Martock and Sudeley Castle

I picked up my new car. Well, I should really qualify that statement. It was NEW to me. A lovely Honda Accord, on an M plate, but with a full Honda service history and in great nick. That would do Henry a treat. It's baptism was not one of fire. The first appearance for this lovely vehicle was to be at Martock Primary School, quite naturally in the village/town of Martock. This was only about 10 miles from where we lived, so the car did have a really cushy start to it's existance with me. We had a great time at Martock School. Some lovely teachers, who threw in amples of lovely cups of tea and some free sarnies (no complaints from this King, I can tell you!), was matched with some terrific children. Great questions, lots of laughs and plenty of good knowledge displayed by the children. The afternoon ended with the almost inevitable ladies triumph in the jousting competition.

Saturday was spent at home, once again fruitlessly waiting for a buyer from Ebay to turn up for my old Toyota Lucida. What happens to them? Do they just suddenly slip into a parallel universe where saying you will quite happily buy something, and then just don't bother turning up and paying for it are just normal everyday goings on? Please don't tell me I am going to have to sell it AGAIN???

Sunday, today. Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. This was another of the "Barrington Court" days - just simply wandering around the grounds and buildings of this wonderful Tudor pile, and chatting to the public as they come in. It was a lovely day, not too hot, and there were lots of really lovely people to meet, including Bruce and his wife and friends from Sydney in Australia, who were a real laugh - great fun to talk to. Lots of lovely kids to chat with, a lovely lady from Reading who seemed hugely embarrassed that I spoke to her and a bizarre couple from a mixture of Kiev in the Ukraine and Didcot... Sudeley is of course also the resting place of Henry's last wife, Catherine Parr, so it was quite humbling to be in the presence of her tomb. A fine day seemed to be had by all and everyone at the Castle seemed happy with my appearance. All I had to worry about then was the 100+ mile drive home. I will sleep well tonight. Thank goodness it is half term!

Woodham Ferrers

Evening all! I feel quite good this evening, if a little tired. I drove up to Essex yesterday as I was due to visit a school at Woodham Ferrers near Chelmsford today. I stayed overnight at my parents' house, even though they are currently away down in Wales at my sister's place. I took the opportunity, while back in Essex, to go and see Duncan again, the genius who is making my new costumes. He assured me he would have at least one of them ready in time for the jousting weekend at Leeds Castle in early June. I can't wait! On the way back from Duncan's I treated myself to a Chinese takeaway - it would involve less washing up afterwards, let's be honest.

I woke up this morning (sounds like the intro to a blues song) and got ready, pausing only to slip over in my parent's bathroom and nearly break my arm/leg/head, in that order. All I did manage to break, however, was the toilet seat as I ricocheted off it at high speed. OUCH! Sorry folks. I owe you for that. I drove to Woodham Ferrers and quickly found the school. And what a fantastic school! St Mary's C of E. Really friendly kind teachers and assistants, who couldn't do enough for me. So nice! The kids were just superb. Fabulous costumes, they really got into the whole day, loved all the jokes and had a really good general knowledge of the Tudor period. The head teacher even donated me her beef and mustard sandwich at lunch time - you really honestly cannot expect more than that from a school! The jousting was of an incredibly high standard, and for a nice change the gentlemen won. One of the lads on the gents team showed great sportsmanship by shaking hands with his opponents and thanking them for a great race at the end. Marvellous!

I drove home, round the hated M25, but soon found my way back to dear old Somerset. The extra good news is that I have sold my Toyota Lucida on Ebay (and I mean REALLY sold it this time!) and it appears that Taunton Museum are keen to have me back in the summer holidays! Great. Tomorrow? A day off, so more time to play with my little boy. Lovely.

Hire Cars, Lowestoft, Myland & Harlow...

The big question this week, was of course how would I be able to get all the way to East Anglia and my shows there without a car. Not easy to walk that distance trying to carry all of my props. I ended up hiring a car from the very affable Popular Motors in Merriott. They loaned me a nice green Vauxhall Vectra which was a bit like driving a Formula One car after chugging along in my old Toyota Lucida. I drove to Essex on Monday the 15th May and stayed overnight at my parents. I was a little late getting up the next morning, but was confidant I could get to Lowestoft in plenty of time, and I would have, if it hadn't been for a smash up on the A12 and the simply appalling roadworks in Lowestoft itself. I ended up having to phone ahead to the school and apologise for my tardiness. The school I was at was Roman Hill, a lovely school and this was my second visit to them. As ever I was warmly welcomed by the lovely staff and some great children. Nearly all of the children had dressed up in great Tudor costumes and I was once more invited to judge the best boy and girl costumes in each class. Not an easy task, I can assure you. All went well at the school and they want me back next year again, which is fine by me. The journey back to my parent's in Essex was easier than the journey there, and I passed another school close to Roman Hill and noticed my friends "Portals to the Past" chucking all their Roman clobber in their van. What a small world.

