Birmingham

Blowing of the glass.

He's blowing on the end of the rod and it expands it. This ended up being a bowl.

Aunt Margaret with Baby Sarah and Jed.

Walking to Broadfield House (glass museum and art gallery) where we saw the glass blowing.

We got here in the evening of the 10th and was greeted by Bob and Margaret with a delicious meal of Shepard's Pie and Bread Pudding for Dessert. I hadn't ever had it before and it was just lovely. It's made of lamb (yum). We played Gin Rummy deep into the night with Maragaret. They kept us in stitches. Bob is 87 and Margaret, 81. Cala said she hopes that she has that much energy when she's 81. I wish I had that much energy now! We've had 4 course meals for every meal and they've gone around touring with us today.

In Birmingham, a big trade is hand blown crystal. And although it's not as big as it once was (It's expensive and India and China can make it cheaper.) there are still shops doing it. We watched a bowl being blown and all of us have bought something to remember our trip. Jed and I bought a glass plate that the artist made yesterday and signed it for us. Mark and Cala bought a vase.

We also were going to go to Cadbury World and see how chocolate is made but upon ringing them, we found out it cost 14 pounds (about $25) to go in and so decided the money would be better spent at the local market just buying the actual chocolate and forgetting about how to make it.

We spent the remainder of the day doing some wash and hanging it out to dry in the garden (backyard) and catching our breath for the second leg of the trip. We will leave for Scotland tomorrow. Onward and upward!