Oberammergau, Zugspitze, and Neueschwanstein

Some of the most spectacular sights in the world are located in the region of Germany called Bavaria.  Oberammergau is famous for it’s recurring Passion Play, put on entirely by inhabitants of the village every 10 years since 1634.  It is a spectacular performance according to those who have been fortunate enough to see it.  That doesn’t include John or the rest of our family (sigh!)  John has missed the event the most: 1)  he was born in 1960, so was an infant, 2) He lived in Germany during the 1970 play, but didn’t live nearby, 3)  In 2000, he and Maria came to Oberammergau 3 weeks after the Passion Play finished being given, and 4)  We came home from England in 2009 instead of staying over until 2010!  Well, the town was scenic, and we did walk and shop around seeing the well-kept homes and painted buildings and stopping by the Speilehaus where the Passion play is given.  The highlight was our visit to the Holzschnitzerei of Paul Eder and son.  The pic below explains what their trade might be!

Traditional Holzschnitzerei

Then there is the fabulous Zugspitze, highest mountain in Germany.  Views from the visitor center near the summit are spectacular.  On a gorgeous summer day you can have both sunshine and snow as you will see; we were blessed with near perfect weather!

Finally, we visited the fairytale “Neuschwanstein”, a castle of Mad King Ludwig – his final one. made famous by Walt Disney and the movie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  This batch of photos is great fun, and we are grateful that we had the chance to be in these places and take pictures to share with you.

Segen euch allen!

Photo Link to Bavarian Sights

 

Father’s Day in Wales

Sometimes old news is the best news.  In browsing through pictures, we came across the ones from Father’s Day three months ago.  We were still in the United Kingdom, and that fine Sunday, after church in Stroud, the Dad in the story decided he wanted to see Swansea and Porthcawl.  Where’s that?  Oh, just about 100 miles away from Stroud on British roads…   Eek, say we, but it IS Father’s Day, so “No problema!”

It turned out to be a great adventure with some real live, British coast land – but no wimpy beaches – no never for Brits!  The photos will show you the glories of the Gower Peninsula, and the pirates’ island, Worms Head.   Arrrr!

Worms Head Island, Swansea, Wales

 

POP NoVA Branch Women’s Retreat

Last weekend, about 80 women gathered at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Retreat Center in Emmitsburg.  We were excited to have the Overall Coordinator of the People of Praise come to instruct us in a time-honored method of prayer – Meditation on Jesus in the scriptures.  In three different sessions, Craig Lent discussed the method and gave us some tips on getting to know the Lord better by observing how he acted, and imagining what He may have been thinking about, in various scenes in the Bible.  The essence of the method is to reflectively put ourselves in the moment with Jesus.  For this, we had generous times of prayer and meditation as well as times for fellowship with the other retreatants.

Maria was part of the music ministry team ably led by her sister-in-the-Lord Pam Seale.  As usual, the praise and worship were a big part of the retreat, especially at the concluding prayer meeting.  Maria was grateful that the Lord blessed her fingers and prevented the pain that can often accompany the sudden onset of frequent playing of the guitar strings.  Hallelujah!

The ladies agreed that the retreat was a success in our efforts to get to know the Lord better, and many relationships were renewed as well as new ones made.  Many remarked at how friendly and down-t0-earth Craig was, and what an effective teacher.  The beautiful weather capped off a wonderful weekend.

God is good!

(photo link) NoVA Branch Women’s Retreat

 

Visit to John’s Spiritual Home

See photos of the wonderful Bavarian village of Ettal.

Link to photos of Ettal Monastery

Ettal Roman Catholic Monastery is the place where John was baptized in 1960, shortly after his birth.  For this reason, he considers it his “spiritual home”.  It has been a desire of his throughout his marriage, to bring the family to see Germany where he was born and especially this wonderful village.

We had so much fun; hope you enjoy the photographic adventure!

 

September 17

Today is Brad’s birthday!  We now only have teenagers and above in the Elliott family.

Tomorrow Maria leaves for the annual People of Praise women’s retreat.  She is happy to be getting away.

The house?  Well, the boxes are still here, only a few less of them.  We realize that moving back to the U.S. after we had lived in the U.K. for awhile was a real transition, not just a returning home from a vacation.  Our time in England (Britain, or whatever you call the beautiful isle) was so much more.  Everyone understood that we needed time and patience to settle in over there.  I wonder why everyone, including ourselves, never realized that the second move would also involve a true adjustment on all our parts.

So we journey on.  More pictures after the retreat.  (If you haven’t checked lately, there are at least five posts with the pictures from the end of our time in Britain and our vacation in Europe!)

Cheers!

 

European Vacation – a Brand new twist

On Day 5, our vacation was approaching an exciting moment; our return to Munich in the vicinity of the airport again – this time to retrieve the final members of our 9 person group!  Making our way back from Switzerland, we enjoyed the clear weather and the interests of the countryside.  One was the first view of the aqua-green water of some streams in this part of the world.  Another was the views with multiple perspectives of foreground, middle ground and mountains in the background.  Finally, we stopped just outside of Freising to visit the Wieskirche (Wies = white + Kirche = church), a beautiful church decorated in the Rococo style.   Click on the link below to see these sights and more!