Wednesday, May 17th. Today I was at Myland School in Colchester. This is my first visit back for over 2 years. Myland were only my second ever school when I started out as Henry (the honour of my first visit going to Rickling Green School near Saffron Walden in Essex), so it was nice to be invited back. We had a superb day - I love this school. The teachers and assistants "become" the 6 wives by donning t-shirts with the names and faces on them! Fabulous stuff! Another fine day and another really great group of children.

Thursday, May 18th. My final Henry of the week saw me appearing back at another school I have done before. This was Little Parndon in Harlow. Again, lovely to see all the old familiar faces and enjoy their company. The group today was a little subdued in comparison with some schools I visit, but they seemed to enjoy themselves nevertheless. After finishing at the school I headed up to Chelmsford to visit Duncan James again, to see how the two new costumes are coming along. Marvellous! Duncan showed me all the wonderful material he has gathered. I shall be seeing him again this week for a fitting of what he has managed so far. Can't wait to show these new costumes off!

I drove back to Somerset on Thursday evening, and I am delighted to say nothing fell to pieces this time. Saturday we drove down to near Upottery in Devon to view a car I was thinking of buying as a replacement for the Lucida. It was a really nice Honda Accord - so I bought it! Should be ready for next weekend.

This week I am in Taunton on Monday for a photo-shoot at the Castle Museum as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund bid. Then Wednesday I am back at my old stamping ground of South Woodham Ferrers in Essex for a school visit there and then on to Martock in Somerset on Friday. Then the following Sunday I will be at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire for another Henry day. Hope to see some of you there.

Banquets With Vinnie

I have been away again, this time in the "Garden of England" - Kent as it is also known. I drove to my sister's house near Sittingbourne on Monday evening and arrived at about 10pm. She greeted me with a cup of tea, which was very welcome! Tuesday morning I was on parade at St Joseph's Convent Prep School in Gravesend. My morning cuppa was delivered to me by a charming Nun, who added a plate of biscuits with it. Now that is what I call service! This was a lovely school, we had a really superb day. The children were marvellous, the majority of them dressed as young Tudors. Their knowledge of Tudor life was remarkably good and they were keen to know more and I was happy to oblige. A rip-roaring jousting tournament was won by the ladies and I left after getting some great help from some of the lads. I was quite tired and would have loved to have just had a quiet evening not doing very much, but I was due at Leeds Castle for a banquet. I had been booked by the Leeds Castle people to entertain and walk around a corporate group from Unilever. I was due to be on site and ready to go at 7.45pm. I drove down from my sister's house so that I would definitely be ready and on parade by 7.15. I drove round to the Broomfield Road entrance that I had used back in February. It was closed with an automatic barrier, but with a buzz intercom that should, in theory, put me through to security. I buzzed it. Nothing. I buzzed it again. Nothing. I kept on buzzing it. Funnily enough nothing continued to happen. In frustration I turned the car around and drove round to the main entrance about a mile away. It was shut and appeared as though it would be all night. I had no other option but to return to the Broomfield Road entrance. Again I sat and buzzed and buzzed. Nothing. I phoned my sister and asked her if she could try some of the Leeds Castle people's numbers as my mobile was running short of credit. She phoned round but everything was on voice mail. By now it was getting close to 7.45pm. I was panicking. In desperation I knocked on the door of the gatehouse. A very nice man told me to buzz security. I pointed out to him that is exactly what I had been doing for over half an hour. He phoned security and discovered the entryphone system wasn't working! He let me in and I arrived at the main part of the castle. The Head Waiter/Man in Charge was waiting for me and looked a little harrassed. He said he had been expecting me by 7.30. I told him I had been here by 7.15 but just couldn't get in. Never mind. I changed in his office and was in the dining room as the guests got stuck into their soup. I had a ball, and I like to think the Unilever people did as well! I wandered around, chatting to people, shaking hands and being very Henry-esque. Greetings go particularly to Vinnie, originally from New Jersey, but now residing in Connetticut - he allowed me to speak to a friend of his in the USA on his mobile. Great fun! After meeting and greeting people from as far afield as Brazil, Singapore, Germany and Chester (eh?), I finished at around 10pm and headed back to my sisters. The first mile of the journey I had to reverse round the outside of the castle in pitch darkness. Not much fun.

