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Italy Nolene DE LUCA
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Day 45
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 7:27 AM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 217 ft
Ireland Kingscourt 53.91419, -6.77352153°54’51” N 6°46’25” W
Research in Bailieborough
August 15, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Not too much to report unfortunately, researcher/librarian away yesterday so back today. We went to order certificates but the registry office is closed Wednesday, just our luck, so back today! Everywhere we go we we find that lunch time can be anything between 1-2hours and they shut grrrrrr. However we found a very helpful worker in the local cemetery who put us onto a real old cemetery that we didn’t know about, found lot’s of Lynch’s so now it is a process of elimination. We take different roads when going to little villages and are seeing the most wonderful countryside plus the VERY NARROW roads, had a couple of ‘hairy’ moments but all good. Weather is a bit crappy, cold yesterday and not much better today. Sharon had to buy a jacket. Oh well, we are in Ireland!!Read more
TravelerGreat work Nolene, it is always so rewarding when you find someone, but then the next step is putting the pieces of the puzzle together, another challenge.
8/15/18Reply
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Day 44
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 6:21 AM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 203 ft
Ireland Kingscourt 53.91418, -6.77346553°54’51” N 6°46’24” W
Wesport to Cabra Castle, Kingscourt
August 14, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Straight from Westport to Mullingar for research so an uneventful trip mostly on the motorway. Into the council office/library for our search. No luck unfortunately although I was able to confirm the Flynn family were in this area. Have lots of tips from a historian/librarian who was helping us.
Back to our accomm. Upgraded so staying in the Hotel not the cottages. Very luxurious. Had a pre dinner drink outside followed by a light dinner. A magic place to be. Off to Baileborough today for more research on the Lynch family, good vibes in this search.Read more
TravelerThis looks rather quaint, much nicer then the previous place. 🍻
8/14/18Reply
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Day 42
Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 10:19 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 66 ft
Ireland Westport 53.797945, -9.51368453°47’53” N 9°30’49” W
Mullingar to ??? (Westport) Tiki Tour
August 12, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Sorted out our crappy accommodation by not staying a second night, had a refund and all was well. Lady still m‘learning’!!! Headed on a ‘tiki tour’ to Westport via the coast Road south. Took us to Lakes, Mountains and ocean and anything in between!!! Picnic lunch on the beach, amazing countryside, lots of very windy narrow roads but it was great. Stopped for coffee a couple of times we needed a ‘pit stop’. Arrived Westport and rang our bnb to find they had made an error and we were a ‘day early!!! They were very quick to rectify the situation and after a pint at the local pub we were settled in our accomm. Quite a contrast to last night. Walked to an Italian restaurant and now home feeling quite full. A great day with lots of laughs. Navigator good today, lots of miles and now very tired.😴😴😴 photo of our accommodation tonight with our wagon in front.Read more
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Day 42
Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 6:40 AM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 322 ft
Ireland Corbetstown 53.543149, -7.12947653°32’35” N 7°7’46” W
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Dublin & Sharon
August 12, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Lovely to meet up with Sharon yesterday morning and catch up on all the news from home. Picked up car and headed toward Mullingar, easy peasy. Me driving, Sharon navigator, going great, out to see Belvedere Castle when Sharon says ‘oh I can see the coast’ funny when we are in the middle of Ireland!!!! It was a lake (lough) of course. First of many laughs for the day until we came to our air bnb. Totally false advertising, not the same accommodation as in the photos, covered in builders dust from converting the barn. Basically one big room and dirty. No cutlery etc. Too many things to go into detail here. No apology from the owner. So we had to stay the night but will be out of here today. Sunday, so doing a ‘roadie’ out to the ‘real coast’.Read more
Garry Christoffersen Funny place for a statue ... dam cute though!
