helped Petra, because she still isn't allowed to walk so much or just stand on her feet for a too long time. And she still has to be careful with her back.

At first we helped to make a biscuit.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2988914507_20f354a40d.jpg?v=0

For lunch we had Käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle), because it was easy to cook.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2988937721_a32ee7fa0b.jpg?v=0


Then I helped to cook the cherries for another cake.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2988946447_4db826ee53.jpg?v=0


Here you see the carrot cake and the one with the cherries.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/2988957431_e61f3f9479.jpg?v=0


Then I helped with the Chocolate-Mango-Coconut-Cake.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2988964805_16495acec2.jpg?v=0

fam-united


Posted Nov 1, 2008, 10:44 am
Today is Fabian's 18th birthday.

Then first thing that I saw, when I came into the kitchen in the morning, was the Quiche lorraine, which Fabian baked yesterday night for his birthday dinner.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2989828050_23332f6952.jpg?v=0

Then I helped to prepare the table for breakfast. Petra loves to eat honey. They have many different selfmade marmelade too. Of course they don't eat bread rolls every morning. Usually they eat bread, but always with marmelade, honey or nut
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2988929793_18e07ee797.jpg?v=0

Now I helped to prepare the cakes for the afternoon. Here is the Cherry-Amaretto-Cake
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2992017380_526145e43f.jpg?v=0

and here the Mango-Coconut-Cake
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2991178945_af5602a208.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Nov 8, 2008, 11:08 pm
Bruchsal seems to be a really foggy place during November. Petra told me, that Bruchsal is located at the edge of the Rhine Valley to the Kraichgau. So maybe the Rhine causes this fog, that is all around during the last few days.

Petra told me, that usually you see a church, when you look out of this window.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/3012728137_0c40ee2293.jpg?v=0

Looking out of a window on the opposite side of the house, you see a walnut tree in Petra's neighbours garden.
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Posted Nov 9, 2008, 11:34 am
About two weeks ago Petra and her family bought an ostrich egg. They were told, that they can keep it without a problem for about 4 weeks, but today was the day, that they decided to scrambled eggs. So we all had to help to empty this big ostrich egg. Wow, I can tell you, this was hard work

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fam-united


Posted Nov 9, 2008, 11:53 am
This morning we read the newspaper, because we wanted to know, who will be the new president of the USA. It is Barack Obama.


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Then we took a look, whether we will find something, that we should buy at Aldi.
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fam-united


Posted Nov 13, 2008, 2:50 pm
Today a new toyvoyager arrived here: Mousy Mouse. Here we sit all together at our place in the living room

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fam-united


Posted Nov 13, 2008, 2:51 pm
While Petra was waiting for Ralf, she decided to show us a small part of this small city Bretten. She hasn't been here since years and at first she didn't find the right way, but then we arrived at the market place with its beautiful half-timbered houses.


This house shows the house of birth of Philipp Melanchton. It burned down in 1897 and was rebuilt.


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The "Hundles Brunnen (doggie fountain) / Brettner Hundle" -  a pug is the town's landmark.

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fam-united


Posted Nov 16, 2008, 2:15 pm
In the afternoon we waited for Sabrina, who sang in her musical project choir in Forst.

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fam-united


Posted Nov 16, 2008, 2:49 pm
Then Sabrina and Petra showed us the palace of Bruchsal and some of the many buildings, which belong to the palace area. The palace was destroyed during the second world war, but was rebuilt in the 70th. Only the church doesn't look baroque inside anymore, which is a bit sad of course.

Here you see the backside of the palace. The church tower belongs to that church, in which Petra and her family go on Sundays.


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Here you have a great view over the palace garden with the colourful leaves now.

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On the other side of the palace you can see the Damianstor (gate). There are art exhibitions every now and then.

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Here you see the entrance of the palace. The left wing of the building is the church.

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Here we are on the backside of the palace again. One the wall of one building, which belongs to the palace, you see a sundial.

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Then we drove to the Belvedere, but it started to get darker now and so it wasn't too easy to take good photos.
The Belvedere was a former hunting lodge. Now the park around it is used as a school yard for a grammar school, which is next to the Belvedere. During summer there is an open air theatre.


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Here you see the St. Peterskirche (church), which is only a few hundred meters from Petra's home. It is a nice baroque church, located next to the graveyard.

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In Petra's garden I asked her to take a last photo with me and one of the last flowers (Aster).
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fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:19 am
Today I saw the first snow in Bruchsal - only a little, of course. Bruchsal is located at the edge to the Rhine valley and during the last years it was much too warm for a lot of snow. So we were happy to see just this little bit of snow.

