As I travel, whether it is for leisure or, for these last few weeks, to conduct training courses, I enjoy spending time with fingerprint pals and seeing a bit of the history and culture of the region I am in.  This is particularly true overseas, so I was delighted that the host of 3 weeks of Ridgeology Science Workshop in England, Christine Wales, showed me around Cambridge during the first weekend (including a wonderful punting trip down the river behind the colleges).  I was also thankful that Dave Charlton agreed to show me around his neck of the woods.  As Dave and I made our way down the winding country road toward Battle Abbey on Saturday morning, I was delighted to see the signs along the way advising us that it was "Battle Festival"! 

"It's your lucky day!," said Dave as we drove past the band playing in the town square.  "You didn't have to arrange all this welcome for me!" I joked as we pulled in front of the main entrance.  I knew I was in for a treat as we drove past the enormous barrier walls that contained the bulk of the 13th century structure.  We were directed from the huge wooden front gates into the gift shop at the front of the complex, where we approached to buy our tickets.  In a quite voice, the attendant whispered to Dave that ticket prices would be a bit higher today because of the festivities, which included a reenactment of sorts down on the main battlefield.  As he had begun explaining the slightly higher ticket prices, I was envisioning a lesser version of the clash of 7000 men on October 14, 1066.  Of course, the famous Battle of Hastings, the last successful invasion of Britain, would mark the end of the Anglo-Saxon way of life and the beginning of the reign of William the Conqueror.  Naturally the date is without doubt the best remembered year in English history, and I was certainly looking forward to whatever scale event was being presented on the actual site at which the battle took place over 900 years ago.  However, Dave and I were in for a slightly unexpected treat. (to say the least, right Dave?)

As we made our way down the path toward the battle field, our disbelief of what the attendant had described began to wear thin.  Sounds of the reenactment rumbled through the air as we approached the tents under which the festivities were in full swing.  As you scroll down, I want you to picture four more well-meaning English Chaps sitting around a microphone beating on a drum...

BOOM boom boom boom... BOOM boom boom boom

and yelling what sounded to be...  Yes it was... or it was supposed to be... Indian Pow-Wow chants.  The attendant told us if we hurried, we could see the Native American Rain Dance, and sure enough... as we passed the brightest colored Tee-Pee's I had ever seen, there they were; about 6 Englishmen in feathered garb; probably the funniest and most ironic sight of my trip:



(In the background of the above pic. you can see a small back portion of the Abbey)

I asked the Chap on the left where he was from... his reply?  "Rochester."  Obviously,  that served as one of the biggest laughs for the remainder of the day. 

I did learn something about the Native American culture while I was there... The "Rabbit Dance," as one of the chaps had announced it (which was being danced as Dave and I left the battlefield) looks strangely like the American country two-step.  Hmmmm...

After we toured the Abbey, Dave snapped a much more historically relevant picture, although I must admit not near as memorable: (he wouldn't let me keep the battle ax)



And Dave... I just want to thank you for a great outing and a wonderful time!  What more could a pal ask for than some excellent memories?  And the best memories include a good laugh, so I guess our trip to Battle Abbey will rank WAY up there, EH PAL!!!

Cheers to all !!

-Kasey