Posted Feb 19, 2011, 9:55 pm
I helped my mom with a project to display ToyVoyagers that have been here, they are Rafael, BarryO, and DuDu; and then we arranged them on a shelf; maybe she will frame my photo.
I told my friend, Bowtie Bear, about my plans. He said he might become a TV at some point but for now he is just happy to get off of the storage shelf and join in family activities. He is looking forward to meeting a TV who is expected to arrive here next week; I plan to hold off my travels until I meet him. At the end of the day, we like to read bedtime stories like this one.
Cheerio from Cheerio
(See photos above)
Posted Feb 24, 2011, 7:30 pm
I’m quickly becoming an experienced ToyVoyager. Mom took me out on a walk just like hosts do it. We had a snack at the coffee shop, picked up a few groceries and walked back up the hill. Here I am exploring in the bushes with some of the flowers we see around the neighborhood, they are just my color.
Today a new ToyVoyager lion arrived and we are having so much fun with him. His name is Aslan and he started out rather timid but I think he is very brave to have taken the journey here by travelope. I am working up my courage and will travel to Germany in March.
See ya on the road,
Cheerio
(See photos above)
Posted Mar 1, 2011, 3:05 pm
Aslan and I have been goofing off in the photo booth. This is how we look in comic book and thermal effects. Check out Aslan’s silly tummy. LOL
I’ll be packing up for my first big trip at the end of the week. Oh boy!
Cheerio
Posted Mar 7, 2011, 2:21 pm
The squirrel came out of hibernation and we are having a lot of fun with him. When it stops raining we will go to the park and find some more acorns for him. He will not become a ToyVoyager because he has sentimental value as he was a gift and mom’s first stuffed animal. She didn’t have stuffed toys as a child but made up for it later on.
Once mom checks to see if my future host is ready for me, I’ll be on my way.
Cheerio
(See photo below)
Posted Mar 8, 2011, 3:26 pm
Posted Mar 10, 2011, 7:28 pm
My travel plans have not been confirmed yet. Maybe because of Carnivale delays. So mom will be hosting me at home for awhile which is called a staycation. I have been added to her Toy Voyager Hall of Frames. We used two phone apps. to prepare this photo (above), one for cropping and one to resize it. Mom's laptop is on the fritz and she is taking Aslan and me to the computer store. Now to see if we can post a photo travelog from the photo. It has started raining so we won't see much beyond shopping and lunch but I'm excited to go out.
Cheerio
Posted Mar 20, 2011, 6:15 am
These photos (above) are from our adventures when is wasn’t raining last week. We had a nice meal with something for each of us: meat for Aslan, bread for me and wine for mom. Then we went out and found some Spring flowers.
See ya later,
Cheerio
Posted Apr 4, 2011, 3:02 am
See ya soon,
Cheerio
Posted Apr 6, 2011, 7:05 am
Cheerio
Posted Apr 21, 2011, 9:15 pm
Posted Apr 21, 2011, 9:28 pm
Posted Apr 21, 2011, 9:54 pm
I arrived in Germany! My host Katja had to pick me up from the post office, because she was not at home yesterday, when the postman tried to deliver me. She told to me through the box that we would visit a friend. As soon as we would have been there, I'd have been released.
Here I am!
Katja was really happy about the postcard, the souvenir (Katja LOVES fridge magnets
), the delicious chocolate and she also loved my book, which I will carry with me around the world.
I already met three more ToyVoyagers. They are Lady from Germany, K-Bear from Finland and Miss Lillith from the Netherlands.
We spent some time in the garden, enjoying the sun and becoming yellow from pollen. Thankfully I am already yellow
In the afternoon we went out with Katja's friend and her dog. In the garden I saw lots of yellow flowers.
We went to Wupper dam, one of three barrier lakes along the river Wupper. Here we took a long walk.
Where is the water?
Katja told me that we would have to walk for about 20 minutes until we reached the dam.
Unfortunately we walked away from the lake, but through a really lovely rural landscape.
We played among the dandelions.
Although we walked along some farms I did not meet any ducks. Maybe next time ...
The fresh air made me tired, so I will go to bed now.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted Apr 23, 2011, 11:15 pm
Posted Apr 23, 2011, 11:35 pm
Posted Apr 24, 2011, 1:32 am
Posted Apr 24, 2011, 1:40 am
Posted Apr 24, 2011, 1:48 am
Posted Apr 27, 2011, 5:29 pm
today went to the neighbour city Wuppertal, to Scharpenacken, a former army training area. This area was used for military purposes until 2004 A.D as a shooting range. Today there is a local recreation area with vast open areas.
A lot of people come here with their dogs to let them run and play. Because it is very windy here there are also some people with their kites.
Here you can see my new friend Pepe, the dog. he was taking a refreshing bath in the creek.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted Apr 29, 2011, 1:20 pm
yesterday it started raining. Usually nobody likes rain, but Katja told us that everyone was waiting for rain after some sunny and warm weeks. She said if we wanted our lakes filled and the nature green, we would need rain.
It's my host's birthday and she had to prepare dinner for her friends who visited us in the evening. Our host is a (almost
) veggie, so we had to make lots of delicious vegetable dishes.
First we prepared tomatoes with mozzarella.
Next we helped to fill mushroom heads with cream cheese.
This was quite easy. The mushrooms will be baked later.
Katja bought tons of different cheese.
This looks like a good party!
In the meantime the cheese tray was nearly ready. We had cheese from Spain, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and of course Germany.
Katja's daughter is a cook in a restaurant (not yet, her final examination will be in May und June). She prepared gravlax, the half of a salmon.
Finally everything was ready and the guest were here. Now it's time to celebrate, not for taking photos
A friend brought this plate with antipasti - delicious!
Bye for now
Cheerio
Posted May 1, 2011, 9:19 pm
today we visited Wuppertal. Wuppertal is the neighbour town of Remscheid, famous for the Monorail Suspension Railway (Schwebebahn). The suspension railway travels along a route about 13 kilometres long, about 12 metres above the surface of the river Wupper and approximately 8 m above the city streets. At one point the railway even crosses the A46 motorway. The entire trip takes about 30 minutes.
Two thirds of the total municipal area is green belt: Woods, meadows, gardens and fields. From any part of the city it is only a ten-minute walk to one of the public parks or shady woodland paths.
When we got out of the bus we immediately saw the Schwebebahn.
Katja told us that we would visit the botanical garden and the city centre. On the next photo you can see one of the stops of the Schwebebahn in the background.
Wuppertal is situated in the valley of the river Wupper, the city centre is in the bottom of the valley, the botanical garden is on top of the slope of the valley, on a hill called "Hardt". On our way there we walked along the local court and the district court.
There is also a Schwebebahn stop at the district court, it is rebuilt at the the moment in it's original historic style.
In front of the court you can see the flags of Germany and North Rhine-Westphalia, the German state where I'm staying at the moment.
There is a sign showing the way to the botanical garden. Katja told us that more than 400 stairs are built into the slopes of the valley, so pedestrians can get easily uphill. She also told us that we would have to walk some of them today
Here is the first one ...
...and another one.
We needed about 15 minutes to reach the botanical garden. There are large greenhouses in the entrance area. The botanical garden was founded in 1890 as a school garden.
You can find the former country house of textile manufacturers named Eller, which contained a villa (built 1820), orangery, residential and farm buildings, and the Elise Tower (built 1838) which provides the garden's focal point.
He is a small pond, full of common duckweed.
Here you can see the Elise Tower once more.
I saw this funny looking Handkerchief-tree, also known as Dove tree.
Than we walked through the large Hardt park, back to the city.
Flowers like a carpet
We rested here near this fountain.
Than it was time to walk downhill, back to the city centre.
We walked through a lovely housing area.
Soon we reached the city centre with the city hall, the building with the tower.
In front of the city hall you can find this historic fountain.
We walked along the pedestrian area.
What a funny statue! It is called "A new day at work".
We went back to the river Wupper. Here you can see another Schwebebahn stop. Every stop is built in a completely different style. This one is a very modern one.
Next to the modern stop you can find this old bridge.
This stop is the central stop in the city centre Elberfeld, it is built like a station with shops and bars in the basement.
Here is another historical bridge.
This distinctive building is the company building of a savings bank. It's skywalk is leading to another building, crossing two different streets.
Here is the other building, the tower is mirroring in the reflective frontage.
I love this artwork sculpture
Here is another stair to climb.
From here we had a great overlook across the city.
