Holidays
Let me see, it's been over a week since I last posted. We was on holiday for the last week or so, it's been pretty hectic as anyone who has read any of my holiday posts in the past will know. I'm not even going to try and go over everything that happened so here's the brief points.
Thursday
Travelled down to Devon, 9 hours of driving courtesy of the woman and to stay with one of our friends there.
Friday
Went to Paignton Zoo, saw the animals, marvelled at the human likeness of one of the gorillas, saw (unfortunatly) ring tailed Lemur porn and much much more.
Saturday
Went to Plymouth, National Marine aquarium and Boat trip along the Royal Navy dockyards.
Sunday
Travel onwards to just outside London, viw A small NT priory and Stonehenge. (wonderful place even if you're not allowed within 25 foor of it.)
Monday
Jousting with the Royal Knights of England, Falconry displays by a guy from Norfolk, archery practice with longbows (best shot on the boar that wasn't by one of the guys running it). All of this on the amazing grounds of Hedingham Castle with some good friends. Dinner afterwards with a couple of those good friends.
Tuesday
Aborted Trip to Legoland Windsor (extortion), ended up in Oxford instead, home of Inspector Morse and Philip Pullmans Lyra of "His Dark Materials." Dinner in Windsor with friends. Windsor Castle for the record is fucking massive.
Wednesday
Early start and off to Visit Warwick Castle for a 10 am opening. It came up to 6pm and we were only just leaving without having finished everything. We saw the Warwick Bowman demonstration, we saw the trebuchet, the worlds largest (just for all those obnoxious Americans who think that they have the biggest of everything and it's certified by the Guiness Book of Records) It's 22 Tonnes of solid english oak that is wound by people in hamster wheels. They lift a 5 tonne weight into the air, and then they fire a 15 kilo missile. It is capable of firing 10 x that weight with ease. They fire it twice a day, the 2nd shot was a flaming missile. We watched thier 2 falconry displays as well as visited the birds in thier own mews. And jeez was Emma cute (Ruppels Griffon Vulture), so was Dyson (African White Backed Vulture) mind you. Tulula (European Eagle Owl) was lovely as well and very Vocal. They had a couple of others out for flights including Stan (a white tailed Sea Eagle, not a seagull) Archie (an American Bald Eagle, who by the way are off the endangered species list as of last month) and Ebore (a Chillean eagle) We also saw thier weapons demonstrations and visited thier great hall with it's very impressive weapons collection which includes Bonnie Prince Charlies Targe and The Montroses armour. The stately rooms were on display as well. There was more jousting and some trick riding with thier local knights. We didn't get enough time to visit the formal gardens, the mill house, the kingmaker exhibit (about Richard Neville Earl of Warwick), the walls walks, the walk around the river island, up to the top of the mound where the original fortification started out or the rooms set up for the queens visit.
Thursday
Back home and collapse.
Back to work tomorrow, and off early to go to the Zoo's adopters event. After hours visit to the Zoo with the keepers and the chance to meet some of the animals in person.
Thursday
Travelled down to Devon, 9 hours of driving courtesy of the woman and to stay with one of our friends there.
Friday
Went to Paignton Zoo, saw the animals, marvelled at the human likeness of one of the gorillas, saw (unfortunatly) ring tailed Lemur porn and much much more.
Saturday
Went to Plymouth, National Marine aquarium and Boat trip along the Royal Navy dockyards.
Sunday
Travel onwards to just outside London, viw A small NT priory and Stonehenge. (wonderful place even if you're not allowed within 25 foor of it.)
Monday
Jousting with the Royal Knights of England, Falconry displays by a guy from Norfolk, archery practice with longbows (best shot on the boar that wasn't by one of the guys running it). All of this on the amazing grounds of Hedingham Castle with some good friends. Dinner afterwards with a couple of those good friends.
Tuesday
Aborted Trip to Legoland Windsor (extortion), ended up in Oxford instead, home of Inspector Morse and Philip Pullmans Lyra of "His Dark Materials." Dinner in Windsor with friends. Windsor Castle for the record is fucking massive.
Wednesday
Early start and off to Visit Warwick Castle for a 10 am opening. It came up to 6pm and we were only just leaving without having finished everything. We saw the Warwick Bowman demonstration, we saw the trebuchet, the worlds largest (just for all those obnoxious Americans who think that they have the biggest of everything and it's certified by the Guiness Book of Records) It's 22 Tonnes of solid english oak that is wound by people in hamster wheels. They lift a 5 tonne weight into the air, and then they fire a 15 kilo missile. It is capable of firing 10 x that weight with ease. They fire it twice a day, the 2nd shot was a flaming missile. We watched thier 2 falconry displays as well as visited the birds in thier own mews. And jeez was Emma cute (Ruppels Griffon Vulture), so was Dyson (African White Backed Vulture) mind you. Tulula (European Eagle Owl) was lovely as well and very Vocal. They had a couple of others out for flights including Stan (a white tailed Sea Eagle, not a seagull) Archie (an American Bald Eagle, who by the way are off the endangered species list as of last month) and Ebore (a Chillean eagle) We also saw thier weapons demonstrations and visited thier great hall with it's very impressive weapons collection which includes Bonnie Prince Charlies Targe and The Montroses armour. The stately rooms were on display as well. There was more jousting and some trick riding with thier local knights. We didn't get enough time to visit the formal gardens, the mill house, the kingmaker exhibit (about Richard Neville Earl of Warwick), the walls walks, the walk around the river island, up to the top of the mound where the original fortification started out or the rooms set up for the queens visit.
Thursday
Back home and collapse.
Back to work tomorrow, and off early to go to the Zoo's adopters event. After hours visit to the Zoo with the keepers and the chance to meet some of the animals in person.