Birthday Treats

I had a wonderful weekend in Birmingham celebrating my birthday. Earlier this year I decided I wanted to go to the Miniatura Dolls House and Miniatures show at the NEC over the weekend of the 30th Sep and 1st Oct. My daughter then said she would like to come with me, not because she is into miniatures (she had a look around but isn't passionate about them) but because she had thought of a surprise birthday gift to add to the weekend. My youngest daughter and grandson knew what it was and said I would love it, "It is so you" they said. So on Friday we set off. I had been going over all the things I like, my interests, books I read, theatre trips, days out, I just couldn't think what the surprise was. When my grandson was younger I could get him to tell me secrets by tickling him, but now, aged 13 and 6' 2" that doesn't work anymore!! Besides I did like the idea of a complete surprise. As we neared our destination my daughter asked me to close my eyes so as not to see any signs, which I duly did until ...... turning off the main road she said "ok mum you can open your eyes now", we were driving into ........

Oh My Word, I was like a 6 year old, I was so excited, of course what better place to take a chocoholic than Cadbury World. On arrival we were each given a Curly Wurly, a Chrunchie and a Milk Chocolate bar. 
The tour around the factory tells the story of the beginnings of chocolate when the Maya Indians and the Aztecs used it as their special chocolat drink and coca beans as currency.  
Christopher Columbus is said to have brought the first cocoa beans back to Europe but they were ignored in favour of more exciting treasures on board his galleons. 

The Spanish Conquistador Don Hernán Cortés was the first to realise their commercial value. Emperor Montezuma had introduced Cortés to his favourite "chocolat" drink.
The humble cocoa bean was to become the downfall of the Aztecs. In 1520 they perished at the hands of Cortés when the Spanish attacked a peaceful Aztec festival. Montezuma was killed and despite forcing the Spanish out of the city and regaining their strength, the city fell, marking  the end of the Aztec civilisation. Cortes was made Captain General and Governor of Mexico.  When he returned to Spain in 1528, he loaded his galleons with cocoa beans and chocolate drink-making equipment. 
Some of the earliest cocoa makers were apothecaries who became interested because of cocoa's supposed medicinal properties. Apothecaries founded by Fry's of Bristol and Terry's of York, later became well-known names in chocolate production. 

John Cadbury began by dealing in tea and coffee in his Birmingham shop. Mr Cadbury not only provided employment, he bought a substantial amount of land around the factory and created Bourneville which provided housing, a school, a hospital and leisure facilities.
After more freebies - Double Decker bars (mmm love them) we boarded  a lovely little train for a ride through a winter wonderland grotto, and then onto a chocolate making demonstration. More chocolate - chocolate sprinkles in a small cup with a choice of two toppings, we both chose popping candy and mini marshmallows - mmm divine.
It was about this time that my phone rang, it was my surgery saying that my doctor wanted to arrange a telephone call to talk about my cholesterol!! Oh dear, I suspect it is quite high, the last couple of weeks have been a bit stressful, we are having a new kitchen fitted, I don't like upheaval and I have been comfort eating. I will be talking to my doctor on Friday, I know what she is going to say.

Back to the tour. 
This lady was showing us how chocolate was prepared prior to putting into molds. Before mechanisation it was all done by hand and was quite a long process. The liquid had to be cooled by scraping it back and forth over a cold slab, then all air bubbles had to be removed. If it isn't prepared properly the chocolate will stick to the molds.

Decorating chocolate teapots for sale in the shop

The tour ended with an excellent animated 4D show taking us around the Cadbury site. Sitting in inter-active seats that made you feel you were really moving and wearing 3D glasses it was very realistic. The rollercoaster was so realistic that when it broke and plummeted downwards my daughter closed her eyes! 

All good things must come to an end, our fabulous day ended with a scrumptious cream tea

We couldn't finish it all, they put some of the cakes in a box.

This was my first visit to Birmingham so we drove into the Bullring to have a look around.

By the time we got back to our hotel we were ready to polish off the cakes with a lovely cup of tea. 

Saturday was the day of the miniature show. 

I wasn't disappointed but it wasn't as big as I had expected it to be, 

but there were still lots of lovely miniatures.

A retro 1960's house

I am in awe of anyone who creates 1/24th scale

This diorama was truly exquisite

The terraced houses at the back were made from tough cardboard document boxes, 

with just the fronts decorated and holes cut out for the doors and windows

How clever

Sit in the park and watch the world go by

or have fun on the beach

Isn't it all absolutely gorgeous

I always ask if I can take photos and most people say yes. 

This lady said yes if I would put a donation into her Air Ambulance tin, 

which I thought was a very good idea.

I have heard of people taking photos and then passing the work of as their own.

I didn't find the bathroom or kitchen furniture I want but I did buy another lovely chandelier

this one is for the library.

I'm waiting for the call to tell me how bad my cholesterol is :-(

Hope you have a good weekend

Polly x