Journey With A Light Heart

It is true – travel broadens the mind. As I grow older (I am 88) I try to take opportunities to keep my mind as open as sharp as possible. I am blessed with reasonable health and have a wonderfully supportive family and friends. They encouraged me when I decided to come and live at Abbeyfield in 2011 after a particularly vicious attack of shingles. Damaged nerve endings in my left arm are painful still, three and a half years later, and I guess I am stuck with this mild disability.

However, my family were surprised and delighted when I expressed an intention to go to Ireland “Granny hunting”. My two Irish grandmothers had long been part of my family myths and legends. After much thought and discussion my daughter-in-law Rose said she would be my tour leader and my older sister Janet, living in Melbourne, decided to come too. We thought we would go for a month in September 2012, after the high tourist season. We found a friendly travel agent who was able to advise us about possible routes and airlines.

Everything started to fall into place with all the work behind the scenes smoothly accomplished. The internet is a great tool. My children and grandchildren are experts and I am gradually learning. I am all for accepting help when it is offered. For instance, the airline (Emirates – brilliant) provided a wheelchair and driver for me at every stop. I would have struggled to keep up as distances within huge airports like Dubai are measured in kilometres. Accept help gracefully. My stubborn sister has not yet acquired this virtue.

With Rose as driver and a rental car, travel for three was economical. We had a fabulous (or awesome if you prefer) month in Ireland, staying first in Dublin, then Galway, Enniskillen, and lastly Killinchy near Stangford Lough. We didn’t rush around seeing everything and savouring nothing. We trod where our forebears had travelled, enjoying the green countryside, ancient buildings, and friendly helpful people. We stayed in prearranged self-service apartments. No hassles – except when a machine gobbled up my sister’s credit card. Not life threatening.

Of course we did not find our Grannies but we found where they had lived and a Grandfather is commemorated at Trinity College Dublin. We found second cousins in Killinchy where we were welcomed as family. We travelled light – one suitcase each and a small cabin bag. It was early autumn and the mild showery days were delightful. We had some extraordinary experiences such as meeting up with some distant Japanese relatives in a village pub in a small town.

My view of the world has certainly broadened. Go if you get a chance. Go with a light heart and light luggage. Your wallet will certainly lighten itself. “You can’t take it with you” – and what a bargain you will receive!

Rosalie Somerville

Courtesy of Age Concern Otago