Posted Aug 12, 2007, 1:48 pm
Today I've been officially registered as a 'Toy Voyager'. I'm very excited.
My Mum, Helly, has made me a passport, so I can record where I travel.
My home - in Monsieur Alfonse, a Citroen 2CV - is being carpeted later and I'm going to help. Monsieur Alfonse was also fitted with a CD radio yesterday so I can have music while I travel.
Hurrah!
The photos show me and Monsieur Alfonse.
Posted Aug 19, 2007, 5:54 pm
The picture shows a large pond called The Crammer. The Crammer is very famous in Wiltshire for the following reason . . .
Many many years ago some Wiltshire men were smuggling barrels of brandy and were nearly home when the sun rose and they needed to hide the brandy ready for moving on again at nightfall. They hid the barrels of brandy in The Crammer. That night, by the light of the full moon and using their rakes they started to fish the barrels out of the pond. Unfortunately some customs men passed by, and seeing they were acting suspitiously asked them what they were doing.
Quick as a flash the men replied that they were trying to fish a cheese out of the pond. The customs men, seeing only the reflection of the moon went on their way, laughing at the 'Stupid Wiltshiremen'.
Once the customs men had gone the Wiltshiremen retrieved their barrels of brandy and made their way home. Therefore Wiltshiremen are known for being canny.
That is why any person who is born in Wiltshire and lives there all their life is called a 'Moonraker'.
Just like Steve!
Posted Aug 28, 2007, 10:14 pm
It turns out that car engines need 'tuning' to make them run better. Still, once M. Alfonse had been 'tuned' he made very sweet music.
I watched and learnt, although I didn't get too close as I didn't want oil on my nice blue fur.
In just under two weeks I'm off to Normandy. I'm very excited, although I'll be leaving Monsieur Alfonse behind for a while and will miss him.
Now, where's my passport?
Posted Sep 4, 2007, 7:49 am
I didn't get chance to explore Stratford itself as I went to the racecourse to a Citroen Rally. There were lots of Citroens of all shapes and sizes there. I was told I would see lots of 'H' Vans. I was a bit scared as I wasn't certain what they were but I needn't have worried, they were just big vans with a bonnet which looks a bit like a pigs snout!
It is the Citroen 'H' Van's 60th birthday this year so there were lots of 'H' Vans there. I climbed on one so I could have a better look.
I chatted to my friend Travelling Bear and told him all about Toy Voyagers. I'm hoping he'll register soon.
We stayed about two hours and then we drove back home. In total Monsieur Alfonse & I travelled 150 miles.
Next week I'm off on my big adventure to France - well, actually Helly & Steve have kindly let me go with them on honeymoon. I've promised I won't get in their way!
Posted Oct 2, 2007, 9:44 pm
I am so excited I decide to sit on the dashboard and watch the whole journey.
Posted Oct 2, 2007, 9:48 pm
We are travelling on a catamaran. Helly told me they 'Fight The Pirates', it sounds a bit frightening but she tells me it will be OK.
Posted Oct 2, 2007, 9:57 pm
On the way to Abbeville we stopped off at Nouvion, where 'Allo, Allo' was set. My car - Monsieur Alfonse - is named after a character from the programme, so I started to miss him a little bit. We've brought Bernice The Berlingo on this trip.
As we were leaving Abbeville this morning I got VERY excited. I spotted another blue elephant!! Steve told me it's a place where the French wash their cars. I'm going to look for 'Elephant Blu' s all holiday as there are lots of these places. How nice to name them after me! (I hope I've spelt that right as my French isn't very good!)
Posted Oct 2, 2007, 10:05 pm
Posted Oct 4, 2007, 7:41 am
I rested today after my long journey yesterday as I know I'll be doing LOTS of travelling during the next two weeks. I'm with Helly and Steve on their honeymoon. We're in a lovely Gite, called Hope Cottage, in the Manche region of Normandy - Find Cherbourg on the map, travel down to Valognes and then take the D2 south. Ste. Colombe, where the gite is, is about 8 km further on. It's a tiny village. I'll show you some pictures later.
Monday:
Today I went to St Sauveur Le Vicomte, a very small town near to where we are staying at Ste. Colombe. The picture shows the ancient chateau which you can walk around.
After that we drove on to Ste. Mere Eglise which is famous for it's World War 2 history. The church spire has a full sized model of a parachutist who got stuck as he tried to land. The parachutist was a man called John Steel. Look very carefully and you might be able to see it in the photo.
