Glasgow Days

Back to Scotland for this year's ARA conference (having missed a couple of years) - this time hosted at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, slap bang on Grand Central Station.

Good conference, some excellent and thought-provoking speakers - and the hotel was nice enough.  Long trek to my room though (the corridors were spookily 'Shining'-like).

Very impressed with the venue for the Conference Reception mind you - Glasgow City Chambers really are a sight to be seen - Victorian bling at its best. 



The Escher-like staircases, all marble and alabaster, were particularly impressive - unfortunately the Banqueting Hall, with its ornate arched roof and mural decorated walls was being used for another event, but I caught a peek on the way out. 

If I'm ever in Glasgow again will definitely book the tour!


Caught up with some old friends, danced the night away at the Gala dinner, and found some time for a wander round Glasgow - rather taken with the murals (the Mural Trail would be another thing to do on a return visit):

All in all an enjoyable few days - although Glasgow is a long way from West Wales - at least catching the train back was easy - out the hotel door and onto the platform!

First Trip to Dublin

Across the sea for this year's ARA conference (having missed last year in Newcastle).

My first visit to Dublin - took the train to Holyhead to catch the ferry (good deal on the 'Sail Rail' tickets).  Thankfully the crossing wasn't too choppy, even managed to get a rather dodgy picture of a passing helicopter through the ferry window!

Unfortunately we arrived in an extremely wet Dublin, which rather put paid to the pre-conference sight-seeing I had planned.


Much of the next two days were spent in the conference hotel - some excellent speakers mind you, and an opportunity to catch-up / 'network' with lots of people, plus the dinner / dancing on the 'gala' night.

Must admit I did sneak out a little early one afternoon for a brief wander round the streets of Dublin - took in the sights of Temple Bar, and Molly Malone - and we did made it to an Irish pub one evening too.

Journey home could have been smoother (in more ways than one) - a rather rough crossing, late arrival, and mad dash to catch the train home, which was itself late, leaving us with five minutes to make the Aberystwyth connection at Shrewsbury.  Relieved to get back!

Liked Dublin though - will have to return for a more leisurely visit in our own time in the none-to-distant future.

Conferencing Cardiff

This year's ARA conference actually came to Wales' capital city - although didn't get out of the hotel much - saw more of the Cardiff Hilton than Cardiff itself!



Did cross the road for the Welcome Reception which we hosted in one of the National Museum Cardiff galleries (not so much free drink, but some very fancy canapes, and beautiful surroundings).

Conference itself was very good - some really excellent speakers this year.  Good to catch up with old friends, and the gala night ceilidh was great fun.


It was a long journey home though - as we were away for three nights, we'd travelled by train (5 hours + as opposed to the 3 hour car journey) - and after three days of conference was more than glad to get back to Aber.

Brighton Beach

This year's ARA conference came from the Grand Hotel, Brighton (a faded glory currently, but they are obviously working on it).

Initially not to impressed with Brighton (looks like a right dump on the walk down to the sea from the train station), but  the area round the Pavilion and the Lanes is much nicer.



The Welcome Reception was on the Pier - not quite as grand as Edinburgh last year - but hey, the wine was free!


Good conference on the whole - learnt some stuff - including some salsa steps on the final 'Latin Night'.  It was a late train back on the Friday though, and glad to be home . . .

Edinburgh Nights

Been away at the Archives and Records Association conference in Edinburgh for a few days - good conference, although there wasn't much of an opportunity to see Edinburgh.  Did get to visit General Register House as part of the Welcome Reception - great ceiling . . .







. . . and had a nice walk through the night-lit streets back to the conference hotel later.






Nice to be home again now - by the last night (with lots of dancing and wine) after two full days of talks, I was beginning to feel like my candle was well and truly burnt at both ends!




Must try for a return trip sometime soon, but one that doesn't involve work . . .