Brom and Mouse go on a long trip

Coocoo

Well, that was a looooooong trip. First Mara packed the car. Then we drove to Stavanger where we would take the big overnight ferry to Denmark. We were early, but there were already some other people waiting in the queue. Since we had to wait, Mara got out her knitting (yes, really) and continued with another friend. Finally we were able to check in and then we had to wait some more.

Perfect

Mara said the ferry had to come from Bergen (further North in Norway), but it finally arrived and we were able to drive on. Then Mara collected her little overnight bag, us and her handbag (with knitting) and we went upstairs to find our cabin. It was a beautiful cabin and it even had a television. Me and Mouse divided up the beds, but Mara didn't think it was such a good idea and in the end she slept at one side of the bed and me and Mouse slept on the other side. 

Mara said no, even though they were proper beds!

We say slept, because where we did sleep like hibernating bears, Mara did not. She says that boats and sleeping are not good. She always gets seasick and even though the sea was not rough at all, she didn't get sick and she didn't hear any of the other passengers due to a great pair of earplugs, she felt every single up and down in her stomach! Up and down and up and down...

Well, okay then...

In the middle of the night she woke us both up, because she couldn't sleep at all and decided she would work on the new friend! But, in the end she did manage to get some more sleep. Finally the lady in the roof told us we were close to Denmark and that it was time to get up and get some breakfast. And when breakfast was over, we went back to the car and waited for the ferry to arrive, so we could disembark and drive home. 

The view from our cabin at the front

Denmark is very different from Norway. It is almost flat! But it was just as wet as Norway: a lot of rain and rain and more rain. But, the music was going, the gps was set (only 850 km to go) and the car was going great. After half an hour though, the rain stopped and the sun came out. It got warmer and warmer and Mara had to turn the airconditioning on. Then we had to stop: Cookie the Car needed a drink and Mara needed the opposite. On we went...

I got a stamp in my passport!
It says that we were on the MS Stavangerfjord!

We got to Germany (still flat, still sunny and warm) and passed Hamburg without too much trouble. We drove on to Bremen, where we got stuck in a traffic jam. We lost some good time there. But, we passed Bremen eventually and made our way South again. Another traffic jam, this one even worse! But, we passed that one eventually as well. We saw the first sign for a Dutch place, but it wasn't the way we were going, so we ignored it and drove on. And on. And on.

Let's go!

And then all of a sudden, we drove in the Netherlands. We were getting close! We were ready by that time, because we had been in the car since early that morning. One more stop (thirsty Cookie, opposite driver) and then the last stretch. We entered Mara's hometown, then the suburb, then the street and then we saw the house! In the end our car journey had lasted from 7.45am to 6.30pm. Without any long stops, but even though Mara was very tired, she was not doing badly at all. The nice food and the big bowl glass of wine probably helped get her getting right on top of things again!

Finally we were home!

Brom does the trikk

Coocoo!

I bet you didn't expect me here today! Well, it was a surprise to me as well, but it was a lovely surprise. Because we took the plane to Oslo today. So, we caught an early flight, went on a very fast train and then went on a trikk. Or a tram in English. 

'Our tram'

First Mara had to get photos made, but because we were very early, we had to wait for nearly an hour for the shop to open. Fortunately Mara had her book and there was plenty to see in the street as well. When the photo place finally opened, Mara had her photo taken and after the man fiddled around with it for a long time, we could finally leave and go to our real destination. 

The Dutch Embassy

We didn't take the tram this time, because it was so close. Instead we walked. Well, Mara walked and I enjoyed the view. After only ten minutes we arrived at this big big house. It was the Dutch Embassy. Because we are going on a really nice holiday later this year and Mara's passport was about to become invalid, she had to get a new one. 

Det kongelige slottet (or the Royal Palace)

The appointment was for 11am, but we were very early. The lady said that she could help us immediately however. There was another man who had an earlier appointment, but he didn't have a photo or a paper saying he lived in Norway or the document he had to fill out. So, he had to go away and it was our turn. Ten minutes later we were all done!

