Just say no to Tank Museums

OK, I planned this trip. I set up a spreadsheet for cryin' out loud.There was the reading. I won't list all of the books. But fun topics like the plague, heretics condemned to death by burning at the stake or be-headings, Henry VIII and all of his wives, jousting, and  lest I forget the War of the Roses (aka the 100 year war.). Downton Abbey(PBS series)provided an important backdrop for the lead up to World War I, and for a bit of the swashbuckling-ahem-the film version of Rob Roy made the agenda.  Then there was the extensive research into historic places and museums (the Imperial War Museum-snort) that might keep the Big Fella happy and occupied.

I asked the Big Fella on numerous occasions if there was anything in particular that I should include. Nope, he says -just along for the ride. Except in the late summer the Fella announced that he'd done a bit of searching and found a museum that seemed quite interesting. Might it be worked into the schedule? Well, it depended on where it was and by the way what is this museum? He replies quite proudly, The Tank Museum. Yes folks in England there is a museum devoted entirely to Tanks  -as in Sherman. and Panzers. Sigh. No dear -the Churchill War Rooms and the Imperial War Museum are both on the schedule. Those two should suffice, no?(All the while I am thinking Tank Museum he's got to be kidding!) And really there are so many things to see in London such as the British Museum -the Rosetta Stone anyone?- Westminster Abbey, Big Ben,Buckingham Palace, Parliament, The Tower of London... Confident that I'd nipped that in the bud, I tried to forget about it. But you must know, this saga is not over.

Our first day in London included several hours at the Churchill War Rooms, Churchill Museum, and a London Walks focused on the Blitz. It was a good day. This morning was Westminster Abbey and the Imperial War Museum. All was going well until it became clear that most of the Imperial War Museum was closed due to renovation and the big items -planes, jeeps, tanks, etc- were not on display.  I was foiled.!  Guess what came up today? Yup, that would be the Tank Museum.  Stay tuned.

Tomorrow is going to be quite wonderful as we are spending the day with a second cousin of mine and her spouse. This is our first in-person meeting and I am psyched. Our Dad's were first cousins and never met and I doubt knew of each others existence.  I'll be thinking alot about my Dad tomorrow. Good stuff!

Somehow I don't think that the Tank Museum is going away quietly.

Mary