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!