Hello Again!

Last weekend I went to the Berkeley Skirmish held in the grounds just below Berkeley Castle here in Gloucestershire.   It's a lovely setting and the occasion celebrates the Battle of Flodden.   Many people,  my daughter and son-in-law among then, take part camping and living medieval style for the weekend, cooking on an open fire, using wooden plates, bowls and spoons, and generally trying to be as authentic as possible.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of these two gentlemen in their colourful costumes.

There were dozens of stalls manned by craftsmen selling their work.  I loved this handsome wooden bench outside one of the woodworker's stall, and felt sorry for the chap in the suit of armour as the day was very hot.

This young lady is my daughter - she was on the battlefield later in the day as a water wench taking water to the 'injured'.

There were plenty of attractions to keep us entertained before the battle itself, one of which was a display by these beautiful birds of prey.   Poor barn owl wanted to sleep the afternoon away - isn't it beautiful?

It was very hot and very windy and I don't think they were at all keen to provide us with entertainment.

I loved this part of the programme.   A couple of dozen youngsters were lined up and armed with rubber 'swords'. 

Their opponents were similarly armed.

 

When the command was given they were very eager to go into battle .... 

........ and showed no mercy!

We saw knights on horseback jousting.

And this was the King's camp.

As the afternoon wore on, various costumed warriors and characters began to assemble.

Then onto the battlefield they came.

There were some very loud bangs and lots of smoke from the cannon.

 I imagine it must have been unbearably hot under all that padding and armour.

The archers getting ready to do their bit - my son-in-law is in there somewhere.

A few dead bodies for a little drama.........

and then off they all trooped for a nice cold beer!

It was a wonderful day but my photos have not really done it justice.   I don't know where the time has gone since then but I have been very busy trying to catch up on all I want to do and make up for the lost days when it was too hot to do anything at all.

I must try not to leave it another fortnight before posting again.