Colchester Medieval Festival - June 2012

Due to the wonders of the Queen's Golden Jubilee, the festival this year took place over 4 rather wet days at the beginning of June. Still a little rain (and mud) wasn't going to stop the fun.

In Colchester Park we were introduced to the wonders of this festival with a bright little piece from some of the players.






It was a very pleasant start for the day - but don't take my word for it, here is one of my shaky renderings. I'm desperately trying to avoid the young wives with prams, kids and assorted other distractions but failing dismally. Mind you the accompanying bird-song is quite sweet.

I should warn you, I'm afraid there is more to come of this.

So let us wander down to the festival itself and see what is on.

Here are Melford hys Companie. They even performed Chaucer's 'Millers Tale', which is rather rude.

And then we had a Puppeteer - The Theatre of the Small and a Story Teller - The Yarnsmith of Norwich .

Let's return to the Musicians, shall we?

Ahhh,, isn't that sweet?

Meanwhile in another part of the festival, the Combat and Tourney was taking place. Here members of the community re-enacted combat from medieval times. Dressed up in chain mail uniforms, they then proceeded to knock the crap out of each other. This proved to be very popular, especially with the younger crowd - here getting some quick lessons on how to use the famous English Quarter Staff.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a more peaceful mode we had a very spectacular display of falconry from the 'Out on a Wing' team

The flying demonstration was truly spectacular, as one of the trained falcons disappeared into to the trees only to swoop down on the dangled bait being held by its handler. Made even more interesting by the local seagulls, who began to swarm and shriek warnings as they detected the presence of this bird of prey.

That was it. Well worth the visit. Hopefully I'll be there again, next year.

We have to finish with a tune..Here are the wonderful musicians playing us out with a Merry Melody and a flourish at the end.

Copperas Bay & Holbrook Bay - Easter Time in Essex

5th April 2012

Well, during Easter in Essex we didn't just drink. We did some walking as well. Here, Kate and myself wandered down the river Stour estuary from the outskirts of Harwich to Mistley. As usual we have the mixture of colour digital and grainy black and whites. Actually if you look very carefully you will notice that some B&W were taken with the digital in B&W mode. What was that? Talking to the wrong person? Need to find someone who gives a fuck?......

Just starting off we crossed a field between Great Oakley and Ramsay

The Windmill at Ramsey

Another piccie of the Windmil using my swanky new zoom lnes.

Here's some arty farty piccies of Copperas Wood

Kate is not impressed

Out onto the Estuary

Slightly inland, this is Wrabness Church with the temporary Bell Shed

..temporary since the 17th century!!

Ploughed field on the outskirts of Mistley

In Mistley there are two towers - here's one of them - but no main building in a Crematorium

For some reason loads of Swans seem to have made Mistley their holiday home.

They've even created this delightful Statue to celebrate it. Um.. luvly isn't it?

Ethan didn't join us, I guess the wellies were a little too big for him.