Wednesday morning dawned bright. I was today at Wateringbury School in, believe it or not, Wateringbury near Maidstone. A really lovely school, the kids were lovely and the teachers, just delightful. We had a full and fun day, which finished with a wild and exciting jousting contest that the Gentlemen won - just! I packed up and drove up to my parents in Essex to collect a bed they had for my son James. After a quick bite to eat I was on my way at about 7pm. I got to the M25 and headed north. Bad move. Road works and car accidents. It took me nearly 2 hours to get to the M3. Finally the M3 was all mine and I shot down it to the A303. All was going well until I reached Stonehenge. I had to stop at a roundabout to let a car round and when I went to pull away the car was very sluggish, as though it was trying to drive in fourth gear (my car is an automatic). Eventually it seemed to sort itself out and I carried on. I stopped for a little fuel and a sandwich at the Esso station on top of the hill before you sweep down towards Meare. As I went to pull out, again it was sluggish. Then, on driving down the hill it kept jumping gears, from 1st to 4th and back again. Never once seeming to know which gear to stay in. On reaching the bottom and beginning another climb, it stuck in 1st gear and would not change up. The engine began over heating and I soon had to pull over in a lay by. It was pitch dark and thunder and fork lightning were searing across the night sky above me. The time was approximately 10pm. I tried to phone home. ARGH! I had forgotten to top up my credit! My mobile wouldn't let me dial anyone! I tried to call the RAC on their freephone number. Again, my mobile insisted I had to top up it's credit first. I couldn't. No credit card and no debit card. What could I do? The lights of Meare I could see in the distance, but they had to be about 2 miles away. There was no other light aside from the occasional sizzling lightning bolt. I phoned 999 and asked for the Police. As soon as they answered I apologised for wasting their time, and explained my situation. They were brilliant. They phoned the RAC for me and organised a rescue van. To cut a long story short I managed to get back home just short of midnight. I was exhausted. My car no longer works, and will be going on sale on Ebay this weekend. So if you fancy a bargain - stay tuned.

New booking today from a school in Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. Lovely. I am very glad to be back home.

The Office

A day in the office for the King today. I sat at my desk, looking sadly out the window at the bright sunshine and blue skies. I hasten to add that I did eventually give in to temptation and go out later, but this morning was work work work. I had phone calls, enquiries and confirmations galore, from schools including Myland School in Colchester, a school I visited over two years ago; West Hill near Ottery St Mary in Devon; Daubney Middle School in Bedford; and a confirmation of an appearance at a Tudor Banquet at Leeds Castle next Tuesday evening. Not a bad morning's work. And now, back out into the sunshine!

Christchurch Junior School

Now, I know some people might be reading this blog tonight as it was mentioned at the school today! It was lovely to be back for my second day at Christchurch Junior School again today. Such a nice group - lovely kids and friendly teachers who seem to always be having birthdays in the staff room with piles of cakes all round. I really must go there more often. Another good group today, not as noisy as yesterday's lot, but good all the same. We had some laughs and fun with the stocks again and the jousting was once again of a very high standard. The girls triumphed again, much to the annoyance of the boys, but I have to point out to them that this is not as uncommon as it might seem. "My Lord Benjamin" was put in the stocks and endured his punishment with great dignity - what a trouper!

The drive home was lovely, through bright warm sunshine. Perhaps summer really is a-coming in. Just checked all my messages and worked out I have to make about 15 phone calls to various schools tomorrow. Tomorrow is, after all, my first free day in about 3 weeks! Another confirmed booking today at Daubney Middle School in Bedford on the 11th July.

And now for a well earned bath and a glass of wine. Smashing!

The End of the Storm!

Phew... What a few days. My car, my costume and I are on the backs of our knees. The weekend at Barrington Court near Ilminster was great fun. It is such a lovely house, run very well by the National Trust and the amazingly wonderful human being that is Matthew Applegate. I enjoyed myself enormously wandering around the beautiful grounds, talking to children, flirting with ladies and playing my recorder! What finer way could there be for enjoying a Bank Holiday weekend? Of course, having my parents staying was a lovely added bonus, and also having my wife and son see me "in action", so to speak, was even better. The weather was even quite kind to us. So to everyone who said hello to me at Barrington Court - hello back to you.

