Travelog for: BineHH

Dear Mommy,
We were very busy for a few days. First our host's husband had to prepare for some special training and we all were helping him pack. He had to pack up all his gear and put it into water tight packing, including extra clothes and what not.


First he had to do swim qualifying with all of his gear on, that's a lot to carry while swimming!  Then he had to go into a contraption that's like the inside of a helicopter and escape blindfolded. We weren't able to go and get pictures, but our host showed us this so we knew what he was up to.

Then of course he had to get out and call Jayme and tell her he was okay because she was quite worried! Since Jayme wanted a bit of a distraction we went off to the zoo for a bit. Its a very small zoo without too many animals, but it was nice to get out a bit and the weather behaved!

They had a viewer here we went to check out

Then we realized we didn't need one. They were having a dodgeball tournament at the zoo. How interesting!

We also got to check out a few statues of animals, and I was beginning to wonder if we'd get to see any animals!

Finally we got to the animals exhibits. They were very anxious, it must've been about feeding time.



We got home to a surprise, Jayme's husband was home safe and sound and just a little wetter for his training. He also had a surprise. He had stopped by the mail on the way home.. and come home with a gift he'd ordered awhile ago for Jayme. Isn't it neat? Its a e-reader made by amazon. Jayme loves reading, and now she can download books whenever she wants. We had some fun checking it out.

Finally, since it was Father's Day in the US we had a bit of a celebration. We had some cake

And the children gave their daddy a nice little poem with their handprints and footprints.

Whew! What a busy day. After that it was time to climb into my envelope, it looks like I'm headed to China next? Neat! I hope to have lots of fun there.
BineHH

Hi,

I am just updating for my journey map.

BineHH

Help – I am lost – for weeks now. It is awful….



But – what is this – I hear a voice. Who is it – I know him – it is Dicker Kumpel.



He is sitting in front of the crystal ball and is looking into it to find me.



He is getting closer to it, it is hard work….



BANG – it worked. I don’t know why, but I am back in Sülfeld. That is great !!!!



We are both very happy – what an amazing crystal ball.








But look – it wasn’t a crystal ball, but a magic hippo.



Thanks magic hippo – I am back home again!

Hello World,

ThomasHH and I came back from nowhere with the help of Dicker Kumpel and a magic hippo. We were both lost – what a bad experience. I really hope, that I never will have this experience again. I am so happy that I am back!



We talked about our trips and came to the topic of cruise ships. RikeH told us about a big ship that will be in Hamburg today. It is called Queen Mary 2. We couldn’t believe how big it is. length: 1132 feet / 345 meters, Height 236 feet 2 inches / 72 meters.  Passengers: 2620 (3090 max). We think that maybe all TVs could travel on it at the same time. That would be a party.

We decided to go to Hamburg – and see the QM2 in reality. But first we saw a model –it is not really big…



We went to the Cruise Terminal. Wow – the QM2 is really big!!!









In the afternoon we went to the port again, because we wanted to see the ship, when it was in action on the river Elbe. We waited…



Then it came – it is amazing!!!







I will go on a new trip on Monday. I will visit Bloemmie29 in the Netherlands.

yours BineHH

Hi Mommy

I know you were afraid I might get lost again, but I was only in the envelope for two days!!

I've just arrived at my new host, Bloemmie29 !!

I was waiting in the mailbox for only a few hours together with some German postcards when I heared my new host opening her mailbox. It was funny to hear her voice for the first time...

She said it was weird to have a soft fluffy envelope for the first time. She even pinched me a few times to feel what I was...

Quickly she released me from my envelope.. as a good crab I came out sideways...

I was recovering a little bit on the table when Bloemmie29 rushed away to go to the toilet, put off her shoes and put on some comfy clothes. She must have really opened my envelope in a hurry!!

First I thought I was in the wrong place, because the first thing I saw was a huge mountain, Mt Everest, but then I realized it was only a picture on the wall. I was very much impressed.

Then I met Bloemmie's pets, she has two bunnies: Mr. Karel Otto Nijn, (that's K.O.Nijn) nickname: Kootje and Mrs. Karina Anna Ninchen, (that's right: K.A.Ninchen) nickname Kaatje. But they were not so impressed by me.. maybe they thought I was scarry or something, but Odi was very friendly. He even let me sit on his lap, but then I got all drooled over, so now I'm sitting on Bloemmie's postcards.

