Top of the World Ma - Fat Girl Walking

One thing I've wanted to do since I started walking last year was to walk up a mountain.  I'm not deluded I know I need to work up to it and until now my only bit of practise was Ladder Hill in Wheatley.  Today GO and I did out first moor walk, it wasn't a long one.  We had no equipment (it was all in the car), we just wanted to get out and blow away the cobwebs.   

We walked along the canal that led to the reservoir, Saddle worth Moor.  I wanted to walk to the highest peak, but soon realised that would require a longer walk and I needed to get back to Skype the familam.

GO and I decided to walk for thirty minutes as far as we could get and then turn back.  It would be an hours walk, we wouldn't get lost if we kept the canal on our right hand side.

This was really useful for keeping a track of where we were but I spent most of the walk needing a pee.  It was ok for GO who took a "hedge ticket" when his bladder got to full I just had to hold it.

We're planning to walk the moor again, this time preparing for a longer hike, bringing food and perhaps shelter, and making a day of it.

Baby Nat's Christening

As we pulled into the car park of a lovely red brick church in Little Aston, I felt a wee bit nervous, as I always do. I love meeting up with friends, but sometimes it can feel strange to meet up after such a long time at a formal gathering.

This gathering was the christening of

Mrs M's, (the first) nee Miss C, son and a gorgeous little happy chap he is too.  These occasions while happy and full of love, can be quite a minefield of "it'll be your turn soon!"  And "so when will it be your turn?"  Luckily this wasn't the case on Sunday.

The only other couple that I knew, Mr and Mrs J, were very up to speed with all the comings and goings of our life.  And our mission to become parents.  It was so lovely catching up on gossip from my London School.

G.O was a bit concerned that it would be a long service, as all four of us had squeezed into what was obviously a pew made for three.  I reassured him that it's was a CofE service which would probably only last twenty minutes or so, compared to a cathic service which last about an hour.  

If I have learnt one thing these last few months, it's that the Catholics like to take their time and do everything with the proper amount of reverence.

I was right, we sang a couple of hymns (good old fashioned school carols) heard a reading and said a few prayers,  then it was the moment we had all Bern waiting for and......  nothing happened.  Happy baby = no drama.

The reception was held at a local sports club, there was a finger buffet, lots of balloons, bubbles, babies and Santa.  Before we headed home we were given our favours, personalised Christmas baubles'

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!

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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