Knights of the Realm

Today we came to Lulworth Castle. An amazing 17th Century Castle in the heart of the Dorset countryside. It was originally built as a Hunting Lodge by Thomas Howard 3rd Lord Bindon to entertain Royal hunting parties, but soon became a country house in the middle of 12,ooo acres of beautiful parkland. It was largely rennovated in the 1920s following a devastating fire and is now open to the public. Two floors of the interior are open to look round (at breakneck speed by the four children who couldn't possibly stop long enough for you to speed read the information boards). You can also walk up around 8 flights of stairs to look at the incredible view from the top of one of the towers which we also did at breakneck speed!

Coming here has become a yearly day out which we all spend the rest of the year looking forward to as we have been the last four years. Our main reason for the excitement is to see the Jousting Knights who live here over the summer. The Knights are really from 'Horses Impossible' (don't tell the children) who were stunt riders in the films 'Robin Hood' ( Russell Crowe's version, 'The Clash of the Titans', 'First Knight' and 'Sherlock Holmes' to name a few.

The Knights put on two shows everyday in the summer so of course we had to stay to watch both of them! We were not disappointed, they were as exciting and breathtaking as ever. This year there was also a falconry display with a Barn Owl, a Harris Hawk and a Falcon. Oliver was captivated by the feathered birds and they were beautiful to watch.

Lulworth Castle . Front entrance on the right, just out of view.

Sir Richard (in green) of Wessex. We cheered for him. Bethany did a lot of cheering, and I mean a lot!

Sir Hector (in black and yellow) from France. His other job is Horse master.

Sir Odius (in black and red). Bad, cheating Knight who we 'boo'd' a lot.

Sir Percival of Wales. Did some amazing stunts such as hanging off a galloping horse upside down, swinging around on the horse and riding two horses at once (the mind should boggle. The eyes did too).

Sir Odius looking bad. Very very bad.

Sir Hector. We gave him a few cheers too!

Sir Hector wins the first joust. Yay!

Sir Richard of Wessex riding round before the joust.

Sir Richard and Sir Odius. Who will win the right to Lulworth Castle?

Sir Richard riding to Victory! We were yelling and whooping by this point.

The back of the castle in all its glory. We decided against this as our new back garden as we soon realised the children would not be able to hear me call them for dinner if they were playing in the garden. The Hammond's missing their dinner is not something worth even contemplating!

Its not just jousting and stunt riding excitement. We had a free tractor ride too!

View of the arena from front steps of the house. Maybe they would hear me yelling from here!

Jacob resting in the wall.

Playpark time and Bethany falling asleep on the rocking butterfly.

Rebecca trying out some new stunts of her own!

Only picture I managed to take of Oliver. He was moving as fast as the horses.

To top off the day, having told the children I would not pay out £1 each for a peacock feather, we found two of our own! It only took a bit of hanging over into the goat field to get them. No goats were harmed in the process and I left with four very happy children!

Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy

Before School finished for the summer term, Oliver bought a letter home regarding an event day where he could try out certain water sports at the Weymouth & Portland sailing academy. For some reason not many children turned up which gave the children that did turn up, the chance to try all sporting events on offer. Oliver started off with kayaking, followed by windsurfing and paddle boarding.

Oliver getting suited ready for action.

Oliver doing the Hawaii 5 O

Meanwhile on the shore Jacob trying to find the something in his boot that is tickling his foot.

Oliver's first attempt at windsurfing, which was amazing he pulled the sail up and off he went.

Sailing like a true pro.

Even when he dropped the sail he still stayed on, we were all very impressed and proud.

Not realising he was actually frozen in terror of floating away! Someone eventually collected him and brought him back.

This time he had support, and brought the windsurf back home to shore.

Oliver paddle boarding which was his favourite event.

Action at Abbotsbury

An afternoon at Abbotsbury Barn and the children were all ready for action. I couldn't think of anything smart and witty to go with the pics as I'm not really all that smart and witty, but thought I'd let them speak for themselves! The children were all in a "we all love each other very much and want to help each other out" mood, so I left them to it and kept the photos coming.

More Birthday

More pictures of Bethany's birthday courtesy of Granddad. Thank you, they are beautiful! Granny and Granddad spent the afternoon with us and came to the Red Arrows too, so here are a selection of their photos.

Opening the all singing all dancing Disney Princess till that has been singing, dancing and adding up ever since!

Rebecca on her last legs with her big sisters birthday.

Cheeky Chappy.

What exactly is all the fuss over the Red Arrows and where are they anyway?

Too worn out to move.

Even Princesses like to paddle.

Finally they came and well worth the wait. They recently employed the first ever female Pilot and the "boys" spent most of the time trying to guess which plane the female pilot was in. You can guess at some of the jokes made and they will not be repeated on this blog! My lifes' ambition is now to be the BEST female Red Arrow pilot. Here they are in action;

Bethany's 6th Birthday

Today was a long time coming for one particular girl. Bethany had been counting the day down to her 6th birthday since January and somehow we knew the excitement was going to be at its highest! So in the great words of Gloria Gaynor

First I was afraid

I was petrified

Still wondering how you could no longer be five

But I spent so many nights

hoping the day would not go wrong

we thought strong

and decided to carry on

so we wrapped

and we baked

we wanted to see you there

with that big smile upon your face

I am going to have to get a lock

and hide away the secret key

If you just let me for one second

remember when you were three

No not now, I locked the door

it is not time now

No boys are welcome here anymore

ill just answer the phone and tell them a goodbye

You think id crumble

when you look me in the eye

Oh no, not I

I will survive

as long as i know there is love

I know I will stay alive

I've got all my life to live

I've got all my love to give

and I'll survive

I will survive

The little Princess sleeps the night before the big day.

Is this classed as morning? I was not convinced, but anyhow let the unwrapping begin!

Birthday sweeties

The biggest present kept till the end. A scooter for those tedious school journeys

Roller boots to help those moment of getting away faster.

Pink Roller boots

Test driving the goods

At 11am the decorating bag party started. Bethany and her friends chose iron on stickers to decorate there canvas bags, then we played party games followed by the birthday tea!

Birthday tea party Jacob, Anya & Lilly

Cerys, Lizzie, Bethany & rebecca

The homemade birthday Cake

Amazing!!

6 years ago was Weymouth Carnival and this was the day that Bethany decided she wanted out.. of the womb! So because she is a proper Carnival Princess we thought we would actually see one of the best parts of the carnival day 'The Red Arrow display'

Bethany trying to be a Red Arrow

Time for the real thing!

How sweet they made Bethany a love heart for birthday.