...a bit like a Chocolate Orange

The opportunity to get objects out of the cabinets in the Hands-on Base

in the Horniman Museum is irresistible to most visitors,

Kids and adults alike.

"Can I have a go with those wind instruments?"

Knowing that I couldn't let him, for health and safety reasons,

(imagine how many people would have put their lips to that flute, if we had let them)

I tried to distract him with these East African Thumb Pianos made with gourds.

They make a brilliant sound.

It didn't work, he wasn't interested,
"OK. Quite cool",

...not until this caught his eye, a shaker made from Brazil nuts.

The sound it made was really quite amazing,

surprisingly whooshy, "awesome" and not clinky.
He's impressed and having a good time.

I remember something and ask him, "Do you know how Brazil Nuts grow?"
We head over to another cabinet.

"In a pod, a bit like a Chocolate Orange."

As I said this, I remembered that I had a Chocolate Orange at home,

in the bottom of my wardrobe, an un-needed Christmas present.

He goes and gets his wife and daughter to show them too.

It seems to have captured their imagination.

I then send them off to the Natural History Gallery to check out the Agouti,

"the only creature apart from us, who can get into a Brazil Nut Pod".

I expect large teeth, but am surprised by the whiskers.

I love the blue background.

I think I'll add this to my collection of photos of museum walls,

along with the yellow behind Chi Chi the Giant Panda which you can read about, here.

At home I find that Chocolate Orange,

 and tell my family all about how Brazil nuts grow.

I should have perhaps shared my chocolate orange, all in the name of learning in museums,
but food and drink are not allowed in the galleries, it encourages pests.

Discovery for All at the Horniman Museum is every Sunday morning in the Hands-on Base.

Details on the website, here.

Chocolate Oranges best left at home.