A farewell nod to Dippy

My Thirtieth Birthday. I wasn’t entirely sure how to spend it. There were a few options, a few suggestions (none of which were a part, those who know me won’t be surprised to hear). But the final choice came at a last-minute suggestion.

Just over a year ago, the media reported the London Natural History Museum’s plans to remove the Diplodocus skeleton display from the great hall. Not only to be demoted from the main entrance but to be taken from the museum altogether. To be replaced by a Blue Whale skeleton. From that moment, I made a resolution. I needed my child to see this, the way that I did when I was a toddler. The busy year of 2015 didn’t facilitate this opportunity, but as the chance to do it in early 2016 arose – I jumped at the chance…

So on my actual thirtieth birthday, I showed my daughter the skeleton that had wowed me all those years ago when I was a toddler. It was humbling experience and one that I will remember forever.

It’s only sad that future generations won’t have the same opportunity. The joy of walking into a museum and being presented with a skeleton of a massive diplodocus was and still us (for now) phenomenal. The feeling of walking into a museum and seeing a blue whale skeleton will likely leave me feeling bored and underwhelmed. But at least it will certainly reflect the entry price of the museum, free of charge. NHM trustee’s, you need to wake up. Dinosaurs are way cooler. I mean seriously, when you take into account the cost (and hassle) or either public transport or driving through London to get to you – only to be rewarded by a whale that I can see in real life – is mad. I mean, I’d rather with the money I spend on the transport to a boat and go whale watching!

But hey, I’m so glad that I was able to spend the day taking my baby girl around the London Museum. She was able to see some great things, and it was a true treat for me to see her walk (or get carried through) the steps that I took when I was a toddler all those years ago…