The Workshop has Landed!

Workshop day and all went well. I hadn't known what to expect but it's basic premise was to 'sell' the British Library as a research tool. It was all good and plenty of information. These events are always good for meeting people as well.
I tried to get a ticket for the theatre tonight so as I would have something to do but to no avail so I am having drinky poos instead! The things I am driven too!

Once more unto the workshop dear friends!

Here I am in London again for another workshop...this time at the British Library. This time I have a decent hotel although the room is small. It is at least warm and quiet which is a lot more than can be said for the previous hotel!
I arrived on the early flight so I have spent most of the day in Oxford street which I must say was not as crowded as I thought it would be. There was a steel band playing christmas songs which was lovely (and lively!) They were collecting on behalf of the NSPCC so after I had enjoyed listening I gave a donation. It certainly brightened up a dull wet day.
I indulged in some retail therapy as well! Surprise, surprise! I bought (another) hat and (another) handbag.
Back at the hotel I found the internet conection and the bar which is where I am going to retreat to now!
Tomorrow is the workshop so I will see how that goes. Hopefully I will get something out of it.

Of Archives and Workshops

My trip to Kew went very fast but I think I got a lot out of it. I have just put the photos on the computer and most of the documents are readable so that is a relief! Now I will have to plough through them to see what is relevant...hopefully lots!
The sleeper train seemed a good idea at the time I booked it but it was long and cold. SO cold on the way to Glasgow that the steward let us use the beds to try to keep warm under the blankets! Not much sleep to be had.
The archives training workshop was great. All the papers were interesting and informative although quite depressing hearing tales of how difficult Russian archives and archivists can be! Hopefully I will get a place on the Moscow trip next Easter and that will be a gentler introduction to the big ones than going on my own.

London, Baby!

Well, I made it to the Big Smoke and am now sitting on a very expensive internet connection in the hotel. How come it is so difficult to get a connection in the capital city?
I have spent two days in the National archives at Kew and am steadily ploughing my way through the material, although I don't think I have enough time on this trip to finish it all. I started photographing the material today which is faster than trying to write it all down but I still have to look through all the hand written stuff to see if it is relevant and boy did those Foreign Office guys have bad writing skills!
Tomorrow is my last day so hopefully I will manage to get through a lot more before I leave. Then it is off to Glasgow for the Archives workshop. I might even get time to write the paper I am presenting before I get there!

The Journey Begins

And so the tale begins. I am off to London on Sunday to have a delve in the archives at Kew and my blog will keep a running commentary on my trips away from the family hearth and possibly even some from the homeland.