Here we are at Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, having a conference with two of my cousins, that has been recorded on Lynda's laptop - which is what I am using to write this blog - all about our ancestors. Lynda now has 1200 names of people connected to our family. Now that's a tree!!!
This particular stop is to acquire details from Cousin Meryl Pace (Gardner) about what she remembers from her youth about my mother's side. Her son, Ant, also has delved into family history so we are gathering a considerable amount of detail regarding inlaws and outlaws. Also joining us for the day is Cousin Patricia Talmage (Gradwell) from nearby Cholsey who has much info on my father's brother Will Gradwell, whose childhood has only recently been revealed through orphanage records. As his story unfolds, a horrific picture of Victorian England has emerged. As cousins, Patricia and I have been in touch only sporadically so there's a great deal of catching up to do.
Talking about a step back in time:- A bit further back than Gramps etc., we trod the stones of the Romans while visiting Bath this week. We had a fascinating two hour tour of the complex on the original site in the centre of the city, and preserved as much as possible - crumbling stones and all. The baths offer a stroll through history on the very worn stone tablets surrounding a large pool where hot springs bubble up. Seating areas are depicted by illustrations beside the rooms where the locals gathered in various groups and numbers. An ingenious system of culverts and drains is still operational where heretofore used bath water was returned to the Avon River. A valuable free asset is a personal wireless guide allowing me to take as much time as I wish at each historical step.