The historic concert hall is a wonderful building.
We had actually planned to take the bus home, but because the weather was so great we decided to walk towards home and take the bus later. We had to walk uphill for some time than, Katja knew a short cut across the university area.
Here were not only stairs to walk uphill, but also a large bridge, enabling you to cross one or two streets. In the background you can already see the university buildings.
More stairs to walk ...
The university was built in the early 1970s years.
When we walked further uphill, we could see the university in it's whole monstrosity.
When we reached the top of the hill we had missed the bus for only three minutes, so we decided to walk a bit further. Here on the communication-road to Remscheid I liked it much more.
Here we finally waited for our bus. In the background you can see the city centre of Remscheid, also situated on a hill, about 10 km apart.
I will also show you a zoomed photo. One of the two characteristic towers belong to the city hall, the other one is a water tower.
This was an exciting trip!
Bye
Cheerio
Posted May 5, 2011, 8:03 pm
today we took a short walk in the city centre when Katja went to buy some things in her lunch break.
At the beginning of the shopping street you can find this large sculpture, showing two forceps as a symbol for the tool producing industry here.
This is the main entrance of the shopping mall with a large fountain in front of it.
In this lovely traditional house they are selling flowers and home decoration.
Not far from here you can find the public library ...
... and the central bus station and the company building of the local newspaper.
We had to back to work than.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted May 9, 2011, 7:52 pm
today we went to Maastricht in the Netherlands. The daughter of Katja's friend is going to college there. She spent the weekend at home and had to return to the college. We had to drive about 90 minutes to get there.
Maastricht is known as a city of history, local folklore, culture and education. The town is popular with tourists for shopping and recreation. Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Meuse river (in Dutch and German: Maas) in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands.
Thankfully the wonderful historic old town was not destroyed in World War II. We started our trip at the river Meuse.
We took a walk in the old town - restaurants and bars everywhere!
Here you can see the city hall, built in 17th century.
The lovely house in the background (the one with the clock) once was the court house, the "Dinghuis". Nowadays the tourist information centre is situated here.
Strolling around we found the lovliest places.
We reached the central place in front of the basilica.
A fun fair is taking place here!
We tried to take a photo of the basilica, but it was not possible due to backlight and the fun fair. So we walked around for another while.
At least I can show you a small part of the rear side of the basilica (I know that it is n ot really impressing
).
We found really picturesque places and lanes.
In a small park we found the statue of Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan, one of the Musqueteers of the Guard. He died died at the Siege of Maastricht in the Franco-Dutch War in 1673 A.D.
We also found a large tree, forming sort of a tent.
That was a lovely trip.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted May 9, 2011, 8:47 pm
today another ToyVoyager arrived, Gaspode from Great Britain.
In the evening we watched the final show of "Deutschland sucht den Superstar", the German equivalent to "American Idol".
In the end a boy called Pietro was determined as the winner.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted May 11, 2011, 8:19 am
today we took a walk in the city. On the first photo you can see one of the churches in the city centre.
We walked towards the station than.
Two years ago a new station was built and opened. Now a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists is built to make it easier to reach the station. Until than you have to cross several streets to get there. The bridge is made of four ready-made parts of steel. Two weeks ago the last piece was delivered. Now everybody is waiting for the bridge to be completed.
This is the view from the station to the city centre.
Here is one more photo, also showing the new bridge.
Katja told us that the "Trasse des Werkzeugs" (Route of Tools) is starting here, a lane for cyclists and pedestrians which was built on a closed railway track for freight trains. Remscheid is widely known for it's tool producing industry, many tool producing companies were sponsor of this lane, so it was called "Route of Tools". It is about 5 km long, connecting the city centre with the district Hasten.
Along the route you can find find many industrial complexes, partly still in use, partly more or less dilapidated. You can also find some artwork.
Still close to the station, we walked along a steelworks.
Here you can see signs with the logos of some of the sponsoring companies.
We left the Route of Tools to walk home.
Katja told us that we walked about half of the lane, maybe we will walk the other half this week. Oh, we would be home soon - I can see this church from the living room window!
By the way, I am living here at the moment, in the attic storey.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted May 19, 2011, 7:57 pm
I am living in the city centre of Remscheid, but in one of the older parts which were not destroyed in World War II like large parts of the city centre did. So you can find many old buildings here, mostly built in the late 1800's and early 1900's years.
From here we went to the municipal park. There is a pond with ducks and turtles.
Katja told us that the pond nearly fell dry because there was nearly no rain within the last ten weeks, so the fire department filled about 150 cubic metres water into it a few days ago.
The local observatory is situated here in the park.
The city centre of Remscheid is situated on top of a hill. When we left the municipal park the streets were going straight downhill.
This is a house which is typical for this region. You can often find houses which are covered with slate and also half-timbered houses. They usually have green shutters.
We decided to walk through a nearby woodland area.
We left the forest close to a district with some old industrial complexes. Katja told us that Remscheid is well known for its tool producing industry since the late middle ages. Industrialization began in the valleys where water wheels were running the machines. Close to the valleys you can still find old and also new industrial sites, often close to dwellings.
The next photo was taken in a parallel street of the street where my first photos was taken. No more lovely traditional houses ...
... but here in the parallel street to the opposite direction you can still find them.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted May 21, 2011, 7:52 am
we visited Katja's nephew today, he was celebrating his 12th birthday. He is living with his family in the district Lennep, the second largest urban district.
We walked through a small park first.
Lennep has a historical old town, rebuilt afer the last devastating major fire in 1746 A.D. Many houses are under preservaton order.
A part of the town centre is still surrounded by remains of the former city wall. We werew sitting on this wall.
Typical for the townscape are narrow lanes.
This is the market place, the farmer's market is taking place here twice a week.
Katja told us that the founder of the x-rays, Wilhlem-Conrad Roentgen, was born in Lennep in 1845 A.D.. She showed us the Roentgen-Museum.
Katja grew up in Lennep, she also showed us her school.
When we visited Katja's family we played in the garden.
Bye
Posted May 24, 2011, 1:16 pm
in Katja's lunch break we took a short walk in the city centre. First she showed us the city hall, partly hidden behind a scaffolding. Its tpwer is 48 m high, so you can see it from the surrounding cities.
On the large open space in front of the city hall you can find a pillar with a lion on top of it. The lion is the heraldic animal of Remscheid.
We went through the shopping mall.
Here you can see the central bus station.
Here you can also find the adult education centre.
Katja told us that she will go to the cinema this evening, they are showing a filmed version of one of the most famous German operas - Der Freischütz (often translated as "The Freeshoter" or "The Marksman". This opera is considered as the first important German Romantic opera. The premiere cast was in 1821 A.D. I hope she will enjoy it.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted May 29, 2011, 9:53 am
yesterday another Toyvoyager arrived, it's Ellie Muh, she brought Willy W. back home.
In the afternoon we visited Germany's highest railway bridge, Muengsten Bridge (Müngstener Brücke). We took a walk through the forest to get there.
Soon we reached the river Wupper in the valley.
On our way to Muengsten Bridge we saw the shop of an artist blacksmith.
This shark is great to keep obtrusive neighbours from your estate
We reached Muengsten Bridge than. The bridge is the highest steel railroad bridge in Germany. The bridge is 107 metres (351 ft) high, 465 metres (1,530 ft) long and spans the valley of the river Wupper, connecting the cities of Remscheid and Solingen. It was built from 1893 until 1897. Unfortunately it is closed for more than a half year now due to repair works. The railway complany neglected this bridge for decades, now it has to be restored and fortified extensive and costly.
Due to several weeks without rain the river Wupper is shallow at the moment.
A leisure park was built under the bridge some years ago. This café was opened last year.
They also have a kiosk and a crazy golf here.
We decided to walk a bit further through the forest. When we left the park and walked on in the forest we had to walk steep uphill. The steep slopes are cliffy.
Even from a larger distance we were not able to see the whole bridge!
We found a bridge to cross the river.
We were exactly under the bridge!
Fossilized footprints?!
No! Katja told us there were many pictures, sayings and so on were into ground and rocks by stone cutters.
We reached this lovely outlook pavilion.
From here we had the best view to Muengsten Bridge.
Walking back to the car meant walking uphill again, really exhausting!
On our way home we had to buy a few things. In the eveining were want to do nothing but watch TV.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted Jun 2, 2011, 7:43 pm
today we took a walk in the afternoon, to one of the older districts, to Hasten.
