The hooligans - they love to be up high and looking out on the world.
Sorry to be quiet. We have Tam here for a few days - she's taking me out for a meal today at the best gastro-pub in Wales. Part of my Christmas present. I shall have to dress up for once! Perhaps I had better clean the car too, as it's filthy . . .
I have been deep in family history research too, following up the snippets of information given me half a lifetime ago. I finally got to the bottom of one, and now know how we are related to a Monica W. . . . . . But that tenuous Bolt link has led to another brick wall, as I cannot for the life of me find a Mary Ann born at the right time in Throwleigh . . .
Another "gotcha" moment ended in disappointment when I found that the bridegroom was a sojourner in the parish his wife came from so I can't trace HIM any further back either (this is pre-census.)
There's an old saying, "when one door opens, another slams in your face" which is fairly apt at times when it comes to family history.
I shall try another branch of the family tree for research as the Bolts are so frustrating. I did find out a bit more about K's g.grandmother last week, in that the poor girl had had another child out of wedlock, but he died at just 13 weeks old. No death-bed confession about him - he remained a secret not needing to be told. Illigitimate (natural, baseborn, bastard - depending on the kindness of the vicar) children seemed a regular feature in some parishes. One I was checking yesterday seemed to list baseborn children every other baptism! One woman had given birth to yet ANOTHER (her 7th, the Vicar primly wrote) but obviously got her man finally, as two months later she married the baby's father.
I took myself off for a 4 mile round trip walk to our little church this week, hoping that the Snowdrops would be fully out there, but it's cooler down by the river and they are a week or two behind the ones on higher ground. I was glad to get back - quite a few hills each way and my legs wanted to rest!
Enjoy your weekend, all.
