We got a really fun Christmas card today from Jerry and Ben. Thanks guys!
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Monday, December 16, 2019
Gilbert: Schiermonnikoog
Back to my adventures during the week in October we had a visitor.
On Wednesday of that week we went to Schiermonnikoog!
Schiermonnikoog is an island in the north of the Netherlands and is the favorite vacation spot of Sullivan. He didn't mind not going along, but said he might want to go on our birthday.
We biked around and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Then we stopped for a hot chocolate with amaretto before going to the beach.
Oh, shells. These are called razor shells I think?
I'm beginning to understand why Sullivan loves Schiermonnikoog.
I wouldn't mind coming here when it's summer.
Next we visited the old German bunker.
The bunker was build in WWII to host a radar system, but when they wanted to place the pole for the system it turned out it didn't fit. Some suspected it might have been sabotage.
The bunker has small windows to see who enters, which can be used to defend the bunker.
Yeah.... I don't know what that says.
Outside again!
According to Sullivan you can't go to Schiermonnikoog without visiting the red lighthouse.
I saw a shed with all kinds of different lifebuoys.
I think they were all washed up on the beach here.
There was a cool blue sign next to the lighthouse.
The perfect place for a last picture of me and the lighthouse.
One last look at the beach and the sea.
Then we went to Duinzicht for hot chocolate and a very tasty meal, close to the fireplace.
Another fun day.
Stay tuned for more
On Wednesday of that week we went to Schiermonnikoog!
Schiermonnikoog is an island in the north of the Netherlands and is the favorite vacation spot of Sullivan. He didn't mind not going along, but said he might want to go on our birthday.
We biked around and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
Then we stopped for a hot chocolate with amaretto before going to the beach.
Oh, shells. These are called razor shells I think?
I'm beginning to understand why Sullivan loves Schiermonnikoog.
I wouldn't mind coming here when it's summer.
Next we visited the old German bunker.
The bunker was build in WWII to host a radar system, but when they wanted to place the pole for the system it turned out it didn't fit. Some suspected it might have been sabotage.
The bunker has small windows to see who enters, which can be used to defend the bunker.
Yeah.... I don't know what that says.
Outside again!
According to Sullivan you can't go to Schiermonnikoog without visiting the red lighthouse.
I saw a shed with all kinds of different lifebuoys.
I think they were all washed up on the beach here.
There was a cool blue sign next to the lighthouse.
The perfect place for a last picture of me and the lighthouse.
One last look at the beach and the sea.
Then we went to Duinzicht for hot chocolate and a very tasty meal, close to the fireplace.
Another fun day.
Stay tuned for more
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Gilbert: Sinterklaas
Before continuing with the trips we made when we had family staying over in October, I bring you a Sinterklaas interlude.
Sinterklaasavond, or Saint Nicholas Eve is on December 5th. People get presents from Sinterklaas on that day or sometimes on a day close to it if not everyone can make it on the 5th. And sometimes people get presents twice!
But first:
My owner got me a horse!
The horse is called Amerigo and is a relative of Sinterklaas' horse. How cool is that!?
He is small but strong!
I love having my own horse.
On December 5th my owner was told that Sinterklaas would drop presents off at a friends place, so we went there of course. I was a bit troubled when I didn't see any names on the packages.
There were all kinds of yummy things to eat, and I got a Sinterklaas Surprise Egg.
It had a small charm in it with the face of Sinterklaas' horse.
Next we played a special game!
It turned out that there were no names on the packages because Sinterklaas thought it would be fun to win them in the game. So we played the game and won presents, sometimes we had to trade presents, and sometimes we even lost some!
But in the end we all had a stack of presents to unpack.
Sinterklaas clearly didn't know I'd be there as well, because the presents were not the kind I would want to get. And Sullivan advised against showing them on the blog, because some might be too naughty for our readers.
But on December 7th Sinterklaas dropped by again at the house of other friends with more presents! This time there was no game, but there were names on the packages.
And look at all the goodies!
There were books, candy, marzipan, cool toys, and more! Sullivan immediately checked out the books when we got home of course. I myself think the Players Handbook for D&D is the coolest of the books, so we decided I could get that book and Sullivan will read and review the others.
