Home and Away's Guestbook



29th August 2022

40 castles and palaces
You never cease to amaze me, Bob. You have identified 40 castles and palaces of your ancestors and you are in the process of visiting all of them. The only castle I know in Scotland is Lochnaw Castle at Stranraer in Southern Scotland where my mother was residing as a member of a religious cult and as a result of a fire she lost her life. I attempted to force a fire and coronial enquiry as the circumstances were suspicious, without success. A quirk in Scottish law denied it. You will find the castle but not the events I refer on the internet as some things are 'best withheld'. Makes the success of your ancestral research all the more meritorious. I am honoured to call you and Linda friends and we have spent memorable times at our respective homes in Australia and USA. Best wishes from Denise and I and keep up the good work!
24th July 2022
Logan at the San DIego Zoo

I have once seen Komodo Dragons in their real habitat
About 20 years ago I visited Indonesia and went to Komodo Island and saw Komodo Dragons in their real habitat. But seeing them in a zoo must be quite an experience too. They sure are fascinating creatures. /Ake
22nd June 2022

The silver lining on the COVID Cloud
Hi Bob, It looks like it was a special time with your family. It brings me to tears - yes, I’m getting old and emotional - when I see people who cherish their family like I see you do, enjoy these moments. Do you ever look at your kids and think, ‘ Hey, I must have done something right.’ I do, but maybe they just have their mother’s kind heart. I haven’t read all your entries but you’ve had one full life. Covid-19 had us isolated in Australia for a long time, and my state, Victoria, was the most severe. It’s still with us- my immediate family hasn’t had it yet- but my son Tim in Luxembourg got it before vaccinations were available. He was on oxygen for four days but pulled through. He still has after effect 2 years later. I hope you are all well. Keep travelling and blogging. We are going to Europe in September to see Tim and Natalia so I’ll report back in then. I always loved your feedback and although we haven’t met, I consider you a mate. Take care, Steve
22nd June 2022

Feeling fine...
Linda and I are so happy that your children have grown up to be such fine adults. Linda is flying back East on Saturday to spend two weeks with our daughters and grandchildren. I'm still planning to visit Scotland and Sweden for the last week of August and first week of September. I look forward to reading about your Sep trip to Europe.
5th June 2022

Oh happy day!
I'm glad this wonderful event finally happened. So sorry Will's friends could not attend. That is so sad. Everyone does look happy. Very nice photos. I would have enjoyed having some of those dumplings!!
5th June 2022

Family time is good
San Diego offered a lot of options for outings with the family. I'm so glad you had the time together.
5th June 2022

Congratulations!
Congratulations to the happy couple! What a beautiful wedding, and lovely photos. You must be very proud of your family Bob ? The flights there and back sound stressful, but so nice to see you had a lovely time there. And how wonderful that Mercy's parents were also able to make it there from China! Congratulations to all ?
3rd June 2022
Family pictures before the wedding ceremony

Rehearsals then long wait for the real thing
At last Will and Mercy have completed the tying of the wedding knot, Bob. I had not realised you Carlsens love to prolong the inevitable with so many rehearsals!!! Does not seem so long ago that we met Will in our Aussie backyard when we first met you followed by our stay in your USA home with Linda and you. Makes me smile that Will has achieved so much since then and is now married and will soon be a father. Best wishes to you all from your friends in Oz!
4th June 2022
Family pictures before the wedding ceremony

Memories...
We still remember fondly our visit with you at your home and touring Sydney and the park behind your home, and the time you stayed with us. Will completed law school at Bangor Law in Wales, and a final year studying Intellectual Property law at Benjamin Cardozo Law in NY. He stuck to it through thick and thin and is now a lawyer in a corporate law firm in LA. We are privileged to have Mercy as a daughter in law, as I've never seen then happier together. Their daughter is due about 20 June, so Linda will visit them at an appropriate time. Thanks for staying in touch. What is your next adventure?!
29th May 2022

Family Time
How lovely to be able to have some wonderful family time, and what a good idea to do so as indeed, weddings don't always allow quality time to catch up with people. It looks like you had a wonderful time in San Diego and around ?
28th May 2022

Reconnecting…and travelling
Hey Bob and Linda and it’s great to read your posts again. We didn’t travel much during the pandemic’s peak of course, but we are back at it now. Standby….Greg (GregCath)
28th May 2022

Reconnecting...
I look forward to reading your blogs about your forthcoming trips. We have been cooped up too long. I still plan to visit Scotland and Sweden in Aug/Sep. Hopefully, by then all testing requirements will be lifted...I've had two vaccinations, one booster, and caught covid in Oct 2021...that should be enough!
27th May 2022

Safari Park next time
The next time you come out to the San Diego area, make a point of seeing the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, about midway between San Diego and Temecula. The enclosures are immense, and animals live in family groups in natural surroundings. The SD Zoo has a primary interest in conservation, and they brought the California Condor back from the brink of extinction. They are also working with conservation teams around the world to save the Northern White Rhino from extinction; there are only two (two!) Northern White Rhinos left in the world, but the SD Safari park has frozen cell lines from the Northern White Rhino and are working to make sure this species doesn't die out completely.
27th May 2022

