This stone is for lily.

This stone is painted for lily. On September 9, 2022 larkspur is married to lily. A stone has been painted for both of these persons. These stones are both been left behind in different places, far apart. As part of the Caminostones project. Can you unite them? Information about the location of the larkspur can be found here: caminostones.com/en/v028e/

Once upon a time and now there will be
Once upon a time – in a land far far away, called Limburg – there was a princess who listened to the name Simone.
She was born in the beautiful month of June. That’s why, and also because of her fair skin, she was called Lily by everyone.
Princess Lily grew up in Sittard with her parents the King and Queen.
She behaved like a princess but sometimes like a prince.
“Get rid of those dolls! Soldiers are much more fun”!
Her hair was long and sometimes very short.
But alas – the fairy tale didn’t want it that way, because princesses are princesses and princes are princes.
And so Princess Lily became more and more princess-like.
When she had the appropriate age she was educated about the marital affairs of princesses, and she learned that she had to wait for a knight on a white horse. That’s just how fairytales want
it to be.
And lo and behold – after some years of waiting – there was a Knight and – yes – he rode a horse.
It wasn’t a white horse, but “what the heck” – Lily said to herself – “fairy tales are quite old-
fashioned and we’re just going for a more modern version”.
So – there was a fairytale wedding; they had children and they lived for many years in their palace.
But … something was off for princess Lily.
The fairy tale always says “and they lived happily ever after”… and the ‘ever after’ part almost took
care of itself, but ‘happily’?
Something wasn’t right.
Princess Lily discovered that there were not only knights riding around but also lady-knights and – they were also quite nice and attractive and pretty and ….. yes, you could definitely feel quite warm when you looked at them and especially if they looked back.
So yes – her palace really didn’t feel like a castle, but rather like a closet – Harry Potter’s broom closet.
At one point Princess Lily knew for sure – she had to come out of it.
The fairy tale tells that Princess Lily took the plunge and made it clear that she no longer wanted to live in that closet but had to come out. It was vital.
Coming out – only two words, but it was not so simple – it never is.
It was a difficult and even painful process.
Makes sense, since new life was born and every birth hurts and at the same time, every birth brings something new, something beautiful and exciting.
And so it happened. The lady-knights became more and more interesting and Princess Lily had her
eyes peeled.
A whole new world of opportunities opened up for Lily.She occasionally visited lady-knight-tournaments abroad. Pretty interesting, but not quite what she was looking for.
And then – Lily found her lady-knight.
Since…
… once upon a time – in a land not so far away – called Brabant – there was a lady-knight called
Titia.
She had known for quite some time that living in a broom-cabinet was not a good life and she had
come out at a relatively young age.
And lady-knight Titia – because of her month of birth also known as Lady-knight Larkspur – was a
very nice and sweet lady-knight.
Larkspur was full of zest for life; she had beautiful battle cries such as “Hou doe” , “Ayeto” and “Alaaf”!
Larkspur captured Princess Lily’s heart.
They grew closer and closer together in peace and patience.
And so – ladies and gentlemen – the “once upon a time” fairytale came to an end and today we have arrived at the “now becomes” fairytale.
A new fairy tale is born, the fairy tale of princess Lily and lady-knight Larkspur.
This fairy tale will be different, since the old fairy tale promised to be “happily ever after”, but
failed at the word happy.
This new fairy tale is going to be “shorter
but promises to be very happy”.
Princess Lily and lady-knight Titia said yes to each other today and start the new fairy tale that they write themselves, their own contemporary version.
Long live princess Lily and lady-knight Larkspur.

This stone started it’s journey on .

This stone is for larkspur.

