ToyVoyagers - Travelling Toys - Little Things on Big Adventures

Hi Mom,

I've had so much fun here in Helsinki. I've met some TVs and other toys and I think they are already my good friends. Here's still snow, but it's melting soon, because it has been quite warm (from -4 to +3) and sunny here lately. I'm glad I had a chance too see snow and feel it too

Kerttu, Bernd the Bread Manu the Rubber Duck and Blinchick were there waiting for me when I came out of the envelope. Art first I was a bit shy, but soon I noticed they all were really nice and kind so I started to chat with them. I also gave them the chocolate bar and the postcard and they were happy to see some real Willy Wonka Chocolate - they had seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie last week

(Pictures 1-3) I also met my host's cat called Lauri. He was really interested in me and when he licked my face I knew he had approved me. (Pictures 4 and 5) Now I have taken even a nap with him, he's nice and warm. Crizle the Unicorn welcomed me to Finland too and she was pleased to meet another unicorn - and so was I. (Picture 6)

I ate some delicious soup and took a nap after my lounch. My host said it would be a good idea to sleep for some time, because we'd go to the city later and she was right - I felt myself quite tired after my long flight. (Picture 7) I went to the city with my host - the others stayed at home. We went there by a tram and my host told me that it is the fastest way to travel in the city. There is a tram stop right at her front door and it takes only about 10-15 minutes from her place to the city. Here you can see me in a tram. (Pictures 8-10) This tram was an old one and they also have quite modern ones here in Helsinki, but my host said that she likes the old ones more - they seem to have more personality than the new trams. We bought a big latte and took it with us. (Picture 11) I think the Finnish coffee is strong and tasty - I liked it very much. I got a nice sightseeing while we we sat in a tram, but my host promised me we would go to the city quite often and I'd got to see all the sights better later. This time the trams and the latte were more than enough for me as my first adventure here in Helsinki - and of course snow too. I got to see snow and walk on snow too - it was great

(Pictures 12-14) Here you can see the building I live now - we live on the 8th floor (Picture 15) and here you can see me on the balcony. (Picture 16)

The day after I arrived here another TV came here too. His name is Mister Snow and he is from Germany. Btw, Bernd is from Germany too and Blinchick is from Russia. We went to a nice café for a latte and ice cream - my host said it was a welcoming party for me and Mister Snow. I loved the chocolate ice cream and the latte was good too. (Pictures 17-19) We sat at the café for a long time talking and it was awesome to hear more about the other TVs and their adventures. They have travelled a lot and Blinchick came here from Chile - can you believe that Mom? Do you think I could travel there too someday?

On Thursday we all travelled by a bus to a huge shopping center. There were lots of people so we stayed in Kirsi's bag so we wouldn't get lost. We went to the ticket service and there was a beautiful red coach, we rested there for a while; the lady of the ticket service was having a lounch break. (Picture 20) My host bought tickets to a concert for her and her boyfriend. We came back home by a bus and this time it was almost empty so we took some photos in there. (Picture 21) At home I played with my friends. Kerttu likes to think I'm a horse, but I don't mind that - she is still a kid. (Picture 22)

Yesterday my host worked as an assistant/extra at a shooting for Police TV. I was in her bag with my new friends and we heard everything what was happening. It was really interesting and I'm glad I got to stay in the bag, because later my host told us it was really cold out there and she was freezing after the shooting. At home we ate and took a nap and later in the evening we went to the concert. Unfortunately it was not allowed to take any pictures there, but we enjoyed the concert and it was interesting to hear live Finnish music.

OK, now it's already past my bedtime so I'll go to bed.

