This year we had made it our mission to have a day out as a treat once a month. This month (June) we had the NEC visit so started planning for our July treat, but we seem to have had so much bad news lately. Firstly, my brother-in-law is struggling with end of life care. He cannot swallow easily and chokes on his food and drink (what little he can manage) The family are visiting him but waiting for the inevitable......
Our son is still in pain with a bowel condition after his appendectomy and is awaiting further investigations in Oz which should take place in another week or so....
And now my younger brother has had an MRI scan for lung cancer and is waiting for the results which could take up to 4 weeks.....
We thought "why wait for our next treat? It could be one of us next" so yesterday (Tuesday) when we awoke to a beautiful sunny day, we decided to blow the budget and visit the Black Country Living Museum again. It's only about half an hour away so not too stressful for Gray.
It was not exactly cheap at £25.95 each so £51.90 plus £3.95 parking fee but admission does come with an annual return pass for free so we can come back again and again over the next 12 months.....
There is now so much to see because the site has grown such a lot over the years.....
We took a packed lunch and ate our salmon salad sandwiches sitting in the sun.....
Followed by a drink in The Elephant and Castle pub; half a bitter for Gray and a Babycham for me.....😊
This is one of the more recent acquisitions: built around (I think) the 1920's .......
....with the external walls made of metal construction. Boy, it kept in the heat today. It would have been sweltering in Summer and icy cold in Winter.....
Golly, mum had one of these cisterns in my childhood home. She used it right up to 2008! Fortunately, the Izal toilet paper bit the dust long before, in favour of Andrex!
Lots of familiar items......
Candlewick bedspreads were all the rage in the 1950's. I remember that mum had a yellow one 😀......
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We really enjoyed the day and it took my mind off my worries for a few hours. I know we have overspent this month but we didn't break into the savings as the admission costs came out of Graham's discretionary spending, I paid for parking (£3.95) and the drinks (£6.00) out of mine, and we intend to make full use of the free returns. I think we'll go again in July....
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Thanks for popping in, Do stay safe and well wherever you happen to be,
Angie 💗
Oh I remember candlewick bedspreads, and "pulling the chain" in the loo (and the embarrassment of visiting houses where I was too short to reach it, and precariously balancing on the loo seat, so I could flush)
ReplyDeleteThose were the days, Angela, those were the days! :)
DeleteThe Black Country Living museum is a wonderful place to visit and like you, it isn't too far away for us. There is always something new to see and plenty of memories to enjoy again. It is quite pricey but with a year long ticket it makes several good days out.
ReplyDeleteThe candlewick bedspread in my childhood home was pink.
I'm glad you enjoyed the day. You deserve it.
Aw...thank you, Beverley, that's a kind thing to say :) Yes, we intend to make the most of those tickets !
DeleteI reckon the initial outlay will repay itself 12 times over if you make it an extra treat day every month! We did that last year with expensive season passes to the Prairie Gardens near us. Also we were happy to drop in for an hours to wander round without feeling the need to see EVERYTHING because of paying to get in each time.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the tough times your family is going through. This day out was a good decision.
The museum isn't open all year round. It has limited opening times during the Autumn /Winter but we'll certainly get 6 visits out of the initial ticket cost. It's a jolly good idea to visit even for a short time although there is still the parking charge of £3.95 to factor in.
DeleteI am very sorry to hear about your brother-in-law's health issues. Choking and having trouble swallowing is one of the hardest things to deal with because we need to eat.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely museum! I really like all the vintage pieces! Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
Thank you for commenting, Linda, I really appreciate it :)
DeleteWe received a purple and white candlewick bedspread with a purple fringe for a wedding present in 1974, now long gone. At least you will be able to go back and visit the BCLM and get your mon ey's worth. I think Blenheim Palace and Ann Hathaway's cottage do something similar. I was sorry to read about your bil and son. Take care. Xx
ReplyDeleteGosh...we had a purple candlewick bedspread for a wedding present in 1971! We based the bedroom colour around it.
DeleteThank you for the tip re Ann Hathaway's cottage. We really like Stratford so might try to do that sometime this Summer.
Thank you for your kind comments too xx
I don't think we had a candlewick bedspread, most of ours were the chenille type. I am glad that you enjoyed your visit. Sorry about all the sicknesses in your family.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks so much Jackie x
DeleteTreating yourselves to the tickets to visit that museum was a good decision, especially as you can return several more times and only pay for parking (and any food and drink). I'm so sorry that so many family members are having health issues. Hope all will be well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bless, everything comes at once, doesn't it. 2025 is turning out to be another difficult year for us.
DeleteIt sounds as though this was the perfect way for you both to enjoy a few hours of not worrying while exploring the BCLM. I'm glad they still do the yearly pass, it means that you devote more time to each section knowing that there will be a repeat visit very soon.
ReplyDeleteWe had candlewick bedspreads for a while when we were growing up, I'm afraid I was a bit of a 'picker' and I would pull on the little threads until there were bald spots. How I thought my Mum wouldn't notice I have no idea.
Yes indeed, Sue, we concentrated on one area knowing we can go back for more next month. It's much better taking time to view everything.
DeleteYour poor mum's bedspread! It must have been quite satisfying for you though 😆
I am so sorry about your worrying times it seems to go like that in families doesn't it? What a great idea to take your July treat day early plus the extra visits you can do for free. Several places seem to offer that now which all helps when we are on tight budgets. The BCLM looks a fab place to visit. I remember candlewick bedspreads and we had a toilet cistern like that in a freezing outside loo when I was a kid. Thank you for sharing you treat with us and I hope your son and other family members who are poorly get comfort and relief soon. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteOur toilet cistern was in the outhouse and often froze in the winter. In addition we sometimes had mice nesting. A bit disconcerting when you were sat on the loo and a mouse ran around! I'd scream for mum with my feet lifted as high as I could get them 🤣
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind comments, Sue, I do appreciate it x