Procrastinating on a Summer Day

A few days ago I spotted some blue tit younglings nabbing bugs outside the front door. Knowing that taking photos through a window could be done (see Winter Bird Shenanigans), I fetched my camera and took some covert photos of the little birds. 

Looks like a good spot to find some spiders, or bugs. I've looked in there and found nothing. Hopefully little blue found what he was looking for.

Chained to his task. 

Cue Mission Impossible theme.

 Today I was doing what writers do best... no, not writing... procrastinating. I was standing outside staring at the clouds and wondering whether I should actually hang my washing on the line or leave it on the indoor dryer in the open garage. I had finally decided to put the washing on the line and was almost done when a mother duck and her seven ducklings walked in through the gate and waddled to the pond. So, abandoning my washing, I ran inside to fetch the camera. 

While the blue tits were fun to watch, the ducklings definitely win the cute fluffy bird award. Just look at this cutie standing on a lily pad. He's so fluffy.

Mother Duck was very good. She kept all her little ones close and kept talking to them with little plop sounds.

But she eventually let them explore their new environment and play hide and seek in the reeds and lily pad tag.

There's some food up there. He's sure of it.

There were other visitors to the pond this afternoon. A pair of gold finches having a bath, damsel flies (who strangely disappeared when the ducks arrived) and some bees and flies too.

I think Mother Duck was wise to keep her ducklings away from these two; they don't look too friendly.

The fly and the bee sat down for some tea

"Buzz," said the fly. "Buzz," said the bee.

I would never have made a good wildlife photographer for the BBC. I'm too impatient. I waited for that perfect shot of Mother Duck leading her ducklings out of the pond, I really did... but I got bored. And they somehow escaped... but while I was waiting I took a few flower shots. Just a few. 

Gorgeous shots of Jimmy and Tammy completed my afternoon of procrastination.

Knights of Royal England at Hedingham

It was the first sunny day of the summer. After a week of rain that had everyone complaining, it was a joy to get some proper blue sky and sunshine with the risk of sunburn! 

I had been looking forward to this day since booking the tickets. My first joust. And just a short drive to Hedingham Castle. We arrived just before the first joust was due to start. I chose to stand on the balcony overlooking the list at the entrance to the castle keep. This gave me a different view of the event and had its pros and cons. One issue was the crowd. They were too much in focus and made the photos a little too busy, especially with the colours the horses were wearing. But it also gave me some great shots from a height. 

As they played a piece of music that sounded strangely like Hans Zimmer's Gladiator soundtrack but was actually his Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack (they're very similar!), we waited for the joust to begin. The sun beat down. The crowd waited. Everything was ready.

Before we could be introduced to the knights, the master of ceremonies introduced us to the knight's marshals and got the crowd ready to cheer for their favourite knights.

Knight's Marshal Adrian of Kernow.

The youngster, Max of Crowhurst.

And then the knights galloped in on their Spanish horses. 3 grey geldings (Andalusians and Lusitanos) and 1 black stallion. 

First in was Sir Sam of Hever. 

Then came Sir Paul of Anjou (Wigan, actually).

And the reigning champion from last season, Lord Ashley of Hampshire.

And last but certainly not least, the oldest of the knights, Sir Jasper on the handsome black Spanish stallion.

The knights were split into two teams, the red team and the blue team. 

Their competitive side came out very quickly as they got the crowds going. 

Straight into it, Sir Sam of Hever and Sir Ashley had a score to settle.

While we didn't see anyone unhorsed, we were treated to some broken lances.

Spanish horses are well known for being easy to train. Garbo here just stood and waited for Sir Jasper to return.

A race to reach the best weapons.

Sir Sam of Hever isn't the sharpest blade...

Max of Crowhurst holding his own against Lord Ashley.

This grey was pretty happy to look on and watch his knight fight on foot. He forever had his bottom lip moving as if he was talking and I can't help but imagine he was commentating for the other horses.

Garbo the black stallion showing off.

Sir Sam stepping off the fence.

To show their skill, the knights spiked "saracen heads" from the ground in some perverse early polo-style competition.

They also enjoyed interacting with Lord Anthony, the Master of Ceremonies and of course challenging each other to jousts and duels.

The red team picked up more saracen heads.

Another joust: Sir Paul against Lord Ashley.

Max of Crowhurst again fighting Lord Ashley.

Not a very dignified landing, Lord Ashley!

This is going to hurt.

Poor Max.

And more picking on Max with the most severe punishment they could give him - throwing grass!

Okay and making him sit on the tilt...

Ouch.

Max didn't want to stay put for Lord Ashley!

So Sam of Hever decided to break his lance on his shield instead. Poor Max.

The "Frenchman" looking on, bemused... these English are strange. 

Lord Ashley loses his helmet! Go Sam!

Now for a little bit of training on the quintain. I was reminded of the Knight's Tale scene when William ends up in the water. The skill required for this!

Now to toss the rings. Can anyone catch one?

Turns out, no.

Challenges flying left right and centre.

Throw away the shield and helmet for some hand to hand combat!

Didn't end well for the old man.

Sir Sam of Hever, the clumsy, was pronounced winner of the first joust.

For the second joust I chose to join the crowd on the grass with the castle ahead for some more close-up photos of the action. 

Max of Crowhurt recovered from his punishment and was back out jeering up the crowd.

A member of the crowd getting an awesome close up shot of Sir Sam.

Here he comes. Can he hold on to his title. (I don't know - we left before the end of this one!)

Lord Ashley galloping around the list.

The four knights ready to do battle again.

Lord Ashley showing off with no hands while galloping - even on a corner!

Practice on the quintain.

These Spanish horses with their short backs are very agile. They can turn on a hoof and jump into a gallop from stand still.

You've got to be brave or foolish to face another man on horseback riding at you with a long stick but you've also got to be brave to kneel at the quintain while a horse gallops towards you!

Lost lance!

Sir Jasper sticking his tongue out at Sir Sam!

Lord Ashley charges at Sir Sam. Sir Sam ducks...

Lord Ashley goes head over heels...

And lands it! By the surprise in Sir Anthony's voice, this doesn't happen very often.

Sir Sam didn't want to get up, possibly winded so Max jumped on him (after checking he was alright!) and Sir Jasper followed suit. Unfortunately that photo is blurred.

Again the Frenchman (Wigan!) looks on bemused at the behaviour of his fellow knights.

Sir Jasper breaks his lance on Sir Sam's shield.

Just because it's entertainment, doesn't mean it doesn't hurt...

Ouch!

Well-deserved rest.

Horse commentary again.

Two against one. Although, does young Max really count?

Sir Sam found another sword.

And with knights and their marshals scattered around the list, we left.

Until next time, Hedingham. 

 For information on Hedingham castle you can click on the link below:

https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/

If you want updates on the Knights of Royal England scores you can go to their website: https://www.knightsroyal.co.uk/ or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheKnightsOfRoyalEngland