Planes, Trains and Automobiles … And a Big Ship As Well
Planes, maybe a train, and no doubt buses and taxis, as well as a big ship are what I will be experiencing soon, as in a few days time I’ll be on my way to London to go on Unlock the Past’s 5th cruise. So the suitcase is out, the passport is packed, and so are my European plugs, and my Unlock the Past cruise t-shirts. The rest I need to work out this weekend!
This is Unlock the Past’s 5th history and genealogy cruise, and it will be first real international one, as all their previous cruises have left from either Australian or New Zealand ports. This one starts from London, then goes up to Scotland, around to Ireland, stops at the Islands, touches on France, and then heads back to London. So it’ll be quite a trip!
There will be plenty to see, but what I’m REALLY going for is the conference onboard. I mean afterall we have speakers such as those listed below. And who wouldn’t love to go hear them?
– Lisa Louise Cooke (United States) the queen of podcasts
– Marie Dougan (Scotland)
– Jackie Depelle (England)
– Paul Blake (England)
– Eileen Ó Dúill (Ireland)
– Sean Ó Dúill (Ireland)
– Rosemary Kopittke (Australia)
– Helen Smith (Australia)
– Mike Murray (Australia)
– Lesley Silvester (Australia)
There’s 40 or so talks scheduled, with pretty much any topic you can think of covered. Don’t believe me? Just check out the program!
As people who know me know, I am rather internet-addicted. So being on a boat for 10 days without any internet just isn’t an option – and it’s why I was willing to pay big dollars for internet use on the previous cruises I’ve been on. But this time rather than rely on expensive, dodgy internet onboard, most of the Unlock the Past team have decided to buy prepaid plugin wifi internet, so we’ll be able to use them while we’re in ports. And since we’re in ports most days – we should be able to at least partially keep in touch with the outside world.
As I’ve not been to the UK before, some would say I should see everything. In fact, there’s not a whole lot I’m hanging out to see. In fact I’m happy to soak in what I do see and enjoy that. But there are two things I wouldn’t mind seeing if possible. The first being seeing any of the “Books About Town” bench seats that are around London. For details of all of them, click here. So before and after the cruise while I’m in London, I shall be keeping my eyes open.
the Paddington Bear bench in the Books About Town series of benches that have popped up around London
When the ship hits Dublin,the one thing I would love to see is the Trinity College Library (the Old Library). Seriously for any booklover, who WOULDN’T want to visit this place? I’m mean just look at those shelves! For more about the Trinity College Library check out wikipedia, as well as their own website. But we’ll see if this eventuates or not.
the Old Library, Trinity College Library, Dublin
So I’ll be cruising with a bunch of other genealogy nuts on the “Marco Polo” ship. And so you get a little taste of what it’s like here’s a little video about it. It’s a much smaller ship that those I’ve been on previously, but that means less walking from end-to-end, and from lower decks, to higher decks! :-), and while it doesn’t have the glitz of the “Voyager of the Seas” it have a classic feel to it.
http://youtu.be/2A4Ga6xb-fo
Anyway after the cruise, I’m staying on for a few extra days with my family, and the intention is to visit some family-related places. Places like Lancaster in Lancashire where my Hayhurst family came from. Devon where my Randell and Hannaford lines came from, and Cornwall where my Phillips and Trewartha lines originate. So it shall be interesting to see what we see.
All up I’ll be away for three weeks – so might I be busier online, or I might be quieter. Time will tell. And I’m making no promises to give you daily updates – because I know that won’t happen.
It’s coming very quickly, so I’m off to make more lists on what to pack!
… business cards, notebooks, pens, printout of part of family tree, details on brickwall issue, something waterproof as it’s bound to rain in England! …
5 Responses to “Planes, Trains and Automobiles … And a Big Ship As Well”
Leave a Reply
Have a wonderful time, Alona. I wish I could be there with you.
Thanks Jill. Yes, it’s a shame you’re not coming, but you probably do need to spend at least some of this year at home. ;-P
Have a wonderful Cruise with all your family and enjoy seeing all the new places especially the places with family connections at the end of the Cruise. I’m sure there will be goose bumps at some places and times.
Aww thankyou Audrey. I know it’ll certainly be an experience, and probably one that I won’t get to do again, so it’ll be something special.
After the last fabulous Unlock the Past cruise in February I wish I was coming with you Alona. Have a wonderful time and I look forward to reading all about it.