Hugs, Gwennie

kcrawfish Posted Feb 15, 2011, 12:58 pm	Hi everyone! I already have an invitation to my first host. I'm so excited to go from Goodwill charity shop to ... the world!! Gwennie
kcrawfish Posted Feb 22, 2011, 3:15 am	Mommy let us play on the copy machine today! (She got the idea from another TV host. ) Can you see my sparkly feet? I really love Bally, Sierra, Hypno-dog and HolgiHH. Gwennie
kcrawfish Posted Feb 22, 2011, 9:15 pm	Hi everyone! We said goodbye to Bally and Aslan today, and, well, everyone said bye to me, too. I had nice romp with Aslan and Peach the pooch, my birthdate buddies. I'm going to beautiful, snowy Finland. I think I'll blend right in. I asked Mom if we could give my new host a special candy bar, but I am the lucky one ... I am already the winner of a trip around the world!!! You'll see my sparkles soon! Gwennie
Huppu68 Posted Mar 1, 2011, 10:33 am	Hi Mommy, I just arrived at my new host's place in Helsinki, Finland My flight went well and I'm OK, a bit tired and hungry though. Now I'll get something to eat and after that I'll go to the city with my new friends. Photos later... Yours, Gwennie <3
Huppu68 Posted Mar 5, 2011, 9:59 pm	Hi Mom, I've had so much fun here in Helsinki. I've met some TVs and other toys and I think they are already my good friends. Here's still snow, but it's melting soon, because it has been quite warm (from -4 to +3) and sunny here lately. I'm glad I had a chance too see snow and feel it too Kerttu, Bernd the Bread Manu the Rubber Duck and Blinchick were there waiting for me when I came out of the envelope. Art first I was a bit shy, but soon I noticed they all were really nice and kind so I started to chat with them. I also gave them the chocolate bar and the postcard and they were happy to see some real Willy Wonka Chocolate - they had seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie last week (Pictures 1-3) I also met my host's cat called Lauri. He was really interested in me and when he licked my face I knew he had approved me. (Pictures 4 and 5) Now I have taken even a nap with him, he's nice and warm. Crizle the Unicorn welcomed me to Finland too and she was pleased to meet another unicorn - and so was I. (Picture 6) I ate some delicious soup and took a nap after my lounch. My host said it would be a good idea to sleep for some time, because we'd go to the city later and she was right - I felt myself quite tired after my long flight. (Picture 7) I went to the city with my host - the others stayed at home. We went there by a tram and my host told me that it is the fastest way to travel in the city. There is a tram stop right at her front door and it takes only about 10-15 minutes from her place to the city. Here you can see me in a tram. (Pictures 8-10) This tram was an old one and they also have quite modern ones here in Helsinki, but my host said that she likes the old ones more - they seem to have more personality than the new trams. We bought a big latte and took it with us. (Picture 11) I think the Finnish coffee is strong and tasty - I liked it very much. I got a nice sightseeing while we we sat in a tram, but my host promised me we would go to the city quite often and I'd got to see all the sights better later. This time the trams and the latte were more than enough for me as my first adventure here in Helsinki - and of course snow too. I got to see snow and walk on snow too - it was great (Pictures 12-14) Here you can see the building I live now - we live on the 8th floor (Picture 15) and here you can see me on the balcony. (Picture 16) The day after I arrived here another TV came here too. His name is Mister Snow and he is from Germany. Btw, Bernd is from Germany too and Blinchick is from Russia. We went to a nice café for a latte and ice cream - my host said it was a welcoming party for me and Mister Snow. I loved the chocolate ice cream and the latte was good too. (Pictures 17-19) We sat at the café for a long time talking and it was awesome to hear more about the other TVs and their adventures. They have travelled a lot and Blinchick came here from Chile - can you believe that Mom? Do you think I could travel there too someday? On Thursday we all travelled by a bus to a huge shopping center. There were lots of people so we stayed in Kirsi's bag so we wouldn't get lost. We went to the ticket service and there was a beautiful red coach, we rested there for a while; the lady of the ticket service was having a lounch break. (Picture 20) My host bought tickets to a concert for her and her boyfriend. We came back home by a bus and this time it was almost empty so we took some photos in there. (Picture 21) At home I