Hedingham Castle

Steve works on Sundays and rather than fluff around inside all day with the squids we (actually it was just me) decided it was castle viewing time - it has been a while since our last castle fix in Cardiff.  Jeremy did his usual "I don't like going to castles" whine, which got ignored until it became so irritating he got told off.

So off we set on the 36 mile journey which included at least 90 million round-abouts, well that's how it felt anyway.  Daniel got quieter and quieter in the back and then announced he felt sick.  I took one look at his face and pulled over pronto.  No vomits in the car thank you very much.  Luckily we didn't have a vomit and after a few minutes out of the car and round-about free he was right as rain.  I knew he was not faking it because his little face looked all white and really freckly as opposed to the usual all brown and slightly freckly J

We arrived at the castle grounds and headed up the hill to the keep, only to be distracted by a brilliant bird of prey show taking place on the lawn near the entrance.  On display were about 6 Harris hawks, they were flying around loose and landing on whomever looked remotely like a good perch. And anyone donning a special glove was at the top of the list.

As you can see, the kiddies all got a turn.  I didn't need one because at one stage I had a Harris hawk perched on my head.  I would have taken a self portrait of me and Mr Birdy, but the angle (shooting right up my nose) was just a little unflattering.

But it wasn't just Harris hawks on display, there were barn owls, an eagle owl, a snow owl and a peregrine falcon.  Jeremy (who doesn't like castles and didn't want to come) was in raptures and decided he'd like a pet bird when we get home (he can put it next to his rock collection!).

And then more luck - inside the keep was a man giving a talk on archery and Medieval life in general.  He also had loads of arrows on display - ones with long skinny points for piercing chain mail, ones with small cages designed to carry flaming rags, ones with big U shaped heads for felling horses (didn't like that one) and ones with big, round heads for practicing. Daniel and Jeremy were fascinated and asked question after question.

On the top floor of the keep were costumes for dress ups, Daniel and Emily had a go, but Jeremy preferred to gaze out the window hoping to see more birds of prey.  And then on the way out we went via the snowdrop walk. Next up will be the bluebell walk.  Looking forward to that one, plus the daffodils will be out soon.  Spring is just around the corner

All in all Castle  Hedigham was a good day out (hey Jem?!)