My favourite fountain of the day

Because we were so early, we did some sightseeing. Mara had been to Oslo before, but I hadn't been allowed to come then, so this time I got to see a bit as well. I saw the castle where King Harald and Queen Sonja live, a fountain and a flower market. 

Don't you just love orange flowers?

It was only a short visit though and we had to leave pretty soon again. Mara wanted to take another tram back to the train station, but in the end she walked all the way. In total she walked nearly 10 km today and she doesn't know where she did that. She is silly sometimes!

Brom investigates

Coocoo

Yesterday Mara and I took the car and drove for a long time. And then she showed me a tower and I thought it must be Pisa in Italy (I know things you know), but Mara said no, we weren't in Italy, we were still in the Netherlands. In fact we were in the town where she grew up and they too have a leaning tower!

But we weren't there to see the leaning tower (or Oldehove as it's called), we were there to do some serious investigating. Because we were going to the archives. There were so many books and papers and all sorts of other things. Mara had been clever and had made a short list of the things she wanted to see and one by one they appeared. 

The legacy of a female ancestor to find out what kind of shop she had (didn't find the answer). The contract between a conscript and his replacement, plus when the replacement left and the conscript had to go into Napoleon's army himself (found only the first part). The contract between another conscript and his replacement (found it all) and the birth certificate of Mara's grandfather. 

After all that searching I was getting a bit fed up. It's hard enough writing in English and Dutch, but when you have to read scribbles, part of them in French, it gets quite difficult in the end. Besides, Mara had promised a cow!

When we got outside however, it was raining, so instead of the cow, we went to some shops. And then we rang to a cousin of Mara's and we had a lovely evening with her family. It might not have been as relaxing, but it certainly was a great day!

Brom is still relaxing

Coocoo

Well, even though I have been relaxing (which I must admit is great), Mara has not done it to the same degree. Because Mara has a goal. Not only did she come to see her parents and to have a holiday. She also wanted to see all the old photos again and possibly get some other information. Plus there was a mouse to finish (done) and a pair of socks to knit (in the process).

Mara's greatgrandfather Hendrik
(the father of the father of her mother)

This time however, she was going to ask her Mum and Dad to help out with the photos. Perhaps they knew somebody on one of those old photos. Unfortunately her dad didn't have that many photos. Most of the older and childhood photos that were there got destroyed in a fire in the sixties and the family had to beg the photos back from family and friends that might have been sent a photo. Her mum had some more photos and when they went through them, they found old aunties and uncles and a photo with her mum's grandparents on! Isn't that fantastic?

But her mum had another surprise up her sleeve: paperwork. Mara already has all her old schoolreports and a vaccinationbooklet, but this time her life was made nearly complete: her baptismal records, including the service and hymns that were sung. 

Mara at 2 years old

And then today she talked to her mum's eldest sister, who has lots of old photos as well. So, we will be going on another trip this week to visit this aunt and see what we can find out over there. It is so exciting!

Brom relaxes

Coocoo

Well, after the surprise of the trip, I am relaxing like crazy. Mara and her mama went shopping first of all, but I wasn't allowed to come because it looked like rain. Mara came back with lots of things. Eight shops and she bought something in nearly every one! 

She bought ribbons for me, one with the Dutch flag and one with the Frysian flag. She bought hairgrips and a row counter (because she forgot to bring hers). She bought something called V.I.Poo which is something to make the smell disappear after you have done a ehm... poo. She bought some very nessecary orange finger nail polish. She even bought some buckles she needs to make me a proper lederhosen! Oh and some 'home made' ribbon. It's a good thing she packed an extra suitcase!

And the eggs? They are for her friend back home who looks after Miss Oswin. Provided of course Mara can resist the temptation and eat them herself!

In the afternoon we went to visit a friend of Mara's. She phoned first and they were very surprised when Mara said that she would be over in about 30 minutes! But it was good fun. Slobbery kisses for the children (she is allowed you know, she is an aunty) and big bear hugs for her friends. There was cake and spaghetti (not at the same time) and Mara even had to ask for some more food. Now, this friend is usually stuffing Mara with every food under the sun, but this time she had decided not to do it. So, she was very happy when Mara asked. 