Tuesday I headed on down the M5 to the depths of Devon and a visit to St Aubyn's Prep School in Tiverton. Another fine day, some great kids - fantastic costumes and some of the finest jousting I have seen so far! The girls pipping the boys to be the winners. Very friendly staff, a good lunch and a pretty perfect day, spoilt only by some lousy weather, but then I suppose you can't have everything.

Wednesday - today. My first of two days back at Christchurch School in Christchurch (rather predictably), in Dorset. So lovely to see all the old familiar faces again. I have to say Christchurch is one of my favourite schools, not just because it is such a nice establishment, but the kids are great, sparky but not too cocky, and the teachers are just a delight. Friendly, funny and, dare I say it, silly! So, I am back there again tomorrow for more of the same. The only thing against the school at Christchurch? The traffic. Unbelievably bad, on every visit I have made. How do people stand commuting through that every day? I'm glad I don't.

A couple of potential bookings this evening - one at Chilcompton School near Wells, Martock School and even a possibility of going back to Noak Bridge School in Basildon. Watch this space. Again.

Another Week - 1,000's more miles...

This is almost the very first chance I have had to sit down and update this blog for a while. So what has been happening in the world of Good King Hal, I might possibly hear you cry if I was suffering from some sort of dementia? Well, we go back to the 20th April first and a trip back to Essex with myself, Amanda and James, plus the cat in tow. I was there for an after-dinner talk to my Father's Rotary club, based in Ingatestone. We had dinner at Ivy Hill Hotel in Margaretting, with all the Rotarian's present with their wives. During the break at the end of the meal, I nipped off and changed into my Tudor glad rags and was back shortly for my presentation. It went quite well, short and sharp and with lots of laughs and I seemed to get a pretty good response from the members. On Saturday the 22nd, I travelled up to Chelmsford in Essex to meet Duncan James, a dressmaker and tailor, to discuss the possibilities for new costumes. Duncan makes lots of the outfits for the Venice Carnival and he showed me some pictures from his portfolio - stunning. We discussed designs and colours and he reckoned he could do me two complete new, interchangeable costumes for under £2,000, which seemed a fine deal to me.

On Monday the 24th it was back to being Henry again. This time it was a return visit to Northwick Park Junior School in Canvey Island in Essex. Once again I was warmly welcomed and we had a great day with some great children. Some of the costumes were wonderful. I always get a warm welcome there! That night we had to drive back to Somerset as I had an early start the following morning.

Tuesday the 25th, another return visit, this time to Coalway Junior school in Coleford in Gloucestershire. It was nice to see a load of familiar faces again and we had a great laugh as usual at this school. Again, the kids had come up trumps with some stunning costumes. The long drive home wasn't too bad as I was JUST ahead of the rush.

Wednesday the 26th was a long day. I had to drive to Blackford near Wedmore in Somerset to visit the Hugh Sexey Middle School. This was my first visit to this school, but it was wonderful. A great school with some bright sparky pupils who had appeared with some of the finest costumes it has been my pleasure and privilege to see during my "reign" as the King. After finishing at this school I had to drive to Taunton and the Castle Museum for the opening of the Cauldrons and Skillets exhibition. I was doing the presentation with Tris Pinkney from Bilby's Cafe. He and his wife Jane and their daughter, came up trumps with a fine Tudor spread including Umble Pie, real mince pies, buckwheat trenchers, spit roasted pork and quince, a boars head, eel dumplings, pickled French beans and much much more. There was a speech from various big wigs within the Museum community, then Tris and I did a brief presentation on some of the food you would expect to see Henry eating. We chucked in lots of laughs and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Thursday the 27th I was back on familiar ground again as I was at Monkton Combe school in Bath for my third visit in two years. Once again it was a small group, no costumes but a great enthusiasm for all things Tudor. We began in a classroom, which was a little limiting, even with such a small group, but the afternoon was held in their gymnasium which was a huge arena! Another nice visit and good to see all the old friends again.

After a nice Friday off with my parents visiting, with their close friends Ros and Mike with them, today (Saturday) I am starting the first of three days at Barrington Court for the National Trust, in my capacity as Henry, walking about and probably scaring children. Still, someone's got to do it. I shall report more on this soon.

The Calm Before the Storm

Henry has been relaxing a little of late. With the Easter Holidays upon us, I have been about as busy as a pacifist's pistol, but ever gearing up for the next explosion of work.

