Hi family!
I have been thinking of you all on and off, and have had a super busy summer, but now that autumn is here, things are settling down. I have tons of photos from our time in France and here are just a couple for today. How are all of you? I'm well and happy and look forward to hearing more news of folks soon.
Wasn't this abbey absolutely lovely?










And some cousins...














Lucie and Annie playing catch off the balcony...


















I am picking up my German studies again, and was listening to a cd and the woman speaking sounded exactly like Krista and I was reminded of what a lovely time I spent with her and Pete and all the rest of you.
Hope to go back some day soon. When's the next reunion?
Love, Lily

Now that winter is coming around...

Dear Cousins and family,

Now that winter is just around the corner, or maybe even here (as in Switzerland, for instance), and as I see this blog is already in hibernation, I thought this change of scenery would help wake it up a bit...

Love to all,
Sophie

The newlyweds

Dear Everybody,
These two people, the newlyweds, are now furiously running around Europe introducing their wines, I think. It occurs to me that the most important thing we can say to them is thank you for having us all to Mas-du-Soleilla on the eve of this huge task! Thank you so much, Pete and Christa, for the wondrous experience you both gave all of us during the reunion. The beds were comfortable. The food was extraordinary. The day trips were full of surprises and the evenings raucus! I am sending love and thanks from me and I know the rest of the clan (+Colin!) ;-) will agree.
Love,
Ginio

Hi everybody.... five more photos, love Ginio.

In my Mac class looked for some images that had more people, and my powerbook accepted five today!

Sophie's photos from Mas du Soleilla

Hello everybody,

This is the first glimpse we had of you all after a short(er) walk (than yours) to join you. Margie was practising her hellos in English, and we were both wondering what this reunion was going to be like. Trepidation...





and here the instigator and his accomplice! Suddenly, we felt much better.




We hadn't seen each other for 20 or 30 years,
or even more. Some of us had never even met. But
we just got going.


There was also work to do whilst some were playing...



and that went on for quite a while... "Do you know who this one is?"
"Oh look at him, he's so good-looking", "Wasn't she a beauty, doesn't .... look like her ?"

What modesty! Despite the heavy stuff, we do seem to be proud of our forebears.


Some also played at being tourists.


A whole bus full of them.

There were swimming lessons, too (so beautiful!).



Long discussions at breakfast, despite the chilly sea air.
















Excursions to Narbonne plage.


They were exhausting, so...







...siestas were
necessary.

Pembroke revisited...











The young ones,

and part of the gang, before leave-taking, so sad....

What a wonderful time we had.

Thanks to our dear ancestor.

Here's a message to everybody : I wouldn't mind trying to put that family tree online, but illustrated, have actually already started on Geneanet (without illustrations), you can try to look it up. What would the best solution be because I need facts (dates, etc) and some of you could also feed it with photos. What would the best solution be? A Wicki, as Sidney suggested?
Love to all of you.
Sophie

the clan

O.K. everybody, this is a photo Colin took on Monday before we all left!
xoxo, Ginio

Ginio's photos from Mas-du-Soleilla '07

Dear cousins and family and Colin,
Here is my first posting: the pictures- at the last night celebration of Pete and Christa's wedding-of Marjorie Elliot as a child. Because we did this at my class today, this is just the first one..... More to come. Can't wait to see yours!!!
Love,
Ginio/Virginia

Cousins, Cousines

The actual reunion at Mas-du-soleilla is only two months away and excitement is mounting for those who can leap the hurdles to get there. Since it is clearly impossible for most of us, this forum has been created for all of us to get together in spirit and words and pictures. The memories of being together as cousins all over the U.S. are too strong not to continue...
Elliot and I are making a quick pilgrimage to the Elliot castle in Scotland before the reunion. The castle, (pictured at the left), called the Hermitage, lies in the borderlands between England and Scotland, near Liddesdale, and boasts a history full of contentious moments. Several web sites chronicle its past as stronghold of the Elliot clan:

http://www.elliotclan.com/history.html
"The Elliots have existed as a Clan with a recognized Chief at least from the time of King Robert the Bruce (1306-1329) to the present day. Before the Union of the Crowns in 1603, they held that part of the frontier with England known as "The Middle March" -- their Chief usually being appointed Captain of Hermitage Castle in Liddesdale, and they became famous as one of the great "riding" clans of the Scottish borders.

Later the Elliots were notable for the part they played as leaders in the expansion of Britain overseas, and in the settlement of the New World, where their independence of character for which the Clan has always been renowned, made them particularly welcome. In the modern world, the Elliots have prospered and the Clan is now widely spread throughout the world.

http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Journals/Journal/817545
"Hermitage Castle has a long and colourful history. The castle was a bastion of power in the "debatable land", land that was exchanged between English and Scottish hands during the border wars and skirmishes. The castle is steeped in folklore and legend, and there have been reports of varied strange phenomena in recent years."

It is my fervent hope that we can all continue to share our news and fortunes with each other as the years go by and the occasions for gathering persist in eluding us. You're all too much fun not to stay in touch.

Sidney

The Reunion has begun!

Welcome to the virtual revolving reunion of the descendants of Marjorie Elliot.

We hope you will share any details, pictures, anecdotes, updates and other contributions that will keep the rest of us connected to you and your extended family.

Look for reports from the upcoming Mas-Du-Soleilla gathering of Wildbolzes, Morrises, von Moschzikers (Bakers? & Hughes?) in France this April 19-22, 2007.