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fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:26 am
Today is Sankt Nikolaus Day. In the morning all kids got some sweets and nuts in some socks.

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Later in the afternoon Petra did some handicrafts for her school. She created some lights with napkins and she was very happy, that we offered to help her.

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fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:27 am
It's the second Advent today and so Petra lit up two candles of the advent wreath

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fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:35 am
Again it is time to help Petra with some handicrafts. She created some invitation cards for a stuff Christmas celebration at her school.

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Here you see Sabrina's adventcalendar, which she got from her godmother. Each morning she opens one small gift.

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Each evening we read a story in the book of this adventcalendar. This year it was a story about a figur of the crib, which was missed in the church. It was the little baby Jesus. And two children searched for this figure and learnt a lot about the history of their hometown and the life of the creator of this crib scenery.

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After the story is read, the one who read it, has to open the piece for the day so you can see more and more of the complete picture.


I asked Petra to take some photos with me and the lights we made the other day. Unhappily she didn't turn the light on.

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Petra likes to cut pictures for the window. Isn't it nice?

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fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:36 am
Today we asked Petra, whether we are allowed to cut an own window picture too.

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I am really proud to see the result. We did a good work, didn't we?

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Then we were allowed to sit on the piano next to some Christmas decoration. It's a nice place there. In the background you see the faces of Petra's children. Her mum and kids made them four years ago.

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Do you like this Nikolaus? Petra and her friends made them the other day.

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fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 12:16 pm
Petra thought, that we should go on a little walk, because the weather was so beautiful. So we drove to the palace and she took some photos there. You surely remember, that I had been at some of these places the other day, too.

[size=3]The backside of the palace in the evening light.


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She also stopped at a parking place next to the Belvedere to catch a last evening view over Bruchsal

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Next to the church with its two tower I live in Petra's home. The church is called St. Peter.

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All white buildings in front of me and even on the left side the one in the far belong to an older people house. The grey building left is a private grammar school founded by patres of the Pallotti order.

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This is the Belvedere, a former hunting lodge.

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The next two photos were made, while we sat in the car. Petra didn't want to go outside.
Here you see the old building of Bruchsal's hospital.


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And just turning around a little bit you see the big building of Bruchsal's jailhouse.

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fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 12:44 pm
Petra had some problems with a bad cold and cough and so she hadn't been able to do any baking during the last weeks. Finally today she said, that it would be time to start now or she never would get ready with everything before Christmas. Of course we offered to help her again. To tell the truth, she said, that we were a great help.

At first we read in her book. Husarenkrapferl, what a difficult word.


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Ok, we need eggs and flour and nuts and what else do we need?

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The next cookies are Honigkuchen-Herzen - honeycake-hearts

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fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 12:59 pm
Again we helped Petra to bake some cookies.

Coconut-curd-cookies


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We helped to put the hearts together for the honeycake-hearts

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All together we helped to bake about 15 sorts of cookies - less than usually.
fam-united


Posted Dec 29, 2008, 1:00 pm
Today it is a busy day. First Petra has to get ready with the last cookies and then she has to bake a cake for dinner.

Then Sabrina has to go to train for her singing and at last we went to church to attend the Kinderchristmette at 3pm. The Kinderchristmette is a special service just for smaller children and their parents. It is only about 30 to 45 minutes, so for children it isn't too boring. The musical choir performes a little play and we sing three Christmas songs all together and we pray together. It was a nice and peaceful service.


After we were at home again, I helped Martin - one of Petra's sons - to wrap the presents.


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Later I helped to set the table. We had corn salad / lamb's lettuce and chicken ragout and selfmade bread.

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Then the most silent part of the evening began. Only some candles were burning, when we were allowed to enter the livingroom again. It was closed for everyone for the whole day. We saw the crib and the tree and many presents, but at first we sat down and sang many Christmas songs and listened to Ralf, who read the Christmas story. Then the kids brought the presents to the one, whose name was written on it - one by one, so everyone could see, what the other received.

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Only now, after everyone had received the presents, Petra went to bring the cookies.

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Then we sat down and played a new game: Keltis.

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fam-united


Posted Dec 30, 2008, 9:10 am
Merry Christmas to everyone at home!

I'm at Petra's sister's home today to celebrate with her family and parents.


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Posted Jan 10, 2009, 11:31 am
It's the second Christmas holiday today. Ralf's parents and two sisters with family visited our hosts today and celebrated Christmas together. Ralf told us to sit under the Christmas tree, because he wanted to take a photo with us.

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We asked him, whether he possibly can take a photo with us and the presents before they handed out the presents.

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fam-united


Posted Jan 10, 2009, 11:42 am
Petra and Ralf took us for a little walk into the city to take some photos with Christmas lights. It was so windy, that we returned home really soon.