Hasten is a district about 2 km apart from the city centre, surrounded by woodland. You can find shops and restaurants here.
You can find many traditional houses here.
Houses like the following one are usually under monument protection, which means that you have to comply with the directives regarding exterior apperance, interior design regarding wall coverings and floors, for example.
The Patrician villa on the following photo was built in built in the late 1780 years. It once was the house of a rich factory owner, nowadays a museum is situated in this lovely building.
Those old houses were built close together.
Bye for now
Cheerio
Posted Jun 3, 2011, 9:05 pm
today we took a long walk in the surrounding valleys.
We walked to the southern districts of the city. Here is a housing area, nearly in the bottom of a valley. Remscheid is situated on a hill, so you have some districts along the slopes of this hill and also some them in the surrounding valleys.
We had to walk uphill to cross another hill. From here we had a good overlook to the city centre of Remscheid and to the vast industrial sites in the vicinity of the railway.
Just one more housing area and we reached the forest.
We had to cross a small creek here.
I also saw fish ponds.
We followed this creek for some time. Can you see those old millstones which were worked into the bank reinforcement?
Even in the forest you can find some houses! The signs are showing different bicycle routes.
From here we had to walk another 30 minutes straioht uphill to get home.
Bye
Cheerio
Cheerio.
Posted Jun 3, 2011, 9:20 pm
today we visited Schloss Luentenbeck in Wuppertal. A textile market is taking place here from yesterday till Sunday.
Schloss Luentenbeck is a former water castle, one of 12 manor houses of the former district. The castle in its nowaday's appearance was built after the Thirty Years War, around 1655 A.D. Parts of it are even much older, probably from 13th century. The courtyard is often used for events like concerts, Christmas market or special markets like the textile market.
I saw alpacas here. They are sooo cute
On this market arts and crafts around fashion, yarns and fabrics are offered. Katja bought some beads here.
Katja bought a skein of hand-dyed sock yarn here.
I liked those felted roses.
We left the market than, but not without buying another skein of sock yarn
Bye
Cheerio
Posted Jun 5, 2011, 4:48 pm
today we visited Duesseldorf.
Duesseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city is situated on the River Rhine, and is renowned for its many events and also for its fashion and trade fairs. We went here by train and started our trip in the city centre, close to the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (Arts Collection North Rhine-Westphalia) because Katja's friend needed to buy some things in an art supply store. Behind the museum we found this special wall.
From here we walked towards the old town.
Katja and her friend wanted to show us river Rhine. We reached the Burgplatz. Here you can see Burgplatz (castle place) with the Schlossturm (castle tower).
An excursion boat had landed just a moment before, so a crowd of people was heading towards the old town.
Lots of people were taking a walk and enjoying an ice cream or a beer here. Close to the city the promenade is full of bars.
The Rhine promenade was built in the late 1980s in its today's appearance. The traffic is running underneath the promenade. The houses in the background are much older of course.
In the distance the Rhine Tower and the old harbour came into sight. Rhine Tower is a telecommunication tower with a rotating restaurant behind the windows.
A freight ship from the Netherlands was moored here.
Katja showed us the Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia, the parliament,. situated at river Rhine next to Rhine Tower.
This is the main entrance area of the Landtag, averted from the river.
Yippie! Katja and her friend decided to take the elevator to the top of Rhine Tower! We had a spectacular overview from a height of about 170 m.
The building shaped like a reversed "U" is called Stadttor (city gate).
Here you can see the harbour ...
and here the Landtag close to river Rhine.
Back on the ground we took a walk to the harbor. We walked along the marina first.
Rhine Tower once more ...
This part of the harbour is called Medienhafen (media harbour). For decades the harbour has been an area of workers, industry and trade. After the Mannesmann company had discontinued its tube production in Düsseldorf, parts of the central harbour were no longer needed. As a result the eastern part of the harbour started to be redeveloped. Nowadays you can find media companies, but also fashion and design offices here, lots of gastronomy also.
You can find some spectacular post-modern architecture, most famously three twisted constructions by Frank Gehry, here.
Here you can see the opposite bank, can you see the building with the climbing men?
Here is a zoomed photo of the funny facade:
It was very hot, but extremely windy.
Also a great sight
We walked back to the old town than. Here we saw this old dock, even an historic ship is moored here.
The city centre was crowded with people, so we decided to walk back to the station to take the train home.
We came past the Koenigsallee, the most famous shopping street here,(and the most expensive one
), famous for the fashion showrooms and luxury retail stores located along its sides.
When we got home, we all needed a shower immediately.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted Jun 6, 2011, 8:20 pm
Katja's daughter asked for fried eggs for breakfast. Katja asked me to help her.
She gave me the eggs.
Oh, I have never seen such funny and tiny eggs! Katja told me that this were quail eggs.
Of course the fried eggs were also tiny
I called Katja's daughter "Alex, breakfast is ready!"
Alex liked her fried eggs
Bye
Cheerio
Posted Jun 17, 2011, 5:24 pm
today it was time to leave Germany, for me and for Lupus-Tigger.
I packed my book and some candy into my envelope. Because Lupus-Tigger was also leaving today he thought we would travel together
Some souvenirs are on their way to you, Mummy.
We had to tell Lupus-Tigger that he would travel to Miapearl in his own envelope.
I am on my way to California now!
Love
Cheerio
Posted Jun 17, 2011, 5:32 pm
today we took a last walk in the district Hohenhagen, close to a rural area, also to woodland.
Blackberries are blooming here.
Here is one of many bridle paths.
Tomorrow I will leave, visiting my next host in California.
Love
Cheerio
Posted Jul 13, 2011, 11:44 pm
I heard only giggles and whispers for a couple of days. I think everyone was surprised that Miss Kate received mail before she even arrived. Now I am good friends with Shir Khan, Pipps, Henrik, Ranil and Peach the Pooch.
Thank you for letting me travel some more, and thanks to olgamaus very much, too, for the time in Germany and the great photos. Oh, and Miss Kate loved the treats.
Now where's a pond around here??
Love,
Cheerio
Posted Jul 14, 2011, 12:50 am
Hey Mom! Hello everyone!
It was time to see the log cabin ... from the outside ... and walk (waddle) down to the beach and Lake Superior. It's beautiful. And I think we're all getting along swimmingly.
Love,
Cheerio
P.S. Miss Kate was very sorry for cutting my beak out of one of the photos. Peach is a rather large pooch.
Posted Jul 14, 2011, 8:57 pm
Posted Jul 14, 2011, 9:24 pm
Posted Jul 15, 2011, 7:18 pm
We drove on a narrow dirt road and had to drive back and forth to find the start of the hidden path. We weren’t sure we had the right place until we were into the forest. Then it was clearly a path. It was starting to rain, but we didn’t feel anything, only the sound of water drops on the birch leaves far above us.
We walked through a cloud of mosquitoes but were intent on our goal.
Then suddenly … deep in the forest … a sign.
The first buildings I almost didn’t see. They looked like mossy rocks.
A few more turns of the path and there it was! The village center!
Here is one very important looking building celebrating 200 years of something. Many of the buildings had the date it was created. I think this one was built in 1975. I flapped my wings a little bit so that I wouldn’t put all my weight on the roof. I am sure it was undamaged, so don’t worry.
Off the main path, there were many hidden buildings under leaves and branches. Most had no dates. Perhaps these were built by the Ojibwe man.
This one was more than 30 years old!
Finally, we all posed together on one of two bridges. You can see we all enjoyed the Hidden Village. I hope you did, too!
Love,
Cheerio
Posted Jul 19, 2011, 5:31 am
Today we went on the ferry to the mainland. It was a nice day, but a little bit of a cold wind. Miss Kate made sure we didn’t blow anywhere.
After our errands, Miss Kate gave in and took us to the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center.
Do you like this wolf? It was a little scary, but it was already in wolf heaven and not dangerous.
The Ojibwe or Chippewa Indians live here. Here are some of their things. I was especially interested in the berry basket and the wild rice.
Check out this bald eagle. Doesn’t look so different than me.
There were a few informational computers in the center. We could’ve looked at the snowmobile trails (?!) but chose instead to see the other Apostle Island around Madeline Island.
We also saw a 3-D model of Lake Superior. We pushed the button for Native American communities and they all lit up. Very cool.
It was time to go, but on the way out we met this very nice ranger.
We drove all the way back to Bayfield and got in line for the ferry back to the Island.
Miss you!
