Although it would have been possible by train and bus, we had the car at Marsden so it was much easier to access. Surprisingly, entry to them museum is free although one or two items are charged extra, but not excessively.
On arrival we enquired about underground trips and booked up for that starting at 12 noon. This meant we had time to visit the cafe for a drink and teacake or biscuit. There was time for a quick tour of the main gallery - Jess was especially interested in the way in which coal was delivered to houses and stored on coal sheds or coal holes. But before long we made our way to the start of the trip 140 metres underground.
Before setting off we had to hand in anything that is called contraband - it was surprising just how many batteries we have! We also had to be fitted with helmets and then strap on our personal lamps and safe batteries.
On then into the cage which lowered us down to the bottom of the pit - they are gentle with visitors and it takes about two minutes but when the pit was still working, it would take about 14 seconds!
Our guide, nickanmed Glasshopper, was both informative and amusing as he steered us around the displays which took us through the different ways of working from when the pit opened to when it closed.
At first, the work was largely manual, used dangerous explosives and women and boys as young as 8 work long hours underground, sometimes in total darkness as candles were expensive and only used where necessary.
Towards the end of the tour we began to see the introduction of large machines which cut the rock and hauled it out from the face as well as collecting the coal from the seam.
Eventually, after about an hour and a half we were crammed once more into the lift cage and brought back to the surface.
Time then for lunch so it was back to the cafe where tasty filled rolls were enjoyed all round.
In afternoon, Christine and Alice walked to the adventure playground and then took a look at som eponies, similar to those that once worked their whole lives underground.
Meanwhile, Jess and Mike bought return tickets for the short ride on a mine train which runs from the main visitor area to another pit. As it was the last trip of the day, we were allowed an extra single ride for free - which Jess readily accepted.
This meant that, after a quick look at some of the features around the end of the train track we walked back. Along the way there were several examples of mining equipment, similar to those we saw underground, several of which Jess quickly recognised.
Alice and Chrsitine then opted for ice creams followed by a long viewing of several short videos about the lives of miners in the past.
Jess explored the adventure playground - much of the time she was able to use whichever part she chose. Once she had learnt how to climb the inclined wall, everything else was a bit tame!
She asked especially to take a look in the Coal Interface gallery where she could see more of the large pieces of underground equipment.
Eventually we returned to the car and made our way back to the boat, stopping off at a B & Q for a new high powered lantern for use in tunnels (especially tomorrow).
After Mike retuned from taking the elsan back to Slaithwaite to empty it (there are no facilites between there and Wool Road, well below Diggle on the otherside of the tunnel) we moved up to the tunnel entrance to await out early start in the morning.
It was a pleasant evening and the girls enjoyed playing outside until Alice found a wall where she immersed herself in her latest book.
0.5 miles - 0 locks.
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