Travelog for: Rocky Squirrel

Today was exciting - a new TV came to join us here in Earlsferry. He's called MrCoolHH and he's red - it's a cool colour and so bright compared to us 3 TVs Eilidh is used to hosting. Here's me and the gang now. We sure are becoming quite a squad - Eilidh reckons she will have to take 2 trips everywhere, or get a special bag to keep us in when we go out places. It's a hard life being a TV host...apparently.



Anyway this evening we helped make dinner. First we had to get the potato's and peel them.



Then they had to be mashed up and seasoned.



And some other things happened too - but we were only in charge of potato's so I can't tell you what - but it was ready. Now this does not look very appetising (Eilidh wants to add at this point that she hates how there is American spellings on this site and everything she types in English as opposed to American-English gets underlined in red...wasn't this site set up by a couple of Brits? Hmm!) - but it's haggis. Haggis is a traditional dish served in Scotland - it's usually accompanied with 'neeps and tatties' or mashed turnip and mashed potato to the non-Scots. However no one likes turnip in Eilidh's house, so we didn't have it.



So more information about haggis -

"Haggis is a dish containing sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours.
Haggis somewhat resembles stuffed intestines (pig intestines otherwise known as chitterlings), sausages and savoury puddings of which it is among the largest types. As the 2001 English edition of the Larousse Gastronomique puts it, "Although its description is not immediately appealing, haggis has an excellent nutty texture and delicious savoury flavour".
Most modern commercial haggis is prepared in a casing rather than an actual stomach. There are also meat-free recipes for vegetarians.
The haggis is a traditional Scottish dish memorialised as the national dish of Scotland by Robert Burns' poem Address to a Haggis in 1787. Haggis is traditionally served with "neeps and tatties" (Scots: swede, yellow turnip or rutabaga and potatoes, boiled and mashed separately) and a "dram" (i.e. a glass of Scotch whisky), especially as the main course of a Burns supper. However it is also often eaten with other accompaniments, or served with a whisky-based sauce."

Rocky x

Last night, quite late on something exciting happened. I got rid of my old tag. Eilidh firstly checked with Darcie that this would be okay - but after so much travelling my old tag had got a little grubby looking, and with me being such a sweetie it seemed a shame to not be looking my best. This is the tag before -



And here's me going for the big snip!



Then this is the after look, I still need to get a small tag attached onto my name with my ID number, but Eilidh says she'll get that done at the weekend. Hope you like it mum - I sure do!





I have mixed feelings about today though - we TVs were stuck in the house all day! It rained real heavy plus Eilidh was at school from 8:15-4, then she had dance tonight, so Thursdays are pretty much impossible to do anything on for us lot.

However we still had fun. I like all the TV friends I've made here. Today during the worst of the rain we read a book - here we are with The Great Gatsby - supposedly the best written American novel of all time. Eilidh is studying it for school, so we thought we should swat up too. Maybe we'll be quizzed about it later!



We also read through some of Eilidh's mail - she gets a surreal amount of mail. That's because as well as ToyVoyagers she is a member of Postcrossing. And she has 4 penpals - this is us reading a letter from her penpal in China. It sounds like such an interesting country! I can't wait to go with Eilidh on her trip in October!



Then we decided to see what all our other TV friends were up to across the globe - looks like not much, seems not many people are as keen on updating their mummy's back home as we are here. We just get worried that you'll miss us so.



When Eilidh came home from school she had little time to spend with us this evening - just enough to ask for some sympathy as she got burnt today. We'll try make it better though, don't you worry.



Not much else to add here in Scotland, so goodnight for now.

Rocky x

A new TV came to stay with us today, it's always exciting when newbies come as they have so many stories to tell.Here we all are in a group photo. From left to right here we are MrCoolHH, Chance, Ronnie, Meleca, Rocky & Jennifer.



However Jennifer is leaving us soon, so that's a pity.

Looks like tomorrow is going to be good, tomorrow (if Eilidh can work out how to take us all - not easy transporting 5/6 toys) we are going to Edinburgh, the capitol city of Scotland!

So until later bye!

Rocky x

Yesterday was so very exciting here in Scotland. It rained all day but that did not put a dampner on things. First we had to hop on to the bus and travel to Edinburgh. Here are all us TVs being looked after by Eilidh's friend.



