One of the follow-ups I did yesterday was to a local history center where Evelyn got married. I didn't have time to visit their office, but they checked the local paper yesterday and found details on the wedding!!!
Carol is mailing me a copy. That is too awesome and I can't wait to see it!
P.S. It still looks like England here in NC with the overcast sky and off and on again rain...no wonder I can't kick me tea habit. LOL
Thursday, May 20, 2010
A Recent Discovery
While in England some archivists gave me leads to follow, which I did yesterday. I was doing some follow-up research on Evelyn and stumbled upon a treasure. When I was at the London Metropolitan Archives I had to apply for a History Card aka library card to access their resources, which includes old newspapers.
It was very useful and we yielded some good results. However, you couldn't save anything and had to print. I assumed the card was only good while I was at the library in London. Much to my happy surprise--it works from the comfort of my home here in the states!!
I spent most of yesterday perusing all the topics that I didn't have time to look up while in London. I was able to save all the items we located while in London, plus a whole bunch more! That alone is worth the trip. It also includes access to the London Times, which I was paying about $8 per day to access.
Sadly, I have to put the new toy down today and focus on my next True West column (which I like doing anyway) and getting some new Cary photos.
Ah, the balancing act...
It was very useful and we yielded some good results. However, you couldn't save anything and had to print. I assumed the card was only good while I was at the library in London. Much to my happy surprise--it works from the comfort of my home here in the states!!
I spent most of yesterday perusing all the topics that I didn't have time to look up while in London. I was able to save all the items we located while in London, plus a whole bunch more! That alone is worth the trip. It also includes access to the London Times, which I was paying about $8 per day to access.
Sadly, I have to put the new toy down today and focus on my next True West column (which I like doing anyway) and getting some new Cary photos.
Ah, the balancing act...
Monday, May 17, 2010
Thoughts after England
I've had time to reflect on my journey to England and my quest to find out more about Evelyn. I guess the big question is: Was it worth it? Hmm. The answer is yes. While I did not find what I had hoped to, I have come away with a much better understanding of what living in England is like.
The highlight of the trip was of course, meeting Evelyn's great granddaughter, Elizabeth. There is nothing more special to an author than meeting a direct descendant of someone you have been researching and learning about. It's as close to meeting Evelyn as I will ever come--totally moving.
Could I have written the book without going to England? Yes. However, I know The Secret Lives of Evelyn will be much better because of my experience. To be able to see the house where Evelyn lived, her neighborhood, the climate, the lifestyle, and so much more, will add to the book immensely!
When I was at the airport and heading home, I had a real sense of sadness and was very emotional.
Now I must take all that I learned and discovered and get my butt in gear and finish the book! I promise to update this blog more often with my progress.
Right now, I have this book and my Cary book, so things are going to be crazy for a while. I also have my True West column due next week. Ah, to be back...
The highlight of the trip was of course, meeting Evelyn's great granddaughter, Elizabeth. There is nothing more special to an author than meeting a direct descendant of someone you have been researching and learning about. It's as close to meeting Evelyn as I will ever come--totally moving.
Could I have written the book without going to England? Yes. However, I know The Secret Lives of Evelyn will be much better because of my experience. To be able to see the house where Evelyn lived, her neighborhood, the climate, the lifestyle, and so much more, will add to the book immensely!
When I was at the airport and heading home, I had a real sense of sadness and was very emotional.
Now I must take all that I learned and discovered and get my butt in gear and finish the book! I promise to update this blog more often with my progress.
Right now, I have this book and my Cary book, so things are going to be crazy for a while. I also have my True West column due next week. Ah, to be back...
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Our Departure, May 15, 2010
We awoke around 6:00 and got ready. We left the Weird around 7:00 a.m. and no one was awake, so we stole away in the early hours. We arrived at the airport early, as Peter advised, and make our way to security. This should not surprise you, but I had an issue at Heathrow. LOL.
I had two carry-on items, which contained the usual stuff, computer, phone, paper, books, and souvenirs of cookies, tea, and other food stuffs. I know y’all are surprised by that. And before you wonder, yes, I got them at the grocery store. :). I was somewhat worried that the food might be an issue, but that was not my problem. First, I left my UK cell phone in my pant’s pocket which set off the alarm when I walked through security. I was patted down by an extremely friendly Indian woman. I told her I should charge her for what she did to me! LOL
Next were my carry-on bags. I expected my cookies to get me in trouble, but it was my other bag, which contained my laptop, US cell phone, MP3 player, books, papers, and other non-threatening items. After about five minutes security asked me to identify my bag. I did and he asked me to list all its contents. I proceeded to do so and I thought I recalled well, until Tanya advised me that I listed the contents from my other bag! Oops. I called the security agent over and told him and I had to go over all the items in the bag in question. They called over a second person who questioned me. Finally, they took my bag and asked me to open it. Honestly, why didn’t they just do that in the first place? Well, they were satisfied nothing was threatening and we were allowed to pass. We headed in, had some real porridge and tea, and then shopped. We bought BLT sandwiches in case we didn't have dinner on the plane. Turns out we had ravioli, salad, bread, cheese and crackers, and dessert for lunch and then a Chicago deep dish pizza with cookies and grapes for a snack, so we ended up bringing the BLTs all the way from England!