Lucky you
How wonderful that you could take this fab family vaca. Thanks so much for sharing.
16th May 2022

My Blog mabj is lost
Hy Bob I have a huge problem. My blog mabj password south america is lost. I was in it only a year ago but unfortunately never printed a book and now it's completely gone. We created this in the summer of 2015. After that I was travelling for 13 months. I wrote a lot of entries. Due to a bad car accident I had to go back to Switzerland. The shock and the psychological strain prevented me from finishing the blog. Now, after 7 years, I would like to finish it and have a book printed. Can you please help me to find the blog again. Thank you for your feedback. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
4th May 2022

Northcott Southcombe
Thank you for getting back to me. Wow, that's wonderful to know that Phillip Northcott was your 11th great grandfather’s brother. I have Walter Northcott and Elizabeth Hill in my ancestry...yep, our 12th great grandparents! Thank you for your suggestion to Google, these people. I am amazed with new discoveries!! It would be great if you're able to trace Phillip’s descendants during your spare time...it would be greatly appreciated. As I still have issues tracing too many Johns Northcott, haha! My 6th great grandmother was Rebecca Northcott 1695-1742, whose father was John Northcott 1667-. He was married to Elizabeth Colridge. John’s parents were John Northcott and Gertrude Gartrod. I think he was born in 1643 in Devon, England. However, I struggle to locate his biological parents - John Northcott 1624-1671 and Johane Bawden 1624-1701 OR Arthur Northcott 1628-1688 and Elizabeth Godolphin 1635-1707. From Northcott to Southcombe to Honeychurch to Jewell to this current generation Hocking. ?
5th May 2022

Phillip's descendants...
were: John Northcote (1589-?); Elizabeth Northcote (?-?); Walter Northcote (?-?); Bridget Northcote (1593-?); and Phillip Northcote (1591-?).
5th May 2022

Northcott Ancestry
Sir Arthur Northcote, 2nd Baronet of Hayne, and Elizabeth Godolphin's only children were Elizabeth Northcote; Sir Francis Northcote, 3rd Baronet of Hayne; Sir Henry Northcote, 4th Baronet of Hayne; Suzanna Northcote; Dorothy Northcote; Penelope Northcote; and Charles Northcote. Since we are distant cousins, can I ask if you are you located in the UK? I'm from Colorado USA.
3rd May 2022

Northcott Southcombe
Thank you so much Bob Carlson for your interesting, informative ancestry. My 6th great grandmother Rebecca Northcott was born in Hatherleigh, Devon, in 1695. Her grandson John Northcott Southcombe was born in Hatherleigh, Devon (my 4th grandfather). Rebecca’s father was John Northcott, and her mother was Elizabeth Colridge. They were married at St Petrock, Exeter, Devon, in 1692. Rebecca’s 4th great grandmother was Julyan Kearne of Tresillian, whose husband was Philip Northcott (my 11th great grandparents) I am still not sure I am on the right track tracing back to Phillip Northcott, who is on my direct bloodline. I hope you can help me trace back as I find it hard with too many “John Northcott”! Keep posting, Bob! ?
3rd May 2022

Northcott Ancestry
Julyan Kearne of Tresillian and Philip Northcott were my 11th great aunt and uncle. My 11th great grandfather John Northcott, was Phillip's brother. I have not traced Phillips descendants...my tree is already too large at 11,000 ancestors! But our 12th great grandparents are Walter Northcott and Elizabeth Hill. I've traced their pedigree back to Sir Galfridus FitzWalter de Northcote the progenitor of the Northcote/Northcott name, and beyond to the Dukes of Normandy, and the kings of Norway, Sweden and Denmark to King Fjolnir (240-300 AD), the progenitor of the Yngling dynasty. You can also trace our ancestors by going to GoogleBooks and searching for Devonshire Wills, starting on page 441. Galfridus was the son of Walter le Ponz, the son of Mauger le Ponz, Archbishop of Rouen, the son of Richard, 4th Duke of Normandy, descended from the 1st duke, Rollo "The Viking." The do a Google search for Rollo and select the geni.com link. This will take you all the way back to King Fjolnir. I hope this helps!
12th February 2022

Update...
Today I booked my flights to Edinburgh, and also tacked on Uppsala, Sweden! I've updated my blog a bit.
12th September 2021

Scottish Ancestors
Wow! Very impressive pre-trip reading and planning Bob ? I'm also impressed with the amazing list of sights, and castles, included in your itinerary, as well as Iona. I look forward to reading about your long- awaited trip when it comes, and hopefully it will indeed, God-willing.
12th September 2021

Scottish Ancestors...
I've had plenty of time to do the research! We are praying that Covid restrictions will be gone by next June so that we can go.
30th August 2021

Scotland 2022
Looks like you've got a bit of a Lucy and Charlie Brown football situation going on. Here's hoping you finally kick that ball in 2022! Both your ancestry research and trip planning are really impressive. So many great things there that I'd like to see too, especially Iona and a Highland games. How many days have you given yourself for the whole trip?
30th August 2021

Scotland 2022...
We are planning on two weeks. However, we may add a couple days if we fly into Manchester as the cost to fly into Edinburgh has almost doubled.

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