Cheerio
Posted Jul 19, 2011, 9:43 pm
There were lots of baby ducks and the mama was quacking up a storm. I tried to keep up, but I’m a little rusty spending all my time with a frog, tiger, spider, moose and dog.
I’m a cheery cheerio.
Posted Jul 19, 2011, 10:01 pm
We were all very inspired to find our own rocks in the lake and on the beach. I hope you like what we found. Too bad we can’t take them home with us! The best souvenir ever!
Posted Jul 20, 2011, 5:52 am
Then Aunt Sal let us look at her ABC book. It is in many stores on the island and in Bayfield. I felt like she’s a celebrity and asked for her autograph.
Speaking of celebrities! I seem to be in the book!!
After all that reading, it was time to do some writing … check your mail box!
Do you see the post card of Big Bay lagoon? We’re hoping to go there before we leave! Fingers crossed! Feathers crossed!
Love,
Cheerio
Posted Jul 21, 2011, 5:28 am
I am so glad to report that a little time was made for us to go with Miss Kate and her two aunts to Big Bay Town Park.
Do you remember the card with the lagoon? Well, first we saw the lagoon and then we saw the bridge from the post card. Isn't it nice that there was a row boat in the lagoon? Nice scenery!
We walked far into the park. Henrik was very enthused about seeing other moose. And Shir Khan guarded the flank. No moose, but there were mushrooms that looked like trees and trees that looked like swings.
Bye
Cheerio
Posted Jul 21, 2011, 12:35 pm
Posted Jul 21, 2011, 1:19 pm
I am sorry to say that this is our last night on the Island. We had a delicious dinner, and we were tucked in for the night.
It has been a lovely trip. My next update will be from much closer to you, Mom.
Love,
Cheerio
Posted Jul 26, 2011, 1:04 am
Posted Jul 26, 2011, 1:21 am
Do you recognize it? (Hint: there's no row boat in this picture.)
Shir Khan and Pipps are packing. I'm going to miss them.
But maybe I'll see them on a trail! 
Love,
Cheerio
Posted Jul 29, 2011, 5:24 am
As you can see from this picture, we were late. You can't get from the Bay Bridge to Fort Mason in 6 minutes. I was a bit upset, but I reassured everyone that you would wait for us.
We were zipping along ....
At Fort Mason! It was a beautiful cool/warm, foggy/sunny day. I told everyone that's as good as it gets in San Francisco. Ahhh ... home ...
Here was Greens! And here was my mommy!
It was so good to see you!
I was hungry, and I know you and Miss Kate were, too. Didn't you just love what we ate? The grilled peach, the potato pesto pizza and the eggplant focaccia sandwich ... all so perfectly yummy.
It was fun to meet Robby, too. I hope fam-united (and Leslie and Huppu68, too!) will see our group photos here.
Can you see the Golden Gate Bridge? Yeah, a little too much fog.
Robby, Henrik, Ranil and I decided toyvoys need more meetups! Where's next? Chile? Finland?
See you again soon,
your little Cheerio
Posted Jul 30, 2011, 9:50 pm
I was so lucky to get to go with Miss Kate and her friends to the state fair. Ranil and Henrik decided to stay home because it was just too too hot. Not good for frogs or Finns. (And not good for you either, Mom, so I braved the heat for you
.) Miss Kate said Henrik got a special trip to Bayfield already and promised Ranil will get his own special trip, too.
We started the day on the monorail to get the lay of the land. We saw rides that we went on later and a farm that we visited later.
After the monorail ride, we visited some giant insects.
And there were special displays made by each county in California. I liked these especially:
The Bay Bridge is my way home to you, Mommy!
And just when the day was at its hottest, we found a way to cool down ... petting fish and picking up crawfish.
Miss Kate's friend is really brave.
It made Miss Kate think about her own Crawfish. Who she says doesn't pinch, though.
We ate deep-fried jelly beans and python on a stick. No, really.
We considered staying for laughing at outdoor entertainment, which is one of my life missions, but we were all tired and dehydrated. And there was a special dinner for a friend moving to Denmark and also there was Miss Kate's dance class. So we left before we were too too pooped. But on our way out, Miss Kate bought some cotton candy to mail to Pipps. (I miss Pipps already! So huggy!) It was easy enough to do that for Pipps, but I feel a little guilty because I saw a joey, a baby kangaroo, which Henrik would've loved, and some frogs, which Ranil would've loved, too. Oh, well, I'm sure they'll have their chance soon to complete those life missions. Many adventures to come for both of them!
I sure did have lots of fun and enjoyed the human company, but I almost forgot to mention ... I met a very special person there. What a surprise!
She seemed to approve very much of my flying prowess.
BarryO would've been SO envious!
~Cheerio
Posted Aug 5, 2011, 5:12 am
On our way, we stopped at Duncan Mills to do a little shopping. First to the new old general store and then to Pig's Alley to do window shopping. I liked the earrings, but alas no ears.
It was a really beautiful day as you can see!
Posted Aug 5, 2011, 5:45 am
Posted Aug 6, 2011, 8:17 am
We took a lovely walk around the houses and along the ocean. It was sort of half-fog and half-sun. Very much like my home town!
I kept pretty quiet these last couple of weeks, but I'm feeling more confident and Miss Kate can't stop me from quacking. Always quacking! We wanted to look at this little bumble bee, but I wanted to quack at it, too. shush shush said Miss Kate maybe it'll fly away shush
But it didn't! Good bee!
On our stroll, we came so close to two deer. They really stand out, right? Like a sore thumb. What??
You can't see them? Henrik, Ranil and I weren't overly impressed with her photos. Oh, well. Believe me, they were great deer.
Love you!
Cheerio
Posted Aug 8, 2011, 2:38 am
Posted Aug 8, 2011, 11:04 pm
We saw Henrik off today. He's in a big hurry to get on the European TV Trail. I hope he has a fine time!
Maybe he'll see Clyde there.
I hope the weather is nice in San Francisco like it is here.
Love, Cheerio
Posted Aug 12, 2011, 4:11 pm
We had a great drive home. Well, first we went to a cafe in Gualala and walked along the bluff with Miss Kate's cousin. I got a photo there with some California poppies.
I also tried posing with a giant seagull. It got irritable but here you can see it flying. I can do that, too, by the way, I just feel it's easier to be carried.
On the way back to Sacramento, we saw some sheep. What a beautiful place for them to live! But not as beautiful as San Francisco! I'd miss the night life for sure!
We stopped at Candy & Kites in Bodega Bay for salt water taffy. But we also saw a cool wind decoration shaped like the earth that spun and spun in the wind.
Love you!
Cheerio
Oh, P.S., in the last photo I'm sitting under a giant whale balloon! It was amazing!
Posted Aug 15, 2011, 2:34 am
We got right back onto the road to Lake Tahoe!
Cheerio
Posted Aug 15, 2011, 2:53 pm
We spent our first night on the lake. But not in California … in Nevada! Can you see the snow on the mountains across the lake?
Have you been here, Mom? Isn’t Lake Tahoe pretty? It is really deep. Miss Kate says it’s the 10th deepest lake in the whole world. North-south it’s 12 miles long. We were told that the water is 99.9% pure … and very clear. A white dinner plate could be visible at 75 feet below the surface … though Miss Kate says that it would’ve been seen at 100 feet down 50 years ago.
Lake Tahoe is up high … we were all winded walking around because its elevation is more than 6,000 feet. Here’s a picture of us taking a break from our walk.
We spent a couple of hours in the afternoon at the casinos. We went to Harrah’s in Stateline, Nevada.
Lots of these people just strolled over from California into Nevada.
So … Time to play! We decided the poker machines were a little more interesting than just the slots.
Look! We got the best hand possible! Well, almost the best hand … we won $31, but if we got the royal flush without the wild deuce, it would’ve been $1,000!
I wonder if Miss Kate would’ve sent you my share of the BIG win!
I am a lucky ducky after all!
Love,
Cheerio
Posted Aug 16, 2011, 12:31 am
Posted Aug 16, 2011, 9:48 pm
We took a morning constitutional around the park and stopped at the Capitol Building to pose for photos.
Cheerio
P.S. I like yellow things.
Posted Aug 21, 2011, 2:53 am
Posted Aug 21, 2011, 2:54 am
Posted Aug 28, 2011, 3:00 am
It is good to see Robby again and a new TV, Airi, arrived in the same mail delivery that I did. Then a couple of days later we greeted Quentin Ducky. We'll show you photos of him soon; we are bonding with him now and discussing our TV adventures. He and I could pass for cousins; after all, I'm English on my mum's side. Airi is a cute little girl, species human, I think. I'm going to pop into an envelope soon and go visit her Mum in sunny Spain.