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fam-united


Posted Jan 17, 2009, 11:41 am
It's the last day of the year today. I'm really nervous, because we want to go out tonight. You see, that it is rather cold outside.

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Oh no, it is raining. That drops that you see here are icy. We will stay at home this evening. Ok, Petra told us, that we still will have fun.

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In the afternoon we started to play some games:
Atlantis

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Europareise
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and another game (Petra just forgot the name and so did I)
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We had a lot of fun learning to play these new games.

Then we got hungry and asked Petra, when we will have something to eat. So they started to set the table for raclette

They had many different sorts of cheese. I never knew, that it is possible, that so many sorts exist and Petra told me, that there still are many many more of sorts.


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My plate with potato, dried tomatoes, garlic and pepperoni.
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Then at midnight we walked outside on the balcony to watch the fireworks. It was dangerous to walk outside, because the ground was so slippery.
(Sorry, but the photos didn't come out that great.)
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fam-united


Posted Jan 18, 2009, 11:15 am
Here is a photo of one of Petra's decorated windows. She told me, that if you ever want a copy of the motives, you should let her know and she will try to send them to you via email or in a letter.


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fam-united


Posted Jan 18, 2009, 12:49 pm
It's getting colder and colder outside. You can't believe, how cold it can be even in Germany. It seems, that even Petra's family forgot about this.

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fam-united


Posted Jan 18, 2009, 7:26 pm
Today we went to church to be part of the Starsinger-service, where the starsingers were sent out to walk from house to house. Sorry, this time Petra didn't take a photo with us, but maybe you will see some with us tomorrow. The kids are dressed as the three kings, star carrier and bag carriers.

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fam-united


Posted Jan 18, 2009, 7:28 pm
For the first time in my life, I danced and played in the snow until Petra came outside and saw us playing without warm clothes. Wow, you can't imagine, how angry she was with us. But then we explained to her, that we aren't that sensitive and that we will catch no cold outside. Ok, she thought, that maybe we are right and she said, that maybe toys can't catch a cold like children do.

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fam-united


Posted Jan 31, 2009, 6:57 pm
Wow, it is really really cold here right now. Do you see the snow on the window?

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I asked Petra to open it so I had been able to take a look at the roofs.

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It's so wonderful to see the snow on the streets and roofs, don't you think so too?

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We are on tour with the starsingers today. Ralf and Petra took care for two groups to bring some warm tea and bread rolls. You maybe can imagine, how happy the kids were, when we came to bring them tea.

At first we stopped at a farm outside of Bruchsal.


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Fabian wrote the sign: 20+C+M+B+09

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We also brought them to some other places.

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Here we are with some of the sweets, that we helped the starsingers to collect. These are Ralf's and Petra's sweets - some are with alcohol.

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The three children brought three bags of sweets. You can believe, that there are still some left next year same time :p

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fam-united


Posted Jan 31, 2009, 9:01 pm
My host family decided to drive to Dobel, because they wanted to go sledding. Of course we were more than delighted about this idea. We prepared tea and bread for lunch at first. Then everyone except us jumped into warm clothes - Petra said, that we are toyvoyagers and much too small for her clothes. Maybe she should think about an extra wardrobe filled with clothes for toyvoyagers. I can tell you, that it was really really cold and windy outside.

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fam-united


Posted Jan 31, 2009, 9:49 pm
On our way home we stopped at Frauenalb to see the cloister ruin. The cloister was founded in 1180/85 by Eberhard III. von Eberstein and his mother Uta as a convent for young aristrocratic women.
After a turbulent history, the cloister was closed 1803, then used as a military hospital until 1819 and finally sold at an auction to private investors which used it as factory floors. During that time there were four fires, after the last fire 1853 the buildings were not built-up again.
Source: wikipedia (German)


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Posted Feb 1, 2009, 6:01 pm
Today we drove to Forst, where Petra's daughter sings in a choir. We had a lot of fun climbing around in her car. She thought, she could read a book or work something for school, but she hasn't thougth, that we are with her, lol.

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fam-united


Posted Feb 1, 2009, 6:14 pm
Today another toyvoyager arrived at our host's home: Galo from Brasil.

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I think, I should tell you, who is who in this photo:

1rst: Fifi Flowertot, Mumble, Khetiwe, Surprise Bear
2nd: Hurley, Mousy Mouse, HitchaRideMarky, Galo
3rd: Cassiopeia and me
fam-united


Posted Feb 14, 2009, 10:23 am
Today was time to say goodbye to our German hosts and new toyvoyager friend. We are a bit sad, because we will miss our friends, but really excited to see you again, mum.

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