Warwick wandering

Let's go glamping next time

 

"I've got Friday off!"  G.O told me, whenever were both 'off' together I start planning what we could do.  My first thought was to visit Bath Thermae Spa and spend the afternoon relaxing in their rejuvenating well being pools.  Utter bliss!  But as is always the case in the UK I checked out the prices and availability and the cost was astronomical, for the same price as a gourmet meal with wine, you got a two hour session, and you had to pay to use the robes and towels.

Ready for Halloween?

Typical posers - castle behind us

 

I am very tight, I know, when I have to I will spend big money, I will do my research and wait for a bargain.  I had been told by a friend that there was a two for one offer, but we had left it too late.

In Character as a squire

Slimy Stuarts - they knew he was coming

I could have been Guy fawkes

G.O doesn't really enjoy spa days and told me about some deals that he was entitled to use through his Gourmet Society Card which offered 50% reductions on entry to some attractions.  There was a catch, you had to book in advance and as it was Friday, it didn't look promising.

Sword Fighting

Keeping an eye on the time

 

I gave the office a call and quoted the deal, it was still valid, phew.  "I don't suppose we can use the deal today?"  I asked tentatively.  The answer was yes and before we knew it we were on our way to Warwick Castle.

I can chop an apple in half!

Not if I can help it!

Lots of tower exits, but where are the entrances?

 

I had never really wanted to visit Warwick before, this summer however it became a  bit of a millstone around my neck.  One of the teachers at the little village school had organised a trip for the children as part if our topic, as I was recovering from my op I wasn't able to go with them.  No matter, one of the tabloids had an offer, collect 7 tokens and you got free entrance to the castle. I dutifully collected the tokens, and went to fill in the form when I noticed that the dealine had been the previous day.  I told G.O who was miffed, don't know why, it was my idea. I had just gotten over this when they began showing adverts all day long promoting the Horrible Histories exhibitions at Warwick Castle!  It was inevitable that I would go, and so we found our selves at the entrance.

Getting ready to fly

Big baby owl

So lovely

So close...

Condor getting ready to fly

And we're off!

 

We had nothing planned. Except for thedungeon  tour at quarter past four.  It was very "Disneyish" there were lots of people in costumes, and almost every quarter if an hour there was a new show.  We caught the end of a knight's of old battle, we watched a bird's of prey display with eagles, condors and a very stubborn owl we also saw a jousting competition by the trebuchet.  We tried to climb up a tower, but each one we found was an exit, we couldn't find an entrances anywhere.  All around the castle were little stalls that were either selling things, crafty stalls (design your own shield), giving lessons in medival skills or were set up to inform.

I can keep the enemy away with my foam bumpy ball thing...

Always looks so scary!

They love a bit of ginger wee!

just in case you can't tell G.O is on the left!  I think.

Medieval illnesses and cures.

Useful wooden sword

 

Most memorable were the "Dirk's" for sale, the Viking longboat, the Smelly Stuarts and tent that was occupied by two squires who on seeing G.O ran up to  him and in the loudest voices yelled "ah! a Ginger, we'll pay you well for your wee! We love a bit of ginger wee!"  (I have been reliably informed that in days of old they would use urine to wash clothes, and that the urine of a ginger was highly sort after) I would have been mortified had it been me, but G.O, ever the drama queen, lapped it up and made a big thing of bartering with them, then on the journey back up tried to sell them his flask, claiming it was genuine ginger urine! "You my man, are disgusting!"  Was the response.

Trapped in a bear pit.

With him chuckling away at my side, we made our way over to the 'fungeon' (G.O called the dungeon that most of the day, and still does!) we were escorted into a tent where we had some photos taken.  Then we waited in the "pit" to be taken in.  Now, I thought I had gotten quite tough over the years, yes, a dressing gown in moonlight can freak me out, but I can watch scary movies on my own now, but I was not happy when the guide said "we have prisoners who are still alive, they won't touch you if you don't touch them!"

Don't leave me on my own...

Do you use ginger wee to wash your clothes?  I use Ariel.

Today's urine was provided by G.O

Can take the chef out of the kitchen but....

This pose is a bit too German for my liking....

We made our way through the dungeon learning about the black plague, torture, and witch trials and at every point I was on edge, I trusted no one, I had a scarf covering my face the entire time chanting to myself "don't pick me!"  On the whole it worked, but they got very close.  Before the last room we were taken in to a hall of mirrors, which confused G.O, and made me slightly hysterical, so by the time we got into the last room I was on a knife edge.  I was convinced that something would come through the door behind me, G.O just ignored me.

Look more jousting!

The history of the castle in English, German, Italian and French

A boat house

Winter is coming!

G.O complaining about his helmet!

"I am a Lannister!"

 

The young man in the room began telling the story of a lady who had been convicted of witch craft and sentenced to death.  Just as the proclamation was made, all of the lights in the room went out, as they turned on again the man was stood very close to another visitor who screamed.  

He was too quick to pick up his chopper.

The story continued, as they sentenced her to death, the lady disappeared and she was heard cackling up in the tower.  The only way to reach the tower was by those stairs, and the door it never opened! At this point the lights turned off again and there was a cackling coming from up the tower and the door behind me began to shake, I couldn't take it any longer and screamed, got out of my seat and ran to another bench, much to everyone's amusement, as I sat down, the shelf near the bench holding all of the weapons began to move and threatened to fall off the wall.  

Witch Trials, I think it's the ginger one!

 

I moved back to my original spot, this all happened in about thirty seconds.  When the lights came back on the man had vanished  and a door opened, we had finished the tour. I was positively glowing with perspiration and was so relieved it was over.  It was revealed that the man was the witches son, but by this point I just wanted to leave.  

I don't like th e look of his hand placement!

Before we could go though to the exit they stopped us and showed us the pictures they had taken before we began the tour.  I was very shaken but even I could see the photos were pretty cool and I managed to persuade G.O to purchase them.



I can sail home with my beautiful umbrella.

I haven't got a hunchback, that's my bag.

Say no more!

One day it will be loaded.

It was then that the black clouds that had been threatening all day opened, we had seen everything we had wanted to see, bought enough souvenirs to satisfy G.O's need for tut, so dressed like a big green condom and a ginger fairy we made our way home.  

Dackel brolly, if you look closely you can see the little Dacshund pattern.

Human Condom

 

Yet again, a good day was had by all!