Here are some photos of our arrival home and walks around the city. The first photo shows Robby greeting the three of us that arrived on the same day: me, Airi and TV-TV, along with our souvenirs. We all toured the city, stopping to look at a steep street that doesn’t allow any cars, some cable cars and the Bay Bridge. Then, most importantly, mom kept her promise to take me to the duck pond near the Palace of Fine Arts, the only building still standing from the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition.
See ya,
Cheerio
Posted Aug 30, 2011, 7:53 pm
; and Quentin Ducky who just arrived here.
Hasta luego!
Cheerio
Posted Sep 5, 2011, 4:19 pm
Hola a tothom des de Barcelona!!
Hello mum, how are you???
I arrived safely to this sunny and humid city! Immidiately I was given a party by lots of new faces!They presented them as "the welcome committee" LOL
They talk a strange language (Catalan) and their English accent is very funny!!! I met Duchy also,another toy voyager.He's a friendly lion from England so, we talked a lot sharing our adventures!
But I was too much asleep!!I wondered why my eyes were closing all the time and @Anxova turned on her notebook and we checked the current hour in my hometown, San Francisco (California).
Whaaaaat??!! Barcelona is 9 hours ahead of San Francisco!:O That's the reason why I was dreaming of going to bed since I arrived!!
So, "dit i fet" (no sooner said than done)...Time to sleep!!! I need to adjust to the new rhythm
Tomorrow will come a new day! And I'll start my Catalan adventures!
Good night/day all!!
Take care,mum!
Cheerio
Posted Sep 12, 2011, 9:58 pm
How are you?
Today I spent the morning talking with Berta, one of my Spanish new friends.She is a vin duck who would like to meet Paris Hilton one day.Mmmm...yes, I admit it!! I think she's crazy,haha!and I don't believe it's very healthy to spend part of the day watching Paris Hilton BFF or Sweet Sixteen in MTV Spain LOL.
In the afternoon I went with Cassiopeia and @Anxova to a shopping centre near her house.
It's not very big,but guess what...There's a Foster Hollywood! It's an American food restaurant.@Anxova told me It was the first American-style restaurant in Spain and at least nowadays is a place where you can taste American food without going to McDonald's!!
After the shopping centre,we went to a park near there, I missed a lake to swim a bit, but flowers were beautiful and I walked around them a lot!
It was a nice day, and I haven't jet lag now!!
See you soon!
Take care mum,
Cheerio
Posted Sep 18, 2011, 10:14 pm
How are you doing??
Today we spent the day in my host's neighbourhood:"Nou Barris".It's named for the nine neighborhoods that originally formed the district. (nou in Catalan is Nine, Barris is neighbourhoods).
It is located in the north of Barcelona and this neighbourhood is known for the beautiful botanical gardens,where people can get away from the city on the peaceful grounds.
It's very beautiful all full of green areas...but you can find a very strange thing also lol
This is Parc de la Guineueta. Look at the sky, today was not a sunny day!!! but thanks God it was cooler, I hope summer has end...
Talking about God...Look at this church! And I was the only one who posed! I'm the best
And walking around the area, I found a very strange thing!!! The City council let some neighbours to plant their fruits and vegetables in this urban garden, paying a little amount of money!! I think it's a good idea,but my host confirmed my fears:People sometimes steal plants...So sad!
What a nice cabbages,huh??
This afternoon, we went to see an amateur football training session because @Anxova has a friend who played there. OMG they were lazy players...Trainer was shouting all the time "run,run,ruuun come on!!!". It was so funny!!
See you soon!!!!
Take care mum,
Cheerio
Posted Nov 12, 2011, 8:25 pm
. Mom says thank you for the beautiful postcard. We hope to see you active on the site again when you can relax from your studies. My dear old friend, The Squirrel, and Orkku Orava helped me out of the package and now we are going out for a kaffeeklatsch.
Love ya,
Cheerio
Java Jive
Posted Nov 17, 2011, 1:51 am
How do you like my new look? Berta in Barcelona showed me how to fix my hair, I mean my down. Now I look less like a tom-boy. It’s true travel is educational.
Oh, Jeremy is a sweet little baby tiger who thinks he is all grown up since he’s been to Disneyland and now drinks coffee.
He is so much fun, has a squeaky little voice. LOL. Mom was so glad to see him back from his first adventure.
Cheerio from Cheerio
Posted Nov 17, 2011, 8:10 pm
She disagrees with Vince Lombardi that winning is the only thing. DuDu will continue to live happily ever after with his beloved Dudette and continue the TV lifestyle. We are looking forward to seeing him and DuDette home for Christmas. Here he is recently with DuDette and nuriayasmin’s cat, Sammy.
Rafael, the first TV we hosted here, has been nominated in the plantlife category. We liked him a lot and Mom didn't want to let go of him, he was so special. He, too, will get at least one vote.
. Look at him, sniffing that flower while staying with our friend, olgamaus. I stayed with her, too, and had a wonderful time!
LOL, so don't forget to vote for your favorite GoldenBears. Thank you dicker kumpel for reminding us to campaign; the last photo on the computer screen is RikeH’s.
Now Jeremy is showing us his new passion, drinking coffee. Eeyuck, must be an acquired taste.
Bye now,
Cheerio
Posted Nov 19, 2011, 5:50 pm
Over the river and through the woods
To grandmother's house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow, oh!
Love,
Cheerio
Posted Nov 22, 2011, 10:11 pm
He brought some nice help-me-home.com tags from GeoCrat. BarryO was so tired we just tucked him into bed and said good night, old friend.
A Christmas elf bear has lived here for years. He and I gathered BarryO’s welcome home gifts: some pocket money (from Miss Kate) and a Christmas sweater I found at a re-sale shop.
The elf works just one month a year and this it it! So I said goodbye to him again. One friend comes home, another jets away, such is our small world.
Love and joy to all,
Cheerio
Posted Nov 24, 2011, 9:18 pm
We got up early to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and make apple-cranberry sauce for today’s big dinner.
Here are the ingredients we used:
I helped with peeling the apples.
Then we put everything into the pan and added orange juice.
Here is the final product, cooling. The recipe made more than this but we will bring just this bowl to the table.
We all gathered ‘round the TV to watch the Parade.
This is a character from the Spiderman musical:
Wow, a band dancing and kneeling:
What’s this, the sacrificial animal, the poor traditional turkey:
Can you recognize these characters? Lots of potential ToyVoyagers here!
After almost three hours of announcements that Santa Claus will be here at the very end of the parade, the TV developed technical problems and we could not see Santa.
We all ran to the window to see what was the matter. It was a guy from the cable TV company in a cherry picker; that’s him behind the scaffolding and netting the painters put up. He turned the cable off for about five minutes. Well, they say, “timing is everything”. We were very disappointed but we are grateful that some people are available to fix flickering cable networks even on holidays. Thank you Mr. Cable Guy.
We know that just because you don’t see Santa on TV doesn’t mean he isn’t there.
Happy Holidays, everyone!!
Posted Dec 2, 2011, 8:21 am
I’m the last one to post my photos because I’ve been busy keeping Noodles warm. We’ve been learning about his species and see that only the female incubates the egg, good thing I’m a girl.
If you haven’t guessed which species Noodles is, here is a clue: it is the official bird of one of the Canadian provinces. He will give you all the details after he hatches.
We are making a bed and decorating a room! We found stuff around the house to re-use, it didn’t cost anything except our time, lots of time, but it is fun, we made it extra soft.
The new room will be a gift for the Christmas Elf Bear who lives here 11 months of the year, he is working at the North Pole now. Santa will drop him off here on Christmas Eve so that will be our deadline. He he, in the meantime we will use it as a couch for discussions of our daily travels, and of course, jumping up and down like on a trampoline.
The other bed is too small for him.
See ‘ya later,
Cheerio
Posted Dec 14, 2011, 8:14 am
A package arrived at home and Orkku Orava cut it open.
Before she finished cutting, out jumped DuDu.
And right behind him was DuDette! Home for Christmas!
They showed us postcards from Nuriayasmin and told us all about their journey.
Then we did a group hug.
We showed them the room we are decorating for our friend, The Christmas Elf Bear, who will be home Christmas Eve.
We started laughing until we couldn’t stop and jumped up and down on the soft bed. Such good friends.
