Posted Apr 4, 2012, 6:48 pm
I enjoyed this evening with my friends at a campfire.
Posted Apr 17, 2012, 9:17 am
There is GustavHH, he told that he has travelled for a long time nw. He was in Belgium, Chile and USA . He told a lot of storys.
And there is Bärndt. Bärndt is quite new on the road - just like me...
...and the funny little monkeys Mooky and Kurt. Hessen-Leo is going on to his next adventure next week.
I am Noisys new TV and collect my first travelogs and want to explore the world, and Fanti belongs to SuSi89, Noisys daughter.
The other elefant is called Jethro, he will be the new stay-at- home- TV.
I don't know who has seen this projekt, but we all found it a funny thing to do.
It is called 30 days - 30 cups.
Here are the first photos...
...stripes...
...from christmas...
...inside...
...moin-moin...
...TV-sized...
...than we wanted to build a tower...
Posted Apr 18, 2012, 4:35 pm
Bärndt and I took the chance to ride an elefant
...aaaand the cup of the day
Posted Apr 20, 2012, 3:25 pm
...and chicken...
...the rooster Konstantin wasn't amused...
...when I took the eggs off the stable...
...aaaand the cup of the day
Posted May 6, 2012, 1:21 pm
Greetings from Finland! I arrived few days ago to sunny Hämeenlinna.
Though I have been here just for a couple of days I have had a lot of fun. I met another ToyVoyager bear, Konsta. We became good friends, but the sad fact is that he is going to travel soon and I'll have to say goodbye to him soon.
Yesterday my host and her sister took us to play disk golf. I was a bit skeptic about it but after all it was a lot of fun. Here are some pictures of our day in the disk golf park.
Best wishes, Barnabas
Posted May 29, 2012, 12:55 pm
The summer has arrived in Finland!
Yesterday we had a really exciting day: we went to a forest nearby. I was in the forest with Frederik, a tiny small mouse also from Germany. I'm sure there were some elves or fairies living in the forest. They were just hiding somewhere behind the threes or up in them. Here are some picks from the forest.
After we were in the forest we went to an old observation tower. From the tower we saw the town and the nature around it. You never guess what else we saw... A huge bear statue! Though the bears were old and huge they were nice dudes and we had a lot of fun with them. Some picks again...
See you soon,
Barnabas
Posted Jun 8, 2012, 3:28 pm
Greetings from Sweden!
I've spent the last few days relaxing and shopping in a town called Södertälje and in Stockholm. First on Monday me, Fredrik and our host flew to Stockholm and then we traveled by train and bus to Södertälje. On that day we were so tired that we just went to sleep.
On the following day we were recovered and ready to conquer Sweden! That day we spent just hanging around in Södertälje. We had a lot of fun but then it started to rain and you may guess where the umbrella or the raincoat were...These picks we managed to taken before the rain started:
Some graffiti...
You may notice the dark clouds behind...
When it started to rain we hurried back to the apartment. A big mug of tea and a fresh sandwich have never tasted better!
The following day we went to Stockholm. That day was the national Day of Sweden, so there was a lot happening. First we went to a big food market where you could buy for example Thai food, Italian food, Norwegian food and so on. Then we walked trough the city to a park concert. Here are our picks from Stockholm.
At the food market...
Some espresso and carrot cake at the food market... Tasty!
At the park concert.
The Royal Palace.
See you soon!
Barnabas
Posted Jun 10, 2012, 1:43 pm
Yesterday me, Fredrik, our host and her friend had a picnic. The weather was a bit chilly and it also rained a bit but it didn't stop us. We ate candies, grapes, cookies, lemonade and Karelian pies and enjoyed the holiday. When the sun came out we took picks.
Best wishes,
Barnabas
Posted Jul 9, 2012, 9:44 am
The summer and the summer weather has finally arrived! I have just enjoyed myself. On one sunny day we got an idea to visit the ski jump hill. It is an old one and you can't use it anymore but it is still a cool place.
One day I faced a nice surprise: Joesy arrived in Finland! We took a nice picture of us for you mum!
Me, Fredrik, Suny and Joesy arranged a good-bye-party for Gwënelle.