played with my friends. Kerttu likes to think I'm a horse, but I don't mind that - she is still a kid. (Picture 22) Yesterday my host worked as an assistant/extra at a shooting for Police TV. I was in her bag with my new friends and we heard everything what was happening. It was really interesting and I'm glad I got to stay in the bag, because later my host told us it was really cold out there and she was freezing after the shooting. At home we ate and took a nap and later in the evening we went to the concert. Unfortunately it was not allowed to take any pictures there, but we enjoyed the concert and it was interesting to hear live Finnish music. OK, now it's already past my bedtime so I'll go to bed. Hugs, Gwennie
kcrawfish Posted Mar 19, 2011, 10:59 am	plotting the map
kcrawfish Posted May 5, 2011, 3:24 pm	Hi friends! This is my second day at my new home, freed from a charity shop to travel the WORLD! That is why my birthday is yesterday ... I wasn't really born yesterday, though. This is me and my good buddy Aslan having fun reading and learning French with other toyvoyagers. We are looking at the Table of Contents to find the snow pictures for Hypno-dog. I don't know why snow is so interesting to him but I admit I have a lot to learn about the world and I am so looking forward to playing in the snow. I should be almost invisible. Flipping through we found the snow. Snow, ice and eskimos. Now it's time to draw and play. This magazine has color pencils taped to the front cover. I've never seen that! This puzzle was too easy for us. Now this puzzle is good and hard. What are the 6 differences between the two pictures. Even Miss Kate is scratching her head. She says the first reader who PMs her with the 6 differences will win a prize. Fun! {As of May 2011, the prize is still available!!} I can't wait to see the world! Will you host me?? Gwennie
Huppu68 Posted May 30, 2011, 9:40 pm	Hi Mom, Yes, I'm fine and still here in Helsinki. My host had had some huge problems with her computer (and she still does) and her health so we haven't been able to update my travelog in a long time. Hmmmmm, so much has happenend since I last wrote here. Maybe I should let all the photos speak for themselves. Well, short explaining at first. Many TVs has left and many has arrived. I've got some great new friends and I'd like to believe I can meet them again someday somewhere... I've travelled a lot here by busses and trams with my host and with other TVs. I've met Moomins and and seen the Lutheran Cathedral of Helsinki. I also saw the most important building of Helsinki - the Main Post Office. My host is addicted to Postcrossing and postcards so that might have something to do with the most important building I think I've been in many postcrossing meetings and written lots of postcards. I've had fun and I've learned to like Finnish coffee, especially latte. And of course I've seen snow here, lots and lots of snow OK, now I'll show "some" photos to you dear Mom
Huppu68 Posted Jun 1, 2011, 9:45 pm	Hi again Mom, We had a great Easter here. We were hunting eggs and we found lots of chocolate eggs. (Picture 1-4) Finnish chocolate is really delicious A week from Easter it was the MayDay, the First of May or Vappu as they call it here in Finland. It's a big celebration for students and most of the people. It's almost like a Finnish carneval. We had a peaceful Vappu at home. We ate some doughnuts and had balloons. It was a nice day and it also means that now spring is here. (Picture 5) In the sunny days we like to sit out in the balcony and have some latte or ice latte. It's just nice to sunbathe sitting in a chair with friends (Pictures 6 and 7) We have also watched some movies when it has been rainy or too cold to go out. We always had pop corn too (Picture 8) Finnish ice cream is very tasty and we've eaten that together many times when we've celebrated something. (Pictures 9-11)
Huppu68 Posted Jun 1, 2011, 9:57 pm	Earlier one of my life missions was to visit in an European grocery store and I'm in Europe now so of course I visit in many of them. Here are some pictures of our nearest crosery store. Btw, smoked salmon is very good here
Huppu68 Posted Jun 1, 2011, 10:10 pm	Well, it's the beginning of June and summer is almost here. I think it's time for me to travel again, I need to see new places and meet new people. I know I'll miss my Finnish friends, but new adventures are waiting for me. Today we went to a park and I saw some blossoming appletrees - they smelled wonderful. (Pictures 1 and 2) We sat there on a bench and enjoyed the beautiful and warm day. (Picture 3) Then we went to a small café to have a latte and say goodbyes - it was time for me to go. A few tears, big hugs, nice words and then I jumped into an envelope. (Pictures 4 and 5) My host took me to post office and I'm on my way to the United Kingdom now. I'm excited - and a bit sad too, but that goes by when I'll arrive to my new host's place. Thank you Helsinki! Thank you Kirsi, my host! Thank you my sweet friends! Kisses and hugs, I miss you Mom! -Gwennie