This stone is for larkspur. On September 9, 2022 larkspur is married to lily. A stone has been painted for both of these persons. These stones are both been left behind in different places, far apart. As part of the Caminostones project. Can you unite them? Information about the location of the lily can be found here:caminostones.com/en/v029e/

Once upon a time and now there will be
Once upon a time – in a land far far away, called Limburg – there was a princess who listened to the name Simone.
She was born in the beautiful month of June. That’s why, and also because of her fair skin, she was called Lily by everyone.
Princess Lily grew up in Sittard with her parents the King and Queen.
She behaved like a princess but sometimes like a prince.
“Get rid of those dolls! Soldiers are much more fun”!
Her hair was long and sometimes very short.
But alas – the fairy tale didn’t want it that way, because princesses are princesses and princes are princes.
And so Princess Lily became more and more princess-like.
When she had the appropriate age she was educated about the marital affairs of princesses, and she learned that she had to wait for a knight on a white horse. That’s just how fairytales want
it to be.
And lo and behold – after some years of waiting – there was a Knight and – yes – he rode a horse.
It wasn’t a white horse, but “what the heck” – Lily said to herself – “fairy tales are quite old-
fashioned and we’re just going for a more modern version”.
So – there was a fairytale wedding; they had children and they lived for many years in their palace.
But … something was off for princess Lily.
The fairy tale always says “and they lived happily ever after”… and the ‘ever after’ part almost took
care of itself, but ‘happily’?
Something wasn’t right.
Princess Lily discovered that there were not only knights riding around but also lady-knights and – they were also quite nice and attractive and pretty and ….. yes, you could definitely feel quite warm when you looked at them and especially if they looked back.
So yes – her palace really didn’t feel like a castle, but rather like a closet – Harry Potter’s broom closet.
At one point Princess Lily knew for sure – she had to come out of it.
The fairy tale tells that Princess Lily took the plunge and made it clear that she no longer wanted to live in that closet but had to come out. It was vital.
Coming out – only two words, but it was not so simple – it never is.
It was a difficult and even painful process.
Makes sense, since new life was born and every birth hurts and at the same time, every birth brings something new, something beautiful and exciting.
And so it happened. The lady-knights became more and more interesting and Princess Lily had her
eyes peeled.
A whole new world of opportunities opened up for Lily.She occasionally visited lady-knight-tournaments abroad. Pretty interesting, but not quite what she was looking for.
And then – Lily found her lady-knight.
Since…
… once upon a time – in a land not so far away – called Brabant – there was a lady-knight called
Titia.
She had known for quite some time that living in a broom-cabinet was not a good life and she had
come out at a relatively young age.
And lady-knight Titia – because of her month of birth also known as Lady-knight Larkspur – was a
very nice and sweet lady-knight.
Larkspur was full of zest for life; she had beautiful battle cries such as “Hou doe” , “Ayeto” and “Alaaf”!
Larkspur captured Princess Lily’s heart.
They grew closer and closer together in peace and patience.
And so – ladies and gentlemen – the “once upon a time” fairytale came to an end and today we have arrived at the “now becomes” fairytale.
A new fairy tale is born, the fairy tale of princess Lily and lady-knight Larkspur.
This fairy tale will be different, since the old fairy tale promised to be “happily ever after”, but
failed at the word happy.
This new fairy tale is going to be “shorter
but promises to be very happy”.
Princess Lily and lady-knight Titia said yes to each other today and start the new fairy tale that they write themselves, their own contemporary version.
Long live princess Lily and lady-knight Larkspur.

This stone started it’s journey on .

This stone is for the story of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Moreruela:

“The monastery is located a few kilometres outside the Via de la Plata.
This is possibly the oldest Cistercian monastery in Spain. Its Construction started in the 1st half of the 12th century and was completed roughly a century later. It was partly renovated in 2007, but is still ruinous and authentic.
The church of the monastery is built in the Romanesque style, but with Gothic elements, such as the pointed vaults and the high apse.
The layout of the church and the remains clearly show that this was a huge building.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-15.

This stone is for the story of Castrotorafe:

“The ruins of this, now uninhabited, 12th-century place are miniature painted on this stone. The ruins have a striking appearance, so on the banks of the river Esla.
Best preserved is the castle, whose walls form an irregular traThis stone is for the story of Castrotorafe:pezoid … A what? An irregular quadrangle… This strangely shaped trapezoid can go in many directions. in terms of the angles and lengths of its sides.
The place was abandoned sometime in the 17th century and partly left standing and restored to what it is today.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-22.