Posted Oct 5, 2007, 7:46 am
The nice thing about visiting France at this time of the year is that the beaches are deserted.
The photos show me at Utah Beach, which is very beautiful with its dunes. Helly told me that when she's been here at other times she's seen 'trotters', French horses pulling small carts that are used for racing.
I'm glad they weren't there today as horses that aren't circus horses are sometimes scared of elephants.
Posted Oct 6, 2007, 7:48 pm
I was Ok as I wasn't walking but it was a long walk uphill to find the stones.
When we got there we found a small burial chamber. As I live only six miles from Avebury stone circle in England I was expecting something a little more exciting. Poor Helly was really puffed, so I lay on my back on the stones and gazed up at the sky, pretending I was as puffed as she was so she wouldn't feel left out!
Still, the climb was worth it for the view!!
Posted Oct 6, 2007, 8:00 pm
Le Mont St Michel looks very similar to St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall. It is an island and abbey, virtually surrounded by water.
I stayed in the car as it was a lot busier than other times when Helly & Steve have visited and I didn't want to get lost amongst all the small alley ways and hoards of people.
However, I think I got the best view, from the car park!
Posted Oct 11, 2007, 6:54 am
Then I went up to Gatteville Le Phare and the second tallest lighthouse in France. I very neally went up, but was too scared. Maybe next time.
Finally I went around the top coast of Manche, towards Cherbourg where we found some more standing stones near St Pierre Eglise. These were more impressive than the others we saw and totally deserted, unlike when I visit Avebury or Stonehenge back in England.
Posted Oct 11, 2007, 7:19 am
Today we were heading south, towards La Haye Du Puits when I spotted two 2CVs coming towards us. I waved and got Steve to flash his lights. They waved back, do you think they knew that my 'home' in England is a 2CV?
Then, about five minutes later three more came by, followed by another three. Well, by this stage I was standing on the dashboard waving like crazy and jumping up and down in excitement. Steve very kindly agreed to turn around and follow them. We followed them for miles, back up the way we'd come.
Eventually they turned off at Carteret and drove to the beach. We got out and introduced ourselves, explaining that in England Steve & Helly have two 2CVs. I was a little upset that they didn't explain that Monsiour Alfonse is my 'home', or that Pierre Bear also lives in our green and white 2CV called Molly. I'm not sure why they didn't!
Anyway, I was just too excited to be upset for long. After about half an hour about TWENTY FIVE 2CVs had turned up from all over France. They were on the tenth tour of Cotentin - the north part of Manche.
Even more exciting was that Steve & helly recognised some of the cars from other 2CV events they'd been to AND most of the people there will be at the French national next year at Dunkerque. I'm going to be there too to complete one of my missions.
Some of the cars had cows painted on them. I looked for an elephant but couldn't see one. I did see that one of the vans had 'I love my 2Cv' painted on it. I asked Steve if he could paint that on Monsieur Alfonse's bonnet when we got back. He said he'd think about it . . . that usually means 'no'!
Steve & Helly are going to write up about today in more detail for their local 2CV magazine next month, which you can read on the Swindon Association of Snails website. They took lots and lots of photos for me, so I can look at them this coming week if I'm feeling homesick.
I was so sad when it was time to go as the group was driving to Cherbourg to go camping for the night before going to Barfleur the following day. I hope that if they do the tour next year I can join in too!
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 6:14 pm
First I visited Le Pou, or more exactly, the beach there - thoroughly deserted again. Wonderful!
Then I went to St. Sauveur Forest for a walk and picnic.
Finally Steve & Helly found a fantastic viewing point just outside St. Sauveur itself. Right on top of a hill are three deserted windmills. You can climb one of them and at the top there's a viewing platform. I had to be held onto very tightly as it was blowey and I'm not very heavy for an elephant.
I looked for some more blue elephants but couldn't see any. However, Helly told me not to worry as that meant I was unique. I could see for miles, it was FANTASTIC!
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 6:23 pm
The view was wonderful, looking out over the sea.
(I did look for more blue elephants, but don't tell Helly as she told me yesterday that I was unique and not to worry myself by looking).
On the way back we stopped at Crossville Chateau. I didn't go inside but Steve told me it was lovely. However, i had a good look at the outside.
