Travelog for: Hryusha

Hi everybody! My name is Hryusha and today I understood, that I was born for flying! Perhaps, not literally but... I want to see the World and meet other pigs (well, any animals), who wants more from life 
As you can understand, I'm not a common pig! I like to read books, so please, give me a chance to practise in foreign language in your library. I want to learn new cultures and I also want to know something intresting about my new hosts. You see, travel isn't only visiting fantastic places, it's visiting fantastic people too! Is there a difference between life in Russia and your country? I want to know it!
And last but not least - I'm vegeterian, and I want to come back home with new tasty recipes! I'm sure everybody has his favorite food without meat - maybe a salad or a pie or even a soup. Share it with me, please.
So, I'm looking for hosts who wants to show me were they live and what they do! Have a nice day!

Hi Mummy,
I made it to Germany!

I was released from my envelope by my first host Katja. She and three ToyVoyagers gave me a warm welcome. They are Bamboo, Commodore Quack and (un)Lucky Lily. Everyone was delighted by the cute postcard and the delicious chocolate that I brought with me.



Katja invited me to have some chocolate and a cup of coffee. When she said "Mmmhhh, chocolate with nuts ..." a cute squirrel joined us. She is also a ToyVoyager, Claire Squirrel. Of course she loves nuts



Later that afternoon we took a walk, visiting Germany's highest railway bridge, Muengsten Bridge. This bridge is overspanning the valley of the river Wupper. The bridge was built in early 20th century, finished in 1907 A.D. It is 465 m long and 107 m high. It is made of steel.

A few years ago a leisure park was built under the bridge. You can can find a new café here. It was opened last summer, it's facade looking like rusty iron. There are also lawns with seatings and sun chairs to relax and a crazy golf course. The river usually is really shallow here, so kids can play at the banks.



This is Muengsten Bridge, at least part of it



It is so large that it is nearly impossible to take a photo of the whole bridge. We had t o walk further than the golf course to take a photo.



We walked into the forest than, steep uphill for some time. Soon we were high above the valley.





We found engraved pictures on rocks.



We crossed the river Wupper here.



We enjoyed the last sun of the day.



We saw this lovely outlook pavilion, we did not want to disturb a smooching couple, so we did not get closer



This was a really interesting trip.

Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
today we visited Katja's friend She has a large dog, Pepe. We all enjoyed the fantastic weather in the garden. Katja and her friend were knitting socks.



I had a look around the garden than. Although it is already October, there are still flowers blooming.





We promised dog Pepe that we would take a walk with him later.

We went to 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.

We started our tour in a woodland area.



Soon we reached the open ranges.







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.





In the background you can see a housing area in Wuppertal, famous for its exquisite villas built by factory owners.







Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
last week the weather felt like summer, but this week it changed to autumn. When we went outside it was rather cold and rainy.

First we went to Hasten, picking up Katja's friend Erika. Hasten is one of the oldest districts of the municipal area, with narrow lanes and old houses.





We almost reached the valley of the Morsbach creek.



Along this creek you can find a lot of old industrial companies, this is where industrialization started in 13th century here. The creek was used to run water wheels.



We went into the forest than, straight uphill, leaving the valley. On the hill oposite of us you can see the city centre of Remscheid, with the two characteristic towers of the city hall and the water tower.





Suddenly the sun showed up!



We walked through a rural area than.



We saw beautiful sunflowers in the gardens.



From the open fields we had a great overlook. In the background you can see the outskirts of the district Luettringhausen.



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
today we took a long walk at a nearby dam, Sengbachtalsperre, a drinkingwater dam in Solingen. We started our trip in Solingen-Unterburg, in the valley of the river Wupper. I found a really weird thing here - a pink rock! Katja told us that this rock was painted pink as long as she knows this place (reeeeaaaally long )



We walked through the forest for some time until we reached the concrete dam.





The concrete wall is under construction at the moment, usually there are not so many fences.

The walking path was not following the banks of the dam, but went along the slope of the valley at a higher level.





We saw those large piles of trunks. Winter can come!



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
today we took a walk in a nearby forest, in a district called "Hohenhagen".

To get there, we had to walk through one of the surrounding valleys.





When we walked back home through the city it was already dawning.



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
my host is knitting in the evenings. She made a lovely tiny bag for another ToyVoyagers member. I liked it so much that she is now knitting a bag for me!



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
look at my bag!



Katja took me to the city centre in her lunch break. We started our trip at the city hall. Its tower is 48 m high, visible from a lot of places around the city, because the city centre is situated on top of a hill.



The city hall was originally built in 1906, but was nearly destroyed in World War II. When the war was over it was rebuilt in a more modern style.



There is a large open space in front of the city hall, the farmers market is taking place here twice a week. Here you can also find a pillar with a lion, the heraldíc animal of Remscheid.



The water tower is situated opposite of the back side of the city hall.



Here you can see the central bus station with one of the most busy streets in the city centre.



From a bridge we had a good overview to the district Hohenhagen in the background.



Somebody sprayed hearts to a concrete wall.



The main shopping street is beginning here.



