CAERLAVEROCK Castle

Here we are with our friends the BROWNINGS.This moated, triangular shaped castle was built in the 13th century. It is 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) south of Dumfries on the southern coast of Scotland.


It was a strong hold of the Maxwell family from the 13th-17th centuries and then it was abandoned. King Edward I brought 3,000 troops to lay seige to the double moated castle. The 60 men inside were able to hold them off for 1 1/2 days and then surrendered.

The typical diet of the people inside consisted of 1-2 loaves of bread each day.

Three of the children in the reenactment: Thom, Kaitlynn and Erin.

Inside the castle. They had three levels and of course a roof  on the original

The outer moat without of course the water.

To the first castle built here. It had to be abandoned as the water for the moat, came from
the ocean and little by little the castle sank.

All that remains of Castle #1.

Beautiful flowers on the walk back to the Castle #2.

This is a Scottish size thistle.

The Irish wolf hounds. They were very calm. This one is 6 months old. They live to be about 10 years old.
This family currently has 7. Every two days they buy a large bag of dog food, it stands to my waist and then also feed the dogs
with mince (hamburger) and pasta. You can buy a puppy for 1,200-1,300 pounds.

Our calligrapher who has been doing this for 40 years. The bookmarks are free.

The knight BEFORE getting dressed in his gear.

His weapons, often came from his home.

This lathe was a traveling one. They had to use soft wood that was
not seasoned because the RPMs was not very high.

Five colors were used to make your Heraldry. You could have gold or silver but not both.

It was hard to see with your head gear on.

A game of old time marbles.

The outer gear of the mercinary.

This man was from Kansas.

This was the knight with much more armor on. This hindered his movement

The color of the tunic identified which TEAM the mercinary was on. Often times they would change their TEAM if they were offered more money by the other TEAM.

The first line would push their swords in the ground so when the horses and riders would advance the horses would be speared. The next line got the rider and the last line would get the next advancing horses.

The helmet was used in WWI as well. Also to drink out of and cook meals in.

Real weapons, be careful.

Our Haven of Peace

I couldn't resist these beautiful pictures even if it isn't OUR  7 swans.

I am very afraid we will miss our beautiful forest and lake when we leave.

When I suggested a picnic today, there was only one place to go to. Callendar Forest and check out our Swan Family. So here they are in all of their glory. Now if I had grand kids here I guess I would put their pictures here instead.

The swans were hiding in the top middle of the picture and came out when they saw me.

There is something beautiful and peaceful about swans on a lake.

Spring in Callendar Forest and the SWANS revisited

The woods look much different in the Spring.

Still picking up trash, though not as much as before. Maybe people are being more careful and not littering?

Foxglove

Doug can pick up most anything with his nifty difty Father's Day gift.
It may take him 4-5 tries, but he can prevail.

I love the different shapes of the tree trunks, and the hundreds of colors of green.

Foxglove is very poisonous. Very Pretty. They make digitalis from it. It slows and strengthens the heart.

Can you see the swans? No, not the ones you ride, look to the right.

Haven't they grown?

The DADDY swan with his head up is constantly on the look out for any problems. He shoos the ducks away when they get close to his cygnets.

We love to come and talk with them, though they aren't much for a conversation.

Swans are herbivorous eating grasses and tubers in the water. 

Sort of mangy looking isn't he?

Just to get an idea of size. Most dogs we meet are NOT this large. Yes, he does make my heart start to race. I am always looking for a way out, just in case I need it.