October 24th, 2009
BRISTOL — This morning I crossed the Severn from Wales into England and by-passed Bristol. I headed for Tyntesfield—I wasn’t sure what it was other than it being a National Trust property. I arrived just after noon and it started bucketing down. Thankfully the rain only lasted for twenty minutes or so. It turns out that Tyntesfield is a country house. Unusually, the house is in the middle of a conservation, preservation and restoration project but is still open to the public.
The house was covered in scaffolding which meant that its unique gothic exterior was hidden from sight. It was only in the gift shop when I saw a postcard of the house that I remembered having seen the house in an episode of Antiques Roadshow. It was interesting to see the interior of the house in a state of disarray while in the process of being restored.
I drove into Bristol and headed towards the city centre. My road atlas was of no use and it took about 40 minutes of driving around before I came across signs for the Temple Meads Railway Station (I knew where the hotel was in relation to the station). I arrived to find the hotel car park full so I had to park in the handicapped spot as a token from reception was needed to exit the barriered car park. While I was checking in some one else was checking out so I was able to appropriate their car park instead.
Russell,
Have forwarded you an email but don’t know if you will receive it or not so here is the gist of it. If by chance you are near Woking next Sat 31st there is a Family History Open Day at the Woking Leisure Centre, Kingfield Road, Woking 10-4.30. Organisations attending include East of London FHS, London/Westminster/Middlesex FHS, plus organisations from Kent etc. further info http://www.wsfhs.org/openday.htm
Would you believe I have found another family my Sarah Ann Skene (m Henry) found 7 brothers and sisters and in seconds via http://www.parishrecord.com and the huge cost of $A6. These people have transcribed/are transcribing all the churches in Tower Hamlets themselves and you can buy the CD’s or download from the net. Free searches just pay for the info and it all came in one bit so was dirt cheap. They could well be at the Open Day too.
Sounds like you are having a great time and I do envy you. Tip: If like me you have managed to collect a lot of paper eg books etc from all the places you have visited ship them home the cheapest way will lighten your luggage and its wonderful opening the box/parcel when it arrives.
Have fun
Robyn