Bye for now,
Cheerio
Posted Dec 16, 2011, 3:18 am
He is imprinted on me.
Posted Dec 16, 2011, 7:36 pm
"Hugo", which we all enjoyed a lot. There was no time for popcorn but we get another movie soon! Yay!! We had a nice dinner afterward to celebrate Mom’s friend’s birthday.
Poor little BarryO couldn't look at the screen during the scary parts. We think he is afraid of heights.
Posted Dec 24, 2011, 5:40 pm
home for Christmas.
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!!”
Posted Jan 23, 2012, 1:30 am
I’ve been following your travelogs but haven’t posted myself since Christmas because I’ve been inside helping with my new baby brother Noodles who isn’t quite ready to fledge by himself.
It is very exciting, a new ToyVoyager has arrived, a famous comic German pirate bear, named Pitzelpatz, who has been traveling a lot around North America. He is still wearing his Santa outfit. He he! Santa himself carried him the last segment of the trip; he likes to do a little extra volunteering in the off-season, the Christmas Spirit continues into wintery January.
.
I had the honor of helping Pitzelpatz out of his travel coach because I have visited his home country, Germany, as well as kcrawfish 's home in Sacramento. He and I had a long discussion of the places we both traveled to; small world, huh! Then DuDette gave him a big hug; she, too, has stayed with and traveled with Miss Kate!!
Then mom introduced him to the other ToyVoyagers here: Orkku Orava from Finland, DuDu from Shanghai, my sweet baby tiger brother, Jeremy, and Noodles, my wise snowy owl baby brother who is imprinted on me.
We had a welcoming blackboard waiting for Pitzelpatz where Jeremy showed him a few things to know about this stop on his travels. Eureka (I have found it!) is the State of California motto, oro en paz is part of the City of San Francisco motto (gold in peace, iron in war), The 49ers is our local football team, and K2 is the nickname for Jeanne's top floor apartment; you are welcome to plant your flag when you complete the assent.
Mom was pleased to learn that Pitzelpatz is a famous comic character; he will do his best to amuse us.
He printed out a Pitzelpatz coloring book for our bedtime reading. He he, he is Pitzelpatz, the pirate!
Here he is after we tucked him in, isn’t he cute:
Hoping to visit you soon,
Cheerio
Posted Jan 23, 2012, 10:31 pm
Our new guest, Pitzelpatz, a bear pirate, declared today "wash day". After washing my bow, I joined him by walking the plank into the big tub. We scrubbed each other until we were all squeaky clean. I love water and it was nice and warm. We had so much fun splashing around and getting to know each other that way. Maybe we should bathe with every new guest. Hmm, a lion and a wolf are coming soon, wonder if they like water.
Have fun,
Cheerio
Posted Jan 25, 2012, 10:03 pm
Posted Jan 30, 2012, 5:28 pm
When they get overseas they will split up and go to separate hosts.
We found photos of them checking out magnolia buds; we will miss them so much.
Bye Bye My Dear Friend and Sweet Brother,
Cheerio
Posted Feb 3, 2012, 10:21 pm
Noodles was so excited; he got the honor of helping a new guest out of his travel box. Our new friend is a lion named Okuma who just flew in from Texas.
Then after a big meal, because you know lions get very hungry traveling, we went for a walk and came upon a huge hat displayed on a human-sized mannequin in the Hyatt Regency Hotel lobby. It is called “San Francisco Skyline” from the “Beach Blanket Babylon” musical which has been playing since 1974! It weighs 350 pounds and is all silver colored; it was created in 1999 in honor of the silver anniversary of the show; also, we think, because the producer of the show was named Steve Silver (1944-1995).
We are planning a big trip out of the city soon.
Cheerio,
Cheerio
Posted Feb 4, 2012, 9:37 pm
We started out at the Emeryville, California train station. Emeryville is across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco near Berkeley. Where did we go? All six of us TVs went along and met up with two more! A ToyVoyager meetup!
There was some nice scenery along the railroad route as well as some yucky stuff like automobile graveyards, graffiti on concrete walls, and junkyards but also a cool ship mothball fleet, parts of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, several bridges, some nice farms and animals, vineyards, walnut groves, a university, etc. This area is known for its natural marshland with lots of birds. Here we are sitting backwards watching the scenery we just passed. We liked the shots of the marshland.
San Pablo Bay
Oh, man, I’ve been here before. He he! This is so exciting, mom kept our destination a secret. Will show you more of our trip in the next update.
Cheerio,
Cheerio
Posted Feb 5, 2012, 1:07 am
Then we toured the Capitol building and met kcrawfish and her ToyVoyager guests, Tuli and Little R2. It was a nice relaxing lunch and ToyVoyager Meetup.
We all walked around Old Sacramento which has a lot of museums and preserved buildings from the wild west days. We liked the raised wooden sidewalks.
Then we went galloping on a horse statue. Sacramento was one end of the famous Pony Express mail delivery service. The other end was Saint Joseph, Missouri almost 2,000 miles away. Telegraph communication was available at St. Joseph for communication toward the east. Mail addressed beyond Sacramento was sent by steamboat on the Sacramento River. That's how we would have received mail in San Francisco in 1860!
There were a few glitches on the trip but please don’t tell anyone. He he, we got out of jail quickly.
We will go visit again as there is so much more to see.
Cheerio from,
Cheerio
Posted Feb 7, 2012, 9:11 pm
It is raining here and mom has been a bit crabby but she cheered up a lot after doing her taxes.
She sat at her desk for two whole days. We spent those days playing with the cat. That cat likes to eat paper, ha ha, "my cat ate the tax receipts".
Here are photos of the games, which were especially dangerous for my sister, DuDette, and brother-in-law, DuDu, who resemble cat toys. Our guest, Okuma got to set the ball rolling; it makes lots of noise and brings kitty running.
Then we went climbing on the cat scratch pole; of course Okuma, king of the jungle, got up there first and perched on top. Amazingly, Miss Kitty swiped at only the real blue cat toy, and ran away with it. We all survived unscathed to play another day. Phew.
Cheerio
Posted Feb 29, 2012, 8:47 pm
I took our new guest, Eska out today! She loves books, too, and I showed her one I found in a cereal box, Cheerios, of course. I travelled with that book all the way to Germany and then to a host in the U.S. and back home.
We went for a walk to start one of her life missions--to visit libraries. This is a neighborhood branch that was recently restored and upgraded for handicapped access. We explored the book drop, went inside and sat down, looked at the library brochures, admired the ceiling, wandered among the books and learned how to use the computer catalog. You can get materials off the shelves or downloaded from the internet.
Then we walked past the octagon house museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral, a small Russian Orthodox church with beautiful bells. The magnolias are in bloom. Lots of signs of spring. We had a lot of fun.
Bye for now,
Cheerio
Posted Mar 12, 2012, 5:05 pm
The first house was made up to look like a museum in the show but today it looks like a wealthy family's residence. The Palace of Fine Arts can be seen from there, it is another Monk location. Then we went to another hill top and saw where Monk crosses the street while the theme song, "It's a Jungle Out There" plays. Then to a flat street in North Beach toward St. Peter & Paul church where Noodles touched all the parking meters.
. Then we went up another hill to see Monk's apartment building which has a view of the Bay Bridge, also a Monk location. The last two photos show us checking out an interactive street art installation. .
See ya at the next location.
Bye for now,
Cheerio
Posted Apr 26, 2012, 8:15 pm
Guess what, I have been packing up, getting ready to go visit Wavy Gravy and Yosemite.
Cheerio
Posted Apr 29, 2012, 4:34 pm
I’m en route to Yosemite. Don’t know why we filled out a customs form; mom is worried they might confiscate me because she declared nothing perishable in the travel box. I’m real, aren’t I; therefore....
I won’t show myself getting into the travel box because Noodles and I were in tears. He is so young and imprinted on me. I am leaving him in the capable care of Squab to help him in the finer points of flying and to talk to him in our secret bird language. So here we are doing lots of hugging, even the cat, Miss Kitty, came over and gave me a kiss. Looking forward to arriving in Germany again and meeting Yosemite & Family.
See ya soon,
Cheerio
Posted May 1, 2012, 2:45 pm
Today I was in Barcelona's harbour! it was a rainy day...I guess Spain is not as sunny as I thought!
Anyway, I was very happy with such amount of water around me!
I felt like an authentic duck!
