Watch Out Captain Cook .. Look who's at the helm !

Gills Blog: I walked the legs off the girls and Jackson today, but we had an awesome time at the Australian National Maritime Museum. I am sure that sounds really boring and the kids probably dragged their heels around the place.. but that couldn't be further from the case.

As you approach the Museum (on the ferry), which is in Darling Harbour, moored outside is a replica of the Endeavour , a destroyer HMAS Vampire, a submarine HMAS Onslow, and sooo much more, including an anti whaling patrol boat and a full scale light house ! .. and this is before you go in the front door. Oh my goodness it was brilliant ..

Inside their was a photographic exhibition of whales (spectacular) and then there was heaps to do.. all of which was engaging for both me and the kids. The exhibitions I enjoyed most were the ones the kids really liked... the Australian Naval involvement in the World Wars, the displays and interactive exhibitions about Captain Cook and the Endeavour, the fleet interactions in the 1700/1800s with the indigenous Aborigines and Islanders. It was soo good.

Outside the kids went into the HMAS Onslow (a spying submarine) and crawled about in the bunks, sat in the control room (it is nothing like the Red October) and launched a few torpedoes. At each natural stopping point in the submarine there was someone there to tell you a story and really bring the experience to life for the kids (and me).

 Going onto the Endeavour was a highlight for me... it is an exact replica - we had to crawl around on certain parts of the lower deck, because the real ship was originally built to transport coal so when extra quarters were added for the journey to Australia, there was not enough headroom and the crew had to crawl !!   This vessel has an engine and all the modern engineering equipment and is able to sail back and forth to the UK and other places which it does quite frequently - all that gubbins is hidden though.

Ashleigh and Jackson are heading off to school tomorrow, so we headed home in the early evening. It was sad to say goodbye to the special view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. I wonder how long it will be until I see them again...

Tomorrow Kate and I will be packing .. and doing a little shopping for presents for ... who other than Annie .. xx .. I have a special photo to post tomorrow.. and I am hoping to encourage Katie to write down her Top 10 Best Things about this holiday .. so don't miss it !!  Gilly xx