Living for the Good Life: August 2015

This August bank holiday, around 2,000 re-enactors have flooded to Chester in order to perform a re-enactment of the historic Battle of Rowton Moor, which was the last major battle of the English Civil War.

Although the original battle, which took place on September 24, 1645, was actually fought around 2 miles away from the city, the re-enactment's make-shift battle ground is Chester Racecourse.

I actually had no idea this event was taking place until around lunch time today, when I was sitting eating my lunch and watching YouTube videos and all of a sudden started hearing booming drums in the distance outside. I popped my head out of the window and saw the great hoard of re-enactors marching in formation across the bridge from Handbridge to Chester, making their way to the racecourse. I ummed and ahhed for a few minutes as to whether I should venture outside and see what was happening, and eventually decided that I couldn't miss it.

A little known fact about me is that I actually did exactly this type of re-enactment, same time period and everything, from basically birth until I was around 10, and so seeing so many re-enactors brought memories flooding back and filled me with nostalgia.

I raced down to the racecourse (sorry, had to be done), settled down in a prime viewing grassy spot and watched the battle unfold. This is a pretty picture heavy post, so brace yourself!

The troops marched onto the field...

As the Royalist forces took position, the Parliamentary forces began to march onto the battleground.

As they did so, the Royalist musketeers started to open fire.

In no time, the cavalry were charging around the field.

More musketeers began firing and the battle truly started to commence, with both sides starting to march towards each other, ready to fight.

By now, the field was starting to become clouded with gunpowder smoke, as the battle's intensity grew and troops were edging closer and closer to each other.

Cannons were firing left, right and centre, and the troops collided.

After watching the battle unfold spectacularly for about an hour, I'd had my fill of action for one day and decided to head back, not before taking one or two overview snaps of the battle as I left it raging on.

I didn't get to see the battle end, but what I did see was truly brilliant to watch. I'm so glad I chanced upon hearing the troops marching to the racecourse because otherwise I would of missed out on the whole spectacle! It was a really brilliant event, which will be carrying on into tomorrow with the battle being played out all over again for the spectators to goggle at. Seeing the battle and all the re-enactors made me feel truly nostalgic and almost made me yearn to be a re-enactor again. However, I do think I've had my share of it for one lifetime and will perhaps just stick to watching it as a spectator whenever the opportunity arises. That said, I think it will always spark memories and yearning in me - they were such fun days and I couldn't recommend it enough.

Congrats on making it this far, and here's a bonus fact for you before you leave. One of my middle names is Fairfax, which is after the Civil War general Thomas Fairfax, who controlled the parliamentary forces at the time - the forces that me and my family re-enacted when I was younger. I was born into re-enactment and dressing up and acting as one of Thomas Fairfax's followers, and so I guess my mum and dad saw it fitting.

Let me know if you've ever been to or even taken part in any kind of re-enactment - I'd love to know what you thought of it!

This weekend just gone I spent some time at home with my family and we decided to have a day out on the Sunday. The weather didn't seem too promising so we opted for an indoor activity and settled on Penrhyn Castle, located in Bangor, Wales, which I'd never visited before.

Penrhyn Castle is a 19th century National Trust property that was originally a medieval fortified manor house. So basically, a stately home type thing. You can walk around the property, as well as explore the vast surrounding grounds, but due to the weather we just stuck to exploring the incredible rooms inside.

You might want to grab a cup of tea for this one, it's a long 'un!...

In the entrance hall there were some incredible metal grid decorations in the floor which, if you look really closely, you can see that people have used them like wishing wells and have thrown money in!

The great hall had stained glass windows that were filled with horoscope zodiac signs.

We then strolled into the dining room, which was set out magnificently. Imagine the dreamy dinner parties that must have gone on at this table.

In the breakfast room hung a painting of Henry VIII - I wonder whether he ever visited Penrhyn himself.

There were some beautiful monogrammed stationary pieces in the various living rooms.

The stairways and hallways were incredible, covered in the most intricate plastering I've ever seen, particularly the ceilings.

The bedrooms featured some gorgeous patterned wallpapers, which reminded me of contemporary Laura Ashley wallpapers and prints.

Inside the castle's chapel lay more stunning plasterwork and stained glass windows. Notice the chevron plastering on the pillars - how on trend.

In one of the studies lay this book, which I was desperate to flick through, but followed the 'do not touch' signs and resisted.

I absolutely love interior design and anything to do with houses, so exploring stately homes really ticks my boxes. Penrhyn Castle was a lovely day out and if you're in the area any time I'd definitely recommend taking the time out to visit it. If you do, make sure to sign up for the free tour of the lounge area that is otherwise closed to general visitors. We did so and it was a lovely addition to the day, and we were told many facts and quips about the place and the history of it that we would not have known otherwise. I'd love to go back and explore the grounds on a sunny day.

For more information on Penrhyn, click here.

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