Audley End House WW2 Event

Who can believe that England just had an August bank holiday with near 28 degree temperatures?? We certainly made the most of the nice weather and made a visit to Audley End House where there was a WW2 exhibition taking place. As this was an English Heritage site we also got to benefit from the annual membership which we had recently joined in the Isle of Wight.

 

We had an absolutely lovely day walking around the house, the gardens, watching some of the WW2 displays and generally having some quality family time. Nicky, Paul and Amy also came along and met us over there which was nice, unfortunately they missed the first demonstration which was to do with explosives.

 

The display team where using various pyrotechnics to demonstrate stun grenades, RPG's, smoke bombs, and various other weapons from WW2. During the display the flag pole was blown over by the vibrations and explosions from the some of the previous weapons. So just before their final show piece bomb was let off two of the display team ran over to try and stand the pole up. They couldn't have been more than 5-10m away when the finale show piece bomb went off resulting in them feeling the full blast and writhing around on the floor in pain. At first everyone thought it was part of the display until the medics started running over to attend to the wounded., and then everyone realised they were seriously hurt for real

 

All throughout the display Brandon was asking if it was dangerous and if the display team were safe and I assured him that they were professionals and had all the safety equipment and procedures in place. Clearly I was wrong though as two of them got blown up resulting in the rest of the shows that were planned for the main arena being cancelled!

 

Joshua and Brandon driving a WW2 Jeep.

Holly having a turn in the Jeep.

Not sure I trust that cute little smile when there is a big gun within arms reach!

Joshua and Holly by one of the display jeeps.

Holly and B in a tent with an old type writer.

Holly getting an experience of a typical WW2 tent.

Joshua in a military police truck.

Holly pretending to drive the military police truck.

Brandon pointing an RPG directly at his Dad!

Joshua being taught how to aim and fire a WW2 RPG. Apparently an 8 year old boy took out a tank firing one of these during WW2 and received a medal og honour fo it.

The stunning Audley End House.

Exploring the beautiful gardens at Audley End.

My family enjoying some quality time out on a glorious bank holiday.

 

My 3 babies.

The lovely little stream/river running thought the grounds.

This tree looked so haunting but amazing at the same time.

Feeding some fish some of our left over sandwiches.

Holly playing on the see-saw.

Rocking horse playtime.

Joshua and Holly on a large wooden horse and carriage.

Holly was enjoying the swing despite the gloomy face!

More pics of Audley End House.

Hotel out the back of Audley End in the garden area.

Beautiful summer flowers on display in the garden,

Another shot of some of the garden flowers.

Keeping our feet cool in the garden pond. This felt so nice on such a hot day.

Everyone enjoying the sun.



Everyone was dipping their feet in the water and chilling in the sun.

Really impressed that Brandon figured out on his own what the crank handle was used for on this old truck.

Checking out the German artillery.

Brandon in front of a WW2 cooking stove.

Loved this old WW2 motorcycle and side car.

Stop Police.

Halt or I will set a Holly on you.

We 5 Kings at Audely End House.

This was the moment the explosive display went wrong and you can see two men writhing around on the ground behind. One of them looks like his leg is bent out of shape and possibly on fire.

Another nice picture of Holly by the house.

Perhaps I shouldn't be showing the kids that my bum is an Unexploded Bomb!

 

Holly exploring the gardens.

Brandon push pressing a horse carriage.

Joshua having a go at the carriage lifting.

I think it was a bit too heavy for Holly though!

Me being a responsible parent and showing the kids how to use angles to make a fountain look like a giant pee stream!

 

Vulcan Bomber Open Day 2017

The day after we got back from the Isle of Wight we had a day out at Southend airport for the Vulcan bomber open day. Since we last went here they have now moved the Vulcan in to its very own hanger and also added lots of memorabilia and other aeroplane cockpits which you can sit inside. Its great to see these volunteers preserving the memory and history of the Vulcan and running these open days for everyone to enjoy. After all I think it is highly unlikely that we will ever get to see one fly again.

 

During the day there was also a few flybys by a Spitfire which is always impressive and an old classic car shown as well. So all in all a good day out.

 

The spitfire landed right in front of us and the pilot gave everyone a wave.

The best picky I managed to get of the spitfire doing its flyby.

Josh and Holly practising to be firemen/women.

Joshua and Holly with the display fire engine.

Holly pretending to drive one of the military trucks.

Holly driving the vehicle that tows that Vulcan with Auntie Lisa as a passenger.

Joshua looks big enough to be driving already!

I loved the old ford Zephyr. Probably one of my favourite cars that my Dad owned when we was growing up.

Holly liked the yellow E-type.

Holly and Josh by another military vehicle.

 

Josh and Holly playing in a Mercury truck.

Yes Holly picking her nose whilst being a pilot.

Joshua in a cockpit of a jet fighter.

I think Holly needs to grow a bit before she can be a pilot.

So instead Joshua will be pilot and Holly can ride shotgun in the back.

The beast itself. Everyone loves the Vulcan and she's looking good in her new hanger.

Uncle David educating Brandon about some Vulcan weaponry.

Front view of the XL426 Vulcan.

Joshua posing under the Vulcan.

And finally the only picture I managed to get of Brandon during the whole day out!