Lilian's Tree

I'm still making my mind up about Glasgow. I liked seeing the main city area but to me it lacks the history of Edinburgh and the warmth as well. I arrived early Saturday morning, by train. An amazing trip 45 minutes to go from Edinburgh to Glasgow, only three stops, on the fast train. By 10.00am I was in my hotel room. I then had a full day to explore and 22,000+ steps later, I had explored. This interesting clock, was near my hotel. Hiding the carpark. Council building and War Memorial. Clyde River. Walking to the main shopping area, I walked down to the Clyde River. There were very few people around, nothing happening on the water, it looked forlorn. I crossed the footbridge, to explore the other side and when a man came out of the hotel swearing, I went back across the bridge.  I also explored around the three universities, near my hotel but again very few people around. Also checked out several shopping malls. Sunday was a day exploring Stirling ...

We are all made-up of DNA, unique and different but I was fascinated when I read this, in Kew Gardens.  I'll let the photos explain.

I arrived in Edinburgh, on Tuesday and haven't stopped! Edinburgh has cobblestones AND hills. I you go down the hill, somewhere you must come up the hill, even on a different street! There are statues, around the city called Orr Wullie, they will be auctioned, for the Edinburgh Children's Hospital. I think it is a great way to get people to explore the city, running groups, do find the Wullies, such fun. There are 60 in the Edinburgh area and I've managed to photograph 19 and have seen another, to make 20. Doing this I have seen the Scottish Parliament Building, with what looks like sticks, on the outside. Arthur's Seat a massive hill, that is part of the volcano, that Edinburgh Castle sits on, but it is a distance away. The Palace of Holyrood, but not close enough for a photo. Churches, interesting buildings and quaint closes. I did a bus tour, on Wednesday, that showed us the sights of Edinburgh, so I knew what to go and look at. After that I went to...

Cobblestones, that is my memory of Dublin!  No, Dublin is a wonderful vibrant city, with an amazing history and she wants to share it with you.  From the whisky, found everywhere to the very moving Famine Memorial, there is something for everyone, even a zoo, to take the littlies. I took the train from Galway across to Dublin and loved watching the countryside, so green slip past my window, except when it was raining! Dublin is the queen of one-way streets, so going anywhere in any transport, is interesting. Walking is recommended. Yes, cobblestones and all. Things to do, The Book of Kells, in Trinity College, is amazing. An ancient manuscript of the the four Gospels, the workmanship is beautiful. The Book of Kells. Trinity College, Library. Christchurch Cathedral, this is both the main church for the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church. A beautiful building, with vaults underneath. Christchurch Cathedral. Inside. Underneath...

A few weeks ago I asked Helen to answer some DNA questions, for me, here are her answers. Thank you, Helen. 1)        How many years have you be doing genealogy research and why did you start? I have been researching for 32 years. I had always had an interest as my father was English but I started research in earnest to stop my mother plaintively complaining that she never knew her grandfather (due to a family split which is a whole another story!).   I found out one thing then another and was hooked! 2)        When did you first use DNA, in your research and why? I did my first DNA test in the days when blood was required. Then did a mitochondrial test with Ancestry which while interesting did not help me much. It was not until autosomal testing started that I found DNA to be a useful genealogical tool for me personally though I had been trying to entice some Quested males to do a YDNA test for my ...

Well Big Crosby got it wrong! The sun does not go down on Galway Bay, it goes down behind a hill! Galway Bay. Arrived in Dublin, on Monday and due to the infrequency of trains to Galway City, had to take a car. It was a lovely journey, on the motorway, even in the pouring rain, in parts, but that's Ireland! My hotel was in Salthill, right on Galway Bay and the view was lovely. I went for a walk, after dinner then organised myself for my trip Ballinakill, with the hope of finding something about my ancestors. It was a beautiful journey, through the emerald green countryside. Yes, the roads are only one lane, with passing areas and the fields are divided with dry stone walls, (no mortar used). First stop was the Catholic church, in Ballinakill, right time frame but I am now starting to doubt that it was the correct one. Found the Historical society, in Woodford and they seem to think that the Abbertons' came from Abbey. Confused, so am I!  Searched several cemeteries, wi...

With the show over, Jennie and I spent the Sunday, exploring Coventry. Again we went by train and then strolled towards the ruined Cathedral. You find little gems, like Ford's Hospital. The ruined Cathedral is inspiring. Bombed on 14 November 1940, the BBC radio, did its Christmas broadcast, from the ruins. The spire. They had to stop it being pulled down, as it has a lean, from before the bombing. This cross is made from two roof beams, that were found, as a cross. Across from the Cathedral is  St Mary's Guildhall , a medieval guild, regarded as probably the finest in the country. To quote the leaflet; 'Since the 1340's St. Mary's Guildhall has been at the heart of British history, at times the seat of  the Royal Court, a base for merchants and even a stage for Shakespeare.'   Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned there. The guildhall. The room Mary Queen of Scots was in. Strolling around, you see lots of blue circle plaques,...