This stone is for the story of Zamora:

“Zamora is a city with too much beauty to contain in one miniature painting!
This city flourished in the Middle Ages and is packed with Romanesque churches (22 of them). And a cathedral, too.
The building painted on this stone is called El Castillo. What’s in a name?
El Castillo consists of several buildings from different periods, dating from the 10th to the 17th century. After the 17th century, the building was abandoned and partly dilapidated.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-20.

This stone is for the Huerto de Calixto y Melibea, in Salamanca:

“The miniature was painted after the image of a matchmaker, found in this park. The name of this park refers to the tragic love story of Calisto and Melibea, known as the Spanish Romeo and Julliet.
Their story is described in: La Celestina, a book by Fernando de Rojas. Calisto works for Melibea’s father and is in love with his daughter. He asks Celestina to intercede for him. She agrees and arranges for the couple to meet in the garden. But everything goes wrong and Celestina, the matchmaker, is murdered.
The desperate Spanish Romeo then tries to reach his lover’s window via a ladder, falls and dies. Melibea does not want to go on living without him and jumps from the tower.
The story is one of the most famous works of Spanish literature.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-18.

This stone is for the Casa Lis in Salamanca:

“The Casa Lis is a museum for Art Nouveau and Art Déco. The museum is located in the city wall. At the moment there is an exhibition about Henri de Toulouse – Lautrec (until January 2022). This is a miniature after one of his works: the “Divan Japonais” (1893). A lithograph in four colours. This poster was made by him for a café concert at the end of the 19th century. It is one of the many posters he made for Parisian nightlife, of which he himself was a frequent participant. In the foreground: the slender dark silhouette of the famous Montmartre star: Jane Avril.
The permanent collection of the Casa Lis museum is also interesting to visit.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-15.

This stone is for the message of Jelle:

“Easy does it.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-17.

This stone is for the story of Galisteo:

“A miniature with the town arms of Galisteo is painted on this stone.
Galisteo is a walled town (about 1000 inhabitants) on top of a hill.
The walls surrounding the town date back to the 12th century Moorish period. They are walkable!”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-11.

This stone is for those who are together in spirit:

“On top of the mountain, being with you again for a moment, like on the dragon’s back, on the north coast of Spain.
Walking alone here is good, knowing that a reunion with you is waiting.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-10.

This stone is for the story of the Via de la Plata:

“The Via de la Plata is an old historical route. It may have existed before Roman times, but was developed further in this period.
Besides the many, special buildings of the Spaniards, Moors, Romans, Visigoths, etc., you will also find these Roman milestones along this route.
They are characteristic of the Via de la Plata in particular.
Literally, the Via de la Plata means “the road of silver”. There are various ideas about the origin of this name.
Now walking here and having already walked a stretch of this path in 2019, the name, for me personally, relates to what a particularly beautiful camino this is.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-10.

This stone is for the message of Tresi and Vick:

“Twins for life,
Through thick and thin for 66 years
Tresi and Vick.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-08.

This stone is for the story of the solo walker:

“In July 2019, I walked with Jelle for 18 days on the Via de la Plata: the last part of this quiet route. The route turned out to be unspoiled, lots of beautiful nature and little tourism. The exceptional pilgrims we met were mostly solitary.
And so is the route, unspoilt, alone, beautiful, rough and calling to me.
And so here I am, with my house on my back, a head full of everything, mostly alone on the road but also with more special encounters than I had expected. Via de la Plata what an awesome adventure you are.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-08.

This stone is for the story of the Santa Lucía del Trampal:

“This well-known Spanish church was originally built in the Visigothic style. The Santa Lucía del Trampal is a fine example of the compact, simple, Spanish building style of this period.
The Visigoths finally chased the Romans out of Spain in 468 and introduced their own art and style. In 711, the Visigothic period was over, after they were defeated by the Umayyads, also known as the Moors.
The church is located a few kilometres from the Via de la Plata, on a hill.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-07.

This stone is painted with a free bird for Robert:

“This free bird is Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata). A bird of prey that can be found in Southern Europe, Africa and Asia. The Spanish region of Extremadura is known for its special nature with many bird species to be found, including this medium-sized eagle.
The bird is named after the Italian ornithologist and Franco Andrea Bonelli.
It is very fast as it dives for its prey from a high altitude, catching smaller mammals and flying birds.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-04.

