There is a time for everything and the time is now! It is my “Mission Wales” journey, with family!
There are no “family” t-shirts that will be worn for easy identification! Although, maybe that’s a good idea. I do have a tendency to wander off! Numerous details have been ironed out such as the dates, the flights, and accommodations. Trains, Planes and Automobile! Arrive by plane; Heathrow. Get on a train to Wales via Birmingham. Drive around the countryside. Meet our relatives. Sounds straight forward doesn’t it.
Regular panic mode items include packing, hopefully not over-packing. Reminding yourself that there is probably a laundry facility somewhere. Having money and a credit card with room. Also, cleaning the clutter off of your phone. I’ve watched enough Coronation Street and other family members watch enough murder mysteries from the UK to be able to understand the dialect. I, unlike some of my friends, do not do global trips once or twice a year. Maybe more like once or twice in a life-time.
This trip will be different than the last time I was in the United Kingdom. That included a whirlwind trip with 5 of us, our mom, my two sisters and brother-in-law, Don. We visited Evans’ relatives outside of London, drove up to Scotland with stops along the way before we landed just outside of Edinburgh, at North Berwick, Scotland. Our brother-in-law’s cousins live there and were gracious hosts. Five extra people is a bit much considering they have a modest home. In London we stayed with a cousin who had a roomy flat. It was the hottest August that the UK had seen. The heat wave washed over France and many people died during that time. That was 2003.
The landmarks, the history are all very vivid. The Royal Mile, Holyrood Castle, The Fringe Festival, pubs and a stop at a Harley Davidson shop in Edinburgh, We toured North Berwick and looked out upon the North Sea. Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle, Stirling. Fighter jets flying so low that you could read the markings on the jet. Country dancing in a community centre, accommodations that were up steep stairs, sleeping in single beds or a cot by the window. Little houses with big hearths to warm chilled bodies and always hospitality.
Then there is driving in another country. I wanted so badly to drive that first time. We had a huge van fit 5 of us comfortably and all the luggage. And odd these are the details that I cannot recall; what did I take for a suitcase, how much money did I take, the trip there and back. What was our flight like? I remember being picked up at the airport or at least following someone to our destination. I spent most of my road trip tucked into the back of the van! Sulking!! And this time, I just might be driving. The key to this is DO NOT DISTRACT the driver. I am travelling with distraction – what could go wrong!!!
Both of my paternal grandparents grew up in Wales, they lived in London before coming to Canada. Our grandfather, Thomas Evans came to Canada first to secure farm land and then returned to marry his Jane. Digging into family history is a labour of love and definitely one that can get a bit time consuming, but the results are eye opening.
London, Birmingham, Aberystwyth, Lampeter, Mydroilyn, Aylesbury, Oxford, Cardiff, Gerrad’s Cross. All these spots have meaning and adventures that await. Whether travelling back in time recalling the places we saw, to now looking at the map and scoping out what will be revisited or discovered for the first time is exciting. There are galleries, markets, royal and iconic landmarks and historical opportunities everywhere. Where does one even start.
Opening up family history is fascinating, but it is a something that you can chip away at for years. A new generation needs to take interest in their family history. Have you started your kids or grandchildren on that road. We can’t all be “Finding Our Roots” as it can be expensive and overwhelming, but it is worth a try to understand where you came from before the history is lost. So ask all the questions of parents and grandparents; write it, record it, don’t lose it!
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