As you can see, I'm a little shaken up by the travel, so I feel the world a little bit upside down, but I'm sure that will change soon.

I'm not sure what we will do here, as the weather is really crap this summer and my new host has told me she will not go on holidays, but I'm sure I'll have a good time. I hope to see something of the city of Oosterhout or surroundings... maybe I'll see some things of everyday normall Dutch life... we'll see.

Today, my host Bloemmie29 took me with her to work. I can't believe how boring her job is!! She didn't even have time to take me out her bag and show me around the office. She was working all day long...

If you ask me, I think she works too hard! 

Later, she told me the only reason she took me to work, was, that she would go to her parents that evening and wanted to take me with her, but she didn't want to go by the house again....



I liked it in the car, I had a front row seat and I liked the music playing in the car!

When we came to Bloemmie's parents, I had a little shock. I met the two English Cocker Spaniels, Billie and Taffie and Billie was a little tooo fond of me....
I like water, but I don't like drool that much.

Here you can see me with Taffie, who I might have woken up from an afternoon nap



and Billie, finally released from her



My host, thought it might be better for me to stay 'up' the rest of the night, so I spend the night at the cubburt, next to the little train.



Bloemmie said we have to go back again on Sunday, but depanding on the weather we will see where we will go then.

Have a nice weekend mommy

Hi Mommy,

How are you today? I'm fine! We had some lovely nice weather here today in the Netherlands. Blue sky and sunshine all over the place!

In the afternoon my host took me on a walk to the city center. She said she wanted to buy some stuff and didn't feel like going by car or by bike so we went together on foot.

We passed the channel


and Bloemmie29 said, we had to wave to the house of her brother. They live really close to each other.

Next to the bridge we already saw many trailers and campers and caravans and Bloemmie told me, those were the houses of the Kermis people. The Kermis is in town and we passed it



By then, I was already getting so hot, Bloemmie put me back into the bag and we tried to walk as much as possible in the shade.



The Kermis was really big and loud and it was very crowded. We went back rather quick but I'm happy I saw something of the center.
Tomorrow I hope it's not that hot, because we will only go to the forest if it's not too hot....

Hallo Mutti

today we went doggysitting. No.. not actuall sitting on the doggies, but more like baby sitting, but instead of babies we watched the doggies of Bloemmie's parents.

Bloemmie's parents were away for some family thing far far away and Bloemmie took the dog's (AND ME) out for a walk.

We went to the forest/ wood in Oosterhout. It was nice and cool and loads of shades, so not too hot.

You can find some pictures below:



And look, mommy!! Look!! I found some mushrooms!



It's a little too early to find those big red ones with white dotts, but these we found!



There were loads of pinetrees



But also open area's with bunches of sand, looked like the beach



And many srubbs with purple hay



And very green ferns



We even found some chestnuts, all green and small in their prickly husk



It was a nice walk. I saw soo much nature already. I'm very happy to be here.

Sweet crabby regards!
BineHH

Hey Mommie

today we went shopping for some postcards. Bloemmie29 got some 'tips' for stores where they would sell this special brand of postcards, so off we went. It was a little bit hard to find as it was in area not familiar to my host, but we found it. Too bad, they didn't sell the wanted postcards, but we did see something else!!

The Breda Balloon Fiesta! Bloemmie knew about this for 2 or 3 months and already wanted to go back then, but more or less forgot about it untill we saw the signs.

So we continued shopping and found the wanted cards in another store and raced home to check the internet what time the Fiesta would start. According to the website it would start at 18.00 hours and that was within half an hour!! Jaikss

So Bloemmie grabed here camera and we went back to the place where we were before! Now it was much more busy. We parked the car and walked to the area. There were already many trucks and balloons flat on the ground.
Many people and children were waiting for things to happen, but we had to wait untill the wind calmed down and then, at 19.15 hours, several hot air balloons got fired up and took off.

It was very exciting to see this from so close.

Here you can see me with in the background 2 balloons, getting ready



One is up already, the other two in the picture are still being prepared



and here you can see me after the previous took of and three new ones were being prepared to take off



It was very busy and every time I wanted to get in the picture with one of the balloons taking off, somebody made a step forward, blocking our view. Also many children wanted to see me and pet me and ask questions about me, so I watched the rest of the event from the backpack.

