Today saw us off to Richmond Castle with Nana and Grandad, Lynsey was on nights, as they had some re-enactments on for Saint George's day.   Before we left I had got up to go for a run and the morning was beautiful, the sun was shining and it looked as if the good weather of the past few days was set to continue.   With this in mind, I donned shorts and T-shirt and put James in shorts too.   On a whim, I picked up a jumper for the little man, what a lucky break that was.   By the time we had got to Richmond, the wind was picking up and the temperature had dropped.   I was in for a cold day!   First things first though, after the long climb up to the castle from the river, where we had parked, it was off to The Kings Head for a coffee.   There was no holding back James with his hot chocolate.

With Nana, Grandad and James satisfied, it was time to head off to the Castle.   James lead the way, sword in hand, just to keep us all safe from any dragons that might cross our path, luckily none appeared but, I for one, am glad we had our bodyguard.  

When we arrived, we were in time to see the first of the three displays for the day.  This was the infantry tactics.   James was a little apprehensive of all the people dressed in medieval outfits, I was not however, so I got stuck in, leaving James with Nana and Grandad.   

As the soldiers headed off to lunch after an exhausting morning of slashing the air, it was time for us to dig out the food.

After a brief lunch break, it was time for the telling of Saint George's story.   The re-enactors involved were amazing.   So enthusiastic and full of energy.   The two of them held the crowd wonderfully, with no one wanting to take their eyes away.   A wonderful telling of the story and very entertaining.   Personally, my favourite part was the sword fight, no surprises there.

It was not long though before James built a little bit of courage up, after his earlier apprehension, and got into the swing of things.   Sword in had he led the charge.

Before long, James was fighting all comers, be it tree or human.   Now, at the start of the day, Nana had asked why I had not given him his wooden sword, when she saw the state of Grandad and I afterwards, I hoped she could see why.   Last time James had his wooden sword, I kept hold of the wooden shield and it was the only thing that had stopped me having my head removed from my shoulders!

By this time, the wind had picked up and was starting to bite.   James had tired and sat in the buggy to eat a gingerbread man, wrapped up in a blanket.   It was the archery display, so off to the range we headed.   Nana was feeling the cold a lot so she headed to the exhibition to warm up, shortly followed by Grandad and James.   I braved out the display in my shorts and t-shirt, boy it was cold.   Again, another informative display and the narrator got the increasingly chilling crowd hooked.

After the display I headed over to find the rest of the family and this is what I found ...

It was all too much for the little man and he had zonked out in the buggy once he had got into the warm.

A lovely day out, with lots of fun had by all.