Today I enjoyed a lovely lie-in and leisurely breakfast at my hotel, before heading home by train. I would have loved to have visited WDYTYA? Live for a third day, but had afternoon commitments. Next year I will clear my calendar for the weekend!
Best decision I made this year was my choice of hotel which was only a five minute walk from Earl’s Court tube station, and on the way to the Olympia. So this meant I could travel up on Friday morning by train, drop my bag off to the hotel, and then it was only another ten minute walk to the Olympia. Genius!
I had splashed out on platinum tickets for both Friday and Saturday, which is an expensive way to do it, but it was worth it. I just wish they had some kind of deal for a three day platinum ticket! Maybe next year?
I spent a lot of my time in workshops. Unless there are some special deals that are show-only, I tend to buy books/products online. (I am still regretting not buying a Flip-pal, though!) So I think it’s really the talks and presentations that make it worthwhile for me. This year I got to meet up with a couple of friends as well, which was fantastic, as in the previous two years I’d attended on my own. It was also lovely to hear talks by people I’ve heard/read about, and to see them in person.
One thing I meant to do last year was join the Suffolk Family History Society, and this year I finally did it! It’s the first FHS that I’ve joined, so I’m hoping for great things to come of it.
It wasn’t until the end of Saturday that I realised there was free Wi-Fi available – doh! I had real problems sending tweets out via Vodafone, so stopped trying. It would have been good if the Wi-Fi had been better publicised (or maybe I should have checked for it at the beginning..?)
I managed to snaffle a FindMyPast polo shirt – score! Plus track down Else Churchill for a genealogy blogger/tweeter rosette (um… sorry I hassled you straight after your presentation, Else!) Maybe next year it would be a good idea to have a central point to pick one up (the SOG stand, perhaps), to save us stalking poor Else?
All up, I had a fantastic time at WDYTYA? Live, and am looking forward to next year. (February 22nd-24th!!)