Revels at Spetchley Park

I have some terrible news – Dave died!

I suppose I’d better rewind to the begining. It all started late Friday night. Dave picked me up from work (late) and off we toddled to Worcestershire, a drive of some three hours. We arrived at Spetchley Park a little after ten, very tired and in my case, very headachey. Spetchley Park was a sea of tents with names such as ‘English Civil War’ and ‘American Civil War – Union’ looming out at us in the dark. We met mama and papa outside the beer tent who showed us where our regiment was pitched. We were sharing a period tent with said parents. And I have to say what a surprise that turned out to be – it was a mansion! Room to stand and everything! As I said, we were tired and so decided to make an early night of it.

The next day we were able to properly take stock of where we were. The 32nd Cornwall Regiment of Foot were encamped with a few other regiments. I believe the introduction to our area was something like ‘ Napoleonic – Britsh Allies’. Opposite us were the French (boo! hiss!). We were sandwiched between the medieval lot and the American Civil War lot. Dave was able to pick up his new regimental jacket, whilst I decided to stay as a camp follower. I didn’t have all the right clothes for it, but it seems the the majority of re-enactors start off with only bits and bobs and add to their store of costumes and equipment over the years. And being a camp follower meant I felt that I could hide should I need to. This was my first major event and I felt nervous.

There was drill for the men in the morning and in the afternoon there was a battle. In between those times, DD, mama and I went to a couple of other encampments. We spoke to some re-enactors at the medieval site as well as some at the Ancient Greek site. DD and I also wandered down to the merchant area to have a butchers.

And there was a battle. Did I mention that?

We womenfolk waved off the men to battle including DD and papa – who was able to forego his duties as Ensgin and be one of the men – before we went down to the field to listen to the commentary and watch the ensuing battle. And a glorious affair it was with our lads, aided by the Prussians, chasing off the Frenchies. Sad to say though, it was a victory that came with a cost. Not only did DD lose his life, but so did papa!  Still, never mind!

I must say highlights of the night included listening to the 1812 Overture with actual canons being fired and Beethovens’ Battle Symphony with lots more canons being fired, the red smoke lighting up the lake behind the stage before a firework display went off. It was a fantastic evening that ended with ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, and I am so glad that we had the opportunity to be there! And so back to Spetchley Park. My reasons for remaining a camp follower on the Sunday had more to do with the weather than anything else. The glorious early morning sunshine that promised a hot day delivered a very hot day! I am so glad I did not have to wear the uniform – I know DD was incredibly uncomfortable and I am pretty sure that the others were as well. Not that I was in the coolest of gear, but I was a lot better off than many of the others. DD and I managed to get to talk to the Vikings on the Sunday, and we watched their demonstration. I did have to pull him away though when they announced that they were recruiting – unfortunely we simply don’t have time to do all that we want to. I was taught how to card wool (combing wool fibres so that thay lie in one direction)by one of the women at our camp – a very nice lady who’s been involved with re-enacting for about twenty years. Incidentally, carding is a laborious process. Maybe spinning will be better? The battle on Sunday was won by the French (boo! hiss!). Our colours were retired early and all our men were slaughtered. So DD and papa died twice! The day was finished off by a parade of the various groups that had taken part in the weekend event, from Ancient Greece through to the Second World War. It was a good weekend. The morning routine was peaceful and relaxed and with time off during the day to meet some of the varied and interesting people there, all in all it was a very enjoyable weekend.          And for those of you who are wondering – DD (and papa) recovered from being dead and are now enjoying their lives!

What Aloe can do for you!

Ask not what you can do for Aloe, but what Aloe can do for you.

I believe I may have already mentioned that DD and I are distributors for Forever Living, selling products that have Aloe Vera as the main ingredient. You are probably aware of the beneficial properties of the sap that this plant exudes, and how a little drop can help to heal cuts, burns and stings. But what else is it good for?

