5 minute read
Adventures of Daichi
38 The Adventures of Daichi The Adventures of Daichi The Dorset Publications Camper Van Daichi the Dashing Dude, otherwise known as the Dorset Publications Campervan, decided to be a Time Machine last month, but instead of casting with Michael J Fox, loved by many in his role as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, Daichi chose myself and Hayden as the lead roles, to go ‘back to the past’. To Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire in fact. Having travelled all the way from Japan, Daichi wanted to know what it was like here in Medieval Britain. I had not driven Daichi for quite some time, so was a little nervous, as he can get pretty playful and does like to wave at passers by with his window wipers instead of indicating where he is going. This has nothing to do with me forgetting what I am doing of course and that the buttons are the ‘other way round’. In addition to that Daichi chose a route that was on single track roads for some of the time. Really. When we saw the bright white reverse lights of the car in front and its boot springing towards us, I was quick to react and avoided Daichi head butting this car’s bottom. That was not a pretty sight. We arrived safely and as I parked and switched off Daichi’s purring engine, the sliding side door suddenly sprang open and an apple, that had rolled out of the picnic bag, fl ew out! Literally. Hayden laughed loudly. Daichi really was being playful and had obviously been wrapped up too long in the cold garden. Again, this was nothing to do with me pressing any wrong buttons… I just don’t know how you can think that. Wardour Castle is a delight. Ideal for children to run around and explore, and romantic for us oldies to look longingly at the rolling English countryside and imagine what life was like back in the 14th Century. The ladies dreaming of those long fl owing gowns and the men with shoulders back, chests puff ed out and manly swords in their hands. I know that is very stereo type and I really am showing my age now. Daichi, who we Daichi taking Debbie & Hayden to Wardour Debbie & Hayden at Wardour Castle
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know is very proud, could certainly see himself as a Mediaeval Knight in very shiny armour… The castle in fact was built when we, the English, were busy fi ghting the 100 Years War in France. Wiltshire was a relatively safe location. Designed as a six-sided house with rooms for guests to specifi cally impress everyone with its status, grandeur and power. It was a house to show off who John, 5th Lord Lovell really was. How connected he was to High Society and the Crown. Built in the fourteenth century, totally as a lavish home to entertain guests and eat like kings while beautifully placed in the peaceful countryside with a magnifi cent lake full of fi sh. No mote or high defences. It does have small, slit windows on the ground fl oor, but this castle was clearly built for luxury living. You can still walk up the spiral staircase to the top of the fi fth fl oor and marvel at the views. Cooking is not my favourite occupation, but back in those days with two huge fi res, spit roasts and huge boiling pans it would have been a hell of a job. No wonder the scullions, seen as the lowest of the low in those days, worked almost naked! Do not try this at home… The Hall were the owners and their guests ate on the other hand “Castle’s-eye” view over the lake
39 had large windows and an extended door, to show their wealth and sophistication. There was a balcony where the musicians tunefully soothed their opulent guests below. The class diff erence is clearly visible. There is a Great Chamber, an inner private room with even higher ceilings, where only the very important guests were invited. Sadly, The Civil War destroyed the building in 1644. There is a new castle nearby, but this magnifi cent building was left to stand as a romantic ruin for all to admire and now belongs to English Heritage. The Grotto in the secluded gardens is inspiring. Totally man-made in 1792 by Josiah Lane of Tisbury and his father. With nooks and crannies to explore by both the young and the old. There are seats of stone, stalactites and stalagmites, rocks, algae, ivy and an atmosphere. Love it. I can see why Kevin Costner came here to fi lm “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves”! That would have been exciting to see. Daichi was as proud as punch that we had so much fun. Nothing like a bit of history to keep the wheels turning… and Daichi certainly likes to do just that! Where will he take us next?
By Debbie Corney Debbie explores the grotto
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