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 6:32 pm
You can see from the photos that the countryside around was truely gorgeous. The place we visited was just south of a town called St Lo.
On the way there we drove through a little village which is twinned with the Lydiards in Wiltshire, near to where I came from. We took a photo of the sign to show Helen's boss, Evelyn.
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 6:38 pm
We didn't get out of the car for long as the weather was REALLY windy and chilly.
However, we drove back down into Arromanches and Helly took a photo of Steve, holding onto his hat so it didn't blow away. The photo shows one of the remaining mulberry harbours with the sea breaking over it.
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 6:46 pm
I'm not too sure what that means but as they were both very quiet and feeling a bit 'yuk' this morning I think it had something to do with beer!
Anyway, once they'd both surfaced we went to Cherbourg to sit and watch the activities on the beach. There were lots of school children picking up rubbish - I thought I might introduce myself but I was too shy.
I was also excited by some people in land yachts. That looked ever so exciting.
Tomorrow we start the journey back across France towards the ferry.
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 6:53 pm
It's gorgeous.
Helly and Steve stayed in the one bedroom gite at this end.
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 7:01 pm
On the way I asked to stop at Pegasus Bridge, which was the first spot in France to be liberated in the second world war. Steve & Helly had a cup of coffee at the Cafe Goddree. What a shame Tiger Tom wasn't there, he could have had a glass of wine (probably two if I know him!) and fulfilled one of his missions.
The bridge in the photo is a replica of the actual bridge, which now sits just down the road in a museum.
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 7:06 pm
The bridge is ever so high.
I couldn't see it properly as it was ever so misty this morning.
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 7:10 pm
I was able to watch as we drove on the ferry. I looked out for the 'fight the pirates' sign, although I wasn't nervous this time.
Posted Oct 12, 2007, 7:14 pm
On the way out of Dover we drove up to a war memorial that Steve wanted to show Helly. Then we set off back to Calne.
I did have a wonderful time! I can't wait to go back. I wonder if Steve & Helly will let me go with them at Christmas?
AND, I never did see another blue elephant!
Posted Oct 15, 2007, 6:06 pm
Posted Oct 15, 2007, 6:22 pm
First we met up with Dave & Ellie in their yellow and black Charleston. We met at Leigh Delemere services on the M4.
Then we met Gary in his Dyane. Gary was VERY naughty and waited on the hard shoulder near Bath for us to pass him. He's lucky the police didn't come and take him away as that's not allowed!
I also crossed the 'new' Severn Bridge, near Bristol. It's a very long bridge and looks just as impressive as the bridges I crossed in France.
It was much more expensive to cross than the French ones though!!
How Much? !
Steve told me Helly got on her 'high horse' and said she'd go the long way round to Wales next time. I'm not sure what that means as I didn't see any horses, but I think she was cross at the price!
Posted Oct 15, 2007, 6:30 pm
There were 14 of us. We met up at the services just outside Cardiff, and now I can say I've been to Wales. Hurrah!
Once we were all there and had greeted old friends - and young ones too - we set off. We each had a map of the route we were going to take.
Ooops! The person leading took us the wrong way, so we did the 'obligatory 2CV 'u' turn!'
Posted Oct 15, 2007, 6:44 pm
The guide told us the Barrage is one of Europe's most advanced engineering projects, consisting of locks, sluice gates and a fish pass. I wanted to have a look at the fish pass which consists of a series of 'steps' which the salmon leap up each year in order to swim up the rivers to spawn. I think Isambard would have been very impressed as he likes engineering.
I didn't have my photo taken on the barrage itself as it was chilly and I stayed wrapped up in the warmth of the ruck sack. I did peep over the edge though.
Posted Oct 16, 2007, 6:48 am
Next to this I had my photo taken by a huge red building, the old shipping offices.
Wales Millenium Centre is made of natural materials. The slate which lines the front is all from Wales and has been arranged to replicate the strata of sea cliffs. It's very beautiful and the photo doesn't do it justice.
Finally I travelled on the Dotto Train back to the car park. The train stopped half way back to pick up some more visitors. Totally by chance, one of the visitors was another 2CV friend, John and his wife, who were visiting Cardiff for the day.
What a coincidence!
Back in the carpark. Monsieur Alfonse had part of the lettering of the name of the convoy across his front window, so I just had to have my photos taken!