All the best, Barnabas
Posted Jul 16, 2012, 3:34 pm
Finland is a weird place. Though is is summer it is chilly and rainy and we have to stay inside and try to avoid going out. That is why we got an idea to bake something. We baked an apple pie. We had a really fun day though the weather was boring.
Our pie going to the oven...
It was horrible just sit and wait when the pie was in the oven. I was so hungry and so ready to eat!
After 30 long minutes the pie was ready to be taken out. And we were ready to take it out...
I bet you are jealous because it was tasty!
All the best, Barnabas
Posted Jul 19, 2012, 4:17 pm
Yesterday we frozen some strawberries for the winter. We had two big buckets full of fresh strawberries that we had to clean, slice and but to the freezer. It was a hard job but the reward was the best possible: we were allowed to eat as much of them as we wanted!
Best wishes,
Barnabas
Posted Oct 1, 2012, 2:45 pm
today I reached germany.
I was warmly welcomed by Butch Flunky and my new host.
My host and Butch Flunky liked the presents I brought with me.
Posted Oct 6, 2012, 10:05 pm
today a big envelope arrived here. We knew this should be another new Toyvoyager friend. So we couldn't wait to open the envie and see who was in there.
He had some troubles to crawl out his envie so we helped him out.
There he was.... Kasimir Kashmir
He is a nice capricorn with cute eyes and pretty blue nose
Posted Oct 10, 2012, 7:28 pm
since it was raining for days now, we thought
of doing something nice. We had the choice
between playing games or solving a puzzle.
The puzzle was our first choice as we can do
it together and help each other.
First we sorted the colours and corner-pieces.
Then we started putting the pieces together.
Boy this puzzle is really difficult, as the pieces
often look same in colour and shape, but it's
important to find the correct pieces.
Posted Oct 11, 2012, 9:00 pm
As the forecast said today would be the best weather of
the whole week, my host decided to drive to a big furniture
store. Well this store isn't nearby, so we had to drive about
one and a half hour.
The weather was very foggy. Allthough it's very dark these
pictures were taken at 10:30 a.m. not at dusk.
On our way towards the store, we drove thru a passage which is
called "Höllental" (Hell's Valley). There we got into a traffic jam
because a construction crew was working to make the walls safe.
In this valley there is danger of boulders falling onto the street.
At this picture you can see us on the dashboard together with
Ellie the elephant. Ellie is always sitting there, but she is afraid
of leaving the car.
This picture was taken after we left the furniture store.
See, we didn't buy so much stuff
On our way home we took an other way. Still the fog was there
but every now and then the sun came out.
But then it started to rain.
I love how the fog looks like smoke coming out of the trees.
My host said it looks like the rabbits were cooking a very big carrotsoup.
Posted Oct 14, 2012, 12:30 pm
today our host took us to the historic city core of Villingen.
Villingen-Schwenningen is a cooperation city of the old town Villingen and the town of Schwenningen.
In former times there was the border between Baden and Württemberg between the both towns.
In the early 1970ies the federal state Baden-Württemberg was built. At the same time the double city
was established.
The reason why our host took us there was a huge bazar market at the old main streets. The host found a
parking lot out of the old city walls, which sorround the old city. (Nowadays the city Villingen is much
larger than it used to be when these walls were built)
On the way to the market, we saw this building which used to be a monk convent.
This building with the beautiful sign was a restaurant.
Villingen has a cathedral.
I couldn't do many pictures inside because I didn't want to use the flashlight.
Besides the cathedral is this fountain, made by a famous local artist.
I like the painting on this house.
It was quite difficult to take a picture of the bazar market because of all those people.
Posted Oct 21, 2012, 9:43 pm
today, just as we were about to leave, the postman brought another TV Djali. She was happy
to get out of her envelope. So we all spent the afternoon together at the "Schwenninger Moos" which is a
nature conservation area.
At the "Schwenninger Moos" the river Neckar is born.
It's a beautiful landscape with some seldom plants and animals. As it shall recover to its former habitant
poeple don't interfer. When a plant is rotten or have gone stale, it will not be removed. It will stay there
and become a part in the circle of life.
I like those tiny little flowers. I asked my host whether she know what kind of bush this is, but she
doesn't know either.
Every now and then there are plates telling interesting facts, like this one.
See all the water? Allthough the water is brown it's a healthy enviroment.
Here are some fish, can you find them?
