Let's Get Medieval

We are all created with the innate need to know where we come from. Who we are, and to be connected to where we’ve been. Today was a chance to see some of Mike’s roots. With just the three of us in the van, I received the grand tour of Mike’s childhood. He took me to see the schools he attended, and the neighbourhood that used to be his old stomping grounds. Not too far off from the Jane and Finch area. Around the lunch hour he took us to a place called Allan's Pastry. It’s a small bakery in an industrial neighbourhood. There’s nowhere to sit down to eat lunch, so we enjoyed a picnic in the van. Who cares if it gets dirty, it’s a rental! I enjoyed a beef patty (minced spicy beef in a pastry shell) with coco bread and Ting! real Jamaican soda. It was so awesome to spend the morning and early afternoon learning about his life in Toronto. He has a real connection to this place.

Because we had reservations for dinner at Medieval Times, we had to leave time to pick up dad and head into traffic. We intentionally arrived at our destination early, because reservations do not always equal good seats! Once in the area, we noticed a wind turbine within walking distance. We had seen it a couple days earlier from the top of the CN Tower and now we had the chance to be right at the base of it. As interesting as it was to be so close to this silent machine, what I found more incredible is what was directly beside it. A Hydrogen refuelling station. Yup, they’re real. It’s a small station, and only a few vehicles can use it, but it’s there. I was fascinated and spent a little time reading up on this very renewable source of power. 

There was even enough time to allow Diane some time at the play park. Dad kept a watchful eye on her while Mike and I sat in the cool grass under a tree. It was wonderful to sit a do nothing for a time. The air off the lake was refreshing, and there were no sounds of traffic. Just quiet. I would have fallen asleep if I'd have laid down. Except the anticipation of the coming event kept me all aflutter with excitement.

At last the hour arrived, and we waited patiently in the entry all as it filled with more and more people. Suddenly the doors swung wide towards us and we were greeted with trumpets and the Royal Messenger. The King and Princess came forward and invited us into the castle to join them for dinner and a tournament of their best Knights. We were first in line and were so startled by the event that Mike didn’t even have time to take pictures of it!

Once inside we waited in The Great Hall, where people could be knighted or become 'ladies of the realm'. A few people had this done for retirement or birthday celebrations. We were fortunate enough to have a couple of minutes with the Royal Falconer. Here he is with Diane and one of his falcons, Viviene. Later in the evening, he came into the arena while we were eating, and Viviene showed off her hunting prowess. There was also a viewing area of the performance horses getting all dressed up for the Tournament. We went to the Castle Museum. Which tuned out to be a museum of prison and torture devices used in the Medieval times. We hurried our way through this. While we waited to enter the auditorium, there were any opportunities to buy souvenirs. We purchased a cheering flag, and a princess headpiece, which I happily wore all evening!

For the next couple of hours we ate without utensils and cheered our favorite Knight! What a show. Diane and I yelled so much, we were both hoarse by the end of the night. Even dad seemed to enjoy it. We had such an amazing evening. Everyone who works there does their absolute best to make you feel like you really are part of this forgotten world. I liked being referred to as 'My Lady' and of course Diane loved eating with her hands. The actors all do a fabulous job of transporting us from our hurried life, to one of chivalry and honor. After the show, Diane met with our Knight and she had him sign our flag. This was an experience that we will always remember.