Saturday and Sunday

**Derek** · 11th December 06, 03:38 AM

Here are several pics of some of the various costumes, taken with the Lady of the Hall.

**Derek** · 11th December 06, 03:41 AM

It was a fab night .. now on to Sunday ...

**Derek** · 11th December 06, 03:56 AM

Sunday we had organised a small Christmas Folk Festival at the Carpenters Arms in the Black Mountains. The place was absolutely full by 2pm. We got there about 11am to claim the space and set up. We locked the front entrance up to use as the 'stage'. It was free to come in but we did do a raffle and raised quite a considerable amount for Geraldine's Breast Cancer Support Group.

The girls settling in shortly after we arrived. It was raining and blowing and cold outside, but you can't beat being in the Carpenters with a great pint of Wadworths 6X around the log fire when its like that. I did have a pint on the go but its not in the pic if anyone asks.

The 'cutoot' lurking

12.45 am and it was filling up .. we started at 1.30pm

Some friends of ours came to perform as well. Coleen is from sunny California but now living in Glastonbury with with her husband Dave in the pic..

Then the adventure really started (unknown to us at the time) ....

**Derek** · 11th December 06, 04:16 AM

I had mentioned to Maria and Les that The Skirrid Inn was not that far away. The Skirrid Inn is the oldest pub in Wales dating back to the 11th century. It is also one of the most haunted places in Wales as well. There was a programme on the tele about it many months ago where a group of 'ghost hunters' etc spent two or three nights there. Anyhow, after leaving the Carpenters we headed for the Skirrid.
Again it was blustery, raining hard and dark. A great start to go to such a place ..

Once we went in we were very lucky that the Landlord was serving behind the bar. There were about 8/10 men in there (locals) drinking at the bar. I came by a good homoured bit of retort cause of my Cilt .. I gave some usual replies which they all laughed at. The Landlord then invited us to go and check out the hall where all the hangings used to take place. Whilst the ropes might be new, the actual hanging beam has all the marks etc from all the hangings of days gone by. Upstairs the place was used as a court .. anyone found guilty of a crime was hanged in the hall , then while the body was hanging there everyone went in the other room to drink there ale.
Here we are starting to have a look .. thats the Landlords hand explaining things to us (not a ghost) ..

Then the Landlord gave us a set of keys to go and explore the haunted rooms upstairs on our own ....
Heading up the stairs .. this is the view

**Derek** · 11th December 06, 04:22 AM

Here we are just after we tossed a coin to see who was going to open the door of the first room we went in upstairs. We were all a little nervous but little Gemma was petrified ..

After exploring we headed back down

Then Maria and Gem had a sit in the bench

So, thats it. Thats how the weekend planned out. We were all knacked when we got back home.
I could do with a night in tonight, but I have to go with Elaine to a students christmas meal/party. Theres gonna be 40 of em .. I shall wear my Cilt and take some pics.
Iechyd Da
Derek

**Retro Red** · 11th December 06, 05:44 PM

Wow, talk about going to the local hang-out!

Originally Posted by Derek

**Hamish** · 11th December 06, 06:21 PM

Derek,

I am now even more sorry that I was unable to accept your earlier kind invitation to the Mediaeval Evening - it looks like a fabulous time was had by all. Had I been there, I guess I would have joined you all on the Sunday outing too. By contrast, my weekend was much duller and quieter than I was expecting - though I did get to speak a fair bit of French!!!