We went home after dinner and went to bed quite early. Two short nights does that to people you know. I don't know what we are going to do today yet. Probably more relaxing. I like relaxing...

Brom gets a surprise

Coocoo

A surprise? Well, I'll say! A big surprise. Very very very big! Because yesterday morning, Mara packed a bag and then took me and off we went. She didn't want to say where we were going, but I knew it was going to be big, because the next thing I saw was the local airport! We were going on a plane again. And when we landed, we were in Oslo. 

In Oslo we had to wait a while. And another while and then another while and then we had to wait a while longer (8 hours in fact), before we could get on our next plane. And then the plane took off and we went to...

Amsterdam!

But from Amsterdam we took a train and then we got on a taxi and then we were home. And home is where Mara's mama and papa live. Only Mara's mama knew we were coming though and it was a big surprise to her papa to see us there. Mara even shouted SURPRISE! 

A week's holiday. Isn't it a great surprise??

PS. Mara took photos, really she did, but the little rope thingy for the iPod doesn't fit and the other thingy doesn't fit into the computer either. So, you will have to wait to see the photos. She says she is sorry!

Brom went to the bottom of the sea

Brom here again. I was a bit worried before we left today, because the weather wasn't very nice at all. A lot of wind and black clouds and even rain and hail and thunder and lightning. I stood at the window and watched. And I knew it would be very very difficult to see the tulips. But Mara said the rain wouldn't be all the time and off we went. 

We went driving a long time, but I did see lots of tulips. I wanted to sit between the tulips, but I couldn't get over the ditch and neither could Mara. So, we had to take photos from the road. But the tulips were still very beautiful. And lots of different colours as well. Red and yellow and my very favourite: orange. I saw other colours as well, but we didn't always stop to take photos. 

I also saw apple blossoms and an aeroplane (Mara will tell you all about that one later) and lots of different roads. We were driving all over the place. It was good fun. Just Mara and me and beautiful views. It didn't last though. You can already see it in this photo as well. The skies were grey and...

After a while it started raining. Very hard. Very very hard. So hard, that Mara couldn't see the road anymore. Taking photos then is not nice either, although she did try with a wind turbine. And another one that I really liked with grey skies and wet and a stripe of yellow tulips in the distance.

When we were done driving we went to visit an old colleague of Mara's. They had invited some other people as well, so it was like a little party. Again! There were drinks and nibbles (I didn't partake) and onion soup. The best thing though: all the stories I had never heard. Mara had heard some of them, but others were new to her as well. And then there was a slide show. With buses coaches! Puhlease!! Mara got excited though and there were a lot of photos of old colleagues as well. Even one of Mara with a duck on her head!! Very funny! 

Today we are going home again. The holiday is over. And it's only 3 months to our next holiday. In Scotland. Where there will be lots more to see and do. I will see you then! Oh, and the bottom of the sea? That's where we were today. And all the tulips as well. But now there is land and no more sea.

Brom checking out the birds

Hi there, it's Brom here, telling you more about my holiday. And yesterday was a great day! Even if Mara sort of forgot a bit about me at first. Which wasn't good. I only heard her chat with her friend and only heard her when she gave hugs to two children. I would have liked a hug as well you know!

And then I didn't hear anything anymore. I think they went outside. Later Mara told me she jumped on a trampoline! She jumped on a trampoline!! I would have liked to jump on a trampoline as well. But then she came running in (I heard her) and she grabbed the camera and she grabbed me. There was something really special she wanted me to see.

Boy oh boy, was it special! It really really was. It was something I had never ever ever seen before. Mara's friends have a little nesting box in the back of their garden and in that nesting box there were about five baby great tits! They were tiny. And when you squeaked, they started squeaking as well. Mara took some photos, but unfortunately the one with me wasn't so good. But I saw them, I'll remember.

Can you see the bug?

After we had closed the nesting box again, Mara and I waited for the mama or papa to come back to the nest. There was one really close by and it had a nice fat bug as well, but it was a bit scared of us. But right at the end, it finally flew in. It was real exciting!!

