Monday 19 July 2010

Festival of Pictures











Once again we found ourselves in a Northamptonshire field staring at red coats, green tents, yellow knights and, for a time, blue skies and white clouds. Yes, this weekend it was the English Heritage Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall. It has to be one of the most photogenic gatherings it's possible to see, and all over a couple of days. Belgian refugees camping out on their way to the coast in what looked like my brother's old Standard Eight, demurely-stockinged ambulance drivers, Roman centurions going 'sinister dexter' like in Carry On Cleo, muskets and markets, jousting and jesters. And as if to say "You've seen nothing yet" a Hurricane does a low noisy pass over the wheatfields from Market Harborough, and then on a whim spirals upwards into those white clouds. I suddenly felt the need of a cold Charles Wells' Bombardier in a hot tent. (Bombardier is a beer, before anybody says anything.)

14 comments:

The Vintage Knitter said...

That sounds like my type of festival, especially with the Hurricane fly-over.

By the way, I like the beer crate photo, especially the Nut Brown ALe label.

Hannah Stoneham said...

Sounds and looks like good fun, especially the beer.

Ron Combo said...

Only in England.

Florine said...

Hurricane must have a different meaning here on the Texas coast....so what is yours....some type of aeroplane? :)

office pest said...

It was lovely, wasn't it. So lucky to have this on our doorsteps. Arrived home with plenty of bits and pieces from the stalls, as well.

Thud said...

This looks so good that my summers in California may have to be tinkered with next year.

Philip Wilkinson said...

Florine: The Hawker Hurricane, a fighter aircraft used in World War II and very successful in the Battle of Britain.

Peter: Fine photographs as usual. Please to hear this event is still flourishing.

Backwatersman said...

Reassuring to hear about this. I happened to be watching Harborough Town F.C. playing football over the weekend, and I could have sworn I saw a Hurricaine overhead during the second half. Thought I was going barmy, but you've provided the explanation.

Peter Ashley said...

Welcome Backwatersman. I know what you mean about thinking you're seeing things. I once looked out of a London pub window and saw a Lancaster bomber fly past.

Philip Wilkinson said...

Here in the Cotswolds we occasionally see antique aircraft overhead, notably for an annual occasion known, I think, as the 'Civil Service Motoring Association Promenade Concert', which regularly includes a performance of Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, accompanied by passing aeroplanes. Only in England.

Diplomate said...

missed the festival thgis year as drowning in "The North" under shocking conditions - greta event and I will be more carefulwith my plans next year so as not to miss it.

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