Kentwell Tudor living history day

We went to the beautiful Kentwell Hall today. We have had this planned for 6 months but still ended up ripping up old pillow cases this morning to fashion our Tudor outfits.  We just about scraped some semblance of historical appropriateness out of it and went on our merry way. 

Miles looking adorable in his little waistcoat. Holding 2d in his hand...

Caden had the other 6d (how did that happen? Look at the face of doom as well... 

To be fair they were both shattered from the week of camping and staying up late this week so they weren't fully up for it. They did well under those circumstances. 

Caden kept telling everyone he could 'It's not actually a real time tunnel you know' 'Time machines are not real!'. Ha! 

We did go through a time tunnel though and I am sure there was a little part of him that really believed it might actually be one. 

When we first got in there it was pretty much what you would expect if you have been to this kind of thing before. (I have done a Viking one years ago). Lots of tents around and people doing different time-specific activities. 

This was a person showing how to drive a pike. The boys learned what a pike was for and why it had barbs on it... Caden was a bit put off by that thought for a few seconds. 

You can see the pikes behind Caden's head here. 

Miles holding a gunpowder pouch. 

This chap actually loaded this really immense and incredible gun, with gunpowder and shot it. It was awesome! The gunpowder exploded with a sort of delayed whoosh. It was great to see. There was fire too. 

Barrels for ale or water :) and tudor crockery. 

The forge. Miles like watching the man use the hammer on the hot metal. 

Caden held chain mail and knight's metal gloves. We commented on how heavy the chain mail was and the smiths in the forge were really engaging with the boys, talking with them lots and trying to get over Caden and Miles' obvious shyness. It was quite overwhelming sometimes for Caden because it was so authentic. 

Miles playing with some tudor toys made out of wood by the wood turners. We saw turners making spoons and pots. We saw carvers carving figures of the queen and other things. 

We smelled the food before we saw it and I had to take a photo. The dish on the left is roots and worts (cabbage, carrot and onions) the middle is mashed parsnips and the right is beans. The far right is bread and there is some fish with mustard. It smelled delicious. 

Caden is holding a real sword here. It was blunt but still pretty heavy and he had a job keeping it upright. 

We found a tavern, The Saracen's Head. It was full of folk eating their 'Pottage'. 

Upstairs we were shown these wooden discs with veg. and fruit painted on them with a space left for temporary words to be written in. They would apparently be turned face down and bowls of fruit placed upon them to be eaten. Once the people had eaten their fill then the plates would be turned over and each would have a saying or a proverb or joke or conversation starter... very interesting. Caden told the lady who was explaining this to us, his Knock Knock joke about 'Alex', 'Alex who'? 'Alex Splain Later'... She laughed generously. He was chuffed. 

We were given Tudor Sword fighting lessons. 

The swords were a bit heavy for Miles but Caden did pretty well listening and it helped very much that he knows his left and right. He was getting on nicely. I helped Miles out but Miles was starting to feel unwell so he dropped out half way through. 

We passed by more wood turners then came across this really fascinating table with cogs and watches and ornate metal things on it next to a sand timer. 

The man at the table really looked the part, he was old with a long white/grey beard and had a look of wisdom about him. He was brilliant with Caden. He showed us the tudor compass, sundials, a ring sundial, a wooden clock with cogs that used to work. It was so interesting, this was our most favourite bit. The guy was great.  

We went to the Archer's section after that and were treated to a full explanation of how war bows vs hunting bows were fashioned and drawn. How much strength you need to have to draw a bow like that (A LOT). How early you would train from - 6 years or earlier though Caden was shy of having a go this time with the child's version. The men really explained the methods and manufacture of them so well that both the boys sat there quietly listening whereas usually we have a minute or two before they want to move on. 

I had to take a photo of this carved dead tree trunk. It is simply stunning! 

Here we are by the hall which we went into briefly before Miles got very whingey. He was ill for the rest of the day as he came down with sickness but we had a really good few hours at Kentwell Hall. The boys learned plenty and enjoyed it. I would go back again next year and I think there is something new you would get from every visit. We didn't even get around half of it. 

League Family Camp

For the fourth year running we have attended the League Family Camp. An offshoot from the La Leche League charity that I have worked for over the last 5 years (though I have taken a break in recent months). This was a very short visit of two days in between my walking holiday with friends in Devon at the weekend (the kids were with their Dad) and the Kentwell Tudor day today which will be on the next post. We squeezed the camp in. The boys love going feral and I love the fact that there are absolutely no screens, ipads, phones, tvs or even any toys. It is great. The kids make up their own play and it is wonderful to see them doing it. 

Of course on the first day Caden was bored and wanted to go home to play the iPad. He got over it after a few hours of hanging around me for entertainment (which I didn't give him, he is there to play with other kids or sit with me while I do grown up things - he can join in with that of course but he would rather play usually haha). 