Right after that, Mara's friend came home from work and Mara's friend's boyfriend (who is also a friend of Mara, very confusing), left for work. Now there was more chatting, but I was right there and could hear everything they said. They even talked of me!! So, I forgave Mara for forgetting a bit about me at first. 

I wasn't allowed to come to the food place though. It was only bad food, although Mara says it was yummy. She left the camera with me, but I couldn't get the lenscap off, so no photos. I would have liked to take some of the two little guinea pigs, I bet they would have been very friendly. But, Mara's friend did take some photos of Mara and the two children. And me of course. Don't forget me!!

Today is my last day and if all goes well: tulip day! I am looking forward to it. And to meeting Mara's old colleagues. I bet they have lots of stories to tell.

Brom saw a bus

Well, here's Brom again. And no, I didn't see a bus. I saw lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of buses! It was really exciting, mainly since Mara was sometimes jumping up and down and nearly making me sick (and you can see why: I was in her pocket). 

The reason there were so many buses (or coaches as Mara says) on the road was, because there was a big football match happening in Rotterdam. That is always where the cup final takes place and this year it was between PEC Zwolle (which is where we're staying right now: Zwolle) and FC Groningen, a city in the north of the country. And both teams had about 250 buses coaches filled with supporters going to Rotterdam.

You can see the Duck family behind my ear.

While we had to wait for the first buses coaches to come past, we looked at the river IJssel and all of a sudden we saw Papa and Mama Duck and four little Ducklings. They were trying to cross the river! But the river was flowing very fast and there was a lot of wind. So, when Papa Duck saw a large freighter headed their way, he ushered them all back to shore, where they got some rest. 

Ten minutes later there was another try and they made it! All six of them swam to the other side. We were all really impressed and even applauded!

After we saw the ducks and the buses coaches, we left because we were going to visit a really really good friend of Mara's. But on our way there, we had another little stop and we saw even more buses coaches! This time the FC Groningen supporters, because they didn't want them using the same routes! 

But then we really started driving to the friend and I was allowed to sit in front at the window! I saw a lot of tulips and Mara said that if they are still there tomorrow (Tuesday) she will take a photo of me with some tulips. I would like that very much. I would like it a lot more than all those buses coaches, but don't tell Mara!

When we got to Mara's friend (Pepperfly and Mr Pepperfly and Peppermaggot) it was very nice. They are really nice people who know how to cuddle. Which is very important for a teddy bear I will have you know! We talked and talked about Mara and Gera (that is Mara's sister by the way) and Pepperfly and all sorts of things. We had tea and cake, although I didn't partake. We saw the house and Mara said it was a lot nicer than the first time she saw it. Which was when they hadn't moved in yet and there was a lot of stuff on the floor. 

Now there were all sorts of nice things everywhere. Comfy chairs, soft cats (three) and even a little 'Help' teddy*, who didn't mind his photo taken at all! He was very nice as well and very soft.

We went out to dinner afterwards, which was really great. Although there were some children running around and I got a bit scared. I didn't want to come out of the bag until they were gone. I did check the menu out though with Mara. White wine pineapple with ice cream we chose. Very yum. But, I got very tired and so did Mara and we went home soon afterwards. But it was a great day! 

*Help teddies are given out by the emergency services to children who have been through an accident or a fire or something like that. It gives them something to cling to when there might not be something else to cling to at that moment, like parents or own teddies. 

Brom on the road

Always wear your seatbelt!!

Remember me? Brom? The little teddy bear of Mara's youth? The one that got completely fixed up last year? Well, ever since I have been bugging and bugging Mara to let me come on a trip. After all, I was doing well now! She didn't want to take me to the hospital when she was going (she thought it might be a bit scary), but a trip to the Netherlands might be okay she said. 

I didn't partake. This time...

And then a trip to the Netherlands was booked. Because her parents were celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary with a little party. And we were invited. Well, she was, but I was allowed to tag along!! So, I was strapped in safely (see photo) and made the journey from Haugesund to Copenhagen and then on to Amsterdam. By plane! It wasn't the first time of course, I have been on lots of planes, but never for a holiday, so it was a bit special.