The cauldrons and skillets display at the County Museum in Taunton has been confirmed for the 26th April, and Tris Pinkney and I have a nice little routine sorted out for the assembled big wigs of the Taunton glitterati. Before that, I have a visit back to Essex for a speaking engagement with Ingatestone Rotary Club and an appearance back at Northwick Park Junior School on Canvey Island. The very next day it is up to Gloucestershire and the day after that Wedmore in Somerset during the day and the exhibition at Taunton in the evening.

Today I am printing out a load of info packs to send to schools I am visiting in the next few months - I have still to hear from Steve French about putting the info stuff on line. I have also been phoning some old friends and catching up - well, those who are about anyway! So I spoke to Ali Bessell, late of the Hoop in Stock and also caught up with the lovely Sue Freeman, who I used to work with and more often eat with whilst at Skandia in Southampton. See Sue!? You get a mention!

And now back to the phone calls and printing. Bye for now.

Website Changes

Steve French, aka The Web Master, has been updating my website for me. We now have some great photos from my week at Leeds Castle back in February, a new scrolling front page picture so you can see even more images of me (you lucky people) and the biography has been updated again. Another new innovation (soon to be put on the website) will give schools the ability to download the presentation brochure I used to post out when they booked me. This means they will have instant access to the information on dressing the children as Tudors! Another quantam leap in the remorseless march of this Mock Tudor Monarch. Hope you like the new improved website. Comments are always welcome.

St Mary's Primary, Axminster

I was really looking forward to this visit. A half day is sometimes nice as I get to do all my favourite bits in a day, but finish at lunch time! Added to which, this was at Axminster which is only a stones throw from where I live. Thankfully that led to something of a minor lie-in, rudely interrupted by a three year old at about 6am. I set off with my sat nav squawking away at me. I know the way to Axminster, I just wanted to see where the machine took me. Blimey. It obviously likes it's back roads. I had never seen Thorncombe that early in the morning...

Finally arrived at the destination and was met by a delightful head teacher. She welcomed me in, helped me park the car by the front door and then made me the most disgusting cup of tea I have ever had at any school so far! I had asked for my usual milk and one sugar. Well if it was one sugar she put in she must have used a shovel. Funnily enough, one of the other teachers later commented on her appalling tea making skills, they were quite right! A lovely charming lady, but she should be banned from going near a kettle. The rest of the ladies were lovely. All the kids were great, really enjoyed themselves. The morning passed in a flash and after a rip roaring jousting (which the boys won) I was soon to be on my way. I paused to pose for photos with all the children doing their Tudor projects, the teacher of the main class I was with helped out as my roadie and loaded the van and that was that. A quick message for the lovely lady teacher with the leather trousers - yes, I would have been delighted to have had you as my next wife, just not sure if my present one would have been too happy! A lovely school. Thanks for a good morning. And now - A WEEK OFF!

St Michael's, Wimborne

After a long-ish break after the NEC shows, I was back on parade as Henry at St Michael's School in Colehill, Wimborne. This is a lovely school and one which I visited last year, almost to the very day. I arrived pretty much on time and was greeted by various teachers who obviously remembered me from last year, though I have to admit I struggled with recollecting some of them - sorry! I got all my stuff set up in the main hall, got changed in a tiny toilet and was ready for the off. It was 130 children and every single one of them had dressed up in some magnificent costumes. One young girl had even dressed up as Elizabeth I complete with white powdered face and dyed red hair! They all looked magnificent. I had plenty of executioners, a great Jester and even a drummer girl - but I forgot to use her during the jousting, so abject apologies from the King for that aberration. The day went really well though. A lovely group, smashing teachers and it was a Friday - what more could you want. The final jousting tournament was a cracker, loads of noise and this time the boys just squeaked home to win. My journey home was fairly tortuous - dreadful weather and a satellite navigation system that kept wanting me to drive home through a locked and gated cemetery. I think it was trying to tell me something...

Next week? I am at St Mary's in Axminster on Tuesday for a half day and was due to do the skillets and cauldrons exhibition at the County Museum in Taunton with Tris Pinkney from Bilby's on the 31st. However, this has been postponed to about the 26th April, so watch this space for more news on that. And now for a beer with Pete Flanagan!