We were going to Edinburgh (the capitol city of Scotland, and a really lovely city - Eilidh's birthplace!) to see the African Children's Choir perform. I was pretty excited about seeing them as I'd heard they were good and very inspiring.



Unfortunately cameras were not permitted in the show - but it was wonderful, if you want to find out more about the choir be sure to look them up on google.



After seeing the choir it was time for a quick snack, so we headed to Starbucks where drinks and cookies were enjoyed by all.



Now we had been fed it was time for a little sightseeing - Eilidh did photo us with Edinburgh castle, however the weather was so gross that it's hard to make out. She says if you really want to see the picture or have a thing for castles then to let her know and she'll post them.









Because the festival is on in Edinburgh at the moment there are lots of funny signs posted around the city - apparently it's art? We found this one funny and fitting, seeing as we TVs are all tourists!



It was soon time to head home, so we walked to the bus station and waited for a bit. On the bus on the way home as we were crossing the Forth Road Bridge we got a lovely view of the rail bridge - so of course we could not resist a few photos!





What a lovely day out it was!
Rocky x

Oh my mum, you must be worried about me! I'm fine though so don't worry! I've just been at home here in Earlsferry relaxing for a week or two whilst Eilidh was super busy at school etc. However we toy voyagers decided enough was enough and made a protest to Eilidh.



It seems to have worked though because look, I've updated! Although I'm having to help Eilidh out a lot with the typing (and it's still super slow!) because yesterday she broke her wrist by falling down some stairs.



So to get over that excitement we wrote some postcards for postcrossing - which if you are not already a member of, I'd thoroughly recommend it.



Here I am looking at some of the cards Eilidh has received - they come from all around the world and it's very exciting!



Update you soon - I promise!

Rocky x

This morning we have been having a lesson - I've learned loads! Yesterday Eilidh received a package from my mum, Darcie. It was some state quarters. Eilidh says thank you mum! She is very grateful and has something to send you in return next time she's at a post office.



It was very exciting because Eilidh collects them, and these ones helped her almost (only have around 10 states to go!) finish the collection.



That got all us TVs thinking about British currency. You get loads of coins here, here we are with all the coins (minus a 50p as Eilidh couldn't find one).



Starting from the left you have a £1, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p. Similar to American currency apart from here they use coins for £1 rather than the $1 note. Here they have 50p's as well which would be like 2 quarters, and those coins are really quite big.

Then we looked at some notes. In the UK you get £100, £50, £20, £10 and £5 notes. Here we are with a £20 and a £10. These are Scottish notes, as opposed to English ones - and although Scotland and England both use the British Pound as it's currency if you tried to spend a Scottish note in England the shop assistant would act as if it was foreign money and probably have to ask their manager if they 'accept these'.



With the exchange rate as it is with the £30 we are photo'd with here we could get around $50. I guess that's why so many Brit's go to the US for shopping - it's just SO much cheaper.

We helped Eilidh put up the new quarters on her American map and admired our handy work. It's looking good.



Until later!
Rocky x

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO! The October holidays are here - two weeks off school for Eilidh. Perhaps even more exciting though is what happens in two days time - I set off with Eilidh on a school trip (for 10 days!) to China!

Whilst Eilidh has been finishing off at school we have been watching some British television. You get so many channels and shows here, it's fascinating.



This morning we went to the post office to pick up the Chinese curancy - Yuan. Here we are counting it out - do we look excited yet?



How about now?! We are almost all packed! Not that we will be going in the suitcase mind you, we TVs are far too important and will be travelling with Eilidh in her hand luggage, so when we return be sure to check out our photos from on the plane.



In China there are so many things we will be doing, here is a brief itenairy if you want to keep track.

Monday - Leave Glasgow airport, 14 hour flight (AHHH!) to Dubai. Arrive in Dubai at around midnight on Tuesday.

Tuesday - Fly from Dubai (an 8 hour flight, AHHH x2!) to Beijing. Arrive at hotel in Beijing at around 5pm, evening meal and bed.

Wednesday - Excursion to the Great Wall, Sacred Road and Ming Tombs. At night we will be seeing a Chinese acrobatic show.

Thursday - Trip to Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and the Chinese Imperial Palace. Afternoon visit to Hutongs with a rickshaw ride. Going on the overnight train to Xi'an.

