Family Trees and Branches

Isn't it funny when you travel that while you are in the midst of it, the time seems to be going fairly slowly, but once you arrive back home, you wonder where the time has gone. It feels like we just left a few days ago, and here we are back again.

I really enjoyed this holiday and I know Kevin did as well. It was a wonderful journey through the UK. The shopping, the trains, the sightseeing through London, the long drives through the countryside, up through Wales and along the coast, the experience of driving through the Snowdonian Mountains, getting lost in Liverpool, the drive up to Scotland, the awesome shoreline of Portsoy, the ancient castles of a time long ago, staying with family, meeting up with new family members that I haven't met before and new found friends along the way, and with family that I haven't seen in 30 years. Slipping into their lives for a short period of time, but most importantly, them slipping into mine.

Seeing and touching the gravestones of my ancestors, placing flowers on their graves, walking in their footsteps in the small villages, along the cobblestone streets and to their churches and homes where they once lived and worshiped. Discovering that the church doors were open and being able to get inside, or the old wooden doors being bolted and locked and then someone just happening to show up while we were there to open the doors for us to enter. It was also about getting lost trying to find these places, to stumble across things that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Climbing fences and crossing fields to find an old house that was once thatched which was occupied by my ancestors that is now just a ruin. The awe of discovery of the church we were looking for to find it's not at all as you had imagined it, or the house where my family once lived popping up just around a corner. In a strange way, feeling a sense of belonging and attachment. Linking their genealogy chain to connect with mine, it was amazing. All of it.

I had set out to find new information for my family tree, but not of the documented type that you find in the Registry Offices. It was about walking the worn cobblestone streets of the villages where my ancestors did their marketing, chatted with their neighbours, where they worked and lived their lives. It was about meeting of living family to rekindle lost connections, to ensure that those connections are not lost again, and to strenghten existing connections so they are never broken or lost. It was about breathing the air. It was about my family.

As with all travels, there is always an array of things that you wanted to do, but the opportunity never presented itself, which means one thing....I'll be going back.

Sam and Leigh met us at Tim Hortons to take us home. We stopped along the way to Leigh's favourite steak house for a meal and then headed back to their place. The drive back was a little slow due to traffic, but we arrived, unscathed and quite happy. It was Friday evening of course, it was Barn night. There was a lot of catching up to do with friends, it was a great welcome back. Kevin and I had been up since 6 a.m. UK time which would have made it 1:00 a.m. EST. By the time the Jeep was unloaded of luggage it was 8:30 p.m. We knew that we needed to stay up to at least 11 p.m. EST to get back on schedule. We decided to stay the night after many glasses of wine and being so very tired. After being on the move for 23 hours, I finally went to sleep. Kevin and I both woke up at 6:30 a.m. and headed home, via Timmies. Our pussycats were at the door waiting for us when we arrived this morning. The sun is shining, the garden needs tending to, and I need to unpack. I'll get to it today sometime. Maybe not

The morning started early. Trish, Kevin and I needed to leave the house by 6:30 on the two hour journey to Gatwick Airport and had London rush hour traffic to deal with. We said our good-byes to Aunt Ann which was hard, it always is, with the promise of another visit. The drive was quite clear for the most part, until we started to get near the Heathrow Airport turn-off where we came pretty much to a hault (of course). Not unexpected. We continued onto Gatwick and we were a little behind schedule due to traffic. We were "supposed" to be there 3 hours ahead, but arrived about 2 hours ahead, which gave us enough time to check in, have something quick to eat and head to the duty free shop. It was sort of nice really being a little late for check in, as when we had finished with duty free, the plane was boarding. No waiting time.
The flight took off on time (unike our arrival experience) at 11:45 a.m. UK time, with a little turbulance as we broke through the clouds, but once we were up, it was smooth flying. We arrived in Toronto at 3:00 p.m. and it was a little shakey going down. We landed safe and sound. Kevin and I flew though customs without a hitch which was a relief. I was a little worried about bringing back my little wall stones from the old house, Pentre Garreg Bach, but nothing was said, and I hadn't mentioned it.
Kevin and I quickly exited the airport and found a cab to the nearest Tim Hortons where we were to meet up with our friends Sam and Leigh for the ride home.

