This year’s annual Summer Outing was to the Black Country Living Museum at Dudley.  Armed with cameras, suntan lotion and a phrase book ” How to speak Black Country” the intrepid travellers reached their destination on time despite a delayed start. The first stop for many of the group was a tour of a mine, which graphically conveyed the miserable conditions and extreme dangers that men and children endured underground to extract the black stuff. Dudley had the thickest coal seam in the country which reached 10 metres in places.

With a multitude of rebuilt historic buildings to visit along with shops and plenty of refreshment opportunities, there was lots to interest the visitor and get the shutter finger working overtime.  In the afternoon, the group took a 45 minute canal boat trip into the network of abandoned limestone mines and tunnels. Sound and light shows along the way helped bring the environment to life and there was even a chance for a couple of people to have a go at “legging” the boat through a tunnel. Needless to say, they won’t be giving up their day jobs or seeking a new career.

After the canal tour there was time to visit any previously missed attractions and hop onto the trolley bus or old double decker bus back to the main entrance. Thev weather gods were once again kind to us and folks had an enjoyable and informative day.