We have watched the movie Dunkirk this week. It was hard for Miles to watch. It wasn't bloody, just without much dialogue and so hard to follow for younger kids. Caden was pretty interested and this sparked questions and good conversations between us. It also meant that Caden was excited about visiting Dunkirk and told me how excited he was several times throughout the morning. We were very lucky with the weather.
It was amazing to get there and imagine the French and English troops on the beach and the German dive bombers up ahead being chased by the British spitfires. We could see them all around us, the ghosts of the past.
I loved this.
First over the bridge to the beach.
Caden found a small fossillised shell so both the boys set about finding unusual rocks. We found loads of igneous rock. Miles got really into it and left the beach with heavy pockets full of shells and stones.
We found an arty garden/park and museum called LAAC which was sadly closed. So we walked around the lovely gardens instead. It was great!
This sculpture was made of anchors and bits of marine engines all welded together.
This was a sound sculpture, when the wind blows we think it makes noises.
Not sure about these rocks... beautiful though.
Getting excited about the museum, we headed off. There are commemorative plaques and references to WWII all around.
The effect of this monument was nice with the light against the edges. We read the info. which told us that the memorial to those that died was in an hour glass to suggest that time could also be turned around.
Outside the museum was a humongous gun! Maybe pulled by war horses...? some of the artillery used in WWII had also been used in WWI. We had the permission of the museum to take photographs within the museum.
It was really interesting to learn about the German economic crisis preceding WWII. One bank note says Funf millionen Mark. 5 million Deutsche Marks!! Economic crisis indeed! Also coins with swastikas on... the boys learned the word swastika today.
Both the boys excitedly called to show me the models.. they were very cool models and also a mine casing... extra cool!
When you think about men going up against heavy artillery like this...
We all really enjoyed the museum. I would recommend it for adults and interested kids alike. There is a great selection of artefacts and memorabilia to enjoy. The stories and photos really draw you in and it's a great addition to learning about WWII history and the History of France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and England at that time. Also the descriptions are in three languages.. French, English and Nederlands so we have been speaking much more French again today. Caden bought a magazine, in French about wartime airplanes.. he is really interested in them and wants to make airfix type models now. Hopefully we can do this soon.
Here is Miles arranging all his shells and stones nicely beside his bed before he went to sleep tonight.