Well, it's arrived. Our last full day in the UK. Tomorrow we fly back to Canada, but today...we go shopping. Aunt Ann, Kevin and I took the Star rider bus up to the village centre to do some shopping. Clayton, half way through my blog finally caught up and discovered that we had found shoes and of course sent me a pleading message including his UK shoe size. So, my son being my son of course wanted a pair. Who would have thought that all three of my boys have a shoe thing like me? It's my mothers fault really, she just loved shoes as well. Anyhow, we headed into the centre and went directly to TK Max, where the deals are. I had spotted a pair of shoes before setting out on our road trip through Wales that I thought would be perfect for Clayton, but wasn't sure of his size, and didn't want to take a chance. I was happy to find that they were still there, so we are bringing them home with us, a bright pink and black skate shoe...he'll love them!
We then did a little bit of shpping around and picked up some groceries and headed back to Aunt Ann's. A little later in the day, my cousin Ann, her daughter Kylie and Trish stopped in for a visit as it was our last day. It was wonderful seeing them again before we had to leave. That evening Aunt Ann, Kevin and I went to bingo, unfortunately nothing significant was had by any of us but it was a good night out just the same. Once back to Aunt Ann's, we stayed up chatting for a while and then headed off to bed to get ready for our early start. We need to leave by 6:30 a.m.

We left Portsoy basically on schedule. About 8:00 a.m we were pulling out of the village. I kept my eyes fixed to the North Sea in hopes of seeing the dolphins. We had been looking for them each morning since we had arrived, but hadn't yet seen any. Unfortunately, there were none that I could see before we turned right to head south to England. The drive was a long one. Usually, it seems longer getting to a destination than it takes getting back. This wasn't the case this time. I would have liked to have had more time in Portsoy, but our time here is slipping away and we had to be back to Corby to catch a flight this coming Friday.
Along the way, we stopped off at Crichon Castle. This was an important castle to see as it is in Trish's family tree as she is a Crighton (now spelled with a g in place of c) We walked up the long steep hill to the castle grounds and after paying a minimal fee, we went inside. It is basically in ruins, but interesting as well. There is an interesting wall decoration that is upon you as you enter the Great Hall.
Once inside the castle walls, Trish, Kevin and I split up to have a look around. Aunt Ann took a seat on the steps and watched us scurry all over the castle. I of course didn't get very far. I got to the kitchen and then across the Great Hall to see the oldest part of the castle built in 1400's. I entered into another room which was thought to be a bedchamber of the Laird. Off to the left was a small staircase, so I went to see what was there. I got the coldest, eeriest feeling there, and quickly left the area and sat next to my Aunt on the stairs waiting for Trish and Kevin to come back from exploring. After all the castles I had been in, this one was the spookiest. I could feel the presence of evil. When Trish rejoined us, I told her what happened. She replied "of course, there were lots of murders here, this Crichton character was a real tyrant. We soon left the castle, and I must admit, this was the first one that I hadn't thoroughly explored. I just didn't want any part of it. We walked down the long steep road back to the car and continued our journey south towards England.
After 12 hours of driving from the north of Scotand, a few feul stops for the car and us, we arrived back to my Aunt Ann's home about 9:00 p.m. Our total travelling distance from the time we left for Portsoy last Thursday and get back was just over 1300 miles. Not much happened after we arrived back, a cup of coffee, a short chat and I was off to bed. Tomorrow is our last day here, and there is shopping to do

Today was fairly relaxed. I was up at my usual stoopid o'clock of 6:30ish while Kevin and Trish slept. Trish finally topped the stairs at 11:59...good morning, she said, good afternoon I replied. Kevin downed the stairs from the loft bedroom about 12:30 p.m. We started the day off with a home cooked breakfast (I am designated chief cook and bottle washer), omlette of free range eggs and good ol' scottish cheddar...yummy. Afterwards, we toured around Portsoy on foot. It's the first time we've really done that since arriving here as we have been castle stomping. I have posted a few photos of the village as it is around the harbour.
After our walk, we headed back to the docks. Later that afternoon, around 2 p.m. we headed by car to Garmond where Aunt Ann has been visiting her lifelong friend, Jeannie. Aunt Ann has been staying with her all the while we've been in Portsoy. We had a nice little visit with Jeannie and her partner Sandy and then headed back to Portsoy. On the way, we stopped by the house that my dad, Aunt Ann and my Uncle Jim lived just outside of Crudie (pronounced Kr-ewe-dee). Once back in Portsoy, first things first, we went to "The Shore" for a drink and to meet up with David, then off to David's home to see my Uncle Jim's medals (my dad's brother) and to have a visit. Kevin was able to download the photos off the camera, and that is why you have seen the Portsoy Sunset posted earlier. Later on, Fish and Chips and Haggis from the local Chippie. YUMMY! Followed up by a Bailey's or three and a quiet night in. As the sun sets this evening (now 10:30 and there is still light in the sky), I took my camera and photographed another remarkable sky. I will have to show this one later, as it won't be downloaded probably until tomorrow after we arrive back in Corby. Tonight, we make sure we are packed up and ready to go, as we leave for our journey back to England at 7:30 tomorrow morning. At least, that's the plan. Until then...

As promised, and on it's own, I give you a photo of a Portsoy sunset. This photo was taken the first day that we arrived. The darkness doesn't fall in the north of Scotland until approximately 11 p.m. and we are graced each evening by the many strokes of natures paintbrush.

