The Redcoats take on Duncarron

This weekend was hubbys first official weekend off in his new job. The first weekend of many off, the notion of which is a great novelty for us.

So we did what any self respecting person does when they have that first taste of freedom...completely fill in every single moment of it with plans leaving you in need of a weekend to recover from said weekend!

The Saturday was earmarked for a friends belated birthday and we went on a trip to the 5 Sisters Zoo. Its sad that they no longer allow dogs, but we did share a few of our favourite lockdown doggy zoo moments with our friends as we mooched about in the sun. It was really hot Saturday and, despite generous amounts of Factor 50 suncream, we all finished up a little bit pinker than we would have liked (although no actual sunburn to report, thankfully!). We got lucky and saw everything we wanted to see, including the new red panda! 

Missy was appalled when we returned and hosted a vegetarian bbq as, whilst she did try a little bit of the veggie burgers/sausages, they were clearly too seasoned for her liking! We played Finnish Skittles and then retired from the sun and sat up far too late just chatting and catching up.

Sunday was the big day. It was a Jacobite's and Redcoat event at Duncarron Medieval village and, seeing as hubby missed out on the last event, we simply had to go. 
I'm going to admit, I think they're figuring out how to host events as it was completely different to the last one! This one was smaller, partly because of the theme (they only have thematically relevant stalls at the events, so the shoe and the top hat stalls weren't there this time), but also because of the number of people. Talking to the reenactors, the Saturday had been very busy, so I think it was probably down to the day, but I suspect the fact most folk are away on school holidays probably played a big part too.

And they missed out! We arrived a little early as always and were told we were going to be escorted up to the village. After a few minutes making small chat with a pair of South Africans, a troupe of Redcoats arrived. We were ordered to one side, "searched" for weapons, deemed civillians (although hubby being a ginger was deemed a possible threat and a close eye was threatened on him) and then told to follow the band up the hill to the Fort.

For us, it was hilarious. Poor Missy however could not read the room and figure out what was happening. She hates loud and aggressive shouting and hides from raised voices, but there we were laughing away despite the scary shouting. And worse. We were following the people doing all the shouting!

After a lot of reassurance, she followed the troop but the captain was officially marked in her bad book. Every time he started his act, she'd put the tail down and quizzically stare at us. When he walked by us (very noticeable in his outfit) she'd stare daggers at him, clearly telling him off for being mean. There was a staged ruse where, after we were allowed in, the Redcoats attacked and took the village. After that we were free to wonder about. 

After an hour or so, my mum, my brother and his friend came to join us. They were gutted to miss out on the opening, but there was plenty to see and do still with hourly events. Maisie though, we've discovered, doesn't like musket fire. Despite Missys calm, she would not be persuaded that there was nothing to be afraid of, so my brother took her for a walk to get away from the musket demonstration for a bit. In future, I'll stick to inviting them to pre-gunpowder themed days... 

The weather was ideal for the day. Dry, warm but not hot, and a cool breeze to keep the dogs happy. We filled the day watching demos, axe throwing, weaving bracelets, chatting to the reenactment team, chatting to the dog owners and all the kids who shyly asked to pet Missy. It flew by. 

Missy even decided to put her grudge to one side and sat with the Horrible-Shouty-Captain. Granted, she waited until after we had stood chatting with him for 10 minutes about the event before shyly stepping forward to greet him (I never force her to say hello). It seemed a perfect end to the day. 

Between doing both dog walks as hubby's knee continues to heal, and a lot of reactive work in the day job, I haven't had much time to sew and push on with my ever expanding to make list. I did however find time to upcycle (well, I suppose it comes under visible mending) a much loved pair of shorts:

Pop over to my sewing insta @missdaisysewing to see the before!

Right, I'm making a promise to myself now, next weekend is to be a quiet one! Until then, keep safe.