Website problems

Hello folks - just a quick explanation to all the people who might have tried to access the website since my appearance at the Education Exhibition at the NEC last week. SORRY! The website had been down for a few days due to a confusion about payment to the hosting service. All has now been resolved, so apologies to anyone who has been slightly more confused than I have been! Normal service has now been restored. Watch out for some new photos on the website coming soon... www.goodkinghal.co.uk

Education Exhibition at the NEC

I had been contacted by English Heritage some weeks ago, as they wanted someone to be Henry on their stand at the Education Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham for three days. The pay wasn't bad so it seemed like a good idea to get some more exposure. I drove up early on the morning of the 9th March. I had last visited the NEC in 1985 when I saw Howard Jones in concert there when I was 18 - how's about that for a claim to fame? Finding the NEC is no problem, you really can't miss the place, however one was forgetting that Crufts was on at the same time at the venue, albeit in a different show hall. Therefore, as soon as I got within about 10 miles of the NEC everything ground to a halt and I was immediately surrounded by cars with "doggy people" in them. All kennel club stickers and huge hairy, slavvering beasts in the back window - and that was just the wives. I eventually arrived at the NEC and parked about a mile from where I wanted to be - I could get no closer. I trundled over with my hefty suitcase full of the Henry costume. Luckily finding the English Heritage stall was remarkably easy and jolly nice chaps they all were. Next I had to find somewhere to get changed. The organisers office pointed me in the direction of some classy looking toilets. The cubicle I had to use to get changed in was the exact width of my suitcase, so it was going to be a tight fit for me. I emerged from my toilet chrysalis like some Tudor butterfly (hey, I know this is flowery but stick with me) and wandered off round the exhibition. I was asked to wander round distributing English Heritage flyers, encouraging people to come and visit our stall. This went fine for about an hour until I was grabbed by Security and told to stop handing out leaflets - I could quite legally dispense them from our stall but not elsewhere. So for the following two and a half days I was mostly stall bound, which is a little like being egg bound, but slightly less embarrassing when things do get moving (eh?). The three days at the NEC passed nice and quickly, the English Heritage group were lovely, particularly Pippa and Mike and it was nice to meet some other people in the education game. I met an Elizabeth the 1st from another historical stall - possessed as she was of the most cavernous cleavage since Howard Hughes got to grips with Jayne Russell's superstructure. There was a very nice man, half dressed as Socrates (don't ask) and I was delighted to discover another stall which would occasionally give away free samples of red wine - great idea. I spent my evenings at the Tamworth services on the M43 staying in a Travel Lodge which was - exactly like a Travel Lodge really. My evening meal choices ran the entire gamut of Burger King through to Burger King. Another annoyance - loads of people from Crufts were staying at the hotel as well - so every few seconds a dog would go mental in a distant room somewhere and kick every other dog in the building off. My how we laughed. Dear little doggies. The journey into the NEC each morning was not fun. The friday morning, my ten mile journey to the NEC from the Hotel took over an hour. More doggy people.

The whole NEC, English Heritage and exhibition experience was well worth it and I really hope that English Heritage might consider me for next year. However, I am SO glad to be back home! But please, try and organise the education exhibition away from Crufts next time. I didn't even get "Best of Breed" in the "Mock Tudor Monarchs" section. My nose wasn't wet enough.

Sat Nav and New Horizons

Buoyed by my rich pickings from the long week at Leeds Castle, I went out and purchased a satellite navigation system for my car, something to make my life a lot easier with the sort of work I do. I tested it by driving to Frome on Saturday to an address I had never visited before - it took me to the door and I was delighted. My first visit of this week was to Blandford Camp in Dorset and so I struck out using the sat nav feeling full of optimism. The thing worked fine until about 5 miles from my destination when it first took me off down a side road and finally into a builder's yard. I was confronted by a large brick wall blocking all forward movement and a sat nav system screaming at me to continue driving straight ahead for the next three miles. I turned round and re-traced my steps and eventually stumbled across Blandford Camp almost by mistake. Of course this place is an army base and so I was first confronted by machine gun wielding troops and then the bureaucratic niceties of the British Army. I was eventually signed in and I had a feeling I was going to be late. I was now even later - the road I needed was now only one way, but it had only changed the week before and no one had bothered to tell me. I eventually found the school. We had a great day. Lovely kids - all dressed up to the nines in their finest Tudor clothing and some lovely teachers, nearly all of whom had wicked senses of humour. I am pleased to say that the journey home was a lot easier.

The next day my sat nav was put to the test again with a jaunt down to central Exeter and the Maynard School for Girls. This, believe it or not, was my first school in Devon - so a whole new horizon! Kia, the teacher who greeted me, was lovely. A charming lady and full of smiles. It was a tiny group - only 17, but they were all dressed beautifully in some stunning clothes. It was hard to believe some of the outfits were home made - but they were. People had worked incredibly hard. I managed to fall asleep in the staff room during my lunch break - it was so warm and cosy there! The afternoon shot by and then I was on my way.

