Atlantis is calling... SOS for Lippe!!!

Oh boy, I'm really behind with my updates on Lippe's trip!!! So, for all his hosts, who didn't hear from me in a while, and for anybody who's interested, Lippe is currently enjoying life on the beautiful English Isle of Wight with @Kolo_Martin and @Leroy_Sealion and will then move on to Meowsachusetts, to meet his first US host @grrlysquirrel (aka my darling)!!! Lippe had to stay a bit longer in UK, as the volcano decided to blow his ashes up into the air, just when he wanted to take his journey across the BIG ocean!!! So, Lippe moved on to Kolo, whos female pawson had planned a trip to Texas, but was held in UK too, not because of the ash cloud, but due to a bug, that caused high temperature on her way to catch her flight!!! She was very sad, but Lippe came to cheer her up...

But that's not today's story!!! This post is about Lexie ( @dogstoyevsky for those of you, who still haven't met her) and her mum and dad, taking Lippe out to their boaty, the Atlantis!!! OMG, Lippe must have been sooooo excited!!!

I talked to Lexie about the Atlantis, and now I am an expert!!! I will give you all the info... right, when I found my fact sheet!!! Ah, there it is!!!

The Atlantis is a beam trawler, which was built in the Netherlands in 1968. I guess, that was when all the hippies started to show up, singing about love and peace and happiness and smoking BIG cigarettes. But back to the topic... The Atlantis is 100 ft in lenght and has a beam of 21 ft. Lexie told me, that "dat is across her from port to starboard". The boat weighs about 105 tons and has a Stork diesel engine 660 hp, with nautical mile range of 4,600.

She was busy fishing (not Lexie, the boaty!!!) for scallops in the Irish Sea until 2003. Then Lexie's mum and dad bought her from Kilmore Quay, Ireland.

They decided to turn the Atlantis into a motor yacht and have been busy working on making their dream come true, during the past seven years!!! And they worked really hard on turning the Atlantis into a yacht, on which they hope to welcome guests one day!!!

They removed all fishing gear, including A frame, winch and beam arms. Then they stripped out bow cabin and fishhold and built bedrooms and en-suite in the old fishhold. They also removed the old galley (kitchen), put in a new generator and reconditioned the engine. Lexie's mum and dad also built a new maindeck structure and a new wheelhouse, spray-foamed all the new accomodation, installed chain and locker, a new deck winch and new anchors!!! That's really exciting, isn't it?!

But there is still a lot to do, to get the Atlantis ready. And so came Lippe and offered his help...

Lexie's dad asked him to show off his skills and make a bowline knot - here is the result...

But he still believed in Lippe and took him into the engine room... And it seems like Lippe did a good job working...

...and resting!!!

He checked the pressure...

...handed out the tools to Lexie's dad...

...and pushed the button!!! And I hope, it was the right one - at least, the Atlantis did not sink!!!

After working hard and taking a bath, Lippe listened to Lexie and her peeps, telling him about heir plans with the Atlantis.

They told him, they have to finish her off inside and water-blasting her outside for painting. Then, they want to move the Atlantis to Malta. Lexie has her own doggy passport and can move with them!!! She told Lippe, as long, as they stay inside Europe, they can go back and forth to the UK. But if they leave Europe, they can not return, as Lexie would have to be in quarantine for 6 months then!!! Lippe was shocked!!! That's impossible, they cannot seperate lovely Lexie from her mum and dad for sooooo long!!!

So, they will stay inside Europe for now, but they dream of getting the Atlantis across the Atlantic one day, or eventually move her to New Zealand!!!

When they are in Malta and Lippe is back from his trip around the world, he is invited to visit them on the Atlantis again!!! And he will be so happy, to see them one more time!!!

But for now, it was time to say goodbye to Lexie and her mum and dad. Lexie gave Lippe one last BIG hug and they both wiped a tear from their eye...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lexie!!! For all you and your peeps did, to make Lippe feel at home with you!!! Seeing the pics of you and Lippe made me and mom smile and brought tears of joy!!! Ich liebe dich, darling!!!

Everybody should check out Lexie's pawsome bloggy, where she writes about her adventures and tells a lot more about the Atlantis!!! It's worth visiting!!!

The next day, Lippe moved on to @jazzydacat in London, who gave him a warm welcome at her house. Please see the video on the sidebar too!!!

Jazzy and Lippe made friends very quickly...

...because she was very friendly and even gave him a little kiss!!!

Then, Lippe met his new buddy Murphy. We already heard many stories about Murphy and we were right, the two have a lot in common!!!

Murphy shared his bed with Lippe and the next day he was going to work with Jazzy's human sister Trea!!! That Trea is a very busy lady, who works at University College London!!! Maybe Lippe got a chair at UCL, we will find out in my next post... 

Another sad goodbye and some woofin' wif da Lexie...

Little Lippe's trip is going sooooo well, it's just overwhelming!!! I knew, my anipals would take great effort in giving Lippe a good time at their places, but the adventures he experienced so far, were just pawsome!!!

Traveling the world is great fun, but there are also sad moments to go through. Saying goodbye is always hard for Lippe and his hosts. He spent a wonderful week in Oakham with Fuzzy, but time flew by way too fast again!!!

