Wednesday 18 July 2007

Fun, no matter how you look at it

I am the first one to acknowledge that, when sitting inside looking in the rain, it is never a good idea to ponder what the family in Cape Town are up too. But this weekend it was irresistable. After all, they were off the coast of Gansbaai in a cage looking at 4m Great White sharks.

So, had I been in Cape Town this weekend, I can say with some confidence that I would have seen this.


I would have swum in that cage on the right.

That could even have been my arm.
But I wasn't in Cape Town. I was in Scotland.

So instead I went to the Linlithgow jousting tournament (as you do), and saw a knight in shining armour...


men wielding swords...

and men on horses wielding long pokey objects.

All great fun. And I didn't even get seasick!

As an aside, the duel re-enactment involved much hurling of period abuse. Bambi was clearly paying attention.

Mummy, what's a fornicator?
Help!

41 comments:

laurie said...

wow! what if you combine the two events?

the jousters came out on horseback in their scottish lederhosen. they bowed their heads, raised their long pokey things, spurred the horses...and then a shark cut through the water!

it'd be great.

laurie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
laurie said...

i mean, and then a shark cut through the crowd!

because obviously they weren't jousting in the water. that'd just be silly.

The Good Woman said...

Yes Laurie, jousting in water would be a bit silly - unless they were spearfishing a re-enactment. Hmmm, maybe that's a bit silly too...

Daniele said...

Wow.. those pictures are fantastic! What did your brother (was it your brother?) say about the experience? I want to do that. I'd be terrified, but I would still like to do it.

Rob Clack said...

Those sharks are fantastic. Not sure I'd have the nerve to get in the cage, mind you.

The Good Woman said...

HI Dee. He said that he was so relieved to get into the water after having been queasy for much of the boat trip, that he didn't worry about the getting eaten thing at all.

Interestingly Rob, he also said that the viewing from the cage wasn't that much more dramatic than the viewing from the boat.

Not the Maid said...

Just found your blog from the Top Blog Mag rolls. Seems you have quite the exciting activities in your family! I'll be back for more!

Annie said...

I feel the adrenaline rush right here - just looking at those pics of the sharks!

Jousting? - sorry - doesn't quite have the same thrill - and as for Bambi's new vocab? - Poor you! ;)

The Good Woman said...

Thanks Beth - hope to see you again soon.

Elaine said...

Hi there. Really like the blog, and the premise that we have all ended up somewhere we never expected to be.

Elsie Button said...

good old scotland - coming up with great entertainment. we saw dolphins in scotland - that was amazing! i would love to go in the cage though... terrifying but amazing i should think

dolphins? or was it whales?... i can't remember...

The Good Woman said...

Hi Annie - not quite the same as getting within a few meters of a knight to be sure!

Thanks Elaine. NExt stop Nairobi - and I didn't see that one coming either!

The Good Woman said...

Hi Elsie. I was thinking about it - when you're on the boat there's nothing between you and the sharks (think Jaws and you'll know what I mean). When you're in the cage you're protected by thick, tooth resistant bars. I'm honestly not sure which would be more scary. But I'd love to do both!

Gwen said...

At least you got a knight in shining armour in Scotland with long pokey things.

The Good Woman said...

Hi Gwen. Down girl! Oh dear, and now I've also just noticed the position of that dagger in the dueling photo... oh dear!

Anonymous said...

Amazing pictures. So, the long pokey objects. Weren't you a bit curious?

Crystal xx

The Good Woman said...

Hi Crystal - you lot are making me blush! No, the advertising potential of pokey objects had escaped me.

Iota said...

And what did you reply to Bambi? Lovely post.

When are you off to Nairobi, btw?

The Good Woman said...

Hi Iota - something about going to see the horsies. Coward that I am. Your question is timeous - we booked the tickets today - 2nd of Sept. Not long.

Zinta said...

Interesting blog...hope there will be more from other lands you travel..

The Good Woman said...

Thanks Zinta - no stopping me now... (I like ellipses too!)

Jen E said...

Gracious! Those sharks look HUGE!!!! I don't think I'd even be in a cage with them! Shudder!!

Just found your blog and it's great! Thanks for sharing!

The Good Woman said...

And thank you for visitng Jen e.

Anonymous said...

So what did you say? to the fornicator question I mean? I have friends who explain all things to their children regardless, things I'd rather my kids found out courtesy of gossips with mates. I'm sure they squirm less then? than if we explained everything in earnest detail? I'm off the Mummy Laid an Egg school - Babette Cole - read it? brilliant.

Squirmy Popple said...

Those two sword fighters were FANTASTIC! I particularly loved the old man in the pantaloons.

The Good Woman said...

Hi Mem. I love Babette Cole. As far as the question is concerned, I hedged completely - 'it means he's a bad man, honey' or some such - which was the intent behind the word, if not its actual meaning. She's two and a half! Then it was a hasty trot to see the horses...

The Good Woman said...

Hi Katie. He was fantastic. But I am glad I wasn't one of the (many) women he pulled out of the crowd in the course of their duel.

How odd that we were both there!

debio said...

Nairobi? How exciting! Best of luck - what an adventure...

Great piccies, btw

lady macleod said...

Let me think... sharks or men in shining armor. I have to go with the knight! Wonderful photographs! Oh dear Bambi! he he

jenny said...

We have something called a "Renassaince Festival" every year that runs every weekend in the Fall for 2 months. I first went when I was 16 or so and LOVED it!! The last time we went was when I was pregnant with my first and I was just telling Hubby that we ought to go this Fall with the girls. After seeing your photos, we WILL go this Fall!!

I'll be sure to take pics and post on my own blog! Thanks for the little traveling you let me do, via your pics. I can just imagine myself with those sharks! Yikes!

The Good Woman said...

Yes Debio, we're passing through Dubai en route.

Lady M - have knight in shining armour sorted. Would now like a shark!

Hi Jenny - looking forward to your period piece.

Misssy M said...

And there I was all excited about touching a manta ray today at a theme park.

I want a shark!

Motheratlarge said...

What fun! I bet Bambi would have loved the jousting tournament at Linlithgow? The sharks look scary. Don't think I'd have the nerve to get in one of those cages. Like your photos. So much colour and life!

dulwichmum said...

These pics are super. I shall call my son Max to show him, he will love them all.

The Good Woman said...

Misssy - careful what you wish for...

Motheratlarge - After she got her head around the horses wearing clothes she had a great time.

Hi Max - tell your Mom I love her blog.

Jo Beaufoix said...

Sharks or men in kilts (there were kilts there, right?)

I know which one I'd have gone for.

Clue, not the sharks.

And how did you answer Bambi's question?
Kids are so funny. :)

Sparx said...

Wow! I think I'd feel more at home in scotland, frankly...

A Daft Scots Lass said...

awesome blog

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