Day 15

Our last day in England.  Boo hoo.

Last night, my dad’s best friend, Geoff, called to say that he would be more than willing to take Cannon to Joderell Bank this morning so we sent the two of them off on their own adventure.  Joderell Bank is a member of the Merlin Group of radio telescopes project which is a way to pinpoint and clarify celestial radio signals.  In other words it's a really big telescope to hear things from outer space.  You could detect a cell phone signal on Mars with it!

 

 

 

The two of them had a good time exploring the discovery center and then enjoyed a pub lunch together.

 

While Cannon set off on his own fun time, I packed up a little before heading out to Quarry Bank Mill with Lindsey.  We met up with my cousin, Matt and his family there.

 

Quarry Bank was a textile mill that was in full swing during the Industrial Revolution.  What a fantastic way to live history!  Although I’m not sure Emmy and London really thought of it that way…

That's the water wheel that provides power to the mill behind them

The mill is in a beautiful, idyllic setting and has been lovingly restored but I think the beauty of it today might belie the horrific working conditions of yesteryear.  They still have a lot of the machines that were used and fire one or two of them up to demonstrate.  The noise of just one machine running was loud, it’s inconceivable as to how loud it would be when a massive room of them were all running at the same time.

The mill is really well set up so that the history of textile production from home spinning to industrial machines is demonstrated in very realistic conditions.

 

After going through the Mill, we had yet another picnic on the lawn next to the mill.  We then had time to let the kids run around and play and go to the playpark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tamsin and Elijah

 

 

Me and Tamsin

 

 

Playing in the playpark

 

 

And of course, have an ice cream.

 

 

 

Just as we were finishing our ice cream, Sandra, Sally and Cannon joined us.  Unfortunately, Matt and Tamsin had to leave to pick up Isaac so they headed out with Emmy and London while the rest of us stayed to have a stroll along the river.

 

 

Baby Thomas

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent packing up and saying those dreaded good-byes.  We’ve had such an amazing trip and we hate to leave.  Everyone has been so kind and generous and we’ve had so many memorable, fun times!