Here is a hammock full of Miles 

Miles doing important hammering work. Caden and Arthur in the background having a meal together. 

Miles hanging out around the teenage boys. 

I loved how the teenage lads were quite prepared to play with the little ones and help them to join in with things. The little ones were welcomed and shown things without any prompting from an adult. I really appreciated their efforts with my boys because I know how valuable those interactions are for Caden and Miles. 

I did some Brazilian dancing one evening. Though I am not in the photo. 

Caden on the swing near our tent. 

Miles, early one morning wrapped up in two of my coats because it was slightly chilly. He is sat by the camp fire just relaxing while I make us some breakfast. It was so nice to sit around the campfire on a morning and talk to the others while the kids played and ate 

The boys in the hammock playing and giggling together. 

A typical snapshot of people coming and going around the fire and interacting. It is a rich social environment for children to be in. 

Miles and Alex were collecting sticks for a fire. 

This was one of the men from the camp making swords for the children out of tape, rigid sticks and yoga mats cut into sword shapes. All the kids loved them. Miles and Arthur watched him make them for ages. 

Caden really showed his big brotherly skills this camp. He was very careful and sweet with Alex, letting Alex crawl about all over him, conquer him and even smack him and kick him. Caden said, it's ok, it doesn't hurt. He thought it was funny. A little sign of some maturity coming from my big boy. :D

I took Caden, Miles and Arthur to Bradgate Park. They all had a twister lolly. It was hot. 

They are pointing at a tree with a huge hole in the trunk. Caden was exploring the tree. 

Caden and Arthur looking at the ducks. We are on our way to the shallow paddling spot and keeping an eye out for roaming deer .

Mer-Miles

Paddling upstream. 

All three of them paddling upstream, they got up to the weir thing.

After they were dressed we all played 'What time is it Mr Wolf!'. This is one point where I turned around. Look at those serious faces... 

They found a deer with soft furry antlers. 

They found a whole bunch of tiny ducklings. 

Then it was time for a bit of serious climbing. They are capable lads and I could see them so up they went. It was a pretty safe track though it looks high from the photos. 

Me and Miles. He was tired on the way back from the park so I carried him in the sling. There will come a time soon when I never carry my boys in a sling again. We are enjoying all of these moments together. 

Back at camp, the boys playing through the woodsmoke 

We had a super time this year. It was just enough because we were all pretty tired when we got there. They had a good play. I caught up with friends and talked over a few things and got some confidence from other people to use in my daily parenting life. We are looking forward to next year. 

More Bucks Open Studios - Bierton

We visited an art studio in the Bucks Open Studios week. It is a hidden gem on the Bierton Road between Aylesbury and Leighton Buzzard. As you drive up to it, it looks like an old unused barn, though there was a rather peculiar looking stack of strategically piled, blue-painted boxes in the field on the approach to the barn. 

We drove through the entrance and parked on the field.

It was so amazing, we turned round the corner and through the door and were met with a beautifully laid out, large room, the inside of the barn. On all the walls were pieces of art, pieces by the same artist all displayed together. Caden was really drawn to the work by this artist (below). The work was SO interesting for a child because within the circular pattern you can see on the cross/crucifix shape, there are children's toys; praying mantis; a knight; a bat, etc. Apparently the artist had raided his son's old toybox. 

The premise of this piece of art was that it represented Pandora's box. Once opened all the evils of the world were released (represented by the toys all painted in colours into the work). The cross is intended to symbolise hope which was locked inside the box when the lid was closed. 

We looked at these for quite a while, there was so much to see within the piece.

The artist there showed Caden lots of the individual toys within the work. She was incredibly helpful and friendly. It felt like a great privilege to have a personal tour of the little site and explanations of the work where possible. She was very engaging with Caden even though he was characteristically shy, which I was very grateful for. She showed us her work which was less interesting to Caden (he likes the integrated toys and bright colours) but I loved them. 

This was a piece which had bright poster colours painted on the backs of the shapes that reflected the white light shining onto them from the inside middle of the box. You can see the blue colour reflected well in the photo.  

The resident artist took us outside to let Caden play on the MOST fabulous home made slide. It was great! Caden was in his element and got all skippy-happy as you will see... 

skippy happy

There was a face in the tree here... 

Some metal ants! Aren't they great!

We went back in to look at the art again. He does love the textured stuff!

A tree shaped painting.. of a tree. 

skippy happy (haha)

We found a metal piggy

We talked with another artist who was outside who very kindly explained to us what the pile of painted boxes was all about. It was for his and other people in his family's birthdays. All in June. On the solstice he intended on setting this alight for all to enjoy. So here it... was.