miapearl Posted Jun 5, 2011, 10:03 pm	Hello? Anyone there? I have been lying in this envelope for ages... Help! zzzzz! What is that noise? Is that a key I hear? It is it is!.... Finally, I get out of my envelope! My host thinks I arrived yesterday through the letterbox, today is Sunday and there is no post on a Sunday. Anyway, I am here...
miapearl Posted Jun 20, 2011, 12:42 pm	Today looks to be a nice day. My host decides to take some of us on a bus. When we get there, her stomach rumbles to she goes to a nice cafe for lunch. As soon as she walks out of the door after lunch, it starts to rain. No matter, we head to somewhere dry. This is the base station for the Snowdon Mountain Railway, in Llanberis. This train will be going up Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. This is a picture of it on the way up. A train has arrived bringing people back down from the top. Look at the engine! The rain clears but it is time to head home. I hope we don't have very long to wait for the bus!
miapearl Posted Jun 23, 2011, 3:41 pm	Hi Mum, The weather cleared up and we have gone to the allotment. Pretty flowers! Gigantic rhubarb leaves. Gooseberries. Strawberries and other fruit. Can you see the cherry? Are these broad beans ready yet?
miapearl Posted Jun 27, 2011, 7:59 pm	Hi Mum, We are on our way up Snowdon by train. My host grabbed a seat by the window looking backwards A red light. We have to wait for another train to go by. Can you see the other train? We have arrived at another station and await a train to go by. We will soon be in the clouds. We reached the top. There is a visitor centre with cafe and facilities. The train leaves in 30 mins but we have time to reach the actual top. Visibility isn't that good. We climbed up to the top. 1085m high! It was windy and my host wasn't patient enough to take a good photo. It is almost time for the journey down. We sat on the other side of the carriage. Hebron is one of the little stations. There we are, back in Llanberis. Our engine was called Snowdon There goes the next train up, pushed by the engine called Wyddfa. Our train reversed out and will wait for Wyddfa to go by before coming to the other platform to form the next train up.
miapearl Posted Jul 4, 2011, 11:09 am	Hi Mum, Today, we've been out Geocaching. The co-ordinates are for Llanberis village, near where the second of today's finds was found. The first one we found was in a field. There are clouds over the hills in the background. Ouch! The wind blew me off into some nettles. These sting! A nice view down Lake Padarn. Today, I don't think they'd see much from the top of Snowdon. This is a sneaky Geocache.
miapearl Posted Jul 4, 2011, 11:17 am	Today, a new visitor arrived. Welcome Lupus-Tigger.
miapearl Posted Jul 8, 2011, 8:34 pm	Hi Mum, Today, we went somewhere by bus. We went to Bangor. We got off at the top of this hill but the shop is on the road at the bottom of the hill. Look at those clouds, and some of Snowdonia's hills and mountains.
miapearl Posted Jul 8, 2011, 8:41 pm	Hi Mum, My host collected lots of redcurrants from the currant bushes in her back garden. There were too many to eat, so she found a recipe in a book to make sorbet. First, my host washed the currants and then weighed them. They were then boiled for a couple of minutes in a small amount of water. Then, she added some honey and whipped cream before pouring it into a container before freezing. She stirred it a few times before letting it freeze properly.
miapearl Posted Jul 18, 2011, 10:51 pm	Ooo a Parcel.... Whose voice can I hear calling? Hello Bobi
miapearl Posted Jul 29, 2011, 2:58 pm	Hello Mum, Today is a beautiful day and we've come to the local agricultural show just outside Caernarfon. The first place we visited was the poultry tent. They had many chickens on display... This one is a prize winner. Afterwards, we check out the crafts tent. Look at these crafty spiders... And these funny wooden spoons Outside, there were some old tractors. I can't reach the steering wheel. They also had different kinds of livestock. These piggies are hot. Baa!
