Niilo, TVC, England

BlueFairy had_to_remove_it@hotmail.com Posted Sep 21, 2006, 3:36 pm	Hi! My name is Niilo, and I am going to tell somethings about my self in the next couple days so you can get to know me before I start my journey
BlueFairy had_to_remove_it@hotmail.com Posted Sep 22, 2006, 11:56 am	This is what I usually do in the mornings, after I wake up I drink coffee in the verandah and read the days Teddy-News. I thought you would like to see what is it like in Finland in September, so I fit a bit of the back round in the picture.
BlueFairy had_to_remove_it@hotmail.com Posted Sep 24, 2006, 3:29 pm	Yesterday my travel tag arrived and today I had my farewell party, and tomorrow I will be posted to the firs one in the list (Forum, Mission Control, Help me make it happend) and the project gets started, but dont worry, I is not too late to join in if you havent yet
BlueFairy had_to_remove_it@hotmail.com Posted Sep 26, 2006, 7:50 pm	Niilo got a autumn flu and his departure is a little delayed. But as soon as Niilo is healthy he will hop in his package and start his journey by leaving towards the first person on the list to see the countryside. Regards Niilo's pet BlueFairy.
BlueFairy had_to_remove_it@hotmail.com Posted Sep 27, 2006, 4:34 pm	Good news! I am feeling a lot better now, I will be resting the rest of the day and leaving towards my adventures the first thing tomorrow.
BlueFairy had_to_remove_it@hotmail.com Posted Sep 28, 2006, 2:23 pm	I took a picture from Niilo when he had packt his bags and was ready to leave. He was slightly disappointed when after that I stuffed him in a envelope, instead of escorting him to airport, but agreed with me that it was a small sacrifice for the great journey he will be having with all the wonderful people that have signed to help him on his way. So I posted him to his first destination and his journey started TODAY. Please take a good care of him and have a lots of FUN
stargazer Posted Oct 6, 2006, 12:51 pm	Phew! After what seemed like ages on the move I finally arrived in Chesterfield, England!
stargazer Posted Oct 6, 2006, 2:23 pm	The natives seem friendly - this is my new friend, his name is Greedy.  He's also a ToyVoyager and has said I can stay with him for a while.
stargazer Posted Oct 6, 2006, 2:24 pm	He seems like a nice chap, if a little... well... greedy.
stargazer Posted Oct 9, 2006, 11:28 am	Here I am with Chesterfield's famous Crooked Spire in the background - you can see this landmark from miles around.  I've been doing my homework so that I can keep BlueFairy informed about my current whereabouts.  Legend has it that the church spire became crooked because a local blacksmith was asked to shoe the devil and was so nervous, he drove a nail into his foot. The devil flew off and kicked out at the spire as he passed by. Another myth has it that  the spire turned around in amazement when a virgin was married in the church, and that it will turn back if such an event ever happens again!
stargazer Posted Oct 9, 2006, 11:32 am	I've got Stargazer to help me type a quick message to you all. I just wanted to say how excited I am that my Travelog has gone into the TopTen Most Viewed. I am so happy!  Thank you to everyone for your interest and please keep looking:  my adventures have only just started!
stargazer Posted Oct 9, 2006, 1:21 pm	Here I am enjoying views of The Peak District. This is Beeley Moor, near the Chatsworth Estate (more of that later).  Apparently the moor is 'bleak and mysterious', but I think it's looking pretty good in early October sunlight ... Am liking these dry stone walls too - very handy for resting on if you're a small bear on a big adventure.
stargazer Posted Oct 9, 2006, 1:33 pm	OK, I'm a bit out of breath because I've just got back from a mammoth walk with StarGazer and his canine friend, but here's what I've learnt... Longshaw Estate is now owned by the National Trust which is a charity organisation which looks after places of interest and outstanding beauty in the UK. Shaw is an old English word meaning a small wood or forest, and the 'long' bit means that this is a BIG WOOD!  Though it isn't really, it was some very old trees, a lot of boulders and some fantatsic views over miles of countryside. And, in the Bronze Age (2,300 - 700 BC) people lived out here!  There are hut circles where the people lived up on the moors! All I can say is, I hope they all had nice furry coats like mine, cos it's chilly out here.