And we got new friends!
Saint Hamsterklaas and Hamster Piet also dropped by and decided to stay with us. They're relatives of Hammie Hamster they told me.
All in all it was a fun Sinterklaas season.
A big thanks to Sinterklaas for all the presents!
Sinterklaasavond, or Saint Nicholas Eve is on December 5th. People get presents from Sinterklaas on that day or sometimes on a day close to it if not everyone can make it on the 5th. And sometimes people get presents twice!
But first:
My owner got me a horse!
The horse is called Amerigo and is a relative of Sinterklaas' horse. How cool is that!?
He is small but strong!
I love having my own horse.
On December 5th my owner was told that Sinterklaas would drop presents off at a friends place, so we went there of course. I was a bit troubled when I didn't see any names on the packages.
There were all kinds of yummy things to eat, and I got a Sinterklaas Surprise Egg.
It had a small charm in it with the face of Sinterklaas' horse.
Next we played a special game!
It turned out that there were no names on the packages because Sinterklaas thought it would be fun to win them in the game. So we played the game and won presents, sometimes we had to trade presents, and sometimes we even lost some!
But in the end we all had a stack of presents to unpack.
Sinterklaas clearly didn't know I'd be there as well, because the presents were not the kind I would want to get. And Sullivan advised against showing them on the blog, because some might be too naughty for our readers.
But on December 7th Sinterklaas dropped by again at the house of other friends with more presents! This time there was no game, but there were names on the packages.
And look at all the goodies!
There were books, candy, marzipan, cool toys, and more! Sullivan immediately checked out the books when we got home of course. I myself think the Players Handbook for D&D is the coolest of the books, so we decided I could get that book and Sullivan will read and review the others.
And we got new friends!
Saint Hamsterklaas and Hamster Piet also dropped by and decided to stay with us. They're relatives of Hammie Hamster they told me.
All in all it was a fun Sinterklaas season.
A big thanks to Sinterklaas for all the presents!
Friday, December 6, 2019
Gilbert - We Go on a Boat Ride! (Picture Heavy )
I'm still so behind on posting my adventures. I must say I start to admire Sullivan, Beanie, and others for updating so timely.
Anyway: In October we got a visitor from Sweden. He wanted to see Groningen, so we showed him around of course.
First we climbed the Martini Tower.
This is a view on the entrance
Here you see an old ornament.
I'm not certain, but it might be from when the tower caught fire and had to be renovated.
We climbed all the way to the top, but I forgot to pose for a picture. I was too impressed with the view and the tower itself. It is 97 meters tall!
After climbing the tower we had something to drink. My special hot chocolate was tasty, but more lukewarm than hot.
Next we went on a boat tour!
We got tickets for the tourist boat that goes along the Groninger canals.
We started at the Groninger Museum. That's the building that looks like a child's toy box threw up.
And we were off!
I had a seat outside at the back, so I could see to the side and behind us.
Doesn't this picture look like I'm in the water?
I wasn't though, I was standing on the side railing of the boat. Completely safe.
Buildings look so different from this angle.
There are many old warehouses along the canals.
As you can see they get renovated so they can keep standing.
It was so much fun to see Groningen this way.
It wasn't very warm, but it was dry and there was even a bit of sun at times. And clouds!
I even learned some things about the city I didn't know yet. Like there being a wall that is called the Gin Wall.
View on the Martini Tower.
Both me and Sullivan think it's the most beautiful tower in the Netherlands, but I think we might be biased because we live in Groningen. Sullivan says, he has seen other towers, and is sure he is not biased.
Oh! The Pancake Ship!
I wanted to stop for a snack, but the boat tour didn't do unscheduled stops.
Creepy bridge shot.
Looks like we are leaving the city center behind us.
We were almost back at our starting point and I thought we would go back, but we took a different turn.
Wow! That is a big crane.
I'm not sure if I'd want to live in that building!
After some sightseeing outside of the city center we turned back and then we took the turn I thought we'd take earlier to go back to the starting point. It was a fun boat ride.
We had a look at the station and I had to pose with Uncle Loeks' Horse.