miapearl Posted Jul 29, 2011, 6:30 pm	Hi Mum, Today my host was dropped off in Chester (her husband, son and son's friend went to an outdoor adventure park). The traffic was bad because it was race day. Chester hosts horseracing on the flat. The first race is underway. The horses are racing at the back somewhere (not really visible in this photo). My host didn't come to Chester for the races (she didn't know it was on). We went for a walk around the city walls. Chester lies on the River Dee. This part of the wall was home to the Round Tower.... near the Old Dee Bridge. The stone weir was built in the 11th century, providing water power. we see boats taking people on river trips. The weir looks quite impressive. Chester was around in Roman times. This is the Roman gardens. This is perhaps the most recognised place in Chester, the Eastgate Clock. Down below, there are the shops. The city is busy today. Further round the wall, we come to the bit overlooking the canal. Another gate. Can you see the fountains on the roundabout? We've finished our tour of the city walls and have come back to the racecourse. A race will be starting soon and the horses are going down to the start. Here they come racing... Who is going to win? A horse with 4 legs and a jockey on board! The black and white buildings are another character of Chester. Can you see a bit of Chester's cathedral? There's the clock again.. And it is time to make our way to the meeting point to get picked up and taken home!
miapearl Posted Aug 3, 2011, 1:31 pm	Hi Mum, Today, my host and her husband decided to go for a walk along some of the Anglesey coastal path. We are on the north side of the island. This is the old brickworks at Porth Wen, and made silica bricks for the steel industry. We didn't go further down, but my host's husband did. This is an old lookout at Dinas Gynfor. Can you see the path on the hill over there? That's the route we'll be taking. This is Porth Llanlleiana, another relic of Anglesey's industrial past. A long way down and then a long way up the other hill! Taking a breather! This is the church of Saint Badrig. A panorama. This is a nice beach, Porth Badrig. Nearly at the end of the walk. Pleasant day out, apart from my little legs aching!
miapearl Posted Aug 3, 2011, 2:09 pm	Hi Mum, Last week, my host took us into town. Look what we saw in the Castle... It looks like a Tardis... We didn't have time to go to the castle that day.... But today, we do have time... Can you see it? The Doctor Who television series is made (produced) in Wales. The Tardis is visiting some historic places in Wales. Time for a look round the castle. Up to one of the towers we came.. The river is the Seiont and comes from Padarn Lake (that's in Llanberis). That's the dais where Prince Charles was crowned the Prince of Wales in 1969. Another tower climbed... Back at ground level for a rest.. The Queen's Tower.. Spiral staircase at the bottom of one of the towers but our little leggies are tired . Time for a rest! Cannons! And then back to the Tardis for one last look before heading home...
miapearl Posted Aug 3, 2011, 2:52 pm	We have come to my host's mum's house! There are lots of ants in the garden. This book says that ants don't like crossing chalk! There's an ant... It still is in the same section... Hmm, it has escaped. The ants we've watched seem quite happy to cross the chalk. Back to the drawing board.
miapearl Posted Aug 3, 2011, 3:07 pm	Hi Mum, Do you know where I am? I am lost in the maze in maize. There is a quiz sheet and questions but the answerboards are hidden throughout the maze. On the board there is a letter. When all the answers have been found, these letters make up the answer to another question. My host has obscured the letters. The theme of this maze is the rainforest. With questions on the rainforest creatures... Including butterlies... What's a Binturong? Cute... There's another bridge so we can look across the ma(i)ze. And a bench at the eye to rest...
miapearl Posted Aug 10, 2011, 3:19 pm	Today there is a little country fayre at Whaplode Drove, a few miles from where we are staying. There are vintage cars on show. And other vintage things. Not so vintage is this jelly! These jellies will be thrown and hopefully caught! Yay, she caught some. Oh dear! Unfortunately, not all those jellies were caught in the World Jelly-Throwing Championship. The one organiser has to clear up!
miapearl Posted Aug 10, 2011, 5:13 pm	On our way back home to Wales, we stopped off in Nottingham. A shop my host wanted to go to was closed, and the caves her husband wanted to see were also closed. Instead, we had a brief wander around. Could that be Robin Hood? Back in the centre, there was something unexpected. A beach! They also had a mini funfair, and a permanent water feature. They even have trams.
