Great report, photos and videos Liz, and the cows added a nice touch to the trip :-)

As long as a 'touch' is all they added...CJ

Great review, Liz. All of the pics and videos were wonderful, particularly the ones from Bavaria. It was great to see familiar faces and hear familiar voices. But those cowbells ?????!!!!!!!!!!! Mark :D

What's wrong with cowbells Mark :?: :?: Wonderful tradition :lol: :lol: Did you know that Wolfgang & Connies daughter Iris, has just spent a week with me here in Sydney :?: ........and survived :wink: The 'international' connections are still alive and well...which reminds me...your turn next to visit us in the "Land of Oz" ?????

Robyn, The sound of the cowbells is beautiful - at first - in the background - then you become more aware of them - then VERY aware of them LOL. And we all know about my lack of patience for constant noise ............. Mark Ps Yes, I knew about Iris's adventure - color me green with envy - Oz is still on my short list of places I want to see - and you are on my very short list of people I want to meet.

:D :D HOPE that I am on that short list, too, Mark. Any plans to be in NYC in the near future :?: :lol:

Liz, you are at or near the top of that short list. I would love to come to NJ/NY sometime during the year 2008 (the thirtieth anniversary of my living in NJ in 1978). I want to drive by my old apartment in Hightstown if it's still there (the apartments, not the town). I also want to drive by the old Cities Service Research Center on the turnpike at Prospect Plains. This would bring back a lot of good memories - I've buried all the bad ones (homesickness, boredom, etc). I also love NYC - I was there last year when my friend Valerie interviewed for Doctors Without Borders, but would love to go back and see it through YOUR eyes.. Mark :)

:D :D :D Not sure that "My Eyes" would give you all that great an NU view :mrgreen: But would LOVE to TRY :lol: Used to hit Heightstown all the time, when travelling back and forth to my folks from the NJ shore, but this was YEARS ago :shock: BUT. I could show you the more scenic parts of NJ.....to the North....the lakes are GREAT You are ALWAYS WELCOME :!: :!: :lol: :lol: :lol: Guest bedroom is READY..... Well, might need a day or two to make sure it is clean :mrgreen:

Had to resort to looking at a map to see if your Heightstown was the same as my Hightstown. Mine was a long way from the shore, and would've been way out of your way on your trips to see your parents - unless you lived at a different place than you live now??!! My apartment was a block off US130 and not far from the turnpike. Hightstown was "inside" East Windsor township - didn't understand that concept then - even less now :shock: Mark :)

Yes, it is the same Hightstown. We lived near the shore, near Red Bank, at the time :D