A Touch of Victorian

Sshhh, don't say it too loud, but I do believe summer has arrived in this neck of the woods.  Temperatures are soaring and the sandals are out!  I am sitting outside while I put this post together after putting all the summer garden furniture around and about.  Those who have been reading my little corner or blogland for a while will know that this is not my favourite season, but while the wasps and flies keep away, I will enjoy these warm breezes.  BUT, let's go back a bit and put you out of your misery with mine and Mumsy's trip to The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, Birmingham.  It has been difficult to choose which images to put on my blog post to you, but I hope you'll all enjoy the look around this museum which showcases my favourite era, the Victorians.   So, in true style, grab yourself a chocolate Bourbon and a strong cup of breakfast tea and come along with me on a particularly heavy picture post of times gone by...

I think we may have come at the wrong time as the people who dress up and take us through the ages were particularly thin on the ground (and so our comparisons with the Beamish Museum began!).  Along the pathways were various bus stops that gave a very short bus ride to the next stop or up to the exit.  The buses were the bone rattling type and very solid but to see them trundling down the road was a joy to see, especially with the Victorian surroundings.

The slate in the primary school ready to be used by little hands experiencing their Great Grandparents' school days.

And the hard benches - no home comforts here!

Down one of the roads a skipping rope was tied to a lamp post with the invitation of stretching this across the road and reliving childhood memories.  Those days are long gone with the excess number of cars now, but it was surprising with the amount of different generations that were trying this, each one with huge smiles and laughter.

But let's just have a visual tour now of the Museum with less commentary...

Now let's go inside the buildings...

How about some decorating? ...

The hanging on the wall was right up my street... I do love my nuts and bolts!

Now, our other comparison with the Beamish Museum was that the houses here at the Black Country Museum seemed less inspiring.  There weren't stairs that led you up to bedrooms so that you could feel yourself going back in time however, the attention to detail as you would have seen above was very good.

Now, hungry?  We certainly were, and what could be better than fish and chips cooked in beef dripping!  Oh dear, the diet suffered here!!

Next came the canal boat ride into the cavern mines.  "It will only take five minutes" we were told before.  So, Mumsy showing her stiff upper lip, climbed onto the boat with me and on we went!  Five minutes was really 55 minutes, with deep dark caverns, spiders and a guide who took great pleasure in telling us about the amount of people who died while carving out the routes and those parts that had caved in.  Oh, not to mention the light show and loud music when you get into the depths (not one for migraine sufferers!!).  However, here are just a couple of shots for you to prove that we went in!!

Back in the day a couple of lads would walk the boat through.  Now, I was going to volunteer, really I was!  Just to see how my new feet would cope, but Mumsy by this time who has a fear of spiders, dark places, being underground and water, was just about to explode.

There was just one more thing to do... a toilet stop and then get home to calm her nerves!!

Of course, I am joking!  There are more modern and clean versions also available.

So, to sum up, I would say that if you have a day in this area it is really worth visiting.  If you have two or more days to spare, definitely the Beamish Museum (my posts are here and here).

Thanks so much for your comments again last week, I am truly sorry that I haven't got back to your blogs, I'll get back to normal soon (I hope!).

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all those who are celebrating today overseas.  Have a great day!!

And a special mention to my own Mumsy who has just celebrated her birthday, please wish her a good one!!

Five on Friday - Links in the Chain

1.  Each day this week has seemed like a link in a chain, each day binding with the next but so very different.

2. The weather, oh my goodness, we've had everything thrown at us.  Huffing and puffing just like the bad wolf in the story of the three little pigs!

3.  The clothes pegs are redundant.  The brief sunshine misleading us all with its icy bite.

 4.  Roof tops protect occupants from the swirling wintry weather. 

5.  Keeping everyone safe and warm in their beds (yes, this a very tired working horse).

This week's photos were taken at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, Birmingham.  Once again, I have taken far too many and it will take a little while to go through them - when will I ever learn?!  So, this is a little taster to share with the lovely Amy at Love Made My Home's Five on Friday.  Go along to see more lovely blogs joining in.

Thanks so much for your comments and visits for my last post.  I am so glad you enjoyed the London trip!!  I'm looking forward to a long weekend, catching up with blogs and Miss Teen's prom dress shopping (maybe not the latter!)

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Five on Friday at Love Made my Home

A Quick Walk in the City

With the blossom making a welcome appearance on the London grey skyline, we decided to carry on from The Shard and take a round walk around part of the City.  So, once again, grab a custard cream and sit down with a cup of tea and we will do the walking for you...

First up, it was lunch time so the perfect stop was Borough Market just a hop, skip and a jump from The Shard.

We all went for different things, Mumsy with Pie and Mash, Miss Teen and her friend Mr J with kebabs, and for me, Brick Lane salt beef beigel (if you are ever in the East End's Brick Lane you really MUST stop off at the Beigel shop!  This was a must in my early years when out on a pub crawl!!).

After refreshments, it was time to walk along the South Bank, past the medieval Clink Prison dating back to the 1100's!

Then back towards the wonderful Thames where life on the river was busy as usual.

Then onto the outside of The Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the theatre where Shakespeare's plays were acted out 400 years ago.

Onto the Millennium Bridge looking at the decorated chewing gum on its floor (my post showing this and the artist is here).

And looking over towards the South Bank.  I loved looking through the lens at this possible Hen Party group who were quite clearly enjoying the street performer's songs.

Followed by pleas of being able to take over the microphone.  He was more than happy to have a little break and let them sing to the passing crowds.

Over the Thames we walked with the boats still enjoying the river.

In front of us was St Paul's Cathedral with the Fire Brigade Memorial in the foreground (oh and Mumsy).

The pink blossom looked so beautiful against this incredible landmark.

We walked on to the Museum of London (the link is in my side bar) to listen to my Grandad in a Blitz exhibition (an emotional time as Mumsy hadn't heard his voice since his death).

And then, "Let's go to the Tower of London"...

TAXI!!!!

I was beginning to admit defeat with the long walk and my delicate feet, but a sit down in taxi for the short journey to the Tower was very much appreciated!

The colourful Beefeaters, still busy with the constant stream of tourists coming to hear and see this incredible place.

The last time we were here there were poppies everywhere, but now the green grass has replaced the sea of red (my sunset post of a very special day is here).

The archer looking over the changes below.

Continuing our round journey, we walked past Traitors' Gate (thankfully not through it!).

And then onto Tower Bridge.

And then back to the Shard for our trip back home.

Apparently we walked five miles.  Incredible for my tootsies and something that four months ago I would never have thought I would do again!

I hope you enjoyed the two London posts.  It's been a while, but I am back up and running walking again!!

Have a lovely week ahead.