miapearl Posted Aug 25, 2011, 1:00 pm	The weather hasn't been all that great so we've stayed indoors. Tomorrow, the weather may be good enough to go out somewhere
miapearl Posted Aug 25, 2011, 1:41 pm	Hi Mum, We've come out today to Spaceport, in Seacombe on the Wirral. Here, I am learning about our Sun, the tides, .. and the phases of the moon. This is a model of Beagle 2, the mission to Mars that unfortunately got lost. A space suit. There was a table with Star Wars replicas. Hello R2D2. Upstairs, they had a Wallace and Gromit exhibition. This rocket is from A Grand Day Out. Curse of the Were-Rabbit. A Close Shave An Aardman rocket. That's The Shopper 13. We could get our hands on modelling clay. What is that? What are these we've created? Re-entry to Earth has its problems! I've had a grand day out!
miapearl Posted Sep 17, 2011, 12:13 pm	Hi Mum, After going to Spaceport, we went for a drive on the Wirral. We came to West Kirby. The tide was out and we started walking to the little islands. I'm at the little island looking back towards the mainland. The view to another island. This is the middle island. Can you see the mainland through the gap? It seems a long way out. That building is on the third island, Hilbre but we didn't make it that far. It was getting late and we had a long walk back to the mainland.
miapearl Posted Sep 23, 2011, 9:26 pm	Hello Mum, Today, we went to the Sea Zoo on the Isle of Anglesey. These fish swim too fast to get photographed clearly. These are flatfish. More fish! This is a sunstar starfish Sea anemones and things. Sea anemones can be quite pretty. A happy fish? There are seahorses somewhere in the picture. This is a board for visitors to draw their favourite sea creatures. The big aquarium has spiny crabs, and more fish.
miapearl Posted Sep 23, 2011, 9:35 pm	What have we here in this box? Hello Jellybean
miapearl Posted Oct 3, 2011, 11:22 am	Hello Mum, My host took us out for a bus ride or two. We sat on the top deck at the front of the bus. The weather looks a bit grim. It is a bit of a bumpy ride. That, atop the hill over there, is Criccieth Castle
miapearl Posted Oct 3, 2011, 11:36 am	Hello Mum, Today, we went to the allotment. My host has a new pond on her plot. There's a bed full of parsnips. What is my host going to do with those pumpkins? Doesn't this green broccoli/calabrese look yummy?
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 11:40 am	Hello Mum, Today, we went to Llandudno, a popular coastal town in North Wales. They have a cable car that goes up the big hill called the Great Orme. It is possible to walk up the Orme by several routes, but we are taking a quicker/more relaxing way up. There's a church and cemetary. This is St. Tudno's and the town (parish) is named after him in Welsh. We sat on the other side of the cable car. We can see the trams. Down that way is Conwy. Nice fluffy clouds Going down now. On the Promenade. There's the Little Orme. There's the pier and a hotel. Had a pleasant day out.
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 2:59 pm	Hello Mum, Today, we went for a woodland walk in Glynllifon, a country estate. We cross a bridge over a small stream. This is the estate house. There are gardens and water features.. Not only is the water cascading, it is also raining... A fountain (it was also visible from behind the cascade).
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 3:33 pm	Hello Mum! Today we walked across Menai Bridge to Anglesey. The Menai Straits below are not the easiest to navigate. My host says that there is a very sneaky Geocache hidden here! Can you see the Britannia Bridge in the distance? We jumped on a bus to Beaumaris. This is Beaumaris castle. It has a moat! I sneaked between the railings for a better photo! Beaumaris has a courthouse. Charles Dickens was a visitor to see the trials. There is also a gaol but we didn't have time to visit it. Some of the hills of Snowdonia in the background. Beaumaris was host to a local Eisteddfod. The stones are part of the Eisteddfod. The pier and dock area of Beaumaris is being renovated and the boats are here temporarily.
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 3:54 pm	Hello! Today, we've come to a castle built for King Edward I. This is Rhuddlan Castle. I don't recognise that flag. I do recognise the Welsh flag though. Having a rest! We are on top of the wall. We can see for miles... Another rest in the ditch! The castle sits atop a hill! One of the towers of the outer wall.
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 4:07 pm	After Rhuddlan castle, some of us went to Talacre to see the lighthouse. It could do with a lick of paint