8/12/18Reply
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Day 40
Friday, August 10, 2018 at 7:24 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 213 ft
Ireland Cloghran 53.426168, -6.23224253°25’34” N 6°13’56” W
Dublin
August 10, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Of course I didn’t meet Sharon this morning, she arrives tomorrow morning, must have been those grumpy poms I was focused on. Spent the day in the middle of the city, very busy and the main part very dirty. Lots of building along the water way and will be great when finished. Rained and was cold, I had to buy a rain jacket, no doubt it will come in handy for the rest of the trip!!! Looking forward to getting out into the country.Read more
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Day 39
Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 9:34 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 220 ft
Ireland Cloghran 53.426095, -6.23279953°25’34” N 6°13’58” W
Ely/Birmingham/Dublin
August 9, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Most of the last couple of days have been travelling and waiting to travel. Neither the train or air employees are very accommodating in England. Little bit more friendly in Ireland where I will meet Sharon in the morning. Yippee, then we start a new adventure (yes, looking for dead people) as John puts it. More family research. Met and befriended 8 young lads on the plane coming to Ireland for a ‘stag couple days’, god knows what they will look like when they arrive home!!! No photos until tomorrow. Don’t think you want to see train stations or airports.Read more
Garry ChristoffersenJust delivered Sharon to Tauranga airport ... the start of her 35 hours ish of travelling before she meets you. G
8/9/18Reply
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Day 37
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 8:04 PM
🌧 26 °C
Altitude: 75 ft
England Ely 52.394826, 0.25662252°23’41” N 0°15’24” E
Cambridge
August 7, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
At ‘Shire Hall’ for 9.00 opening. Used ‘park ‘n ride’ as parking in Cambridge is expensive and busy love them. Research was reasonably successful. Certainly have other options for following through when I get home. Very helpful. The joys of being on site!!! Mixed feelings when I walked down by the river, there is still an Italian restaurant where Mike and I had lunch twenty years ago, went and had a coffee and watched the world go by. Spent all day researching, was looking forward to a nice meal. Should have known better. Ordered fish and a salad, salad rotten but they couldn’t really care. My wine was good so told them that was all I was going to pay for. - blank look, but not even an apology!! Poms!!! Of on my next venture tomorrow.Read more
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Day 37
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 5:18 PM
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 92 ft
England Ely 52.401379, 0.26717552°24’5” N 0°16’2” E
Ely
August 7, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Where did Monday go?? That’s what happens when you get engrossed in family research!!! More lovely little villages, bad, narrow roads and dead ends!!! Moved ‘digs’ now right in Ely at a lovely b & b, very old a little tired but nice. Went to visit the Stretham old steam engine that helped drain the fens way back. Where some of the family worked.Read more
TravelerI know what you mean family research is very addictive!!
8/7/18Reply
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Day 35
Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 9:41 PM
🌙 20 °C
Altitude: 20 ft
England Stretham 52.327649, 0.20145652°19’40” N 0°12’5” E
Wicken/Freckingham
August 5, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Sunday morning sleep in, yeah right!!! Off to the mill to say goodbye to Jacqui as she was heading back home. Went to Worlington to visit a relation, 94 year old and bright as a button, 20 years since I saw him too. He could be one of the old Howe family from NZ, there is such a resemblance!! Got lost a couple of times but it really is easy to get around, not too much distance between little towns. Took a photo of the Boars Head pub where the 94 year old was born. Little villages are so beautiful. Last night here, then move to Ely to a b & b. I am in this area for longer than first thought. Looking forward to Ireland in the next chapter of my trip.Read more
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Day 35
Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 8:50 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 20 ft
England Stretham 52.327651, 0.20155852°19’40” N 0°12’6” E
Wicken
August 5, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
At the mill today to see it operating. A very dedicated bunch of volunteers from all walks of life. I met the head of the trust who is also a historian so now I have good knowledge of the mill owners, saves me doing the research!!! Went to meet another ‘oldie’ in the village in his ancient little cottage and found that the farm house where my family lived is no longer there, shame. A photo of the pub I am staying in and the view from the dining room looking out at the canal.Read more
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Day 34
Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 9:08 AM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 20 ft
England Stretham 52.32769, 0.20157552°19’40” N 0°12’6” E
Wicken/Stretham/Ely
August 4, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Went to visit relatives this morn, not to much info as they were s bit ‘away with the fairies’, very old. Each parish I went to do research was closed and not open until Tuesday, bummer.!!! Looked through more churchyards then met Jacqui later in the day. Today is ‘Mill day’. Looking forward to meeting some of the workers.Read more
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Day 33
Friday, August 3, 2018 at 8:48 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 20 ft
England Stretham 52.327702, 0.20157852°19’40” N 0°12’6” E
Wicken/Stretham
August 3, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Hair cut day yesterday and a look around Ely visiting the Cathedral and the house Oliver Cromwell lived in which is now the (i) centre plus museum. Then a catch up with a relative, Jacqui, having not seen her for 20 years. How 20 years changes us!!!! Lovely time with Jacqui taking me to a couple of churches and grave yards then had dinner together. Found my 3rd g. Grandfathers grave with the headstone barely visible. Found a local historian who is a retired stonemason who is willing to clean and restore the stone, it really is in good condition despite it’s age. Today is library day. Weather is beautiful, temperatures in the late 20,s.Read more
TravelerSurprised you could tell who the headstone belonged to! Good bit of growth on that.