We went through a side street to leave the shopping street. In the background you can see the company building of the local newspaper, Remscheider General-Anzeiger.



The central bus station once more ...



This is the public library.



We went to the shopping mall than, to do some shoppings for dinner. In the background you can see the tower of the city hall.



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
we are still having fantastic weather, so we are taking long walks every day. Today we followed a railway track for some time.





We walked through the district "Reinshagen" where I saw lovely houses.







We went into the forest than.



Do you remember that I showed you Muengsten Bridge on my very first trip? Today we walked where the bridge's abutments are situated. You have a fantastic view to the bridge from here.

From one side ...



... and from the other side.



We followed a lovely walking path along the railway track, it seems at is was not used too often. There is grass growing even on the path.



When we walked back home it was already getting dark.



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
today I helped Katja to prepare lunch.

We made couscous with ajvar. Ajvar is a delicacy from South Eastern Europe, especially the Balkan states. It is made from red bell peppers, with eggplant, garlic and chili pepper. Maybe we also know it at home in Russia.

First we took a mug full of couscous and some salt. We put it into a large bowl and added a mug full of boiling water.







We covered the bowl with a plate so the couscous could swell properly. In the meantime we prepared some vegetables, tomatoe and a turnip, also some cheese.



When the couscous was ready we added some ajvar and dried parsley.



Bon appetit!



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
today we took a walk in the vicinity of the medieval castle in the neighbour city Solingen. But first I have to tell you that we have a new visitor here, not another ToyVoyager, but a ToyVoyager host, fam-united. She will stay with us until Wednesday. She bought some plushy guests with her, of course

We saw the castle which is situated high above the river Wupper several times before we finally reached it.



We went to this lovely outlook pavilion to have a look across the valley.





We still had to walk some time.



We saw a defence tower. It was built for protecting the outer line of defence, some  hundred meters apart from the castle.



Here you can see me and all the other ToyVoyagers who went with us today.







Soon we reached the castle. A market for decorative arts is taking place here, as well in the courtyard as in the castle itself.



chloss Burg was built in 1133 by Count Adolf I von Berg on a hill above the river Wupper.That's why this region is called "Bergisches Land". Many people believe that it's name refers to the landscape with hills and valleys. (For those who do not speak German: The German word for mountain or hill is "Berg", so many people think that the name "Bergisches Land" means "land with many hills" )

About a hundred years later it was enlarged by Count Engelberg II von Berg. This is the man on the horse in the courtyard.





Inside the castle it was too dark to take good photos. Later Katja bought wooden buttons for knitted cardigan.



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
today we planned to visit a museum, the German Tool Museum (Deutsches Werkzeugmuseum). It is situated in the district Hasten, we went there through the municipal park.





The observatory is situated in the entrance area of the park.



We all had fun playing in the leaves.





Hasten is one of the oldest districts here, you can still find narrow lanes with cute old houses here.



Inside the museum we had to hurry a little bit, they were closing 30 minutes later. The ground floor is dominated by a steam-engine.



In each drawer you could find different tools.





A check clock ...



We also found displayed tools from early ages, for example Stone Age and Bronze Age.





A historic company sign ...



... and packed tools, ready for shipping abroad.



Outside the museum you can still find machines and tools.



Afterwards we took a short walk along those old houses.



In the evening our guest fam-united and I had fun with the ferrets!



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
today we decided to show Muengsten Bridge to fam-united, one of the touristic highlights of this region. I have been here before but today we even walked to the Solingen part of the bridge.

Can you see the little pavilion in the background? It is a sibling of the one we saw on Saturday, created by the same architect. We had to walk for only  a few minutes until we reached the bridge.





A few years ago a leisure park was built under the bridge. You can find lawns for relaxing here and a crazy golf course.



We even climbed to the train station on the Solingen part of the valley.





When we reached the station we took the train to Solingen to have lunch in a restaurant.

The Zwilling company is situated here, well known in the whole world for their knifes and cutlery.



We walked along an interesting playground.



Here you can see part of the former railway track, now built to a lane called "Korkenziehertrasse". Those buildings were the freight depots once, nowadays you can find artist's stores and cafés here.



Bye
Hryusha

Hi Mummy,
today I cooked for the whole bunch of ToyVoyagers

Katja has a calendar with receipes in the kitchen. The receipe for November seemed to be quiete good: Dumplings with red kuri squash and herbed quark.



You need the following ingredients:



500 g prepared red kuri squash (or any other squash)
400 g carrots
350 g leek
6 tblsp wheat flour
3 eggs
salt, pepper, 2 tsp curry powder
400 g quark
4 tblsp chopped herbs like parsley, chive, basil ...
oil for broiling



Here we go:

Carrots and squash had to be rasped, leek hat to be cut into small slices.



Mix eggs and what, add salt, pepper and curry powder. Intermingle this with the prepared vegetables.

Stir the quark with a little bit mineral water, add salt, pepper and herbs.





Heat oil in a pan. Than take a tablespoon and give the dumplings into the hot oil. Broil them for about 5 minutes on both sides.



Enjoy them



Bye
Hryusha