I'm the king of the Sea hihihi! a little boy wanted to host me too! I started to scream Quack Quack!!!!! And @anxova said him, I was from San Francisco and my mom was there!
This is next to the harbour and it's the Mariscal Shrimp! It's soooo beautiful!!!! Look at the shrimp,I know I'm prettier than it but...you know...LOL
See you soon!
Cheerio
Posted May 1, 2012, 3:05 pm
Today is La Festa de la Mercè, the annual festival (festa major in Catalan) of the city of Barcelona!
We went to the "La festa del cel" where some planes did exhibitions! It was very funny and I went with my friend Berta
Where are the planes??? be patient Cheerio!!!
Where are? where are? where areeeee???
They are coming!! look at them:
I enjoyed the day in the beach with the sun and planes
See you soon!!!
Cheerio
Posted May 5, 2012, 3:40 pm
I arrived at Lichtenfels save and sound! I was checked by custom, but everything was ok
Wavy Gravy welcomed me, he is a compatriot from Sacramento! It was a good feeling to hear a familiar slang
Then I was introduced to Trudi, a very pretty duck girl with a straw hat. Very good-looking!I think we will be good friends. She talked about wonderful ponds and a river near my hosts house.*quaak* She will show it in the next few days.
Now I am very tired and need a nap.
Good Night!
Yours, Cheerio
Posted May 6, 2012, 5:11 pm
Today the other TVs showed me the apartment of my hosts. I was moved by Maeusle in the little shopping trolley. At first the bathroom, then the kitchen, the little TV sofa and last but not least the hammock where I will sleep in.
Sweet dreams!
Cheerio from Cheerio
Posted May 7, 2012, 8:04 pm
Today we had a funny day! I made friends with Trudi the duck and Maeusle the mouse
We decided to change clothes
At first I got Trudis straw hat and her coat.
Then Trudi tried Maeusles packpack
And then Maeusle got Trudis coat, and Trudi Maeusles scarf. This was very funny!
At least we enjoyed some tea together.
What a nice day with my new friends!
Have a great time!
Yours, Cheerio
P.S. Please tell Noodels that I always think for him!
Posted May 12, 2012, 1:55 pm
Today we were in a nice ice cafe and had a refresher
Wavy Gravy and me studied the menu... something colourful? With fruits?
This would be great!
But hostmum said she will only have a cup of cappuccino because she is on diet. Because I am a wise duck I shared it with her
And we´ll have a ice cream the next time
Lot of Love, Cheerio
Posted May 13, 2012, 5:28 pm
Happy Mothersday!
This heart is for you!
Cheerio
Posted May 13, 2012, 6:41 pm
Today we made a barbecue! Aaron, Khaled and me made a mixed salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.
I cutted the cucumber and put it into a bowl. Then the dressing....
And: Enjoy your meal!
It was sooooooooooooo yummie!!!
Yours, Cheerio
Posted May 22, 2012, 7:28 pm
Today Wavy Gravy said he has a surprise for me. I wondered what this would be
He was very mysterious and explained that I will be very happy with this item. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Then he talked about his excursion to the Dolls- and Teddy exhibition and then he showed me my surprise!
He gave me a tiny handbag! That´s what a girl needs! I can put my most important things in. E.g. ................................... just let me think about it.............................................
Maybe I have no important things to put in, but the handbag is cool
I was so happy about it that I gave Wavy Gravy spontanous a kiss *oops*
Kiss for you, Mum and kiss for my dear Noodles!
Yours, Cheerio
Posted May 27, 2012, 2:05 pm
Today we had a barbecue! Not only the TVs and the resident plushies. No, we had visitors, too!
My job was to prepare the salad. I chose only healthy ingredients. Tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, onions, cheese and a little bit bacon
Very yummie!
For dessert we got a present from our guests. A delicious cream with vanilla and rasberries. That´s great for us girls! Noodles would have liked it, too!
I always think for my dear Noodles!
Love you both!
Yours, Cheerio
Posted May 28, 2012, 7:29 pm
Today we made a trip tp the Bavarian Garden Exhibition in Bamberg. Günther, *Paul*, Wavy Gravy and me accompanied our hosts. I packed some sweets in my handbag
Because the exhibition is so big we travelled in hostmums backpack.
There were so many plants, I don´t know which of them I like most. Maybe the red poppy?
Or the ginkgo?
We rested in a deck chair before we continued our walk.
We saw pretty artwork and funny relatives made out of wood
and a graden with desert plants.
The desert made us thirsty
We tasted original franconian beer
And then we saw what you expect in a german garden: A lot of garden gnomes
Time to say Goodbye: One last picture with pretty flowers.
What a intersting day!
Love you, Mummy!
Yours, Cheerio
Posted Jun 6, 2012, 3:13 pm
Last weekend we made something very special! You know there was neraly no rain in Germany in May. Hostmum was so sad, because nothing grew in her garden.
We decided to help her.
Hmmmmm, what to do???
Wolley had a great idea!
We could make a rain dance!
Wolley explained what we should do.
At first: build a circle
Second: Dance to the left
Third: Dance to the right
Fourth: pot with coal in the middle
Fifth: Fire the coal
Sixth: resin and other stuff on the coal
And: look what happened: It started to rain!
And the rain goes on
Love you!
Cheerio
Posted Jun 8, 2012, 7:57 pm
Imagine, today we were invited to a tea party! The little gecko Günther was our host!
His life mission is to drink tea with other TVs and we were his guests. He is so little but a perfect host!
He made a yummie rooibos tea with vanilla flavour and served it like a waiter.
We chatted a lot and had a nice afternoon!
Love you, Mummy!
Yours, Cheerio
Posted Jun 13, 2012, 7:13 pm
I am very happy, that you have arrived at your first host! I am sure that you will like the TV life!
Today we said Goodbye to a little TV called *Paul*. Imagine, he will go to California! Me and Wavy Gravy told him about our wonderful homecountry and gave him tipps what he MUST see!
I gave him a kiss for you, Mummy into his travelbox, I am sure it will reach you
Yours, Cheerio
Posted Jun 22, 2012, 5:42 pm
Today we made a trip to Nueremberg! We went in the bag of hostmum and by train. To have a comfortable trip we had a cappuccino and something to read. We had to change in Bamberg. In this train we could occupy four seats
In Nueremberg we did some sightseeing: At first the opera house, then the Lorenzkirche. The next station I liked most: It was a shop, each american tourist must have seen:
The shop of Kaethe Wohlfahrt, where you can buy christmas decoration the whole year! Imagine, there is a christmas tree decoration that looks like a twin of me!!!
But that wasn´t all! We also saw a shop with traditional bavarian clothes! Maeusle and me MUST have a look!
That`s for now!
Yours in love, Cheerio
Posted Jul 7, 2012, 10:37 am
I was in Berlin! What a wonderful city! It is the capitol of Germany and plays an important roll in the history of Europe.
We started our trip at the modern main station. We took not a train, but a boat
so we could see a lot of famous buildings in a comfortable way. E.g. the television tower, 368 m high and the cathedral of Berlin. The funny building, officially called the house of the cultures of the world, but by the Berliners called "Pregnant Oyster"
The Reichstag, where the german parliament is located and the Brandenburg gate, where the border between east and west Berlin was. But the division of Germany and of course of Berlin is history and you can move where ever you will go!
Hostmum said it is time to go back to the main station, because we have a date. We wondered who will wait for US in Berlin!!!
But then we saw the surprise!Alex_Squirt and hostmum arranged a date with Dudette and several other TVs!
We were so happy to meet some Californian girls so far away from home!
What a great day!
Kisses to San Fransisco!
Cheerio
Posted Jul 8, 2012, 3:48 pm
Soooooooooooooo much impressions the last days! And still more today!
We vistied the Miniworld on our way back from Berlin. There are rebuilt national and international sights in scale 1:25!
Let´s start in Berlin! We stolled once more on the boulevard between Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column and visited the famous UNESCO world heritage Castle Sanssouci near Berlin.
We arrived in Dresden, south of Berlin. The Frauenkirche was rebuilt from 1994-2005 after it was completely destroyed in World War II. Today it is a symbol of peace and freedom.
The Great Wall on the next picture is a crazy building! It is in total 21.000km long!
Mummy, have you ever seen the Opera House in Sydney! I did it and must say, it is great!
But time to go on! A special for us American, Wavy and me! We posed in front of the Washongton Monument and I hisses the "Stars and Stripes" at the Washington Capitol! You can be very proud of me!