This stone is for the story of the Puente Romano:

“Puente Romano is Spanish for: Roman Bridge. The longest Roman bridge in existence today is this one, found in Mérida. The bridge over the river Guadiana is 790 metres long in total and has 60 arches!
At present, the bridge is only used by pedestrians.
In Mérida, you will find more unusual structures, including a Moorish defensive structure, an aqueduct and another Roman bridge.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-05.

This stone is for the story of the Torre de San Francisco, in Zafra:

“In the past, there used to a complete Franciscan monastery on this location. Now only this solitary tower from the 15th century remains.
The name Torre de San Francisco means tower of St. Francis.

The town of Zafra is home to more of these monumental gems. For example: la Candelaria, the church, the name refers to its tower.
In La Candelaria you can also see a work, retabl,e by the painter Zurburan. For which I left a stone at his birthplace.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-03.

This stone is painted for Francisco de Zurbarán:

“Francisco de Zurbarán was born in 1598 in this house, in Fuente de Cantos.
He painted in the Baroque style, with the typical contrasting light. His work is somewhat more subdued and less dramatic than is typical of the Baroque. Zurbarán is less well-known than other Spanish masters, such as Velázquez. But was particularly loved for his beautiful natural renderings of fabrics and folds.

This is a miniature painting after a detail from one of his works: “The Crucified Christ and a Painter” (ca. 1650). This painting is possibly also a self-portrait, with himself as the painter St Luke. In the original painting he looks up to Christ on the cross.
But the complete painting does no fit on this small stone.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-10-31.

This stone is for Jose Luis Salvator:

“Jose Luis Salvator lived from 1942 until 1995. He was one of the founders of the St. James Society in Seville and also the contemporary Via de la Plata.
The stone was placed at this memorial where he died, while he was marking the route on this location.
This is recurring on the Camino. Here and there you find memorials and photos of people who have died along the way.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-10-30.

This stone is painted for the message of Stef:

“Live life like someone left the gate open.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-10-30.

This stone is for the Spanish black pig:

“Also known as the Ibérico pig. An animal species that can be found in the south west of Spain, among others in the mountains of Sierra Norte de Sevilla.
The species is descended from the Southern European wild boar. In the winter period, the animal lives for a large part on acorns, which can be found in abundance in the vast meadows in this area.
The pig is an intelligent animal, with a good sense of smell.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-10-29.

This stone is for the story of Italica:

“The oldest Roman site in Spain. Founded as an Italian colony in 206 BC .
Italica was designed and built in the famous Roman block-like city plan. It is also the birthplace of the Roman emperors Trajan (53 AD) and Hadrian (76 AD). Under their leadership, the Roman Empire spread far and wide. They left behind much in the way of art and architecture (Trajan’s column and Hadrian’s walls).
The ruins of Italica contain one of the largest amphitheatres known to the Roman Empire. It could hold 25,000 visitors.
It was built by Hadrian.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-10-27.

This stone is for the Cathedral of Seville:

“For many, and also for me, the starting point of the Via de la Plata.
This cathedral is one of the largest medieval churches still standing. The 15th-century Gothic cathedral replaced a mosque. Part of the ground plan, as well as the 12th-century tower, the minaret, have been preserved as part of the cathedral.
The name of this tower is the Giralda (Spanish for wind vane). It is named after the 4-metre-high bronze statue at the top of the tower, which despite its enormous weight seems to be able to turn with the wind…..
The wind vane has been restored and examined by, among others, the University of Seville. For those who are technically interested, it is possible to obtain more information via this page.
The cathedral also houses the tomb of the famous explorer Christopher Columbus.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-10-27.

For the finder of this stone:

This hearty stone would love to travel further. Do you know a nice place to leave it?
If you leave it here and report it’s location, it will continue on its journey…if someone else finds it.
On this webpage you can easily make a photo of the stone on its new location and leave a comment. That would be great.
Thank you for participating!

This traveling heart is part of the ongoing Caminostones art project,

This stone started it’s journey on 2020-09-02.

