Joust a minute

It was a quiet Sunday in August and G.O wasn't working.  This doesn't happen often and when it does we have to make the most of it.  What to do?

Beautiful Blenheim - 12 Months Free Entry!!

G.O said he remembered reading something about a 'medieval jousting tournament' at Blenheim Palace.  'Let's go!'  We decided impulsively.

Blenheim Palace offers you this (I think anyway) great deal, you pay to get in and then have free entry for the next 12 months. 

I have worked out that if you visit 6 times anything after that is technically free. (Maths is not my strongest subject).

Always loves a freebie

We arrived and made our way over to the South Lawn, we had missed the start of a birds of prey display, but with the 'beast' camera we were able to capture some great action shots.

And it's off!

Safe and Sound

It was around that I heard a familiar voice, I ducked behind G.O, who didn't know what was happening.  "It's a family I used to teach!"  It was a little girl, her brother and her parents from the little village school.  We manoeuvred around them and started to make our way to the furthest part of the arena. 

Not just tea here!
 

We passed the usual chips and burger stalls and a children medieval costume stall, so far so normal.  Then we passed a pizza van, that was serving whole pizza's on round trays, and a champagne bar.  You know you are in Oxfordshire when you see this kind of stuff!

Like I said a children's stall!

We settled down to watch the jousting, it was great, as G.O said "It really brings history to life. These children can watch this and then go home and get on the internet and do their own research!"  I agreed, then an elderly gentleman, stood behind me, started to say exactly the same thing to his daughter.

History Brought To Life!

As they were doing the whole preamble about nasty Black Knights and heroic Blue Knights, G.O decided to have a go at archery. 

Waiting for his arrows

Great stance, shame about the wind!

He wasn't very confident and only managed to get one arrow onto the target.  He kept mumbling about the wind being too strong, or some such nonsense. 

Now it's my turn...

I decided to have a go, I listened intently to the instructor and then I had a go, miss, never mind.  Second attempt was also a miss I wasn't even getting any where near the target, each time I had my arrow ready the wind blew it away again. 

I'm getting the hang of it

Third attempt I compensated for the wind (alright I believe you now) by tilting the bow over slightly , let go and thud It hit the target, no where near the bulls eye but at least it was on the board.  Forth attempt I tried to recreate the third attempt but pulled so hard on the bow that my arrow sailed over the target and hit the net at the back.  Same thing happened on my final arrow. 

 

Proud of myself

I was quite proud of myself for getting at least one arrow on the board and strode back to G.O "I would have got more, except that the wind was too strong!"  I exclaimed.

 

The jousting meanwhile was still going on, it was very exciting, but G.O slightly ruined it by telling me that they were all acting (I knew that I just like to get caught up in the magic). 

 After a few rounds the Black Knight retreated to his 'kingdom', vowing to return to defeat his foe, in about two and a half hours.  It was all very Game of Thrones like, without the blood, gore, incest and Jofferey. 

 

G.O got out our picnic and we were happily munching away, when a child started jumping around the rug, I bent over to pull the rug out of the way when I noticed it was yet another student from the little village school, in fact the previous little girl was with her too.

They were heading over to the Porta Loos, I grabbed my umbrella and hid behind my little Dachshunds.

Squire of the manor keeping an eye on the peasants

 Top avoid being seen I paid a visit to the 'Birds of Prey' exhibition and was able to get a close look at the owls, hawks, and falcons that were used in the display.

It always end up in a silly face off!

By now G.O and I had decided that we were ready to make out way out.  The exit was a good twenty minutes away, so we strolled back.  We got a little distracted by a gloriously colourful Indian wedding taking place and decided to sit on the wall and watch. 

I had just made myself comfortable when I saw yet another family from the little village school, I had taught two of the sons but had just missed out on the youngest.  I didn't bother ducking, this time I just turned away.  Which was when I saw a very good friend of mine with her son and partner.  G.O Yelled and waved but they didn't hear us.  I settled with sending her a text message and we have arranged to meet up for a coffee and chat the following week.

So lovely when he smiles

G.O had had enough of all my ducking and diving and suggested that we should go and get some lunch.  'Splendid idea!' 

We some how made our way from Blenheim to The Rose Revived, a lovely public house that is situated on the banks of the river Thames, it was so idyllic and best of all they were serving a Sunday Carvery.  A few slices of meat and all the veg and gravy you can carry.

Let the games begin...

It was the nicest Sunday we have had together in a long time, although I could have done without all of those families, but that is what happens when you keep things local.

 

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 https://www.oldenglishinns.co.uk/our-locations/the-rose-revived-witney