The Drive from Switzerland to Bavaria

Then the real fun began.  Early on day 6, we “collected” the Brands, Jonnie and Rose, and set out to conquer the Bavarian countryside.  We first went to Dachau, the first concentration camp created by the Nazis.  The entire place has been made into a large museum/memorial to better instruct people on what occurred there.  You cannot see these sights and remain unmoved.  Perhaps the photos will begin to help you understand (as it helped us)  the terrible things Man is capable of doing to Man.  (Click on the link below.)

Dachau Memorial

 

Switzerland Visit

Wow!  Switzerland is a beautiful country; as you will soon see.  We arrived in the small town of Alpnachstad at 11:00 p.m. and had to call the hostess of our gasthaus to open the door for us waiting  on her front step.  Next day, we awoke to bells ringing, common in Europe, calling all to Mass.  Too bad more did not answer the call!  However, we attended a beautiful little Catholic church nearby, unfortunately not speaking or much understanding the German, but participating in the familiar rituals as best we could.  Afterwards, we hurried “home”, changed clothes, and headed a mere five-minute walk away to the cog railway that carried us up and many other customers, to the tippy top of  the stupendous Mount Pilatus.

The visit to the top was well worth the price, and the descent by cable car included a summer toboggan ride halfway down the mountain.  We also spent time the next day in Lucerne itself, enjoying a stroll around the middle of the scenic downtown area.

Eine gute Zeit, wurde von allen hatte!

Click for Photos of …

 

The Arrival of the University girls in Munich

Moving through the days on our vacation, we come to Day 3, the arrival of Kristin and Kathryn at Munich Airport.  What a blessing that they both came in early in the day within about 20 minutes of each other!  We found each other easily in the International arrivals section and moved on to spend the day in Munich at outdoor markets, churches, and art museums.   The weather provided us with one good soaking but overall was pretty good.

The girls endured the day of sightseeing well, but all were pretty grateful when we got to the 5:00 hour and time for the four-hour drive to Switzerland.  (Yes, in Germany, you can just say, “I think I’ll drive to Switzerland now.”  And leave, just like that!)

Next post will include pics of Mount Pilatus and Lucerne.  Aug wiedersehn!

P.S.  Feedback on this mode of pictures is appreciated.  If you click on a photo, it enlarges.

Olympic Park in München (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Olympic Park in München (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Tigger has made it all the way to München (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Kathryn arrives! (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Kathryn is Happy to be on the ground! (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Kristin arrives after 18 hour trip! (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

The Olympic Park from 1972 (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

at the Market (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

at the Market (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

This little fishy went to Market (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

To outdoor Food Market (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

In Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Church in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Church in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Church in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Marienplatz (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Marienplatz (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

In Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Church in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Church in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Church in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Blind musicians performing for money (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

The Glockenspiel at Marienplatz (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

The Clock Tower and Glockenspiel at Marienplatz (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

In front of the Hofbräuhaus München (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Marienplatz in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Bronze Blowfish in Marienplatz (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Street musicians in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

At the Hofbräuhaus München (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

At the Hofbräuhaus München (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

At the Hofbräuhaus München (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

At the Hofbräuhaus München (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

J.T. enjoys his Spaetze in the Hofbrauhaus (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

The band in the Hofbrauhaus (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Nice vehicle in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Streetcar in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Street in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Window shopping in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Monument in Munich (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Art from Alte Pinakothek (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

Drive to Switzerland (c) 2009, Maria Elliott.

 

European Vacation – First Full Day in … Rothenburg ob der tauber

What a great way to start off our vacation – Rothenburg ob der tauber – the quaint, medieval jewel of a city!  Not only did we see this beautiful spot, we got to hear a competitor from the World Music Contest 2009 – the Red Deer Royal Show Band from Alberta Canada.  Also picked up some great Christmas souvenirs from the authentically German Christmas shop “Käthe Wohlfahrt”.

We saw this vehicle in front, but my photo didn't turn out.

(Photo courtesy of travel.webshots.com)

Wunderbar!  (click on link to view)

Enjoy Rothenburg!

 

Our Final Days in Cheltenham

Starting Wednesday, July 15, the movers came to Blackhedge Farm and began the lengthy process of packing us up.  Even before that, we were tying up loose ends.  On Friday, the 17th, they finished their thorough task, and the boxes lined the halls awaiting the move on Monday.

We had vacated on Thursday night to the Hanover House, a fine Victorian guesthouse in the town.  How different our experience of England would have been if we had lived in the middle of Cheltenham instead of on the outskirts at Blackhedge.  It was an adventure, and we had the opportunity to walk to and around High Street, the financial and social hub of the town.  We also spent time with friends, said goodbye to local businesses, attending our last Mass at Church of the Immaculate Conception, and attended a going-away party held by the Prayer Group at Stroud.  It was a fun way to end our time in Cheltenham.  Hopefully the following pictures, on the Flickr link, will be better than a 1000 more words!

Link to Photos of Cheltenham and Stroud Friends