This stone is dedicated to the story of Kitty. The story is told by Carin, on the occasion of Kitty’s birthday on March 27:

“Kitty is very committed to people and is committed very socially to her fellow human beings. A few years ago she volunteered to go to Greece to help in the refugee camps. To this day she is still very involved with the people she met there, who in the meantime have become friends. She loves diversity, bringing together different cultures and different kinds of people.
I admire her passion and commitment, and support her wherever I can. Somehow Kitty has a drive and an urge to “connect”. She can do this like no one else. She is the sun and gives energy to others. With this “symbolic” stone to give to her, I hope she will be able to make the “connection” with herself on her own “journey”. And thereafter make choices for her future. I want this for her, from the bottom of my heart.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-04.

This stone is dedicated to the story of Zozan:

“From her own experience, as a mother with four children, who fled from her home country, she believes that art is the only right way to express her feelings. She tells the world their story by painting.
Vita Hamo Zozan

Zozan Hamo was born in Syria in 1976. She has been painting since she was seven years old.
During her teenage years, she showed her early works at exhibitions in Syria. Through her training as a teacher and later founding her own family, she took a creative break.
Because of the war in Syria, the threat to her family became so great that she and her family
decided to leave the country together. Her husband left in 2015. A year later, she followed alone with their four children. Especially in Greece and in the Idomeni and Illiadis-Kalochori camps the situation was almost unbearable for them, so they turned around.
Zozan has returned to painting this process, the traumatic experiences of her flight.
Most of her work tells about the devastating journey and where the refugees came from (Syria) until they arrived in Greece. A recurring subject of her work is hopelessness and the feeling of being trapped and the free world around them.
Feeling pure loneliness and abandonment, after they have to leave everything they are familiar with.
Although she and her family have been safely reunited in Germany since 2018, her memory still haunts her.
The experiences in Greece have left deep marks. But she has found her own way of expressing her feelings and telling her story to the world.
When she is engaged in painting, she not only sees the pain, but also the hope and gratitude for yourself and everyone else
Refugees who have come to safety at the end of a difficult journey.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-10-31.

This stone is dedicated to the story of Nour:

“Nour’s Stone;

Nour’s stone represents transformation of severe loss, longing for home, pain and loneliness into Strength, Love, a Smile and Warmth for those who need it the most.

Making the connection, helping wherever you can.
Give children who live in very bad conditions a smile, trust and good energy. By being their true friend.

Our true friend.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-09.

This stone is dedicated to the story of Diane:

“An Arirang stone for Diane.
I would like to dedicate this Arirang stone to Diane Para. An inspirational woman, who found herself helping hundreds of people, when she didn’t expect it but when these people needed her the most.
With love and respect, Kitty

Her story, when I asked what her lifetime song is. How this question brought her full circle.

Arirang
“I didn’t think of this song quite some time until now. Truly, it is amazing how this brings me full circle. To the work I unexpectedly found myself doing in Greece to help the refugees. The current generation of refugees who find their homeland torn apart and enduring hardships and in need of hope for a country they love.”
Arirang;
It is a song for Koreans that we learn from childhood that adults sing to us…. we sing it our whole lives after that. It is a song I would sing around the house (totally out of tune) and play on the piano with two fingers as a kid not consciously thinking about what it meant.
I find very comforting and it’s full of touching memories. It was sung to me by my grandmother and by my parents. I could feel the emotion it held for them, especially my parents who were living so far from “home.” (My grandmother traveled back and forth from Korea to visit us.)

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo…Arirang gogaero neomeoganda.
Nareul beorigo gasineun nimeun
Simnido motgaseo balbbyeongnanda.
English
Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo…

Crossing over Arirang Pass.
The one who abandoned me
Shall not walk even 10 li before their feet will hurt.

* It takes about 1 hour to walk 10 li, which was an old form of measure that is slightly more than
4 km…. so in other words, your feet will ache not long after you leave your home.

A song of hope, love, and longing for one’s homeland and for reunification.
I have heard this song sung in America from when I was a baby, in South Korea, and I have heard it sung in impoverished, totalitarian controlled North Korea by children and adults alike.
It is a song in which is embedded the hope for reconciliation and reunification and restoration of what was once the homeland of all the
Korean people.
I didn’t think of this song quite some time until now. Truly, it is amazing how this brings me full circle to the work I unexpectedly found myself doing in Greece to help the refugees. The current generation of refugees who find their homeland torn apart and enduring hardships and in need of hope for a country they love.