8/3/18Reply
Nolene DE LUCAAmazing what one can find with a map and a helpful vicar, cloudless make out the last name so confirmed, great.
8/3/18Reply
TravelerWhat a great find Nolene, is that on your mum or dads side of the family?
8/4/18Reply
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Day 32
Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 8:35 AM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 20 ft
England Stretham 52.32767, 0.20189652°19’40” N 0°12’7” E
London to Cambridgeshire
August 2, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
We think we have traffic problems in N Z, forget it!!! Took an hour in taxi from where I was staying in Kensington to King Cross station, taxi driver was pulling his hair out!! Reached Ely, picked up my rental no problem, a peppy little Audi. Accomm basic but clean, typical pub on a canal, could be beautiful but poms generally lazy. Visited Wicken and the ‘family mill’ lots of memories, all good. Today is serious research.Read more
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Day 30
Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 8:23 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 138 ft
England Round Pond 51.510615, -0.18442951°30’38” N 0°11’4” W
Notting Hill
July 31, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Decided to walk to Notting Hill today, tried to look like Julia Roberts but couldn’t find Hugh Grant so had to give that up!!! Ha ha. Walked the length of Portobello Road, looking very drab and every stall holder was either Indian or Middle East. I was a little disappointed but it has been done now. Very busy today. Went across to Hyde Park again, today very busy, probably because the weather is a little better. I spent some time organising to do research when I get back here and rang a couple of relatives, so all good. Catch the train to Ely in Cambridgeshire at 10 tomorrow morning. Looking forward to being up there again.Read more
Garry ChristoffersenLooks a bit different compared to the movie!
7/31/18Reply
TravelerLooking for Hugh Grant!?!? Last I heard he paid for services!!
8/1/18Reply
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Day 29
Monday, July 30, 2018 at 8:54 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 138 ft
England Round Pond 51.510598, -0.1844151°30’38” N 0°11’4” W
London
July 30, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
I set off this morning through Hyde Park just in time to get in a shower so had to take refuge under a tree. Walked a total of 13.6 km taking in Buckingham Palace, St James Palace walked around Mayfair and Belgravia before going to Harrods. As like 1998 NZ wines cheaper than in NZ, crazy. Saw the NZ war memorial and then walked back via Kensington Palace. Absolutely knackered. Good though. Lovely through Hyde Park. Typical tourist today!!!Read more
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Day 28
Sunday, July 29, 2018 at 6:28 PM
🌧 20 °C
Altitude: 148 ft
England Round Pond 51.510561, -0.18427351°30’38” N 0°11’3” W
London
July 29, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
After 30 degrees in London over the last ten days the rain and wind set in last night with the temperatures dropping today. Didn’t get out for a walk as too wet. High Tea at The Dorchester, amazing, what a place!!! Champagne poured from a magnum, beautiful dainty sandwiches then a series of little cakes beautifully decorated. Tea from Royal Doulton china. Very special indeed, but I couldn’t do that every day!!! Had to walk it off when I got back to my hotel, just as well Hyde Park is opposite!!!Read more
TravelerGood to see you living the high life!!
7/30/18Reply
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Day 27
Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 7:29 PM
🌬 19 °C
Altitude: 151 ft
England Round Pond 51.510686, -0.18389351°30’38” N 0°11’2” W
Salzburg to London
July 28, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
Lovely time this morning with Bruno & Gabi, they took me to the airport where we had coffee before I said goodbye for now. I will be forever grateful for the wonderful time I had with them showing me their home country seeing places I would never visit. Superb to say the least. Plane to London uneventful, train to Paddington then cab to hotel. Just finished dinner at hotel, not too bad!!! Tomorrow s wall around Hyde Park then ‘High Tea’ at The Dorchester in Mayfair with Sandy, daughter of Bruno & Gabi. Will post photos, watch this space!!! Random photos now.Read more
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Day 27
Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 8:43 AM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 1,375 ft
Austria Salzburg Central Station 47.81443, 13.0429647°48’52” N 13°2’35” E
Salzburg
July 28, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Visited the old palace which really is a city in itself, such wonderful history and amazing catacombs in the cliff face. Visited the house where Mozart lived and another house where he composed his music, a very romantic city. Lovely dinner last night in an outside courtyard under large trees. Last dinner in Austria with Bruno & Gabi. The temperatures the last few days have been around 30 degrees, so hot.Read more
TravelerJust so beautiful!
