Get your lesson in English history!!!

As some of you told me, they find it very interesting to learn more about the places Lippe's hosts live in, I did some research and talked to Fuzzy, to add more information to my new blog post about Lippe's time in Oakham. So, get ready for a little, funny lesson in English history!!!

Fuzzy and his pal Wheatus take great effort in showing Lippe around!!! They already took two trips into the countryside with him!!! One led them to Rutland Water by bus and the other to Burghley House.

Okay, let's start off with Rutland Water:

Rutland Water is a drinking water reservoir in the county of Rutland, not far away from Fuzzy's hometown Oakham. It is one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe - set in 3,100 acres (13 km²) of countryside and has a 25 mile (40 km) circular track for walking or biking.

In 1975, the Gwash Valley was flooded and Nether Hambleton, as well, as most of Middle Hambleton, were demolished. Upper Hambleton survived and now sits on the Hambleton Peninsula within the lake.

Normanton avoided flooding, but St. Matthew's Church did not. An embankment was built around the church, so that it's upper part could become a prominent feature, showing the reservoir's story to the public. Nowadays, it's a museum, presenting the history of Rutland Water.

Rutland Water is a reservoir, but also a sports center. Visitors enjoy fishing, sailing, biking, walking birdwatching and of course resting there...

But it has been a long day at Rutland Water and time came, to wait for the bus home!!!

Please, note the funky red waistcoat, Fuzzy's human made for Lippe!!! He is being treated like a prince!!! To me, Fuzzy, Wheatus and Lippe are "Team Red" now!!!

But there is much to see around Oakham and their motto is: "Another day, another attraction"!!!

Next stop: Burghley House!!!

Burghley House was built for Sir William Cecil (later called Baron Burghley) by the end of the 16th century and was completed in 1587, situated in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Baron Burghley was Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, which means, he knew better about money than her - you know girls and money = plenty of shoes and dresses, but no money left...

Burghley House became the residence of Baron Burghley's descendants, the Earls and Marquesses of Exeter and is now owned by a charitable trust.

It is one of the principal examples of the 16th century English Elizabethan architecture and has 35 major rooms, more than 80 lesser rooms, plus halls, corridors and bathrooms!!! I'm more than glad to hear, no one got lost inside there!!!

The house is set in a 300 acre deer park, which is home to a herd of fellow deer!!! Of course, Lippe had to pay the deer a visit as well!!! One of them was not shy at all and came really close, so that Wheatus was able to take this pawsome pic of Fuzzy, Lippe and the deer!!!

Then, they went into the shop, which is no surprise to me, as Lippe loves to shop!!! But what they found in the shop really surprised me - my salt and pepper look-alikes!!! I guess, Lippe was surprised to see me at Burghley House too!!!

Before they left homebound, Fuzzy told Lippe, that Burghley House is also well known for historical movies. Even parts of "The Da Vinci Code" were shot there!!!

You may find all the latest pics in Fuzzy's TwitPic as well!!!

And if you haven't met @i_am_fuzzy and @Wheatus24 yet, it's time to get to know them!!!

Lippe entered England!!!

Our little pal Lippe entered the shores of England yesterday!!! @i_am_fuzzy and his brothers gave him a warm welcome in German - and made our eyes water!!!

Lippe also met Fuzzy's friend @Wheatus24, who paid them a visit. They went out together to see Oakham Castle...

and the All Saints Church, where they had flowers planted in Lippe's eye-colour to welcome him!!!

Then, after an exciting day, bed time came. Fuzzy put on his plaid pyjamas, which matches perfectly with Lippe's shirt and read a good night story to him, to make him feel cosy and at home!!!

Thank you so very much for giving our Lippe such great times, Fuzzy!!! He looks sooooo lucky in the pics you took!!! We send all our love and BIGGEST HUGS to you!!!

But there was another surprise waiting for us, when we opened the mail box today - a post card Lippe sent us from the Netherlands before he left to England!!! Everybody was freaking out and wanted to read the card first, but we finally decided, that Hugh should read it out loud, as he is @bijntje 's cousin and I sniffed on the card, to make sure it has Lippe's smell on it. I can tell you - it has!!!

Here is what Lippe wrote:

Dear family,

I am leaving this town and go on my way to England. I am missing you all but am very excited about my trip around the world. I promiss that I'll be a good boy and let you know about what I am doing.

Love & kisses

Lippe

England here I come

Enjoy your stay with Fuzzy, Lippe!!! Have a wonderful time, Fuzzy is taking good care of you!!! But we miss you though!!!