My great grandfather disappeared in the 1890s after going to join the resistance against Japanese influence over Korea (Japanese invaded and occupied Korean more than once Korea was a colony for 35 years until 1945), leaving behind a young widow and two very young sons. His widow and son (my grandfather who died before I met him) and my grandmother who helped raise me for the rest of their lives always invited the displaced and anyone who was poor and suffering from hunger into their kitchen to feed them.
After he became a successful entrepreneur, my grandfather had many business ventures and built an entire neighborhood of houses that he rented to people, and if his renters encountered some hardship in their lives and couldn’t afford to pay, he quietly gifted the houses to them.
My grandmother would laugh and say he gave about half the houses in that neighborhood away.
My grandfather died just before the Korean Civil War broke out and the remaining family fled as
refugees, leaving behind my great grandmother who was too old to travel. She stayed in the house as
soldiers and mercenaries from both sides came and went, taking turns living in the house, as power
continued to change hands. My grandmother and my mother and her younger siblings lived in a crowded refugee camp for years, before returning home to find their grandmother safe, the house still
standing, but most of their possessions missing or destroyed.
That is my mother’s side of the family. I don’t know the entire story of my father, but I do know it involved being stranded with other refugees in a boat with a broken engine crossing the ocean
between Korea and China, and he recalled suffering from terrible hunger and walking and walking,
and having to carry a younger cousin who was too weak from hunger to stand.

My parents survived, they returned to finish their university studies that had been interrupted by the wars, and both separately came to the United States for graduate studies and met and married here.
Both wanted to return to Korea to help rebuild their country, but their friends that were still there discouraged them from coming home, telling them to stay in the US.
Then, as they had children and increasing financial responsibilities, it became impossible for them to go home until decades later.
My father died still hoping for reunification of one Korean homeland, and my mother had high hopes in the 1990s that she might see her country reunited before she dies, but now after the succession of US Presidents starting with George W. Bush reversing the Clinton administration and Kim Dae Jong administration’s “sunshine” policies that had begun thawing relations between North and South, she fears that reunification may not happen in her lifetime.

Although I was born in a completely different sheltered atmosphere in safety and had never seen a refugee camp until I arrived in Greece, the song of Arirang, the song of the refugees longing for the home they love is deeply embedded in me.

Thanks for taking me down memory lane and bringing the seemingly very simple song Arirang back into my consciousness, at a time in my life when I can understand and appreciate it in an entirely new
and much deeper way.
I haven’t thought about (or listened to) that song in years—probably not since my last trip into North Korea about 13 years ago. Of course at that time, it was touching and moving to me as a song of Korean reunification.
Thinking about the song now and looking at the lyrics and what they mean, when I am at the age my
parents were when I first remember them singing it to me… and after spending this past 19 months
with the refugees… immersed in their stories, in their hopes and dreams, their longing for home,
glimpsing the depths of their suffering, and touched to my very soul by their quiet strength to endure beyond, by the humanity and generosity they have shown when they have nothing and still give of themselves to help others…

NOW I understand Arirang and how much more those simple words meant to my parents, my
grandparents, and now to me.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2021-11-13.

This stone is dedicated to the message of Jelle H.:

“This is a message full of optimism and confidence in a sustainable future. And the conviction that we can treat each other better.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-07-02.

This stone is dedicated to the story of Valia:

“Bear and tiger lived in a lovely little house by the river.
In the winter, the stove was raging and it was very comfortable.
In the summer, the garden was a feast for the eyes. The birds sang and the wise owl took a nap in the tall tree.

But tiger said: “I would like to see some of the world, I want to live somewhere else.”
They packed their backpack, locked the door, and asked the owl where the adventure was.
“If you are looking for an adventure you have to walk along the river and then turn left, because if you turn right you will fall into it.”
They did that and came in a street with houses.
I think it’s too busy here, and they walked on.
At the end of the street she followed the advice of owl and went left.
There they saw a large forest.
It was very beautiful, but tiger thought it was too gloomy and wanted to go continue.
They did so and were still happy with the advice of owl and went left.
Then they came to a large meadow and they both agreed it
beautiful green was but a bit boring so they decided to continue.
When they arrived at the corner they were very grateful for the good advice of owl.
They knew what they had to do and they went left. Now they came to a beautiful river and they became happy about it.
They walked past it excitedly and it became more and more beautiful. The water ripped and the birds sang there.
There was even a little house in the distance, and when she approached they suddenly saw that it was their own house and they were very happy.

