All the fun of the Fayre...

We were umming and ahhing about going to the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival this year.
The weather has left much of the site waterlogged - including the main 'battle field' - reducing on site parking and turning the thoroughfare into a veritable mud bath. We weren't too bothered about seeing the battle itself, we've seen it before, we know what happens (Wiki 'Battle of Tewkesbury' if you want to know), and although I love the medieval market, I have no money to spend this year anyway...

Then this morning it was dry, there was even a hint of blue sky. Little Man had been up since stupid o'clock and the Other Half had MotoGP to watch. So we left daddy on the sofa and went anyway.

This week has not been a good week...

It began on Saturday when our much anticipated Summer Fun Day at the Shambles Retail Village in Newent was almost literally washed away by torrential rain!  The Little Man, of course, loved it and spent half an hour running around like a loon, jumping in puddles, standing under the awning of our gazebo and waiting for the cascades of water to splash down on him as it got to heavy for the fabric roof to support. I would have taken pictures so you could share his joy but I was too busy trying to rescue all my stock from the elements (dried lavender pillows and books - neither like getting wet!)

On Sunday I went with the MIL and SIL to the Tewkesbury Medieval Fayre. This amazing event we attend every year (I have blogged about it before, here) but this year the boys stayed at home so we took advantage of the opportunity to shop. I had planned a whole blog about it, artisans and craftspeople using traditional methods and skills to create items of beauty to cherish... My camera however had other ideas. Today was the day my trusty little pocket Yashica joined the great 'Tripod in the Sky' and decided it would open up no more... *sobs - I have NO camera! How will I manage with NO camera?*

Monday was a busy day. I got a lot done and treated myself to a nice Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni meal from local supermarket...
At approx 4am Tuesday morning I threw my guts up. And then again at about 7am...

Have you ever had food poisoning? If you haven't, pray you never do. If you have I sympathise entirely but it's probably not something we will discuss over drinks...
The last three days have taught me several things:

• Parenthood really is the hardest job in the world - I don't care how demanding your job is, if you get sick leave you don't know how lucky you are!
• Three year olds understand more than we give them credit for - LM at 5.30am on Wednesday morning 'Are you still poorly Mummy?' 'yes, baby' 'Ok. I'll go and do some colouring then.'
• Three year olds are also better at entertaining themselves than they lead us to believe...
• My OH is great at coming home from work and getting the LM off to bed AND bringing home things like Lucozade but crap at feeding himself and getting himself out of bed in the morning*
• OH really doesn't do washing up.**
• Lucozade is marvellous stuff - and you can get it in Cherry flavour now!
• I will probably be giving Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni a very wide berth from now on...

So 4 days with little more than a piece of dry toast and half a dozen bottles of Lucozade for sustenance and I am feeling tired, listless and a lot lighter (just over half a stone to be exact - there IS a silver lining!) but my stomach is no longer churning. I am feeling hungry again this morning, although the memory of what happened last time I ate anything lingers. I don't think I'm up for a three course Sunday lunch just yet...

*To be fair I already knew this
**and this...

#SilentSunday 10/07/11

Sunshine Days Out :)

One of the best things about the summer months are the many wonderful organised outdoor events that offer great opportunities for fab family days out. Running your own business is not like having a 9-5 job and time off is very precious so we have to be quite picky about our family days out!

One event we never miss is the Tewkesbury Medieval Fayre and Battle Re-enactment, a winning combination of fantastic food, an amazing 'medieval' market selling everything from herbs to haberdashery and hippy dresses to full body armour. Plenty of craftsmen are there displaying their skills and most are more than happy to chat with you and answer questions.
The re-enactors take their 'hobby' very seriously and there is a wealth of stalls selling all they require for an authentic medieval experience. It makes for a fascinating insight to medieval way of life, not to mention a unique shopping experience.

A taste of the fayre...

Ye Olde Medieval Paparazzi

Preparing for battle

Lots of great stuff for the kiddies to do.
Not sure how medieval the trampolines are though...

...or the ice cream!

The Tewkesbury Medieval Fayre is just a fabulous family day out and if you live anywhere nearby and haven't been yet I would highly recommend that you make the effort to go along next year. You won't regret it!

More Pics from Tewkesbury Medieval Fayre...

A few more piccies from the day! Just click on a pic if you want to see it bigger.

All the fun of the Fayre.

We had a lovely day yesterday at the annual Tewkesbury Medieval Fayre - complete with battle of Tewkesbury re-enactment, pig roasts, ale tents, kiddies play area and lots and lots and lots of great shopping!! Riley got let off the leash for the first time, running us all ragged trying to keep up with him and obviously loving it. He particularly enjoyed the Morris dancers, taking it all in and shaking his little handmade wooden rattle along with the music.

Unfortunately we didn't get to see much of the battle itself as there were so many people turned out to watch but the noise was quite something!

Loads of artisans selling their wares; gorgeous hand blown Medieval style Glassware from Germany, little wooden drums, pipes and rattles for kids, jewellery, leatherwork, sheepskins, pottery and hand woven willow baskets from Greenwood Futures who also make gorgeous cradles and environmentally sound coffins (http://www.greenwoodfutures.moonfruit.com/). I'm afraid I splashed out and treated myself to a lovely willow washing basket. The cat hasn't discovered it yet...but it is only a matter of time!