The smell of the beer was a little yuck, so I tried to jump back.

Today was the party and it was a really great one. There were yummy cakes, there was beer (the cakes were yummier) and there were a lot of people. And some of those people didn't mind giving me a cuddle and then having their photo taken! They thought I was very special and one or two even remembered me!! Because Mara and I used to go everywhere together when we were young (I am only 2 years younger than Mara is, but muuuuuuch better looking)!!

One of my favouritist uncles in the whole wiiiiide world.

So, I made lots of new friends and got lots of hugs and cuddles. I can't wait for the rest of this holiday...

I am still here!

One of the rides

There were a few things I noticed when I got back home on Monday. Number one was that Oswin had not been hungry during my time away from home. At all! Which is a good thing. In fact, she desperately needed some excercise other than walking to her food bowl. So, she was let out for a few hours and every day since. 

Eating in the bath? Only in the Efteling!
A novelty bin

Number two was that my lovely green suitcase is in desperate need of replacement. It really has been through the wars it seems. Over the years it has been everywhere with me, mostly on the coach, but in the last few years on planes as well. And especially the latter has done some real damage to the suitcase. A hole, a rip and the latest: the wheels. So, before my next trip I will have to go suitcase shopping. A good thing my next trip will not be before next year, so I can save up a bit. 

Scene from Sleeping Beauty

Number three was the grass in my garden: it was long! It would need some severe trimming before it would be too long again. Yesterday I tackled that and now it looks lovely and short again. I hope to get in at least one more trim before winter really sets in, but I remember last year: rain every day (it seemed like) or work that interfered with my grass trimming. 

But of course you didn't want to know about all the things that happened after my return. You want to know about my weekend away. As you may remember my mother reached retirement age last week and we usually decide to give them a present from all of us for those benchmark days. This time we had given her a weekend away in the biggest amusement park in the Netherlands. It originally started as a fairy tale park drawn by Dutch artist Anton Pieck. But soon the first merry-go-rounds and rollercoasters started appearing. And then a few years ago the hotel was built as well. 

Long Neck. The most famous inhabitant

I wasn't completely convinced that the present would be right. I just knew it was going to be busy (it was, although not as busy as I had feared, 45 minutes was the longest wait I saw/was in). And with our luck, of course it would rain. Which it did. A lot. On Saturday anyway. Sunday was a beautiful day. 

Scene from Little Red Riding Hood

When my sister and I finally joined the rest of the party, they had already been cooked (the cauldrons, a bit like the teacups), been in a rollercoaster in the dark (scary according to the two eldest children) and several other rides. We saw some of the fairy tale woods, had some lunch, went on a sedate ride called the Fata Morgana and of course went on rollercoasters. The wooden 'George and the Dragon' was a scary one. It didn't do a loop, but it changed direction so much, you were just jolted about a lot. 

Toothache anyone? (Fata Morgana)

After a day walking around in the rain (and a really bad night the night before), I was completely pooped. So, we spent a lovely dinner 'en famille' with a lot of gifts, since not only my mother was celebrating her birthday, two of the children had their birthdays as well and needed gifts. 

The room/bed my sister and I shared.
If you watch closely you might see the mouse...

Because neither my sister or myself will be going home again this year, we thought it would be best if we bought gifts for number three as well. Which she didn't mind getting. We asked. After dinner most of them went back to the park again to enjoy some more rides and some night shows. I stayed in the hotel with my sister and my mother. 

Game of the Goose. Great midnight game.
Especially if neither can sleep

On Sunday the weather had cleared up and since we were staying in the hotel, we got into the park earlier and had some quiet rides and some quick lines. More rollercoasters, including one with two loop-de-loops and two corkscrews, but nowhere near as scary as the one on the first day. A large show featuring horses, a bobsled ride and some of the rides we did the day before, like the wild water one. I got soaked! By the end of the weekend we were all done for, but it had been a great weekend. 

Perennial favourite. Hours of fun!

And now I am back home. Again. With a thinning Oswin, short grass and a suitcase that needs replacing. And on Monday it will be back to normal: work. After two wonderful weeks.