They sat down in their garden and then saw the wise owl nodding in the tree. “We will never leave here again” they shouted at him.
“Of course,” said Owl, “but if you had not made that detour, you would never have realized that you belong here.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-04-27.

This stone is dedicated to the European mink:

“The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is part of a series travelling miniature stones depicting endangered or vulnerable animals in Europe. I want to bring attention to these special animals through this art project.
Spread the word and move the stone!

Minks live along slowly flowing water of e.g. wetlands, streams and rivers. The mink makes its nest or hollow in the bank of the river, but also under tree roots, in crevices in rocks or under wood piles. Sometimes he uses old dens of the rat or muskrat which he digs out further. He also sometimes kills muskrats or rats and then takes possession of the den. The nest for the young is covered with grass, feathers, fur or other soft material.

The European mink is extinct in The Netherlands and Belgium. The mink is critically endangered in France and Spain. Via this stone I want to give this beautiful mammal extra attention.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-04-12.

This stone wants to share this message with you:

“2018: four sisters on a journey together.”

This stone was placed on 2019-04-04.

This stone is dedicated to the message of Erik:

“Sugar a silent killer

• More people die from obesity than from hunger in the world
• Did you know that in America 25 years ago 1 in 20 children was obese, that is now 1 in 5.
• Sugar is added to 80% of the products in the store.
• Sugar becomes a world-wide epidemic.
• Sugar is 8 times more addictive than heroin.

I am not so good at writing stories and have therefore put forward some statements.
I myself am also diabetic and fight against obesity.
I wrote the following piece on the occasion of the film FED UP.
I advise you to view this documentary film, because sugar is a mega problem.

• Excessive sugar use causes metabolic disease, cardiovascular diseases, cancer.
• So too much sugar is worse than smoking.
• For many it is a habit and they do not even know that they eat so much sugar.
• Healthy eating is cheaper even if the food industry makes you believe differently.
• You never see advertisements about apples or carrots on TV.
• The food industry also tells us lies, it is healthier because less calories, but just as much sugar in the product. Where do I lose the calories?
• Did you know that there is more energy in a Mars-bar than in a bar of dynamite.
• Sugar-based food is linked to fun things, cartoon characters (Dora) or a play palace at the Mc.
• The sugar lobby has a lot of power. They made sure that reports from the world health organization were not published, otherwise their subsidy would be retracted.
• That in America pizza is a vegetable because it contains tomato sauce.
• And fries is a potato and therefore also vegetables.
• For many substances on a package a recommended daily amount (RDA) is given, but not for sugar.
• The ADH for sugar is added to the food between 24 and 36 gr. is.
• Exercise is healthy but not the solution for obesity. Example: for a cola big size you have to cycle for 1 hour and 20 minutes, for a biscuit: 20 minutes of Jogging and for a medium fries 1 hour and a quarter of an hour of swimming.
• Obese people are said to be lazy and have little willpower. Studies show that this is not true.
• There are even obese babies, because of baby food with added sugar.
• One calorie is also eaten one calorie, no! Example: if you eat 160 calories of nuts, it is gradually absorbed and you do not build up any fat and the liver can handle this properly. In return, you drink 160 calories of cola, then there is a sugar peak in the liver and it can not be saved in fat.
• The food and agri sector is in a split, healthy food, or a lot and cheap and a lot of sugar.
• In America, 30% is obese, and 40% of the people who do not have the same, have the same symptoms to develop a metabolic disorder. A calculation tells us that 51% of the population is ill.

Do not let our children take over the habits that we know are not good

Extra sugar in my food, WHY ??. ”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-04-02.

This stone is adopted by Katelijn with the message “coming home”. The stone is painted for the Pyrenean desman:

“The Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is part of a series travelling miniature stones depicting endangered or vulnerable animals in Europe. I want to bring attention to these special animals through this art project.
Spread the word and move the stone!