In total, there were 20 balloons taking off, drifting away on the evening breeze. Also, when all the balloons had left and cleared the field. Two other balloons approached us, and 6 parachutist jumped out of the basket and landed on the area. It was very spectaculair to watch.

It was an unexpected surprise and we had loads of fun!!

Hi mommy,

I'm back!! Unexpected, my host Bloemmie29 had decided to send me with her parents on a holiday!! Jippie!!

Last wednesday I joined them for a week holiday in Luxembourg!! We went by car to the small village of Bourscheid.

I'm a little tiered now, as we came back yesterday, but I wanted to share some of the pictures already....

Here you can see me with a mushroom in Luxembourg



I already saw mushrooms in the Netherlands and now in Luxembourg... only 1 more country.

We also went to mail some postcards and I almost slipped in the mailbox! Hahahah



The area of Bourscheid and Diekirch is famous for all the fountains, and here you see me on one



It was nice sunny weather but I didn't get wet....

And the last picture for now:
me with the map of the Vianden Castle. It's such a nice Castle...



I'll tell you more about the trip some other time!
bye bye

owh and thanks to Bloemmie29s parents who took me with them and took pictures of me! It was soo cooool!

Hiya Mommy,

It's me again. I rested a bit, unpacked the bags and went to check out all my pictures. Wow we did so much in that week!

Everyday we went for a long walk or went sightseeing for castles or cities. I was lucky, I didn't have to walk all the time, but was carried in the handbag!

We went to see so many nice things! Luxembourg is a very green and hilly country. Very green and lush. The cities are clean, small and nice and there so many nice castles... check out the pictures!

This is my holding on to a branch at the small river with the stream


And this is me, enjoying the view at the Bourscheid Castle





And me again, having a rest at the castle walls



And look: we found more mushrooms!!





And here I am again, resting from the walk and enjoying the view



And we also visited some cities! here you see me on a fountain in Luxembourg city



and in front of the fountain in Bourscheid



We also went to Germany, for Kaffee und Kuchen



mhmhh jammieeeee



and we visited the Castles of Bourscheid, Vianden and Echternach:





So.. that was my holiday in Luxembourg. Tomorrow we're going with the whole family to Vlissingen for a long walk on the beach. I hope it's nice and sunny. Bye bye

Hi mommy,

It's me again! We had a wonderfull day at the beach of Vlissingen today! I joined Bloemmie29 and her parents, brother and his family and the two dog and we all went to the beach!

When we left at 10 o'clock it was a bit foggy, so we all hoped for the best that the sun would come out. It is an hour drive to Vlissingen and it was still early when we arrived there.

First we made a long walk on the beach and when the little children put their swimsuits on, a few guys came up to me and said: He! You are a crab, do you want to see more crabs??

And before I knew it... I was covered in crabs!!



first one and then two!



I know I'm not a small crab, but these guys where half the size of me, so pretty big!! But.... this means I've completed one of my life's mission!! How great is that??!! 

But after all this excitement, we continued walking along the beach. The sun came out and we had loads of fun. Luckily for me, I did not have to walk all the time, but was getting a ride from Bloem's mommy



either on her shoe or in her bag



these was so much to see on the beach. I tried to dig myself in



I hang around the beach



I was looking at some of the nice beachhouses



Catched a ride with Billie



and hitchhikes with Taffie



All in all, we had a great day at the beach of Vlissingen!!

Hi mom!!

It's me again... It's definatly not beach weather anymore and I usually spent my days in the flat of Bloemmie29 and just think about the nice places I'd like to go...

But my host told me she had a surprise for me, and that I had to wait a little longer...

And yes, what a surprise it was! I thought I would go on a travel again, when she showed me an envelope, but I did not get in the envelope, but another toy came out of the envelope!!



ThomasHH came to us and Bloemmie29 wanted me to wait for that so he would feel welcome and at home with us!! Wow, what a great surprise for me.

I guess we will stay up all night and talk about all our adventures...

Hi Mum

I'm so sorry, that you haven't heard a word from me earlier. I had a good time here already and a lot of fun with the other toyvoyager guests. I promiss to be more online from now on.

Here you see me and my friends waiting for the start of our travel to Oelsnitz, Vogtland, where we want to stay for one week.

We made a rest at the DB museum in Nürnberg.

I read a letter about locomotives.




Then I saw many locomotives and waggons.






I read about the train of Ludwig II.

















Here is the first locomotive from Siemens.



A long time ago people sat on the bank just like we did before.