Posted Nov 5, 2007, 6:26 pm
I stayed in a log cabin for two nights. I'd never been in a log cabin before, it was lovely. The cabin was situated in some woods so I kept an eye out, in case I could see any elephants.
Posted Nov 5, 2007, 6:35 pm
I stayed in the car while Steve & Helly had lunch, but I did help release Zachary Zebra into the wild - he was picked up within five minutes of being released, it was very exciting!
After they'd had lunch Steve & Helly showed me Padstow. It's a lovely little Cornish fishing village and even at this time of year there were masses of people visiting.
Helly visited the Bear Shop to buy a very special, limited edition bear. However she told me he won't be Toy Voyaging!
Posted Nov 5, 2007, 6:39 pm
The photos show me looking across the River Camel, about three miles from Padstow.
Posted Nov 5, 2007, 6:43 pm
There is no access to the bay you can see in the photo, except by boat.
I made sure I was held very tightly so I could peer over the edge of the cliff.
(No elephants there!)
Posted Nov 5, 2007, 6:45 pm
Posted Dec 10, 2007, 6:38 pm
In preparation for Christmas Helly went shopping, first thing, for presents and came home with some new shoes for her! She also HAD to buy an outfit to go with the shoes . . . how does that work?
Steve said the shoes were great. I thought men didn't think about that sort of thing so I decided to see for myself. I tried them on and walked around the house.
Do you think they suit me?
Posted Dec 10, 2007, 6:48 pm
Although Steve & Helly are off to France next week they decided to put up a few decorations as they have visitors at the weekend.
Steve went up in to the loft to get down the decorations and the tree. (Three cats means a real tree gets spread around the house, with needles everywhere, so Steve & Helly have given up and have a pretend tree!)
Up went Steve . . .
Down came the box of decorations . . .
Down came the box of lights . . .
Down came the tr . . .
Where's the tree?
It was very spooky, the tree had disappeared!
Steve assured Helly he had looked all over the loft and it definately wasn't there. He also assured her the plumber would not have hidden it for a joke and that was a silly suggestion!
Down came Steve from the loft . . .
Up went Helly . . .
Down came Helly . . .
and off she went in her car to buy another tree!
When she came back I helped to put the decorations up. Red and gold this year. I had to climb high up to put them on. I tried pretending I was the angel but I was too heavy for the tree and Helly told me if I wanted to be the angel I'd have to dress up and stay at the top of the tree until after Christmas. I decided to climb down then, I'd done enough dressing up wearing Helly's shoes earlier in the day and I don't want to miss France.
Posted Dec 31, 2007, 9:36 am
Here I am in Dover, waiting for the ferry to load. I was disappointed we didn't cross with the usual company as I'd told Pierre and Rosemary all about 'fighting the pirates', but the trip across to France was only a little bit longer.
Posted Dec 31, 2007, 9:41 am
I'm so excited to be back, I neally joined in with Pierre Bear and his 'I Love France' song, but I didn't want to encourage him.
Next stop Abbeville for the night.
Posted Dec 31, 2007, 9:45 am
BLUE ELEPHANT!
I got ever so excited to see him again. I wonder if I'll meet a real elephant this time?
Posted Dec 31, 2007, 1:14 pm
Perhaps that's why the 'Elephant bleu' is blue, although it wasn't this cold when I visited Abbeville before!
Posted Jan 3, 2008, 7:41 am
I hope Monsieur Alphonse, my 2CV at home is OK without me.
Posted Jan 3, 2008, 7:44 am
Posted Jan 3, 2008, 7:47 am
I spotted the trotters from a distance but I let Pierre Bear look at them, while I hid, as I think horses are scared of elephants!
Posted Jan 5, 2008, 6:37 pm
I encouraged him to look at Honfleur and then I stayed in the car and slept ready for the long trip home tomorrow.
Posted Jan 5, 2008, 6:39 pm
Posted Jan 5, 2008, 6:42 pm
I'm not too sad to be back though as I've got another trip to look forward to very soon.
Posted Jan 8, 2008, 5:55 pm
Posted Mar 24, 2008, 10:31 am
Back out on a 'Raid' in Monsieur Alphonse and back to Wales. The weather was so bad that I decided to stay safely tucked up in the back of the car. None of this balancing on the dashboard to see out the window melarky!
I only got up to look out when the scenery got interesting!
Posted Mar 25, 2008, 8:59 pm
However, I was so cold I would have turned blue, if I wasn't already blue!