Every now and then you hear a blubb, when a fish is catching a fly.
Once a hawk came all of a sudden out of the bushes and catched a fish. I was a bit afraid it could come
back hungry and catch me.
The "Schwenninger Moos" is a hill moor. Only a few yaers ago, the moor was in critcal condition to dry up.
The the community did something and the waterlevel encreased. Hostmom said, when she was a kid
she could stand at this sign with dry shoes. Nowadays there is a platform, so you can come close to
the sign, but you can't reach it.
Oh those moss-covered tiny hills look so cosy, but it's not allowed to step aside the path nor to let dogs
off the leash. Because you never now, if there is water underneath or ground.
Look we found some mushrooms, but hostmum said these were poisonous.
See how large these treese are? Unfortunately most old trees are damaged by the bark beetle "Borkenkäfer".
Posted Oct 23, 2012, 8:12 pm
as it was a warm sunny day, we went for a sightseeing trip to Ludwigsburg.
This is a church on an old marketplace. Some people were making music. Funny, the clock in the
right tower is teo minutes earlier than the one in the left tower. So the bells ring twice. Once when
the right clock strikes the full hour, plus once when the left one does.
In Ludwigsburg is a Castle area, which is called "Blühendes Barock" (Blooming Barock). The area is famous
for the flowers in the former garden of the castle.
There were two bridal couples, taking pictures.
I think they will have nice memory pictures of their weddings.
At the moment there is the annual pumpkin exhibition. This year the motto is: "Switzerland".
All the exhibits show typical things of Switzerland and even the Alpes.
There were tiny pumpkins
and huge pumpkins
Look Mom, Kasimir Kashmir even found a ram sibling.
Even the food was made of pumpkins....
pumpkin soup, vegetarian pumpkin swabian pockets (Maultaschen), pumpkin burger, roasted pumpkin seed
and even pumpkin french fries!
Posted Nov 13, 2012, 10:04 pm
yesterday we celebrated a farewell party as Butch Flunky and Bjoern were ready to leave the next day.
Today Betzi arrived.
He was right in time for the first snow in this autumn. We built a funny snowman.
When we came back home, I said goodbye to my dear Bjoern and Butch Flunky. I hope we meet once again.
Posted Nov 13, 2012, 11:03 pm
bad weather days need a good and interesting place to go although one wants
to stay at the cosy home.
Hostmom said she wants to show us her favourite place. She said it's a very peaceful and
contemplativ place. I wondered what'll make this place so special. It doesn't look special at first sight.
When we came closer, Hostmom told us, the place is called "Elsenau" a pilgrimage chapel
like Lourdes. She isn't very religious, but this place seems to touch here deep inside.
Usually there are always new candles burning and fresh flowers, but as there is a construction site where the street meets the sidewalk, it's not easy to get there for elder people. So only a few flowers.
As there was nobody else we could take some pictures.
Someone brought this angel instead of flowers.
I think its kitsch and doesn't belong here, just my 2 cents.
Posted Nov 21, 2012, 2:15 pm
we had very foggy days. So all the other pictures which were taken don't come clearly so I can't show you more than this one.
This was taken between Sankt Georgen and Peterzell. In Peterzell is a shop where fruit and vegetables sold. These are grown at the Isle of Reichenau in the Lake Bodensee.
Posted Nov 28, 2012, 4:01 pm
although it was very cold we made a trip to a romantik medieval city. Well only the old city of Fridingen is medieval but these old houses are still in use.
Behind these historic walls you can still hear pigs oink, this was and still is a farmhouse (in the middle of the town!)
On this wall you can see a painting of the Fridinger Narr, which is a traditional carnival clothing.
Although the weather was sunny, we had a lot of shadow. That's beause of the early sunset, which came soon after we took these pictures.
Posted Nov 30, 2012, 7:52 pm
I was at a very interesting sightseeing point at the Donau Valley. The point is called "Knopfmacherfelsen" (Buttonmakerrock)
There is a small and stony path to a point located on the outskirts.
From there you have a very good view on a Donau curve.
on the leftside in the valley you can get a glimpse on the Beuron monastery
this picture doesn't show how difficult these stairs are. Lots of roots and stones all over the path.
On the way down the hill we got a nice view ob the monastery.