stargazer Posted Oct 9, 2006, 1:53 pm	So, to continue my Peak District tour, we went along the moorland roads and ended up really high on Curbar Edge.  This is one of many gritstone edges which dominate the Derwent Valley.  From the Edge, you have amazing views of the valleys below and the neighbouring villages, as far as Chatsworth House and beyond. Stargazer almost had a heart attack on the way back down as we didn't know there was some sort of lunatic hill climbing cycle race going on (there were no signs anyway, and no warnings till you were actually amongst it), and we had to drive the car down the hill into oncoming kamikaze cyclists.  Mad people on bikes strained to the point of collapse (literally) getting their bikes up such a steep hill that it was touch and go whether gravity would beat their straining afforts at pedalling. Strange what the Derbyshire air does to folks!
stargazer Posted Oct 10, 2006, 9:28 pm	My last visit of the day was to Ladybower Reservoir, in Derbyshire. It is a huge Y-shaped reservoir which was once the largest in England.  It was created on the site of two villages, Derwent and Ashopton which were 'drowned' under the water of the reservoir. During dry summers, when the water level gets low, some buildings become visible; I decided against doing underwater village sightseeing and we went home instead!
stargazer Posted Oct 10, 2006, 9:43 pm	Today we started off in search of CASTLES and CAVERNS!!! Castleton is a village which grew up around Peveril Castle (see pic) which was built ages ago in 1198. It is now famous for its four caverns:  these are Peak Cavern (now re-named - see later update), the Blue John Cavern, Speedwell (flooded - you can go for a boat ride in it) and Treak Cliff (a show cave where you can see lots of stalagtites etc and Blue John stone in its natural state). The other pic just shows some local landscape and houses in the village - it's very 'chocolate-boxy' round here!
stargazer Posted Oct 10, 2006, 9:53 pm	Here's me in front of some jewellery shops in Castleton... Why?  I hear you ask... Well, according to Stargazer, it's the only place in the world anywhere where the gemstone Blue John is mined.  And so there are lots of Blue John jewellery shops here.  I like to keep you informed.
stargazer Posted Oct 10, 2006, 9:56 pm	Stargazer took me to visit the Peak Cavern, one of four caverns in Castleton. But when we got there they had changed its name!  For some reason Stargazer thought this notice was particularly noteworthy.  And he didn't stop sniggering for a while either.
stargazer Posted Oct 11, 2006, 9:13 pm	Here I am in Eyam, a small village in Derbyshire, but with a tragic story attached to it. Eyam (Stargazer says it like "EEM" - apparently that's the correct way to say it if you're a local!) is best known for the immense bravery of the villagers in the summer of 1665.  The village had become infected with The Black Death (plague) via some flea-infested cloth, delivered to a local tailor from London.  The vicar of Eyam managed to persuade his parishioners that they should quarantine themselves rather than spread the disease to neighbouring areas. The plague spread quickly in the village, and remained there for 16 months, killing at least 260 villagers. So here's the map of the village, and a pic of Eyam Hall, now doubling as a tourist mecca of the Crafty-CreamTea-y variety.
stargazer Posted Oct 11, 2006, 9:20 pm	Here are some of the signs you can read which tell you more about the plague and how it affected the villagers. It was really sad to read how many people had died, and how many families had lost nearly all their members.
