Birmingham – day 4!

now, must think where i had got to again! the girls were given an option for day 4 of jewellery quarter and museum and back to back house museum or the black country life museum, and the overwhelming choice was the latter option, so, after the customary enormous brekkie, that is where we went!

SNow everywhere still, so we were particularly warmly wrapped as it is predom outdoors [abit like weald and downland but 1900's ish black country, so more industry and less farming!] it was truly fab. again, not the cheapest place on the block – though with gift aid you get a repeat visit as often as you like! we decided to go straight to the outside rather than looking at indoor displays, incase more snow fell. the tram arrived as we went out, so straight on, and SB got to ding the bell [v happy!!] got off and thought we would aim for the far end and then wander back. loads of re-enactors, most of the shops open and both SB and the usually shyer BB asking sensible questions! we went in a doing well working class house, a just ok working class house, and could clearly see the difference. none of us really understood why, when you are so short of space, you would think it sensible to have a front room you don’t use! [and yes, we sort of have 2 rooms, but we use both a lot!] we also went in a back to back and someone who ‘took in’ washing and mending. bless little nanny for telling me so much about the family and herself etc, as i could keep up a running commentary on how this was what x or y did etc, and the girls were v inquisitive and happy. When BB had a lull, she made a snowman!! [the snow was quite a distraction]. eventually we all got peckish and went to the rather nice canal cafe. ooh, forgot to say that the canalman was also a partic. fav as v knowledgeable and glad to seek ppl out to talk to. i just thought it was fab!

after lunch we had a look at the schoolhouse, somehow missed the cinema! and then the union, where SB was amazed all over again by the need for suffragettes, and was getting hot under the collar on their behalf. then to a builders yard and then a glass engravers – where BB surprised me by wanting to spend ‘her pound] on an engraved glass! ok, it was £2.50, but i was so chuffed that it wasn’t plastic tat… so now she proudly owns a glass with BB [obviously not actually BB!!] engraved on there. And after some slight hinting [cough] SB and chris went back ‘for another look’ whilst BB and i played i spy.

we skipped back to catch the last mine tour – a recreated black country mine, with torches made so emits apporx 1 candle of light! it was fab – v dark at times!! and also v crouchy! we a learnt alot about mining pretty quickly and were v glad we had just made it!

so then a quick glance around the museum indoor display as was closing and a rather hideous drive thro rush hour brum and then snow/hail/sleet in turns. lovely!!

so yes, we really, really enjoyed our hols, they were great, and we think we really used up every second! lovely family time too!!