It can be useful on the insides, namely the gut. It may help in regulating the various yeasts and bacteria that inhabit the gut, thereby inducing a more balanced environment in the gut. Still on the subject of the gut – not the most pleasant of subjects I know – it can also be used to help with bowel movements and a healthier digestion. The two are connected there in some way, I’m sure of it!

The Aloe is useful store of minerals and vitamins, probably because it tends to grow in areas where the soils are rich in these ingredients. Of its many vitamins and minerals it contains the B group of vitamins, vitamins A, C, E and folic acid, as well as minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, copper and zinc. It also contains polysaccharide which is thought to act upon the chemical messengers of the immune system and again can act in a way that balances the immune system. So by imbibing Aloe, you need never again turn to your favourite cereal to get your vitamin and mineral fix!

My favourite effect of Aloe has to be the obvious one – skin and hair. I was told that when I started taking Aloe regularly, my skin would glow and people would make remarks about how good I was looking. I did not fully believe that until it actually started happening. Now I don’t mean that I am now shining like a neon beacon, but my skin does seem to look better and my hair seems longer. The couple of remarks I had about my hair were along the lines of ‘ your hair seems to have grown all of a sudden’. And yes, I have also had remarks/compliments about my glowing skin! This apparently is because the Aloe helps to increase fibroblast activity (fibroblasts are what makes the skin look plump and healthy which indicates youth) as well as helping feed the skin cells so that the skin remains healthy.

That, in a nutshell, is what Aloe can do for you. And when I say Aloe, I am referring to the Miller barbedensis species. Not all species of aloe (and there are about 300 species) will have the same effect.

There is of course, more information on our website at  www.foreverlivingdevon.myflpbiz.com

Or you can just read future ramblings!

 

Pirate Day at Charlestown

So…the 32nd Cornwall Regiment of Foot were invited by the Pirates of St. Pirran to take part in their Pirate fun day at Charlestown in Cornwall. They were there for a couple of weeks on the trot but Sunday 5th August was the day that Darling Dave, papa, mama and myself could make it. And it was fun!

There was a small group of us from the 32nd. Papa was one of two officers in attendance that day. Papa sometimes gets to act as the Ensign, one of whose main duties was to carry the Colours. Of course that probably makes papa the oldest ever Ensign – traditionally ensigns were young lads of 16 or so! Our other officer who was in attendance, makes up those tiny replica models. He gave one to papa, a model carrying the Colours, and another to DD. All in Regimental colours. The detail is lovely, and very kind of him I thought.

It was an afternoon affair with music starting and ending the show that involved arrests, executions, piratical cheekiness and drill demonstrations from ourselves. Although yesterday was the first time I had seen (and used) our muskets in a dance routine! And seeing our Sergeant in a dress and bonnet was definitely a sight to behold!!

Charlestown is a nice little town with, it seemed, plenty of eateries. There is a small harbour which bisects the town. Here is moored a sailing ship. The stone quay opposite the ship is where the performance took place. The public toilets are well hidden though, although we eventually found them – with some help – on the path overlooking the shingle beach. Unfortunely, we didn’t think to bring a camera otherwise I would now be regaling you with pictures of DD standing guard outside the ladies!

However, for those of you who are desperate, here is a picture from an earlier event of DD sporting the regimental colours.

After the performance, we retired to one of the pubs with its nicely extensive beer garden. Needless to say, the four of us were the first of our Regiment to arrive. We sat with the Pirates, a friendly and welcoming group of people who all seemed to hail from Charlestown itself. After having settled with a drink and cheesy chips (delicious and a must for any soldier serving in the Peninsular); the Pirates proceeded with another performance of song and dance. Well, songs anyway. And a very enjoyable performance it was!

The weather had been kind to us as well. On the drive down to Cornwall, the heavens had opened and we were viewing the day ahead with some trepidation. Once we arrived in Charlestown the day remained dry and even, dare I say it, warm and sunny in places. It did not rain again until the Pirates were finishing off their set in the beer garden. It was as if the weather was saying ‘Right, you’ve had your fun now clear off out of it’. So we did. And that was the end of our Pirate Day in Charlestown.

Until next time…