I decided to climb back in Monsieur Alfonse and have a go at driving.
Posted Mar 28, 2008, 7:33 am
Guess what! I'm off to France for the weekend in my beloved 2CV with two other 2CVs from the local club.
I wonder if I'll see blue elephants again?
I hope so. It's very lonely being the only blue elephant.
First stop, Dover:
As I've been to Dover before I told all the other toy voyagers about 'Fighting The Pirates' and the boat we were going on.
Posted Mar 28, 2008, 5:05 pm
Well, ok, so they probably weren't gale force but they were strong enough to stop Helly heading in the direction she was supposed to go!
I'm so glad Helly had hold of me firmly when she took my photo, you can see I got blown horizontally across the camera, and being an elephant I'm no light weight!
Posted Apr 6, 2008, 10:12 am
I then sat on the old town's walls and looked down on Monsieur Alfonse and the other 2CVs.
(Secretly I was looking for blue elephants, but I didn't see any).
Finally I made my way back down to Monsieur Alfonse before saying 'Au revoir' to France . . . until I'm back in four weeks time to complete a mission!
Posted May 13, 2008, 6:03 pm
Posted May 13, 2008, 6:06 pm
Posted May 13, 2008, 6:08 pm
Posted May 13, 2008, 6:11 pm
Doesn't Monsieur Alfonse look great next to the lake!
. . . and Steve & Dave look great in their hats!
Posted May 13, 2008, 6:17 pm
While driving through Dunkerque in the evening . . . .
An Elephant Bleu!!!!!
Infact I saw lots but most of Helly's photos were of the inside of the car! By the time I'd told her, she'd grabbed me - not very ceremoniously! - and grabbed the camera she missed the
Elephant Bleu.
I was not impressed!!
Posted May 26, 2008, 2:14 pm
We were driving back to the gite after spending the evening in Dunkerque.
Realising we were lost, Dave - who was leading - turned around and we got held up at a crossing we'd just been held up at crossing in the opposite direction - if you get my meaning!
I turned around and saw four other 2CVs behind us. They were French and were lost too. They were trying to find the campsite so had followed us thinking we were going back there!
Pierre Bear found this VERY funny!
Posted May 26, 2008, 2:19 pm
2500 to be exact. We were in the first convoy and there were still cars arriving at 12.30pm!!
Posted May 27, 2008, 7:33 am
I think all toyvoyager hosts should get one then I could meet lots of Toy Voyagers at 2CV events!
Back to the campsite now in one very long convoy. . .
Posted May 27, 2008, 7:38 am
Posted May 27, 2008, 7:41 am
Still, I saw lots of 2CVs and an Elephant Bleu so what more could I ask?
I'm not back to France now until September.
Posted Jun 20, 2008, 6:42 am
He is not impressed and is sulking!
Posted Jul 8, 2008, 6:21 pm
Look at all the lovely 2CVs!
I've decided not to sulk any more, after all, who could remain sulky with all these lovely cars about!
Harry turned up with his tent. For some reason he was sporting his ghost t-shirt and ghostly sign. Pierre Bear & I told him all about toy voyaging and tried to pursuade him to become a voyager himself. Unfortunately his Mum doesn't own a computer so we promised to take photos of him whenever we meet him at 2CV events.
Posted Jul 12, 2008, 8:39 am
A parcel arrived today. It was addressed to Steve & Helly but inside was a present from Mistigree for me.
How exciting, infact, the present was actually from Tiger Tom! He knows me so well. A lovely old ripple bonnet 2CV fridge magnet. There were also some lovely violet flavoured madeleines, which did not last very long! Helly rather liked them! The lovely postcards are wine related, what else!
The photo shows the empty packet of madeleines - told you they didn't last long! Mabel the kitten joined in the excitement too.
Thank you Tiger Tom and Mistigree!!!
Posted Jul 31, 2008, 6:18 pm
What a great drive, to Dorset and then along the South Coast.
I sat on the bonnet of Alfonse to have my photo taken and then admired the view of Chesil Beach.
Posted Aug 7, 2008, 7:14 am
So, I have a surprise for him.
Having sold Molly as two 2CVs was too much, this fell into Steve & Helly's hands . . .
May I present . .
Pierre Bear's new home . . .
Artois!!
But, shhh! He doesn't know yet!
Posted Sep 18, 2008, 6:13 pm