Narnia or Duncarron?

It's time for the big reveal! 

Once again a Travelling Through Time event at Duncarron Medieval Village and once again it was sewing to the wire as I got over ambitious with my idea. 

I tell a lie! It's not my fault for getting over ambitious, I can 100% blame my sister Roxy on this one!

So, when Duncarron announced that they were doing another Travelling in Time event, my sister was determined to come and have her kids finish thier school holidays on an absolute high. She had initially outlined a family set of viking costumes for it, but once the full event details were outlined, she realised that vikings were omitted from the day. It was my hubby who came up with the winning answer - dress the kids as evacuees and we grown ups could be home guard. And that was what we decided upon. 

Except that Missy needed a costume. How about a mercy dog? WW2 British Red Cross, to be specific. I plunged down a rabbit hole and, in an inspired afternoon, modified her Julius K9 harness to a medic vest with pockets. Well I'd have to match, so I made myself a medic armband for my Rosie outfit. 

Hubby joked I should do the propaganda poster for the British Red Cross (in the same way my Rosie outfit is a propaganda costume). I jested about it to my sister who said I should make the apron and then arms and legs grew. 

Was it overkill? Absolutely. Was it fun? 100 %

My hubby wasn't left out as I embroidered him a boiler suit with "ARP" so he could join in as an air raid warden and I made "LDV" armband for my sister and hubby. She went last-project mad too, and, after ensuring the kids were kitted out in hand knitted sweater vests, knitted herself an amazing cardie (more details here). 

Missy had been unwell the night before with an upset tummy and, after privately debating with the hubby about taking her, we decided that leaving her home alone was a greater cruelty. We waited until the last moment to be sure it was a 24h thing and that she was OK before popping her in the car. We'd always planned on taking two cars, so hubby and I agreed that one of us would just take her home if she wasn't happy.

Panic aside, we arrived. Big sis and the older neice and nephew arrived at the same time and there was much fawning of costumes. It took more than an hour to reach the Fort as all the WW2 stuff was on the path up. The kids were in their element getting to handle real the guns and ask a billion questions, all of which were enthusiastically answered, and my sister had to be literally dragged away from the WW2 knitting display. I swear she shed a tear glancing back at the knitted balaclavas, swimming costumes and drawers.

After Wee Ben greeted a centurion, we entered the Fort and our little evacuees ran ahead to be amongst medieval knights, tents and pavilions. We unanimously laughed - we hadn't travelled in time, we'd stepped into Narnia: my niece and nephew the new Peter and Susan as Missy diligently followed - Alsan or Mr Tumnus? Who knows.

It was hot at this point. A picnic was had and Missy was freed of her costume. The kids were too excited to eat and soon they off to quiz anyone who smiled at them about the differences between each sword, why a helmet was shaped as it was and a thousand other things. Arrows were shot, axes were thrown and knights bravely fought for thier honour. One particularly brave Knight fought against the children, and was defeated time and again - even cheating and bringing an axe out to dual with my youngest nephew. He took the battle very seriously whilst every adult was weeping in hysterics.

Missy was getting tired at this point. She was being offered water and her pillow at every stop. The kids too were flagging, so we unanimously called it a day. 

An epic day by far, and one I'm sure my neices and nephews will recall in future summers. 

I didn't bother with getting a lot of photos of Missy, so here is a rare one of myself with her and our matching ensembles. 

And don't worry about Missy, who had clearly decided that she was gonna play and ravel in the extra attention - we got home and she insisted on a 40 minute walk, trotting ahead and scouting for bunnies. Today she is 100% back to herself. 

Truly, a weekend well spent! 

A Belated Birthday post

Back to busy weekends! And this one marked the kick off of the birthday run!

Saturday was spent furiously working on crafts (big reveal next weekend, I promise!) before meeting up with the BIL for a birthday dinner.

Sunday was the main event, my birthday, and as hubby had decided to move his birthday from next weekend to share with me, it was almost like a Mini-Christmas. Tea and biscuits in bed, enjoying cuddles with Missy as we swapped gifts - the perfect start to a birthday.

Then we were off to give blood (I did legitimately try to book for the Saturday, but the vampires were unavailable at any time that suited me). That went well - iron came in at a whopping 134 (fail rate is 125), so I was delighted to cruise through to give blood without the malarkey of trying to get a better iron result intravenously. Even the nurse admitted she saw my history of iron fails and was nervous for me! 

And then we were off to Cammo Estate for a charity dog show with Lewis Leap (a bereavement charity for families that have lost children). Missy went in for Golden Oldie and Musical Sit, but placed in neither. I managed to win all the sweets at the "nail in a bale" stall and hubby won us some Irn Bru at the tombola. In addition to the doggy goodie bags, we did very well. 

Missy even felt up for a run and play afterwards, which was a delight to see. 

Not a bad start to the big birthday run! 

A Quick Update

Well, it was only a matter of time really. Between Covid, seeing family, seeing friends and the summer show schedule, a quiet weekend had to be had. In the end, it was the borders trip that got me - between all the driving, caring for the two dogs and doing everything at the cottage, I'd basically burned out. Even though Maisie was off home, we had every evening booked, so by the weekend I called time out and took a quiet day. 

Dont get me wrong, there was serious FOMO, the Perth Show was on. The advertising looked amazing. But it will be there next year. So instead Missy and I enjoyed a quiet day in, paws up on the sofa and me at the sewing machine.

I won't give much away, except to say that the end of the month holds a really big treat. 

Hubby has also been busy with crafts, so if you were wondering about todays photos, then yes, they are "product" shots. He made the lead and collar and wanted some nice photos to go with them. 

Missy will never say no to bribery and posing! 

Today the hubby and I did the Tartan Titan: The World's Longest Inflatable Assault Course. (Another reason to rest Saturday!) After nearly killing myself at its predecessor in Murrayfield 5 years ago (OK, OK, I just badly winded myself and gave hubby and myself a bad fright), I was a bit more careful with this one. It still took 90 minutes to complete, and we were exhausted at the end, but it was good fun. Missy has no sympathy for us - I suspect we won't get away with giving her shorter walks for the next day or so whilst our old bones recover!

And that's us this weekend! 

OK, OK, one quick tease of our plotting:

Until next time!