Today, I woke up and got ready to ride the bus with everyone. We traveled to the Black Country to learn about coal mining and life in the 1960s. The Black Country was built on coal. In the nineteenth century, local industries burned coal for heat and power, creating thick black smoke that gave the region its name. By 1872, coal mining reached its peak, producing nearly 8 million tons—about 10% of the UK’s coal output. Miners worked in butty systems, which allowed them to extract coal efficiently in the cold, dark mines. Newcomen engines were used to pump steam into the mines, clearing out bad air. The last mine closed in 1968.

Mining came with severe risks. A gas called chokedamp killed many miners and young boys—yes, boys, as children as young as ten were forced to work in the mines. Other hazards included flooding, fires, and suffocation. We learned all of this during our coal mine tour, which gave us a firsthand look at the harsh realities of mining life.

After the tour, we had free time. The first thing I did was buy fish and chips, properly seasoned with salt and vinegar—it was delicious. After wandering around for a while, I decided to take the opportunity to relax since we had been constantly on our feet since the start of the trip. I found a bench overlooking the small, retro town and sat there for hours, enjoying the peaceful view.

After sitting around, I got kind of burned. We walked to the bus stop to return. The rest of the day I spent preparing myself for our presentations tomorrow. We took a short break to go to La-Pop where I bought a chocolate milkshake and chocolate covered strawberries. They were delicious!