Here is the sunset that I spoke of earlier. I have now been able to upload it for you to see. This photo of course doesn't do justice to what was actualy seen. It was amazing.

This morning after a lovely breakfast, Trish, Kevin and I ventured onto the high roads of North Scotland along the Castle Trail. The trail has oodles of castles, but given the time that we had, we were able to only visit three. The first one was Delgatie Castle. We were able to park for free (this is rare) and entrance was minimal. We walked up the path beside the castle to discover some highland coos (cows). Two females and two young ones. They are huge and adorable. They look like huge bears wth udders and horns! The Castle itself was a self tour and we discovered through the visit that the castle was haunted. There were a few rooms that were much colder than the others, but as with most of the castles we have visited, photos are not permitted. We were in the castle for about an hour and a half and throughly enjoyed it. After a short drive we discovered Fyvie Castle. After paying a fee to park we discovered that the entry was a little too steep and decided not to tour the inside. As we were walking up to the Fyvie Castle, Trish asked us to pose royally, so, as you can see from the photo below, Kevin and I accommodated her. It was great fun, we had quite a laugh. We toured around the gardens for a little bit and then hit the high road once again towards our next prospect. Save the best for last is what I say! We came to Tolquhon Castle. Although this castle is mostly in ruins, basically because it has no roof or furnishings, it turned out the be the best castle that we have visited. We were able to roam around freely inside the castle walls, and each corner was filled with discovery. There were many spiral stone staircases in all areas of the castle, and we weren't sure what we would find at the top. There was a minimal fee for this one and there was no charge for parking. As the time was slipping away, and we were quite a distance from our home base in Portsoy, we decided to head home. First though, we would visit Bridge of Alfrod, where Trish grew up and I had visited as a child. I was nine when I was last there, and was a little surprised that even the paint colour of the front door was the same as I remembered. We drove back to Portsoy along a twisty windey road and we were glad to get our shoes off, our feet up and the wine poured. Tomorrow is our last day in Portsoy as Wednesday we leave to head back to Corby before Kevin and I end our holiday. These photos are just a few that Trish took with her camera and me with my bb. We have plenty more to share.

It turned into a lovely day in the North of Scotland. A wonderful day out. Trish, Kevin and I left on the castle hunt about 9:30 this morning. First we drove to Brodie Castle which is owned and operated by the National Trust as with most historic sites. So...with that being said, a fee to park your car...a fee to enter the castle...and through the gift shop is the only exit. Can't blame them really, they do need the £ to keep these places running. We had a lovely organized tour through Brodie Castle which was first erected in the 13th century. The walls were dorned with original artwork, mostly of the family, as well as a painting of King James II and other delightful things. The decor was in almost original condition. There is a new part that was constructed during the late 1800's, and original carpets, furniture and china still decorated the grand rooms. Nice to see that it's all still intact. The tour was nicely presented, even though it was fairly commercial. On the drive back to Portsoy, we stopped at Baxter's. You may recognize their name from Scottish jams and jellies sold in Canada. We had lunch and quickly looked through the shops, and headed back on the road towards Portsoy. Trish asked if I would like to go to Findlater Castle on the way back. I had noticed the sign on the way to Brodie Castle, and of course I jumped on the opportunity. It's not listed in any of the National Trust brochures that I've been looking at and I was quite curious. It did take us a couple of tries, just to get on the right road. The road to the castle looked more like someones private drive, but we followed our noses and discovered a small unkept parking area. We quickly parked the car and walked down a fence lined pathway, that was overgrown with grass, but I could see the cobblestone in the worn areas. We were walking closer and closer to the north shore of the North Sea, and still hadn't seen anything, was there even a castle up there? Maybe it was just a bunch of ruins, fallen blocks on the ground hidden in the hills. As we walked closer, we noticed what seemed to be the top of a castle tower with an information plaque inside. Was that it? Is that what we came here for? As soon as we got close enough to look over the edge of the cliff, built into the rocks was this 13th century ruin, where you could clearly see where the castle had proudly stood centuries before. It's amazing to think how they even built it there, what determination. The cliffs going down had a footpath, but much to steep for either Trish or I to venture down, but Kevin did, camera in hand to see the castle and climb through it's crumbling corridors. He did get some amazing photos, but unfortunately, I am unable to upload them from my camera until I get to a regular desktop computer. I did take a few photos with my blackberry, which are the ones you see here. We did meet and elderly couple, in their mid 70's I would say...backpacks and camping equipment on their backs, we discovered that they had been walking the north shore from the West of Scotland for 10 days. Amazing! At 7:45 the day is still wonderful and bright, and we are looking forward to a spectacular sunset. I will take photos on my bb this time, so that I can upload on Trish's laptop. Unfortunately it calls for rain the rest of the week.
We'll see what tomorrow brings....

