You know I love the Tallships Race, Fishie! I'd be there (I have quite a few relatives on the Wirral, too) but I'm away in Tunisia....ah, sun, sea, sand, camels.......and other things!
No the conventions aren't always in the States.
2005 was a Trafalgar Extravaganza. It was held in Portsmouth and a fantastic time was had by all.
The problem is for someone to host it. It's been hosted by the same crew the last 3 times over here. It's not fair lumbering the same people with the headache of organising a con.
There is, mentioned before, a gathering in Liverpool for the Tall Ships/River Mersey Festival. It's being held this year 18-21 July.
Click here to go to the Horatian's Thread on the gathering.
As a matter of fact, I'm sorry that I learnt about the HH 2005 convention when it was too late. I'd to participate in one and it would have been easier to get to Portsmouth than it is to get to the USA.
However, I can understand the problem of finding people to host conventions. I guess North-Americans outnumber Europeans when it comes to HH fans and it is easier to find people who can take turns in organizing HH conventions.