Friday - Visit to the terracotta army museum, huaqing hot springs and a local market. At night we will be seeing the 'Tang Dynasty Show'.

Saturday - Visit to the wild goose pagoda and the Xi'an city wall. Overnight train back to Beijing.

Sunday - Visit to the summer palace, the 'bird's nest' Olympic stadium and Beijing zoo (to see the pandas!) At night we will be seeing a Kung Fu show.

Monday - Morning visit to a Chinese high school to compare lifestyles, afternoon trip to the silk market. Fly home.

Arrive home on the Tuesday at around 3pm.

I'll be sure to photo lots for you mum - sounds like it's going to be VERY action packed!

Rocky x

As you can imagine China was amazing, we did and saw so many things that it would take far too long to write about it all or even to upload all the photos, so Eilidh has compiled a short video on us TVs in China.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDCnQRFAU7c

You'll have to copy paste the link.

If you want any of the photo's individually, just let Eilidh know!

Rocky x

Updating Rocky's Google map

I have been at Julies house for almost a month now.  She has not been feeling very well and I am taking care of her   I am updating my Google map to show everyone where I am!!

Rocky

Hi Mum!

Well here are my updates from Bristol - so sorry for the delay!

I have been to Julie's work, went to the new shopping centre in town called Cabot Circu to go to the cinmea - we watched scary film called Paranormal Activity. Also helped making the roast diner for Christmas day, but the best thing has to be the snow that we have had .... it has been amazing, we got to make a snowman 

Well i am off on my travels to The Netherlands now, hopefully there will be lots more snow there

Hi there mommy!

I finally arrived in Holland today, was lying in the cold mailbox ALL day, waiting for Ragnhild and Freek, my new hosts, to come home from work!


JUST out of the smothering pack! Very happy to be here!


I met Sniff, Snuff and Ragamuffin, they are my hosts own TV's, soon to be sent out, i was lucky that got here in time to meet them!

Rocky

Just updating Rockys Google map

My first day in The Netherlands, and im having a good time!
We are 4 TV's here at the moment, im the only guest tho, the other three (Sniff, Snuff and Ragamuffin) belongs to Ragnhild, but they are soon going to travel!


We made fishsticks today, and Sniff and Snuff let me help out, even tho they LOVE to cook themselves
They are so kind to me!


This was the easiest, just put it in the pan, and heat it up, im gonna be a super chef!


Taking out the fishsticks from the pack, and putting them in the pan...


And this is the result, fishsticks with melted cheese, potatoes and carrots with peas, it was supoer good!
I will make you some when i get home mom, you will love it!


After dinner, we were surfing a bit, my host writes an online journal/diary, and she was updating it and reading other diaries


It has been a long day, and i got to sleep in a very comfy bed, it was HUGE!


Good Night!

Rocky

I arrived just on time to join my hosts to this cool restaurant with the whole soccer team


Me and the "gang"


Two of the girls in the soccer team, they really love the ToyVoyager idea, and might join too!


It was alot to choose from, it was hard to just pick one thing! I ordered the Ribeye!


I could see a little more from up here...


This is their card


This bucket was full of peanuts when we sat down...we were allowed to THROW them all over, what a whaste! I just wanted to take them, and cuddle them, and stash them away for ever and ever and ever! But it was fun to throw them too


A little apetiser, bread with butter


The whole reastaurant was really country and western style, real amercian style, and it was fun to see the license plates on the walls


Some more of the restaurant style...


I could try some nachos with cheese, red sause and other stuff on it, it was ok, but loved my hosts grilled corn with honney more


The ladies next to us had chicken wings before their dinner...smelled delicious!


Salt and Pepper, cowboy style!


The Ribeye arrived, and it was huuuuge!
But unfortionatly it wasnt very done, totally raw...eewww...


Me and Ragamuffing posing between dinner and dessert


I got my own sweetheart candy as dessert!


But the girls had ordered this super delicious cake thing, with icecream and all, and i got to taste, it was like so yummie i have never tasted anything better!!!
They shared it, cause it was really heavy on the tummy.


After dessert i got a bit of a sugar rush, and started clibing a tree!
Feeling really at home here


And Ragnhild was making me pretty with the dessert decoration

We got home pretty late,l and whent straight to bed, i was totally worn out, and had the biggest belly ever! haha

Yours,

Rocky