Since our first day of arrival in Bonnie Scotland, we have not seen the sun. It has been overcast, cool and drizzling. Absolutely perfect pub weather! (Say that 5 times with a scottish accent). Needless to say we haven't really gone anywhere or done anything, which is kind of nice on our last week of holiday.
I've been looking out the window every morning for the dolphins, but so far haven't seen them. We have a few more days here yet, so hopefully before we leave they will dance for us. We have made a trip to The Spotty Bag Shop, not its actal real name, but its called that due to....you guessed it, spotty bags. Bought a few little things to bring home there as well.
Today we are off to Brodie Castle for a little sightseeing stuff, and from there to Spey Bay which is a natural heritage area. We will also get to a few little shops in the small villages dotted along the way.
As I look out the window this morning the sun shines on this ancient little village, where once the harbour was filled with boats and the streets lively with the catch of the day from the fish mongers, and the pubs filled with scallywags. It is believed that there is an old tunnel system under the streets of this little village, you can see evidence of it with bricked up archways that appear to lead underground. Oh to have a jackhammer!! I would love to explore that, and I'm surprised that no one has, or at least not admitted to. Today, we still get the fresh halibut in the pubs. Well its time to go out and play. Until later.
I have not had a chance to upload photos for a few days, but they are coming.

Trish, Aunt Ann, Kevin and I piled into the car headed for Scotland about 8:00 a.m. The drive for the most part was fairly unscenic as we took the A1 highway. It was overcast and drizzling rain most of the way. When we hit the Scotland boarder, the skies seemed to open up and we had nothing but blue skies and sunshine the rest of the way. We stopped off at friends Susan and Jim for tea (a meal consisting of mince and tatties and bailey's...yummy) and dropped off Aunt Ann as she is staying to visit for a few days. Trish, Kevin and I continued our trip to Portsoy. It was lovely, the sun was shining and the rolling hills were covered in grass and grapeseed, what a wonderful contrast below the blue sky. We drove through many little villages along the way, and finally to our right, appeared the North Sea. A wonderful sight. We then made our way though a historic very old town named Banff, then on to Portsoy. Not long after arriving in Portsoy we witnessed a spectacular sunset. (I will upload pictures later, once I find a place to download them from my camera) We met up with David, my cousin, Trish's brother and chatted and drank until we couldn't chat or drink anymore. It was a wonderful night. I have put up a photo from my blackberry of the view from Trish's flat window, the North Sea. I can hardly believe we only have one more week.

Kevin and I are back in Weldon at my Aunt Ann's until Thursday. Time to get caught up on lost sleep from the last week of being on the move. As I look back at it now, I wish that we had more time to spend in some places, expecially with family, the time went too quickly. I would have liked to explore the larger centres like London and Liverpool as there is so much to see and do, we could have spent 2 weeks in each city. Seems like we were just getting the hang of where everything was and we would have to leave. Another time. We will be in Weldon until Thursday morning, when we head up to Portsoy Scotland, a 500 mile drilve.

May 9th we headed back towards Corby about 10 a.m. In the beginning we found ourselves on the M6 which is much like our 400 series highways and we could have made it back to Corby in about 2.5 hours....enough of that!!! We diverted to the secondary highways which passed through little towns and villages along the way, some fantastic architecture. We arrived at 4:45 p.m. We made two stops, one at a little pub at the top of a hill named The Cat & the Fiddle. A lot of motorcycles stop there, as the road is filled with them. The roads are through the hills winding around hairpin corners. Kevin and I got a laugh when the sign said "Slow to 50 mph". My good grief, had I been going 50 to begin with I would have been on 2 wheels going around those corners!! The motorcycles were almost laid to the ground coming around those corners. But, we made it, no scratches or dents...all is good. We stopped at Nottingham Castle, it was mostly an art gallery, which was interesting, but disappointing also, as it wasn't what we expected. Once back in Corby to Weldon where my aunt lives, we decided to go to bingo. I won on the second last game £250 which was awesome. Now it's time to relax for a few days before we head our way up to Portsoy, Scotland for the remainder of our holiday.

Liverpool - quite a bustling place, everyone is going somewhere. Our first destination was to find the hotel, which we did - after a while. We then went looking for Ansfield Cemetery where my Great Grandparents are buried alonside some of their children. Kevin and I had stopped along the way and bought flowers for the gravesite. I wonder how long it had been since flower had been there. The headstones were layed down for protection of the stones as they were starting to topple over. The City Centre was amazing, they have made all the main streets through the city centre pedestrian walkways, so all the roads are one way around the outside of the area, which explains why it took us a while to find where everything was. We visited the Beatles Museum and had dinner at Albert Docks which has now been made into a array of restaurants and comedy clubs. The next morning we visited St Mary's Walton on the hill before leaving for our way back to Corby.