John.

Down in Sheffield with ArcaneSpark S-i-L and the grandkids.  A day out to the Heights of Abraham was suggested.  Having learned at school about General Wolfe at school my immediate thought was Quebec is a bit far for a day trip!  It would seem it was the wrong Heights of Abraham, these ones were much more achievable being in Matlock.

A fascinating day. starting with the gondola ride to get up there, no "storming" of the heights for us.  Clickychick & I were looking for the ski rack but sadly no snow or rack :-)   Lots of great adventure play areas for the kids, a rock shop which had both CC & D enthralled (she closed her own 3 or 4 years ago) and two interesting guided tours of the caverns.

In the Rutland Cavern there was an audio (and slightly visual) presentation.  A supposed miner from 300 years ago talked about what life was like mining then.  There were the sounds of the picks and explanation about the women on the surface in all weathers operating the winch to lift the buckets of Galena (lead ore) and children starting in the mines as young as 6 or 7.

The blip is the model of John lit by "candle" light while we stood in the dark which made the presentation very effective.