One of the best places to visit in America is the US Air Force Museum at the Wright-Patterson Air force Base here in Dayton, Ohio. I could spend days there, wandering around all the planes and spacecraft and artifacts. There are hundreds of things to see but the World War 2 era planes are my favourite because there are such gems as the Spitfire, Mustang, flying fortress and famous planes like Bockscar & the Memphis Belle.The Memphis Belle was displayed on the riverfront in Memphis, Tennessee for years and in 2005 when I was down there with visiting family we went to find it. The man at our hotel said it had been moved 600 miles away to Ohio and he was sad for us, us being English and probably not even knowing where Ohio was, never mind ever getting the chance to go. He laughed when we told him that's where we lived. What are the chances of that - the plane just getting moved the week we got there? I think that might be a classic case of Murphy's Law. Anyway, we still haven't seen the Memphis Belle because it is being restored but we'll be first in line when it gets displayed.
On the way home from the museum we swung by British food shop Wise Choice Foods which is owned by a widower, Harry, from Wales. Harry is a lovely, friendly man who chatted with us the whole time, gave Jack free lollies and even offered us a cup of tea - how British! (or how business savvy, depending upon your cynicism).
Anyway, on the way to the shop Craig had said to me "let's just buy what we need, not nostalgic stuff and things we don't need that will just sit in the cupboard". He said that because years ago we went to a British food shop and we bought all kinds of stupid food that we didn't even eat in England, like tins of treacle pudding and spotted dick. The latter we bought mainly to show American friends and get a laugh at how rude our puddings are! So we studiously entered Wise Choice intent on purchasing just the essentials that we had agreed on beforehand. Namely: Quavers (Jack) , black pudding (Craig) and cockles (me). Did we stick to it? Especially since the economy is horrible and we are trying to budget? Not on your Nelly! We waddled out of that shop with Turkish delights, pork pies and palma violets galore! Cockles too - at $9/jar. I think Harry is more of a shark than we gave him credit for.
8 comments:
Pam, wish we would have known you were in town. The AF Museum is only about 2 miles from where Jen and I live--we'd loved to have met you in person. We feel as though we know you from your blog so if you're ever back this way give us a yell. Linda
It's good that you enjoyed thwe museum Pam because your lads definitely will. The store story made me laugh - he sees you coming! A x
hey Pam: just caught up on your last few blogs. danny is coming on a treat and little jack looks great. hope you start to get a bit more rest soon. all in all, looking good. LOL at your 'not on your nelly'. haven't heard that for a while.
take care,
Wow - I'm impressed that you were up for a road trip already, go you! We'll have to get together this week. We're homebound right now because we're doing the hard core approach to potty. So far it's going pretty well, but it's hard to imagine that it might really work! Anyway, we'll have to set something up...
Ooh cockles. Mind you. they are a bit pricey aren't they?
I've just found some Walkers short bread for $4 (for loads) in Marshalls.
Can't believe you made a trip to Dayton and didn't even look us up! Seriously, next time you're back to see the Memphis Belle, we'll have to get together. Glad you had a fun time!
We're near Dayton as well - we'll all have to get together the next time you're coming out this way!
Hiya Mimi, Jen & Kelsey: I promise I'll give you all warning next time we are in town. We go to the museum at least twice a year. Maybe we can meet at a local park for a picnic? That would be fun.
Hi Anne: I completely blame the old bugger for maikng me buy mint sauce. I can make my own if i need it!!! LOL
Hey Clippy: Bit nervous as taking danny for an ultrasound tomorrow on his belly. let's hope it's okay. You still AWOL from blogging?
Emily: Good luck with potty training. I'm sure she'll pick it up, no problem. My next venture with Jack is roller skating - fancy coming??
Hi Expat: Are you a cockle-lover too? There aren't that many of us in the world. LOL. Marshalls hey? Must check that out as I love short bread (and so do my thighs)!
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