At their last evening together, they finished their book about The Monkeys Escape...

...and the next morning came. Lippe, Fuzzy and his siblings met for a group hug...

...followed by a last BIG hug from Fuzzy, before Lippe had to leave.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Fuzzy!!! You were a great host and became a very good friend for Lippe!!! I'm sure, he will visit you again, when he's back from his adventure!!!

Fuzzy took many, many pawsome pics of Lippe's visit!!! You may see more of them on his flickr, it's definitely worth watching!!!

But Lippe had to move on to his next destination at @dogstoyevsky 's, to arrive their on time for Easter!!!

I was a little worried, if he might be scared of Lexie, as he is not used to doggies, but no, it was love at first sight between Lippe and her!!!

They became friends right away and Lippe loves to give his Lexie some nice ear rubs.

In the evening, Lexie wanted to take part in @henryandfriends #keepfits on Twitter, but I guess, Lippe got her a little wrong...

He was tired from his journey, but there was enough time for some chocolate eggs before going to sleep...

The next morning came and the sun was out and smiling for Lippe and Lexie!!!

They decided to have a little play in the garden, so Lexie grabbed her ball and off they went...

But I guess, Lippe had football on his mind, when Lexie asked him for a game and not throwing this iron thing around...

After the game, they both needed a little rest and some treats.

Later that day, Lippe went to bellydancing with Lexie's mum!!! I'm not sure, if he wasn't a little too overdressed...

However, the dancing ladies loved him and little Lippe felt like having a BIG harem!!! The troupe teached him some bellyrolls and I can tell you, Lippe has enough belly to roll...

The next day, Lexie took her new little friend to a birdy reservation. Lippe was very excited, as he loves to watch birdies!!! He even tried to fly like a bird too...

It was a windy day at the reservation, but Lippe was a good boy and wore his waistcoat, he got from Fuzzy, outside. And Lexie was very caring and sheltered him from the wind.

Next day, next adventure!!! Lexie and her peeps took Lippe to Colchester Castle and the Hollytrees Museum!!!

Time for a little more history!!!

Let me tell you about Colchester Castle first:

Beneath Colchester Castle are the remains of the most famous Roman buildings, the Temple of Claudius (built 54 AD - 60 AD). The Romans built the temple, to show off their power and success, but the native Britons felt oppressed by them, so that the temple became a main target of the rebels led by Queen Boudica, who attacked the Roman town of Colchester in AD 60. They barricaded themselves into the temple, but after two days, they were all killed by the Romans. Up to 30,000 people could have been killed, but the town and temple were rebuilt after the revolt.

Around 1076, the great stone base of the ruined temple became the foundation for Colchester Castle. But the huge size of the temple meant, that the keep of Colchester Castle was the largest ever built in Britain. Nowadays, it's the largest existing example in Europe.

Colchester Castle was ordered by William I and building went on until 1080, when a threat of Viking invasion forced a stop. But the Castle was completed around 1100.

In 1645, Matthew Hopkins, a self-made Witchfinder General, used the Castle to imprison and interrogate suspected witches.

In 1648, during the final stages of the English Civil War, the Royalist leaders Sir George Lisle and Sir Charles Lucas, were executed just to the rear of the Castle. It is a local legend, that grass will not grow on the spot, on which they fell.

Colchester Castle has been used as a museum since 1860 and is still a symbol of Colchester, the oldest recorded town of Britain.

Now, we all need a little break, a piece of cake and plenty of whipped cream...

...before I go on telling you about Hollytrees Museum:

Hollytrees Museum is situated in an 18th century house, which was used as a private residence until 1929. Then, it was turned into a museum. It was built in 1718 and is called Hollytrees, because of two holly trees planted there in 1729.

Some people claim, that there is a ghost living at Hollytrees. Many of the staff have reported footsteps and piano playing accompanied by wafts of perfume...

At Hollytrees Museum, Lippe discovered 300 years of English history and he learnt much about the life of the rich and the poor people during that period.

He tried out their machines...

...watched their uniforms...

...and picked a precious tea spoon for his Earl Grey.

After a long day at Colchester, Lippe needed a rest and picked an old chair at the museum for it - I hope that was not the reason, they threw him into jail...

Outside the museum, he saw a phone and wanted to give us a call - but he had forgotten our phone number!!! Oh, dear!!!

So, he went back into the museum and left us an old-fashioned text message before they left homebound!!!

After their adventure at Colchester, Lexie and Lippe spent a lazy Easter Sunday at home. Lippe had a traditional English breakfast served in bed and I bet, all of it disappeared in his tummy!!! You see, he is completely feeling at home, but I hope, he took only his shirt off and not also the pants...

Later, Lippe and Lexie watched some Formula 1.

Lippe was very happy about Sebastian Vettel's victory, but Lexie looks a little (just a little ;-)) upset, as the English drivers did not really well...

Then, they took a little walk down to the water, to end the day.

Thank you Lexie and peeps for all the great adventures and the many, many pawsome pics you took for us!!! We hope you're enjoying Lippe's stay with you as much, as we do!!!

If you haven't met Lexie on Twitter, do it right now @dogstoyevsky!!!

And check out her pawsome bloggy as well!!!