This group differs from other moles in that they do not live underground, but in water. Pyrenean desmans are only about 11 to 15 centimeters long and weigh 50 to 80 grams. They live in cold, fast-flowing mountain streams in the Pyrenees.
They can close their ears and nostrils with valves because of the water. But also use their striking nose as a snorkel! In addition, they use echolocation.

The Pyrenean desman is vulnerable in France and Spain with a dwindling population. Via this stone I want to give this beautiful mammal extra attention.
It is one of the strangest animals I have painted for my art project.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-04-01.

This stone is dedicated to the spearhead Bluet:

“The spearhead bluet (Coenagrion hastulatum) is part of a series travelling miniature stones depicting endangered or vulnerable animals in Europe. I want to bring attention to these special animals through this art project.
Spread the word and move the stone!

This bluet is not a wanderer. And has a “required taste”. The species resides in a very specific fens area and at high moor.
The overnight stay is done in semi-open forest.

The spearhead bluet is critically endangered in The Netherlands and Belgium. Via this stone I want to give this beautiful damselfy extra attention.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-05-20.

This stone is dedicated to the little bittern:

“The little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) is part of a series travelling miniature stones depicting endangered or vulnerable animals in Europe. I want to bring attention to these special animals through this art project.
Spread the word and move the stone!

This is a bird species that belongs to the herons, but with only 31 to 36 cm it is the smallest species.
He lives very hidden. He climbs through the reeds. And also hides there, at the slightest suspicion of danger. So it is rare that you will see one.
At most you will hear him during the courtship. The sound he makes then looks like the barking of a big dog.

The little bittern is critically endangered in The Netherlands and Belgium. Via this stone I want to give this beautiful bird extra attention.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-05-04.

This stone is dedicated to the Hermann’s Tortoise:

“The Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is part of a series travelling miniature stones depicting endangered or vulnerable animals in Europe. I want to bring attention to these special animals through this art project.
Spread the word and move the stone!

The weight of this animal is between 2 and 3 kilos. These turtles can grow very old, up to 100 years.The species does not make many demands on the living environment. And is an omnivore that procreates relatively easily,

The Hermann’s tortoise is currently near threatened with dwindling numbers. Via this stone I want to give this beautiful reptile extra attention.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-06-29.

This stone is dedicated to the dark spreadwing:

“The dark spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma) is part of a series travelling miniature stones depicting endangered or vulnerable animals in Europe. I want to bring attention to these special animals through this art project.
Spread the word and move the stone!

This dragonfly species is most common in southern Europe. He lives around brackish water, artificial estuaries and salt lakes.
The animal can grow up to 48 millimetres.

The dark spreadwing is endangered within Europe. Via this stone I want to give this beautiful BIRD extra attention.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-04-03.

This stone is dedicated to the wood-carving leaf-cutter Bee. This stone is adopted by Angela.:

“The wood-carving leaf-cutter bee (Megachile ligniseca) is part of a series travelling miniature stones depicting endangered or vulnerable animals in Europe. I want to bring attention to these special animals through this art project.
Spread the word and move the stone!

This bee flies mainly towards the thistle, hence the name.The animal collects leaf for building a nest in, among other things, old beetle caves and dead wood. If you see this in June, July or August. This bee is endangered in The Netherlands and other countries.

Via this stone I want to give extra attention to all the bee’s around the world, which are in a very tight spot. In the Netherlands around 55% of bee species are endangered and 46 species have become extinct.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-07-07.

This stone is dedicated to the Northern Yellow Bumble Bee:

“The Northern yellow bumble bee (Bombus distinguendus) is part of a series travelling miniature stones depicting endangered or vulnerable animals in Europe. I want to bring attention to these special animals through this art project.
Spread the word and move the stone!

This is a gentle, striking bumblebee with large queens (of almost 2 cm.) The wintering queens start flying from mid-April, workers from the beginning of June. The males and young queens fly from July.

The Northern yellow bumble bee is extinct in The Netherlands and critically endangered in Belgium. Via this stone I want to give this beautiful insect extra attention.”

This stone started it’s journey on 2019-04-30.