Today has been a nice slice of normality. Looking after James while Amanda was at work. I took him to Rug Rats this morning in Yeovil for a belt around, then we went to Ilminster and lunch at Bilby's as usual. He has been a little charmer as usual.

Tomorrow I am off to the NEC in Birmingham for the Education Show for three days. Should be fun! See you all soon I hope.

Maiden Newton

Friday March the 3rd found me in the relative locality of visiting Greenford Primary school in Maiden Newton, just north of Dorchester. It was a bitterly cold morning, but bright as I drove over the ridgeway south of Crewkerne. As I pulled up in the car park of the school I was greeted by Mr Atkinson, the head teacher - an absolutely charming man. He immediately offered me a hot cup of tea which, as the wind was howling straight from the arctic, seemed like a very sensible idea. I could park right next to the main doors to the hall we would be using, so that was good news for me and my back. The kids had all dressed up marvellously - some really stunning costumes, some of which had been made, some hired and some, believe it or not, even bought! They were a great group - just an ideal school. Bright and sparky and getting all of the gags. Lunch time I was recommended to visit the bakery near the school and again, I was not disappointed. A really tasty bacon and cheese wrap and a lasagne like pastry - delicious! The afternoon was great and seemed to zip past. The jousting was of a particularly high standard - any of the teams might have won at any other school, but as it was, it was the ladies who triumphed and walked off with the certificates from the King. Mr Atkinson has invited me back for the School's summer fete and evening meal which looks likely to turn into a Tudor feast - suits me!

This coming week I am at Blandford in Dorset on Monday, Exeter in Devon on Tuesday, I have Wednesday off, then Thursday, Friday and Saturday I am at the NEC in Birmingham for the Education Exhibition on the English Heritage stand - see you there!

What a few weeks

The fact that I am still alive and able to write this blog is testimony to the strength of the human body. In the past 18 days, I have had two days off. We start back in Essex on the 7th February. My visit this day was to Downham School in Ramsden Heath near Billericay. Now I know the area around here pretty well as I used to live in Stock and played cricket for some years at Ramsden Heath. The school was lovely, the kids terrific and I got paid on the day. You really can't ask for much more from a school than that. But this was no time to rest on my laurels. The very next day I am up at dawn and hacking up to Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk to visit Caister School. The journey up was bad enough with people seemingly trying to kill me on the A12 AND the A14, but the school were wonderful and excelled themselves by offering me not only tea on my arrival - but biscuits as well! This really was the big time! I finished and headed home, tired but paid and happy knowing that tomorrow (Thursday) was to be my last day off for a while. I had a lie in and had a relatively easy day. Friday it was back to business and a visit to Millhouse School in Laindon in Basildon. This was another good school full of nice teachers and lovely sparky children. That evening I headed down to Kent to stay with my sister...

The next 9 days I am at Leeds Castle in Kent, four Tudor Shows a day. One at 11.30am, one at 12.30pm, one at 2.30pm and one at 3.30pm. If this wasn't going to be hard enough on my voice then I managed to compound matters by catching a cold as well. Somehow, against all the odds my voice just about managed to survive for the whole 9 days, even though I did sound more like Barry White than England's most famous Tudor Monarch. The shows are good though. The Leeds Castle people had projected for something like 700 visitors a day on average over the half term week, instead we are getting more like 1,400 which is wonderful. Apart from the start of the run and the end nearly all the shows are completely packed out. We are turning people away at the doors! All of the staff couldn't have been more helpful, especially Darlene, Helen, Helen, Ann, Ann, Carole, Coralie, Jean and all the others. I even have a load of publicity photos taken around the castle with me posing like mad with a hawk on my arm and in front of the great Tudor fireplace in the main hall. The 9 days seem to pass very quickly and before I know it, we have finished. I would also like to thank another helper at Leeds Castle, who shall remain anonymous, but she will know who she is. She happily pointed out all the mistakes I made in my presentation. Thank you. Just what I needed to hear - that was a real boost to my morale! If I ever get my hands on one of your books I shall go to town with a red pen and not spare the ink.

