Thursday 18 June 09

Well, I awoke in a panic at 8AM - late for everything! Oh, it's only 6AM. Never mind (sorry, Heidi).

Stunningly, our driver's name didn't start with "S" - his name was Malcolm, and he's a Yorkshireman now living in Warwickshire. Perfect that, as his task was to get us to Warwick Castle in the middle of Warwickshire, and that he did perfectly.

For some reason, the folks at the ticket office didn't know anything about our pre-paid vouchers, but after trying to get them to work, they sent us in free of charge (we don't want you to have a bad time, so in you go), asking us to follow up with the vendor when we return to the States. Bravo, Warwick, Bravo.

Once in, our lads were accosted by a medieval looking fellow with a clipboard (?) who asked them if they wanted to help to wind the world's largest trebuchet for a public firing about an hour later. Three of them signed up (Greg, Jon, and Chris) and it was spectacular. They even received a huge round of applause from the assembled masses once the shot had gone off.

We then had our lunch in the Undercroft restaurant, finishing just in time to catch the falconry exhibition - including a bald eagle - which was also quite spectacular.

Then it was time for everyone to climb the towers, visit the armoury, perhaps tour the dungeon, all that great castle kind of stuff.

At 2PM, we had seen most of the place, and returned to our coach for the ride back via Kenilworth Castle. It was a most impressive place, although Cromwell and his boys had wrecked it at the end of the Civil War (yes, they had one first - look it up!).

Once home (about 3:30) we hit the internet café for yesterday's update, then met to head down to the river front for a dinner of fish and chips (or chicken and chips in several cases). It was a traditional English dinner, and it was a hit.

Then, it was time for our Shakespeare play - As You Like It - and we did, we did indeed. This was a very enjoyable play, and the production was excellent - acting, staging, singing, fighting, everything. You know it's good when no one complained at all, and everyone even followed what was going on, and that was the case tonight.

Sadly, the café is about to close, so I'm going to have to close for today (didn't think I'd even get here in time for anything, so I'm feeling lucky right now). Probably won't have a chance for a day or two, but please, keep leaving your comments, they are much appreciated.

Cheers!