The Black Country is located in the West Midlands of England and is considered the area that birthed the industrial revolution. The name, it is said, comes from the mass amounts of coal that actually made the soil black. Others believe it arose from the industrial filth and pollution that filled the area at the Victorian period. JRR Tolkien being one of those, supposedly basing Mordor on the desecration of the area at that time. Not a great claim to fame. We owe much that we have 
today on this revolution, good, bad or otherwise.One gorgeous Sunday morning we met with friends Lynda and Nigel at the museum that tells the Black Country story. Us, and about 100 boy and girl scouts aged 4-10 roughly. Plus the occasional family and elderly couple. A mixed bag, really.
We started with a cable bus ride into industrial heart of the area. Smokestacks and canals complete with canal boat remnants. Within a short time, after a morning cuppa, we watched a blacksmith make chain link, one link at a time. Ugh. I thought I had a mundane job. Everyone in the time took part, women and even children made the smalled links. Payments was by length of links or chain. Metal working I could watch for hours, but it was time to move on.
The remade classic village was coming to life and the tourists were invading. The corner hardware store, the 'supermarket' (a shop the size of your kitchen that sells everything from groceries to hats), bakery, and candy store. Musn't forget the pub and cinema. The cast of characters are volunteers from the older population. I was chastized by the woman in the general store for not wearing my bonnet, and amused by the jovial policeman walking the beat. I could have watched him for hours. This area has a destinct accent like all of England. It never ceases to amaze me how such small areas can have so many different dialects and accents. I have gotten much better now decifering what is being 
said...although still a challenge, especially with some of the older folks. Babby is Baby, bostin is good, gob is mouth...more of this fun can be found on the site I have listed at the end or countless other online sites.
said...although still a challenge, especially with some of the older folks. Babby is Baby, bostin is good, gob is mouth...more of this fun can be found on the site I have listed at the end or countless other online sites.Nigel talked us into a canal boat tour (I am not a fan of damp, dark old places...especially those dripping with age old limestone) and a walk in the mines. I quibble at the darkness, lack of light and air. Imagine those of years ago, working in these places for hours on end. Many of them children. Small crawlspaces by candlelight, if lucky. Minimal air circulation, dangerous conditions, the stuff nightmares are made of... in my book.
The canals all man-made....propelled in tunnels by children or men lying on thier backs 'walking' the wall or ceiling. Creepy. All in the name of progress. Interesting to most...disturbing to myself. Looking around the place, thankful for the time and age that I live in. What we take for granted.
The canals all man-made....propelled in tunnels by children or men lying on thier backs 'walking' the wall or ceiling. Creepy. All in the name of progress. Interesting to most...disturbing to myself. Looking around the place, thankful for the time and age that I live in. What we take for granted.
Considering the size of this country, the events and inventions that have occured here are quite staggering really. The creation of the steam engine included. Ingenious lot these Brits.
After stopping at the pub for a pint of ale and chippy for a bit of chips (no vinegar or crackling for me thanks...crackling being deep fried pork fat or breading bits....cholesterol be damned....) we venture to the garage to see the vehicles of an earlier time. Firetrucks, motorcycles, cars. I like that bit best I think. Being a bit of a motormonger as I am.
We end the day ambling through the museum. All of the Black Country history on walls and behind glass cases. The who's who and where's where. I fancied the blurb about Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest....no surprise there.
After stopping at the pub for a pint of ale and chippy for a bit of chips (no vinegar or crackling for me thanks...crackling being deep fried pork fat or breading bits....cholesterol be damned....) we venture to the garage to see the vehicles of an earlier time. Firetrucks, motorcycles, cars. I like that bit best I think. Being a bit of a motormonger as I am.
We end the day ambling through the museum. All of the Black Country history on walls and behind glass cases. The who's who and where's where. I fancied the blurb about Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest....no surprise there.
The day and the company was very enjoyable and fascinating. Good weather, good company and good history can only make for a perfect day.