Before I could go home I had to go to Dartford and a return visit to the Oakfield School on Monday the 20th. Another great day. A lovely school and nice to be back with them. And on the Tuesday a visit to The Sweyne Junior School in sunny downtown Swanscombe. Again, so nice to be back with old friends and we had another good day. Sadly, my energy levels were so low by this point I was more or less on auto pilot, but they seemed to enjoy themselves. I now had to drive to Essex, have dinner with my parents, drive to Dunton, pick up my Mother-in-law and then drive home to Somerset. We got back about 10.30pm. So good to be back home. So nice to hug my wife and cuddle my son again. A fabulous few days - great fun, very lucrative, but exhausting! Next stop? My birthday on the 26th.

The Paragon School, Bath

It was a relatively early start for me, but I knew it was going to be a long long day. I had to drive up to the Paragon School in Bath, this being a school I have long been promised a visit to and strongly recommended by my friends Sue and Ian. It didn't disappoint. Wonderful old buildings, hugely welcoming teachers, great kids who ALL dressed as Tudors in some fabulous costumes and a lovely dinner as well. All days should be as good as this! The rip roaring jousting finale was once again won by the ladies with admirable style. Some great photos were taken for the local Bath Thunderer newspaper (or whatever it's called) and I got paid. Next I had to head for home. By the time I got there, Amanda and James had already departed for Essex. I had dinner, packed a suitcase and made sure all was locked up and secure. I then left home at about 7.30pm to head to Essex myself. I made fairly good progress and arrived at my parents place at about 10.30pm.

We had a great 40th birthday bash for my wife on Saturday. My father has completely renovated my jousting equipment and we have been bouncing around ideas for more money making for Henry. Watch this space for more.

I have also started making enquiries about a costume for John Brown, Queen Victoria's Scottish "friend", another character I hope to bring to Schools around the country soon. I visited a great shop in Ingatestone called Nicholsons which is a Highland specialist for some reason! But they were really helpful and I should be getting some info and pricing from them for a costume shortly.

Beauherne School, Canterbury

Sunday morning I had to drive over to Kent for another meeting with Darlene, the events co-ordinator at Leeds Castle where I am going to be "in residence" over half term. We discussed several things, including where I would be doing my Henry presentations. She also asked me if I would like to be the narrator at the Children's Prom concert at the Castle in June. This will be with full orchestra and with about 6,000 people watching. Let me think about this... YES! I would love to do it. After all that excitement I then drove to my sister's near Sittingbourne to stay the night before my gig in Canterbury. We had a nice evening, drank some wine, ate a delicious lasagne and watched some of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. By 9.30pm I was finished and headed for bed.

I got up at 6am and got ready and then headed down to Canterbury and my appointment at Beauherne School. I knew that this place had just come off "special measures" and wasn't really quite sure what to expect. What I got was a fabulously warm welcome from the teachers, especially Emma and Mrs Morrish, and a brilliant day with some fabulously intelligent, sparky and groovy kids! They really enjoyed themselves, almost as much as I enjoyed myself. The jousting at the end was of a particularly high standard and for a nice change it was the boys who just pipped the girls in the final. I then began my long weary way home, and finally arrived back in sunny Somerset at about 6.30pm.

Tomorrow I have a meeting with Mary from the County Museum in Taunton, and I shall be bringing Tris from Bilby's along with me to discuss our possible involvement in a Tudor cookery exhibition of skillets and cauldrons. Watch this space...

Trull Primary School

Trull village, on finding it on the outskirts of Taunton, was a delight. Beautiful old houses, higgledy-piggledy lanes, and a lovely old church which began ringing 8 o'clock as I pulled up in the car outside the school. The school has recently undergone a facelift of Joan Collins-type proportions and is a wonderful building. It has only been fully re-opened for the last month or so and is spectacular, as far as any small school building can be considered spectacular.

The teachers, as ever, were wonderfully inviting, friendly and full of good humour. The kids all arrived in wonderful costumes, some were so good I found it hard to believe parents had put in such effort, but they had and it looked great. For the morning session in the hall we had some of the Mums of the pupils in to watch and join in, and they seemed to really enjoy themselves. The kids did too!

The afternoon session whipped through and in one of the closest finishes we have had in a long long time, the girls came through to snatch victory from the boys. One of the young lads showed great sportsmanship by congratulating the girls straight away. An incredibly grown up thing to do. After some help from three of the lads from the class I was on my way home. A really nice day and a really nice school. Oh, and the village is nice as well!

The next few weeks are going to be manic to say the least. I have a meeting at Leeds Castle this weekend, then a show in Canterbury. A quick visit to the Paragon school in Bath on the Thursday and then off to Essex for a week, then Kent for TWO weeks. I shall be exhausted but rich come the end of February. All this and my wife is 40 next week. Bless.