And last weekend we visited the - MIDDLE AGES.

Or more, precisely, the 16th century. So, that should be the Renaissance, right? Anyway - it was a lot of fun. Neuburg, the city 25min west of us, hosts a big festival every two years. It seems the whole town dresses up and participates, and it draws visitors from near and far. We went there last Friday with our friends Marion, Thorsten, and Jana, but per Finn's and Lily's request we had to go back on Sunday to see the horse show. When we walked back to our car on Friday we found these two gorgeous black stallions (Friesians, for you horse people) right next to it - one already loaded in a horse trailer and the other tied onto the side of the trailer. Finn and Lily got to pet the horse and chatted with the owners. So, on Sunday afternoon, we were in the stands watching the "tournament". Lily's "friends" (her words) didn't win the competition, but the Friesians were by far the most beautiful and well-trained horses there. And I even brought my camera on Sunday. Beware, picture and video overload!

A little video:

And this was the opening parade of the horse show:

More horse show pictures:

Our little knight watching

Fire!

After one rider decapitated a honeydew melon with a sword, this one clubbed a poor watermelon. If you click on the picture to make it bigger you can see the bits and pieces flying.

Following this much excitement some nourishing, authentic medieval crepes were called for. I wasn't really hungry after the watermelon incident. (You know, they DID use to club people in the head and bits and pieces DID go flying. Or maybe I just watched a cheap movie too many. Anyway, no one else in my family seemed to be bothered by it.)

We then mingled with the masses, and it's a borderline miracle that no one got lost:

There was a lot to see and do, like games and entertainment:

(This merry-go-round is man-powered, of course!)

"Crack the egg" game

Throw the penny on the plate

Bowling

Musicians:

The food was rustic, too. Once we saw some people carry a whole roasted pig past us (Finn thought it looked yummy, head and all), and when you followed this sign:

you got to see the ox turning over the fire

Then of course there were all the people to watch

Neil said: "Look, if you need a child this is the place to get one." (It's the collecting place for lost kids, apparently. Luckily we didn't need to use this service.)

I hadn't known plastics were already so popular way back then!

We didn't visit the "bath house". Looks like Neil and I will need to go back sans kiddos.

There was lots to buy, too, from handmade soaps to swords to wolf skins.

But this is what Lily couldn't resist:

Finn was more interested in furs. We talked him out of a reindeer skin, but he is the proud owner of a piece of bunny fur now. At least I hope that's what it is, it's black and soft and somehow reminds me of the neighbours' cat.

Talking business with one of the fur sellers. A moose used to live in that brown skin hanging on the wall.

The monks were doing their thing, too. You know, writing on parchment ...

... and selling herbs and jelly.

Lots of kids were playing with diabolos.

This lady made and sold funny hats.

And here we are getting closer to the ...

... "orient"!

We were just about to check it out when we were overtaken by soldiers. Finn decided to follow:

It turns out they had a prisoner who they needed to torture a bit by making him drink some spicy oriental drink:

Finn was worried.

So was Lily.

For about a minute. Until she spotted this fellow!

After the soldiers were gone we got some food there. Finally something that Mama liked: spicy chickpea and lentil stew. (To Finn it most definitely didn't look edible.)

It was a comfy place! We didn't get a shisha, though. :-) Just some wine.

Then it was time to leave, but before we went home Finn and Lily hung out with some guards by one of the city gates for a bit.

And we ate ice cream on the way to the car. "Lily, what was your favourite part?" - "Getting my beautiful crown."

"And yours, Finn?" - "Throwing the stick in the fire." (Big surprise there, our little firebug.)
"And Neil?" - "Drinking wine at the oriental place and seeing Lily belly dance on the cushions."

Neuburg is a beautiful little town. We should go there more often just to take a walk and explore. Neil and I usually only go there if we need to register a car or talk to the social workers about a foster child. It's a shame really!
The festival will be on again next weekend, so we might go back to Neuburg sooner than we think. Finn and Lily just enjoyed it so much.

And look at these two beautiful children. Finn took this picture of Lily. She wouldn't smile for me, but big brother got a beautiful smile, of course. ♥

Maybe it's just me, but I think Finn is looking so much more grown up lately. Sometimes I can picture what he might look like as a teenager - yikes!!!

My favourite part was spending a wonderful day with my wonderful family. It sounds cheesy, but being alive is such a gift. I try to live, love, laugh every day as if it could be the last. Because you never know, maybe it is. For a friend and brother in Christ last Tuesday was that day. Unexpected and sudden does not even begin to describe it. I am happy we could all say our goodbyes, even Finn and Lily.

Godspeed, Peter, you are missed. A lot.
Finn was so happy you helped him make that castle a few Sundays ago.
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