There's a song about this horse. Uncle Loeks was very rich and had horses that made him money with... racing I think. One of them kicked a stableboy and Uncle Loeks drove the horse away with a pitchfork to save the boy, but... he injured the horse and the wound got infected, so the horse died. The song is about the death of the horse.
Peerd van Ome Loeks is dood, Loeks is dood, Loeks is dood,
Peerd van Ome Loeks is dood, hartstikke dood.
Guster nog goud gezond, sluig 'e mit steert in 't rond
Peerd van Ome Loeks is dood, hartstikke dood.
My not perfect translation:
Uncle Loeks' horse is dead, horse is dead, horse is dead,
Uncle Loeks' horse is dead, totally dead.
Yesterday it was healthy, waving around its tail
Uncle Loeks' horse is dead, totally dead.
Next we visited the market where I spotted a fun trashcan.
And a seagull looking for fish!
Finally we went to the Gold Office (which is no longer a gold office, but a restaurant) and I had a hot chocolate that was actually hot.
Followed by fish and chips!
Yum!
It was a really fun day, but I was told we'd do even more fun stuff the next day.
Coming next: Schier
Anyway: In October we got a visitor from Sweden. He wanted to see Groningen, so we showed him around of course.
First we climbed the Martini Tower.
This is a view on the entrance
Here you see an old ornament.
I'm not certain, but it might be from when the tower caught fire and had to be renovated.
We climbed all the way to the top, but I forgot to pose for a picture. I was too impressed with the view and the tower itself. It is 97 meters tall!
After climbing the tower we had something to drink. My special hot chocolate was tasty, but more lukewarm than hot.
Next we went on a boat tour!
We got tickets for the tourist boat that goes along the Groninger canals.
We started at the Groninger Museum. That's the building that looks like a child's toy box threw up.
And we were off!
I had a seat outside at the back, so I could see to the side and behind us.
Doesn't this picture look like I'm in the water?
I wasn't though, I was standing on the side railing of the boat. Completely safe.
Buildings look so different from this angle.
There are many old warehouses along the canals.
As you can see they get renovated so they can keep standing.
It was so much fun to see Groningen this way.
It wasn't very warm, but it was dry and there was even a bit of sun at times. And clouds!
I even learned some things about the city I didn't know yet. Like there being a wall that is called the Gin Wall.
View on the Martini Tower.
Both me and Sullivan think it's the most beautiful tower in the Netherlands, but I think we might be biased because we live in Groningen. Sullivan says, he has seen other towers, and is sure he is not biased.
Oh! The Pancake Ship!
I wanted to stop for a snack, but the boat tour didn't do unscheduled stops.
Creepy bridge shot.
Looks like we are leaving the city center behind us.
We were almost back at our starting point and I thought we would go back, but we took a different turn.
Wow! That is a big crane.
I'm not sure if I'd want to live in that building!
After some sightseeing outside of the city center we turned back and then we took the turn I thought we'd take earlier to go back to the starting point. It was a fun boat ride.
We had a look at the station and I had to pose with Uncle Loeks' Horse.
There's a song about this horse. Uncle Loeks was very rich and had horses that made him money with... racing I think. One of them kicked a stableboy and Uncle Loeks drove the horse away with a pitchfork to save the boy, but... he injured the horse and the wound got infected, so the horse died. The song is about the death of the horse.
Peerd van Ome Loeks is dood, Loeks is dood, Loeks is dood,
Peerd van Ome Loeks is dood, hartstikke dood.
Guster nog goud gezond, sluig 'e mit steert in 't rond
Peerd van Ome Loeks is dood, hartstikke dood.
My not perfect translation:
Uncle Loeks' horse is dead, horse is dead, horse is dead,
Uncle Loeks' horse is dead, totally dead.
Yesterday it was healthy, waving around its tail
Uncle Loeks' horse is dead, totally dead.
Next we visited the market where I spotted a fun trashcan.
And a seagull looking for fish!
Finally we went to the Gold Office (which is no longer a gold office, but a restaurant) and I had a hot chocolate that was actually hot.
Followed by fish and chips!
Yum!
It was a really fun day, but I was told we'd do even more fun stuff the next day.
Coming next: Schier
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