We had a quiet morning just wandering around the local shops and sorting a sim card so we have a UK number 00447424592646 and finding an ATM. Last visit we went into the centre, or out in the car each day, so we decided to spend the first day in Acton itself.

We bought some cheese, fruit and salami and set off for Gunnersbury Park . It had 2 new caches in it and one we couldn't find in 2005 and is also a very nice spot. We sat on one of the many park benches and had our lunch. We then wandered around looking at the various people playing sport, picnicking, walking dogs, pruning trees (and a very big branch fell while we were there) and also the birds and squirrels. We found all three caches (+ a credit card) then visited the museum.

It was only a small museum, in a house that used to belong to the wealthy American Rothschild family. We were the only people there except for the man at the desk – who had nothing to do except look busy, as entrance was free. But he did have a silver clicker (counter) so we reckon we made his day as our visit was clicked up.

One room had a doll house in it that Liz would have appreciated as well as an old peddler doll with a huge number of items she was selling. The also had a display of the appropriate clothing for a wealthy person of the day pointing out that a large number of changes of clothes would be required . This room was where the loan to the Government (from the family) for the shares in the Suez Canal was arranged. The UK Government didn’t have the money.

Anther room had displays of the items that various shops of the day would have sold. A third listed the duties expected of various servants and quoted at length from Mrs Beetham’s housekeeping books as well as having old household equipment on display. The maid was not to rise too early as it would be a waste of coal to light the fire too early so not before 6am. The footman was to not hear certain things, especially those comments that would have had the others at the table amused.

There was a room set up with things for children and the museum clearly had a set programme for visiting children to follow. The last room would have appealed to many as it was the drawing room but now had old vehicles set up. There were 2 bath chairs, a variety of old horse drawn carriages including the last cab running in London. The note said its last trip was to Gunnersbury.

We then ended up doing a longer walk in the area than we first intended, doing a cache. It took us to the house that Sid James had lived in for many years. However the short cut back took us to various cul de sacs so we were pleased to see the station as we knew then we were on the right road back.

Margaret had a rehearsal for her Chorus group so Don joined us for a meal at a local pub. It was a bit Faulty Towerish. The men ordered entrees and mains but I just had a main. So I was surprised when my meal arrived first and then the waitress was about to give the men their mains. Oops. I had to ask for my chips, which we could share. Then the men’s wine was wrong as John got Don’s and Don got a white not red. In spite of all of this, the meal was very good. We then returned, and John and Don did a whiskey tasting before Margaret arrived home tired after 3 hours of driving as well as the rehearsal.