Of course Wavy and me sang our national anthem!
Kisses to California!
Cheerio
Posted Jul 16, 2012, 4:12 pm
Today I got a Yoga lesson! Bierle, a resident plushy was our teacher. He showed us some positions, at first a bit meditation.
Then the "dog". Mummy, I gave my very best, but I didn´t look like the others. The dog is not so good for ducks
A little bit better was the "cobra". but I wasn´t satisfied. But Bierle said that it is not important if you can each postition do correctly, every plushy can do it his way. That made me very happy!
Bierle also said I was very good at relaxation!
With a lot of love, Cheerio
Posted Aug 4, 2012, 6:44 pm
Guess what!!!???!!!
I got an invitation! Hostmum and hostdad invited me to the cinema in Lichtenfels. We choose the film "Bavaria", a documentation about the federal state where hostmum lives.
She bought ou tickets and ... yeah, some popcorn and a cola!
AND THAT WAS MY LIFEMISSION!!!!!
The film was very impressing, too! We saw a lot of intersting landscapes, something about traditions and the people living here. What I likes most were the great pictures of the alps!
That´s it for now,
Greetings to California and a hug for Konrad!
Cheerio
Posted Aug 12, 2012, 8:29 pm
Today we came back from a trip to the south of Germany. Hostmum made a lot of pictures. They will follow during the next week.
But one I have for you today:
Posted Aug 14, 2012, 6:53 pm
As I promised yesterday, here are the pics from our weekend:
On our way we visited a nice park with big trees. Hostdad explained that this are Redwoods! Yes, correct, Redwoods like in California! There were also pretty flowers and a amusement park. I licked of hastdad´s icecream.
In the afternoon we had a meeting at a medieval market. We met fam-united and Zandy who brought theirs TVs! And guess what, I met little Jeremy, my brother!
We walked around and I found a booth with colorful bands and closures. Then I saw a munk making a chain armour. We asked if we could watch him. Yes! He said it takes 200 hours until it´s ready! At last we watched the knights tournament.
Looooooooooove you!
Cheerio
Posted Aug 27, 2012, 4:57 pm
Today we made a hiking trip to the Staffelberg. Baerle was our leader. He has got many experiences with sports and even with climbing. It was a hard trail but we managed it!
After we reached the top we had a yummie snack in the tavern. I chose a cup of ice
Posted Sep 7, 2012, 9:13 am
Today Twixx, one of Hostmum´s TVs came back! He arrived in a spectacular way. We didn´t exactly knew what´s going on when we heard a helicopter above our heads. It landed right between us. We thought about some aliens, but then Twixx came out!
We watched together the pictures of his trips and he told us everything about his adventures. Brave little guy!
Tomorrow he will continue his journey, he will go to Scotland with
Ravyna We wished them a good trip!
Love you, Cheerio
Posted Sep 23, 2012, 7:53 pm
Today we enjoyed one of the last summer days in the garden. We packed a lot of yummie things in a picknick basket and went down to the garden.
We had selfmade sandwiches and delicious franconian beer
Later in the evening Baerle took the guitar and played a lot of old songs. We had a great evening together!
Love you, Mummy!
Cheerio
Posted Sep 23, 2012, 7:55 pm
Today a new TV arrived! It is a compatriot from USA! Huli Hutu is a nice little fox and I welcomed him warmly. I thin I will help him to get familiar with Germany!
Greetings to California!
Cheerio
Posted Oct 6, 2012, 2:15 pm
Today hostmum asked if we would like to help her. She wanted to paint one wall in the kitchen. Yes, of course, this could be a lot of fun!
Fimbo started to paint. He exspecially liked this colour, I don´t exactly know why
I painted a lot of wall with the big roll. An easy job
Posted Oct 19, 2012, 12:33 pm
Today we had a lot to do!
At first we said goodbye to Fimbo_Fimble who will go home.
On our way back we visited the brand new shopping mall in Lichtenfels. Mummy, this is a really normal shopping mall, but the first here in the city. So everybody gets crazy about it
But, although there is some nice stuff. I found a pair of Homer Simpson shoes, but I didn´t buy them
There was a artist who made a duck from a balloon
Hostmum took a picture of us
But we also bought something: A nice yoga frog, a flower, chrsitmas tree balls and some dishes is TV size. Hope we will use it soon!
Many greetings to USA!
Your loving Cheerio
Posted Oct 26, 2012, 6:54 pm
Today I made a last trip in Germany. We went by train to Bayreuth. I took the two smallest TVs in my handbag
So they don´t get lost.
In the pedestrian area we saw a miniature model of the city. But there was so ugly weather outside that we made some indoor entertainment. We drove in a very pink Hello-Kitty-Car and beated Peaches and Jethro in soccer
Then it was time to say Goodbye to Germany...
All TVs hugged me and had warm wishes for my future. My dear californian friend thanked me for being with him in his hardest days. But it was my pleasure to share his heartache with him.
So, Mummy, I am ready to go!
Wait for your Cheerio
Posted Nov 15, 2012, 1:33 am
Posted Nov 16, 2012, 6:10 pm
Then I met Suomi-boy, a TV guest from Finland, of course; he wears the flag colors; and showed everyone my new purse, postcard, and surprise, my new baby duck!! Yeah, it was a great trip!
DuDu showed me a big red heart he keeps near him while he waits for DuDette to come home. We did lots of hugs and discussed our adventures for hours. It is good to be home.
Thank you Yosemite and Takata,
Your ever lovin'
Cheerio
Posted Nov 22, 2012, 8:32 pm
Noodles showed us the goodies he brought from Jillyfish's house. Oh boy, he brought a Minnesota pencil and enough writing paper for all of us to write our letters to Santa.
We're going to watch the Macy Parade now while eating a bowl of pistachios. See ya later at the Thanksgiving feast.
Many hugs to you,
Your BFF,
Cheerio
Posted Nov 23, 2012, 2:29 am
We sat around a big table and each of us told what we are thankful for and then had a moment of silence remembering our dear friend, kcrawfish. We are very happy to have known her.
We enjoyed a traditional meal of salad; turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, squash, carrots, bread, cranberry sauce; several desserts, etc.
Posted Dec 2, 2012, 9:45 pm
Monday was DuDu's birthday. We made a cake for him and had large glasses of wine. Having fun,
Your Best Friend Forever,
Cheerio
Posted Dec 5, 2012, 5:12 pm
Squab showed us about putting shoes outside your door on Dec. 5. St. Nickolas will put small gifts in the shoes while we sleep. Did you know that American children get small gifts in stockings on December 24-25 along with bigger gifts placed under the tree? That's a long time to wait! DuDu says the kids in Shanghai get gifts of money in red envelopes at Lunar New Year which has dates that vary in January or February; it will be February 10 in 2013. Suomi-boy says he has no idea what happens in Finland as he was born in August; this will be his first Christmas.
We will read our Finnish friends' updates.
Happy St. Nicholas Day!!
Ho ho ho,
Your BFF,
Cheerio
Posted Mar 27, 2013, 4:31 pm
Look what we found in the mailbox while DuDu and Rudy were out skateboarding! It is our sister, DuDette, home from visiting three hosts in Germany. She's jumping around fully recovered from her surgery.
She showed us lots of gifts she brought back from Sabbel/+/Jenton's house; there is enough candy there for our Easter celebration. She was very glad to be re-united with the Easter egg she got from MA_17 and her all-important driver's license.
She will surprise DuDu later.
Bye for now from
Your BFF, Cheerio
Posted Mar 31, 2013, 2:29 am
DuDu got a tip from C.T. Mouse, Detective, about where to look for colored Easter eggs. OMG.... DuDette popped out and DuDu fainted.
His skateboarding friend, Rudy had to resuscitate him. It's soooo nice to see DuDu & DuDette back on "their bench."
Then we all went into the kitchen and ate hundreds of chocolate eggs.
HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!
Posted Oct 10, 2013, 6:54 am
HAPPY PUMPKIN TIME!
Posted May 2, 2014, 1:57 am
Posted May 15, 2014, 12:13 pm
Posted May 16, 2014, 4:02 pm
Posted May 18, 2014, 10:48 am
Posted May 18, 2014, 6:33 pm
Ye gods, C.T. Mouse, Detective, is gossiping again. He says Nicky used to be a guy and BarryO was a lot taller.
Let's not let science get in the way of fun. Mmm, that punch was good.
Posted May 21, 2014, 6:11 am
Posted Jun 1, 2014, 12:45 pm