We arrived at RDU a little early. Cleared the fitst customs area where I told them I had my BLT because they asked about produce. Hey, I was honest and told them. The first customs man said no problem. I got my luggage, but the next customs man said I either needed to eat my BLT on the spot or go to the Agriculture exam area and toss the BLT. Fine, I'll toss the damn thing. Not so easy! I had to wait 40 mins to have all my luggage scanned and pawed through--all for a stupid BLT. Grr.
Tomorrow I will post my overall thoughts and take-aways.
I had two carry-on items, which contained the usual stuff, computer, phone, paper, books, and souvenirs of cookies, tea, and other food stuffs. I know y’all are surprised by that. And before you wonder, yes, I got them at the grocery store. :). I was somewhat worried that the food might be an issue, but that was not my problem. First, I left my UK cell phone in my pant’s pocket which set off the alarm when I walked through security. I was patted down by an extremely friendly Indian woman. I told her I should charge her for what she did to me! LOL
Next were my carry-on bags. I expected my cookies to get me in trouble, but it was my other bag, which contained my laptop, US cell phone, MP3 player, books, papers, and other non-threatening items. After about five minutes security asked me to identify my bag. I did and he asked me to list all its contents. I proceeded to do so and I thought I recalled well, until Tanya advised me that I listed the contents from my other bag! Oops. I called the security agent over and told him and I had to go over all the items in the bag in question. They called over a second person who questioned me. Finally, they took my bag and asked me to open it. Honestly, why didn’t they just do that in the first place? Well, they were satisfied nothing was threatening and we were allowed to pass. We headed in, had some real porridge and tea, and then shopped. We bought BLT sandwiches in case we didn't have dinner on the plane. Turns out we had ravioli, salad, bread, cheese and crackers, and dessert for lunch and then a Chicago deep dish pizza with cookies and grapes for a snack, so we ended up bringing the BLTs all the way from England!
We arrived at RDU a little early. Cleared the fitst customs area where I told them I had my BLT because they asked about produce. Hey, I was honest and told them. The first customs man said no problem. I got my luggage, but the next customs man said I either needed to eat my BLT on the spot or go to the Agriculture exam area and toss the BLT. Fine, I'll toss the damn thing. Not so easy! I had to wait 40 mins to have all my luggage scanned and pawed through--all for a stupid BLT. Grr.
Tomorrow I will post my overall thoughts and take-aways.
Last Day for Research and the Rental Car, May 14, 2010
Neither of us wanted to face the owner in the morning (he makes breakfast) so we hurried off and had tea in town. We then headed to Lewisham which is where Evelyn grew up. The Lewisham Library yielded some great finds for me, but still nothing with a “wow” factor. We had lunch at a nice little pub in town and I had an onion pasty with a ½ pint cider—I had research to do!
We left the library and headed to the parking lot for our rental car and as we approached, my heart sank. Someone hit the corner of the car!! Not too severe, but it’s a rental. And no, I only took the third-party insurance, which only kicks in if they catch the third party. I did phone the response unit that monitors the lot. They said the camera was not facing my car at the time, but the rental company can investigate further, however, I may be responsible. On the bright side, my AmEx card is platinum and is supposed to take care of that. I was advised this may take months to clear up—ugh.
Next stop was Evelyn’s husband hometown newspaper for more clues. He was raised in Richmond, Surrey and the Guardian took over the Richmond and Twickenahm Times. The leafed through their original volumes, but alas, did not find anything. They year of 1885 is the one I really needed, but they could not find that one. Darn. I was able to help a fellow colleague, Fred Nolan, which some research and found a very big thing for him. So, I did have some satisfaction from that.
Tanya and I headed towards the Weir now dubbed the Weird, and made our way to Hampton Court, which was Henry’s VIII’s palace. We arrived around 6:00 so it was closed, but a very nice security guard let us in to wander the gardens and take tons of photos. This palace was a large as a small town and very impressive and I am sorry we did not get to tour it.
After that we headed to Walton and found a neat little Thai restaurant for dinner. We dined in true European fashion by eating around 8:30. The food was delicious.
We got to bed around midnight and had to be up around 6:00 a.m. for our flight, so again no post.
We left the library and headed to the parking lot for our rental car and as we approached, my heart sank. Someone hit the corner of the car!! Not too severe, but it’s a rental. And no, I only took the third-party insurance, which only kicks in if they catch the third party. I did phone the response unit that monitors the lot. They said the camera was not facing my car at the time, but the rental company can investigate further, however, I may be responsible. On the bright side, my AmEx card is platinum and is supposed to take care of that. I was advised this may take months to clear up—ugh.
Next stop was Evelyn’s husband hometown newspaper for more clues. He was raised in Richmond, Surrey and the Guardian took over the Richmond and Twickenahm Times. The leafed through their original volumes, but alas, did not find anything. They year of 1885 is the one I really needed, but they could not find that one. Darn. I was able to help a fellow colleague, Fred Nolan, which some research and found a very big thing for him. So, I did have some satisfaction from that.
Tanya and I headed towards the Weir now dubbed the Weird, and made our way to Hampton Court, which was Henry’s VIII’s palace. We arrived around 6:00 so it was closed, but a very nice security guard let us in to wander the gardens and take tons of photos. This palace was a large as a small town and very impressive and I am sorry we did not get to tour it.
After that we headed to Walton and found a neat little Thai restaurant for dinner. We dined in true European fashion by eating around 8:30. The food was delicious.
We got to bed around midnight and had to be up around 6:00 a.m. for our flight, so again no post.
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