Nostalgia's not what it used to be

Took a trip to the Imperial War Museum to refresh the memory banks. Doodlebugs and Nosegays told some of my story but I wanted to push a few more events of the period back up to my awareness. The Blitz Experience certainly did that job.

The experience begins seated in a public air raid shelter during a night bombing raid on London. The thunder of the anti-aircraft guns and falling bombs gets closer and the lights go out. Then an enormous explosion literally rocks the shelter before the all-clear siren sounds. Smoke tingles the nostrils as an air raid warden with a torch leads us out through the rubbled streets past destroyed homes and a panorama of the burning city. Finally to a WVS mobile canteen serving tea and cakes for survivors and rescue workers.

The museum covers every aspect of both world wars. My only disappointment was being unable to visit the 1940 house, which was closed for preparation of a Children at War exhibition opening later in the year.

Before we left, Faith photographed me (6 feet 3 inches) to give some scale to the V2 rocket with which Hitler terrorised the British during the closing stages of the second world war.

The museum is doing an excellent job without glorifying war. It was good to see so many parties of school children working on projects to ensure that the history survives for another generation at least.