stargazer Posted Oct 11, 2006, 9:28 pm	I know that this is probably my last trip with Stargazer before I travel on to Storm7 in York, but really, fastening a young and innocent travelling bear in the mediaeval stocks is not my idea of a fond parting gesture!  (I was thinking more in the way of a cup of tea and an ice cream) But hey!  here I am, on the final leg of my Peak District tour, shut in the stocks, and just praying that none of the passing walkers and tourists have any 'stones and clods of earth' to hand. So it's goodbye from me, and it's goodbye from Stargazer. I will catch up with you all again when I make my observations from York. BlueFairy, I'm doing fine, don't worry about me, I'm safe and well so far .... Storm7, I'm just packing now .... be there soon! Niilo XXX
stargazer Posted Oct 11, 2006, 9:41 pm	Here is the famous and beautiful Chatsworth House and the equally famous and beautiful Niilo in the foreground. Chatsworth was built by Bess of Hardwick and is now the home of the Dukes of Devonshire.  It stands in lovely gardens landscaped by 'Capability Brown' and is surrounded by fantastic parkland. It may have been the inspiration for Jane Austen when she was creating 'Pemberley', Darcy's residence in 'Pride and Prejudice'.  Or  I might be making that bit up.  But it did feature in the film version with Keira Knightley in it.  So there.
storm7 Posted Oct 24, 2006, 2:23 pm	Niilo arrived safely in Helperby yesterday evening.  He is currently settling in with his two new friends Tasha (the fluffy corgi) and Billy (the Westie).  He is discovering that he has to move fast to stay out of their way!  Further updates (with pictures will follow).
storm7 Posted Nov 1, 2006, 9:06 am	Today Niilo visited the Soanes Museum in London.  He found it very interesting and learnt many new things.  He also wanted to say how happy he is that his travel log has now had over 1000 views.
storm7 Posted Nov 2, 2006, 8:50 am	Niilo decided that he was feeling a little dirty after his travels so far and needed to have a bath and where better do do this than Bath itself!  He had a lovely day relaxing at the Roman Baths.
storm7 Posted Nov 6, 2006, 10:33 am	Niilo decided this morning that he wanted to catch up on the latest travels of his fellow voyagers and he got a pleasant suprise... "Look it's me, it's me" he cried, gesticulating wildly at the top of the toyvoyagers home page and sure enough when I had a look there he was. Niilo would just like to express his excitement and thanks at being pictured on the home page. He also wanted me to share the news of his date this evening...  He's going to meet a girlie bear!!!
storm7 Posted Nov 6, 2006, 10:39 am	Niilo would also like to thank you all for the honour of being voyager of the week!
storm7 Posted Nov 7, 2006, 8:49 am	Niilo has continued to read many books since arriving in Yorkshire and has developed an interest in chemistry.  To further this interest he had a little play in a laboratory this afternoon.  First he made sure he was safe and then he played with allsorts of complicated equipment.
storm7 Posted Nov 7, 2006, 8:52 am	Last night Niilo had a date, with a girl...
storm7 Posted Nov 7, 2006, 8:53 am	They had a few drinks (well maybe Niilo had a few too many, he was celebrating being voyager of the week after all)
storm7 Posted Nov 7, 2006, 8:55 am	They then sat down to  lovely steaming plate of cottage pie.  Niilo was telling his new friend all about his travels so far.  She was completely enthralled.
storm7 Posted Nov 7, 2006, 8:56 am	FInally they had a little dance, before saying their goodbyes.
storm7 Posted Nov 7, 2006, 8:59 am	Niilo walked his date home and then had a little sit down next to a friendly looking dog.  He'd had a fantastic evening and was very tired.  However, he is looking forward to the upcoming arrival of Col. Saunders as he believes he will be bringing news of BlueFairy.
storm7 Posted Nov 10, 2006, 10:34 am	Niilo is getting excited today...  The arrival of Col. Saunders is nigh and he is looking forward to his much promised trip around the city walls!
storm7 Posted Nov 20, 2006, 9:26 am	Today Niilo had a visitor.  Col. Saunders finally arrived with some news of BlueFairy!  They had a lovely chat and decided on a few places to visit before Niilo has to leave for his next destination.
storm7 Posted Nov 21, 2006, 9:59 am	Col. Saunders and Niilo went on their first trip to Leed's Castle in Kent.  Leed's Castle is situated on two islands on the river Len.  They had a lovely time exploring the cellars.