7/28/18Reply
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Day 26
Friday, July 27, 2018 at 8:35 AM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 1,375 ft
Austria Salzburg Central Station 47.81435, 13.04293247°48’52” N 13°2’35” E
More photos
July 27, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
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Day 26
Friday, July 27, 2018 at 8:16 AM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 1,375 ft
Austria Salzburg Central Station 47.814378, 13.04293747°48’52” N 13°2’35” E
Destination Salzburg
July 27, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Left our delightful hotel in the mountains heading for Salzburg, such different scenery now. On autobahn for some of the time but mostly on secondary roads. Stopped at the village of Hallstatt, very touristy but lovely to walk around. Houses with their decks built out over the lake. Found a picnic spot overlooking the town, so lovely to enjoy it all with Bruno & Gabi. Stopped at another little town on another lake, so picturesque. Settled into our hotel and caught a taxi in to town, driver an absolute rat, hated the English, thought the queen and everyone associated with England were terrorists, Bruno loved stirring, so funny. I just kept quiet!!!Read more
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Day 24
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 9:55 PM
🌙 16 °C
Altitude: 3,415 ft
Austria Kötschachtal 47.127928, 13.15736247°7’41” N 13°9’27” E
Last night & today
July 25, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
We went out for dinner last night came home 10.30pm to find 5 German guys drinking wine so of course we had to join them, bad move as we didn’t get to bed until 1.30. Both Bruno & I were not too good this morning!!!! Drove to a small village where Bruno drove the car in to a covered flat deck carriage then us in a carriage. Train goes to next village through a tunnel in the mountains, only way to get there, amazing. We then rode the gondola up into ‘space’, it was a long way up and very steep. We were over 2000m. We then walked the suspension bridge. Great fun. Back to our new little village for a wander watching a waterfall in the middle that supposedly has healing purposes!!! Early night tonight, funny that!!!Read more
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Day 24
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 9:30 PM
🌙 16 °C
Altitude: 3,415 ft
Austria Kötschachtal 47.127942, 13.15748147°7’41” N 13°9’27” E
Swarkovski visit
July 25, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
We also visited this site, not allowed into the factory itself but they have an underground display and show, this time it was focused around flowers. Incredible talent to put it altogether, outside was amazing too using their crystals on displays. Photos of the place we stayed the night before.Read more
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Day 24
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 9:20 PM
🌙 17 °C
Altitude: 3,415 ft
Austria Kötschachtal 47.127924, 13.15744247°7’41” N 13°9’27” E
Bad Gastein
July 25, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
Big drive yesterday, we took a mountain road up into the Tirol mountains, the road was so windy and steep it took almost 2 hours to do 50 km’s. It didn’t matter as the scenery was spectacular, typical little Austrian villages, so good. The roading system is amazing and in such good condition.Read more
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Day 23
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 8:32 AM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 1,972 ft
Austria Triumphpforte 47.262679, 11.39472447°15’46” N 11°23’41” E
Alps & Innsbruck photos
July 24, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Quaint little villages and large ski resorts used in summer by trampers. We were at 1700-1900 meters whilst driving and the mountains still towered above us. Lovely shops with all sorts of traditional Austrian food goodies.Read more
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Day 23
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 8:22 AM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 1,978 ft
Austria Triumphpforte 47.262488, 11.3944347°15’45” N 11°23’40” E
Innsbruck
July 24, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Fantastic drive yesterday through the Alps, pity the cloud was around and we had rain at times, very warm though. Photos cannot do the mountains justice. Ski lifts everywhere and all join up at various places, very clever. Went to the ski jump where the Winter Olympics have been held twice, went to the very top and had lunch. Ski jumpers have to be nuts!!! Innsbruck is lovely, wandered around last night until midnight, everyone enjoying themselves.Read more
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