 |
A feature of our times is the necessary
security that is put into place before a military parade. here, the boys in
blue (red) check and seal manhole covers. In the USA they are actually
encouraging these to be called peopleholes. |
Heddlu, by the way, is Police in Welsh. |
|
|
Most of the high street has been cleared. |
 |
Here, I discover that our intrepid video
photographer has actually been at work for two hours. Mike Wilcock has even
got some shots from a 'cherry picker'. Not that there are too many cherries
in Cowbridge in March. |
 |
 |
The Duke of Wellington is at the end of
Church Street, sealed off and awaiting its delivery of the specially brewed
Cowbridge Ale. |
 |
The low and brilliant sun blasts up the as yet empty
street. |
|
Outside the Town Hall, Bridge FM are getting
ready for a live broadcast from the town. |
 |
Inside the grounds of the old Hall, a time
warp is beginning to take shape. |
 |
 |
I began to feel as though I was the odd one
out in my modern clothes. |
 |
|
|
Back in 2004, Wales's longest car swept
around the back of the town hall. |
 |
Inside, it kinda looks like this. Slightly
more welcoming than the soaked tents that our medieval friends had to put up
with. |
 |
 |
Some of the traders had entered into the
spirit of recreating an earlier era. Not everyone knows this, but grapes are
successfully grown just one mile from this spot and converted into wine. As
one of the band of volunteer grape pickers in October time, I know this
well. Glyndwr is the name on the label. |
 |
Back on medieval campus, some kind of meal is being
prepared. |
|
No one is idle, daylight has to be fully
utilised. |
 |
The menfolk, however, are involved in more
warlike activities. Here, an arrow smith is demonstrating his skills. |
 |
 |
This terrifying device was being demonstrated
to a bystander as a means of bringing tears to the eyes of a combatant on
the 13th century battlefield. |
 |
The strength and stamina of any soldier of those times
expected to wear several kilos of metal can only be wondered at.
|
|
If things did not go well on the
battlefield, you might end up under the knife/saw/hammer of this man. I will
not repeat his methods of carrying out an operation here.
Just too grisly. Anaesthetic? A piece of
leather to bite on whilst he did his cutting and hacking. All too much for
this 21st century man.
|
 |
Maybe knitting is a more peaceful
occupation.
But just look at the thickness of that wool? |
 |
