Medieval Rochester

I feel exhaustion deep in my bones this week. 

It seems working hard constantly for months on end is beginning to take it's toll.

Thank God I'm headed home this weekend. 

My mum and step-dad are coming back from Dubai for two weeks and I haven't seen them since early December so that should be nice.

Last weekend, however, I went to Faversham, right after work, to my dad's place.

I've only been there 3 times and only twice on the train after work. 

But I noticed the first time and this time going past a stunning harbour with a crumbling, cobblestoned town.

When we pulled into the station not long after these sights, the sign said 'Rochester'.

And funnily enough that's where my dad suggested we go the following day.

It  was supposed to be such a beautiful, warm weekend, but the weather wasn't all it was meant to be.

I still had a good time though.

We settled in to watch the Olympics on Friday night, my sister arriving a couple of hours after me.

And then on Saturday we headed to Rochester Castle where there happened to be a medieval festival on as well.

It  was definitely an interesting day.

People genuinely dress up in medieval gear and live like they did back then for an entire weekend.

Imagine that?

Medieval stories always fascinate me - Robin Hood, Merlin and Arthur, The Musketeers.

There's just something about sword fighting and men in armour that will capture my attention every time.

Anyways, I'm getting diverted. After wandering around the stalls for a bit (maybe stalls isn't the right word) and catching Pokemon, we decided to stay and see the falconry show.

There were about five birds they showcased - an eagle, two owls, a falcon and a vulture.

They were incredible.

They introduced their different talents: speed, sight, smell, flying.

I enjoyed watching the vulture the most. Apparently they are rubbish flyers, preferring to hop about. It's hilarious.

Another could watch TV from 2 miles away (if it was so inclined), it's eyesight is amazing.

They really are beautiful creatures.

There was a beautiful cathedral nearby but we didn't go in it in the end, just took photos of it.

We didn't go inside the castle either, but there was probably more to see in the grounds anyway.

We finished off the weekend watching The Hobbit, playing countless games of Uno and reading.

It  was such a relaxing weekend, I just wish it didn't go so quick!

♚

Walking Through Paris

On our third and final full day we met up with my other couple of friends that had joined us the evening before and tried another cafe, talking through our plans for the day ahead of us. I vaguely remember deciding on going to some sort of chocolate museum, walking all of the way there and not even going in (think it looked small and rubbish) and then settling for another cafe making more decisions for our day.

We then did a lot more walking all the way to the Pont des Arts, otherwise known as the lock bridge, and took the obligatory photos.

Think this was the closest I got to the Eiffel Tower

We then wandered over to the Louvre and joined the massive queue, but then thought better of it and meandered off down towards Champs-Élysées instead, taking more pictures as we went.

Apologies for the world's crappest photo of the Arc de Triomphe 

We stopped for food again and then me and Yasmin decided to head back, tired from all of our walking. The others headed on as they wouldn't have any time in the morning before their train.

Shameless Paris selfie

My new favourite mug

Later in the evening we all ordered pizza, played numerous games (including my beloved Uno) and the others drank some cheap wine which was such a nice way to finish off a long day and our few days together!

The others were leaving early the next morning so we bid our farewells and with a few hours to kill the next morning, we packed in preparation and settled in for our final sleep in the hotel

✌