Posted Dec 27, 2012, 12:02 pm
as my host had a really bad time since a good friend died on 1. December, we didn't made a lot of things to take pictures of. I think it wasn't the right place and time.
But then we went for a walk in the snow.
Although it was a bright day, the pictures came out very dark.
Posted Dec 31, 2012, 6:57 pm
the last trip for the Year 2012 we made to the Feldberg. Up there, there was still snow although we don't have snow at the hosts place anymore.
The Feldberg is about 1233 meters above sea level. It was a sunny day and many people used their day off to go skiing or riding the sledge.
Posted Feb 1, 2013, 4:23 pm
some TVs left here, some new TVs arrived here, one TV came back home and others vere recruited to become TVs. So a lot of thing were going on here these days.
When will I travel again? And where to will I travel? It's your decision Mom!
We had a little party at a chinese buffet restaurant. The food was very delicious.
Posted Feb 4, 2013, 4:29 pm
a lot of new TVs are now around here.
In the middle of the last night, my hostmom found her cat having a big wound. Therefore they went to the veterinary to see if the cat need some help to become a healthy cat again.
This is the unlucky cat. We all cheered her after they came home.
Later we ate some icecream.
Posted Feb 14, 2013, 9:54 pm
here was Carnival and I had so much to watch and learn.
Carnival is here called "Fasnet". A lot of streets were decorated with old underwear or pieces of fabric.
Every town has its own traditional carnival rite. One is a parade of lots of carnival groups and music groups. It was very cold when we watched the parade from the sidewalk.
When a Narr (carnival figure) shouts out: "Narri!" the other people answer "Narro!"
Another rite is that the mayor is giving the key to the carnival organisation for the time of "Schmotziger Dunnstig" ("sticky" Thursday) to "Aschermittwoch" ("Ashes" Wednesday). While this time the carnival revelers got the powers about the town. This key symbolises the key to the town.
This is a music group. The wardrobe is often based on medival army uniforms.
Many groups are in the guise of witches or people of old sagas.
The wardrobe is called "Häs". Some "Häs" are made of hundreds of little fabrics.
Most wear wooden masks. While the parade is on, they are not allowed to show their face underneath the mask. Children often do not wear masks because these are very expensive as they are handmade. Some mothers don't wear masks too, for they won't frighten their babies.
Another music group of the special kind of music called "Guggenmusik"
Although most of them look evil, they are usually very kind to young children. They often give sweets to them. Like this friendly witch.
Some bears:
As we took so many pictures I will write another update with pictures of the parade.
Posted Feb 14, 2013, 9:57 pm
her comes the second part of the carnival parade pictures.
Lots of clowns:
Some carry whips and every now and then they swing to crack the whip.
More music groups:
I remember these are "Epfelschittler" (apple down shakers)
Children on the parade were called "Narrensome" (Narren Samen / carnival revelers seeds). Here in Germany little children believe the babies were brought by a stork, when it has bitten the mother.
These costumes were made of lots of handkerchiefs.
Wolves:
Chicken:
Devils and critter creatures:
Some wear straps with bells:
These whitches have birch-brooms. They are playing lots of tricks to the audience.
This one fell when her (his?) broom broke
Goats:
Elks:
This one is unique. He symbolizes the oldest and biggest tree in Villingen-Schwenningen. The people called this tree "Hölzlekönig" (Wooden King). The tree was hit by a lightning twice so it's not large anymore.
These were called "Schantle" which means a guy who is greedy:
This female creature is called "Moosmulle" (Sorry no translation into english possible)
And this one is the "Hansele" (swabian for little Hans)
Posted Feb 18, 2013, 9:49 pm
we made another trip in the beautiful Black Forest with my new friends.
We made a break and sat down in the snow
When we left you could see our prints in the snow.
Posted Mar 4, 2013, 7:42 pm
since my hostmom was very ill, we didn't do sightseeing trips.
But when she told us about a reciepe she found at the internet, we decided to give a helping hand.
First wir cut sausages into pieces.
Then we put dry spaghetti throu the pieces which was really difficult because the spaghetti tend to break if pushed to hard.
When we had done all pieces, we boiled the spaghettisausages.
This is how they look like, after boiling:
With a little sauce topping they were very yummie.
Posted May 26, 2013, 7:54 pm