BlueFairy had_to_remove_it@hotmail.com Posted Jan 7, 2007, 12:17 pm	Hi! My name is Nella, and this is my brother Niilo's travel log. No one has heard anything about him in quite a long time, so BlueFairy promised me that I will be continuing his journey by visiting the people in the list if he is not found soon. My brother has allways liked me very much and we have been really close, so I think he has just hided somewhere so I can have the chanse to travel thank you big brother! here is a photo BlueFairy took of me to put in the travel log incase I get to travel:
BlueFairy had_to_remove_it@hotmail.com Posted Jan 8, 2007, 1:14 pm	It has now been exposed that Storm7 has just been unable to get to computer and everything is perfectly fine I personally apologize from everyone for little over reacting, but now everything is o.k, Niilo will continue his travels and you might hear from his sister Nella again some day... Greetings from Niilo's humble pet BlueFairy
storm7 Posted Jan 9, 2007, 9:54 am	It's the return of Niilo (and about time too!) Sorry to all of you for the lapse in the travel log but it's back on track now.  I have three more trips to take Niilo on and then he will be off on his travels again
storm7 Posted Jan 15, 2007, 8:21 am	After a long break from travelling and very well rested Niilo and Col. Saunders went on a lovely trip to Bristol.  They visited the Georgian House Museum which they both found fascinating.
storm7 Posted Feb 7, 2007, 10:06 am	Nillo has has a slight hold up in his journey and it looks like Surbiton may well be his next home.  However he and Col. Saunders have been spending sometime learning Spanish in order to prepare for their latest journey to sunny Spain!
storm7 Posted Mar 2, 2007, 2:47 pm	Prior to fling off to sunnier climes Niilo and Col. Saunders got out their passports and headed to the airport.
storm7 Posted Mar 2, 2007, 2:48 pm	Prior to flyng off to sunnier climes Niilo and Col. Saunders got out their passports and headed to the airport.
storm7 Posted Mar 2, 2007, 2:55 pm	Niilo and Col. Saunders arrived in Spain and headed to Storm7's mum's house where they rested for a while.  It was a lot warmer than back in England!
storm7 Posted Mar 5, 2007, 10:50 am	Niilo and Col. Saunders visited 'la torre' of Torre De La Horadada.  Torre De La Horadada is literally translated to tower of the drilled one.  The tower is situated just on the edge of the Costa Blanca where it joins the Costa Calida.  They considered taking some time to go sunbathing but decided on a walk down the front instead.
Luther Posted Apr 1, 2007, 11:18 am	Niilo has now arrived in Kingston upon Thames. He was a bit concerned about his loved ones not knowing where he was, so he tried to ring from a phone box.  Unfortunately, he had a little accident...
Luther Posted May 3, 2007, 6:48 pm	Niilo here.  Sorry my updates haven't been very regular, but I've been working ever so hard.  The people I've been staying with have told me that I need to earn my keep.  So, I've busy working on an IT helpdesk here in London.  It's been fun.  All I do is answer calls from people and tell them to hit something called "control, alt and delete".  It seems to work...
Luther Posted May 3, 2007, 7:33 pm	I'm still hard at work.  I've been helping to repair the roof of the shed.  Sheds are a funny hut that men in England seem to spend a lot of time in.  I think the word shed comes from the Olde Englishe for "place of magazines and beer".
Luther Posted May 3, 2007, 7:41 pm	Me and my friends are phoning in sick tomorrow and are going to go for an exciting day out!
Luther Posted May 5, 2007, 11:22 am	I'm Henry the Eighth, I am.  I'm Henry the Eighth I am.  Off with her head! I've been to Hampton Court today.  Luckily I didn't get lost in the maze.
Luther Posted May 5, 2007, 11:29 am	Quack quack!  I've met some things called ducks today.  We went to the Thames and threw some bread to them.  I think they would have preferred something more bear flavoured though.  I'm scared!
Isobel&Neil Posted Mar 16, 2008, 8:27 pm	Great news! Niilo arrived today and is happily settling into life at TVC. He will be helping us prepare for our Dorset trip, and coaching the new recruits in the whys and wherefores of ToyVoyaging! More updates to follow....

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