Monday 9 April 2007

Portchester Castle......Yes, We Have Well Proper Castles.... III

Ok .......... another boring post, but I want to get this one down........

Friday saw us load the nippers up again and head for Portchester Castle, we LOVE Portchester castle, its free unless ya wanna go into the inner inner Bailey and thats often difficult when we have tots...... but the walk around the outside of the castle next to the water is lovely, and I promise to take any doodles there if ya one day visit..... and then ya go inside the gates to the inner Bailey and there's a moat and the most beautiful church and graveyard in one corner...... in the summer they have reinactments and stuff there... one of me maties got married in the church a long time ago, I remember it was well windy and her mums hat blew off and the limo ran it over lol it was just sooooooo funny.......

Its a place me sister and her boyfriend (later to be her first husband, whom I love with a passion today and he lives in the States) use to take me and me brother there when we was kids......... we go there now in the winter months and buy fish and chips from Mother Kellys and eat them out of the paper whilst braving the wind sitting on the old churchyard wall.......

So we took the nippers there on Friday, its only about 15 minutes drive up over Portsdown hill through the back lanes, me matie Ann who aint a local laffs cos I know all the back ways to places where as she would of driven the main road ways and it would of taken yonks....... stick with me girl I will show ya the world lol

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First stop the ice-cream van LOL

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This is what ya see from the little car park..

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This one was from a few weeks ago......

Ya see, around these parts there is just so much heritage, so much to see, SO MUCH HISTORY....... I love old things, I love roots, but that dont mean it would take that much to dig me up and plant me somewhere else......I know the area and surrounding areas where I live like the back of me hand, I gobsmack me maties sometimes, we can just be walking along somewhere I I'll say something like 'did you know that in 1842 so and so this that or the other' or 'see that building there, did yo know that at the turn of the century blah blah blah' or I will walk around Chichester when we are crimbo shopping (amazing cathedral there) with me head to the sky, looking above the shop fronts (Chichester is well old) and I will say 'hey look at that gargoyle up there as a rain shoot' - me maties that I hang with aint into history or old things or chickens or country or views etc....... so they just nod at me and smile and say 'off she goes again' and we end up laffing.......... me and me maties are like chalk and cheese, but god do we laff...... very often at my expense I will add lol........ I let me kids explore and push themselves and climb walls and trees and try to jump moats etc...... they think Im mad, when Tom once when he was younger fell out of a tree and smashed his elbow beyond reconition they said maybe he shouldnt of been 20 foot up a tree on a rainy day LOL......

I broke me collar bone once as a kid, was playing down the dumps with me brother and his friends, we was playing war I was as high as a house up in the old oak, and someone shot me with an air rifle LOL it plum made me jump out of me skin and hence I fell as high as a house out of the tree, it sure knocked the wind out of me, lucky it was just me collarbone I broke, but I was to scared to go home so I didnt tell for 3 days until they picked it up at school lol........ boy was I in the shit at home, not for not telling, but for going down the dumps when I was not suppose to be down there...... so with me arm in a sling I still got a beating of me life, had to take the rest of the week off school and had to say cos me collar was hurting but its cos I was covered in bruises lol...... but it was worth it.... I had flown like a bird that day, even though it was straight down to hit the ground LOL

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Anyways, whilst we was in the castle grounds my Jacob ALWAYS climbs the walls always, he HAS to do it, even though all the signs say NO CLIMBING THE WALLS lol, its something that must be in his blood, cos thats what I use to do there, he loves being up high, just like me....... I should of been a bird ya know lol

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This is Jacob sitting above the DO NOT CLIMB SIGN lol....... luckily the blokie was not around to shout at him and tell him off, he was gutted that me matie wouldnt let her girl (Jacobs best friend) climb the walls, in case she fell, yeah well if they fall ya deal with that then :) life is about pushing oneself..... anyways the moat was there to catch them lol it would of made a hell of a splash...... lol

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ya can see how The Castle sits on the waters edge.......

I dont usually lick and stick but this is what is written about Portchester Castle.....

*Portchester Castle’s commanding location has made it a major factor in the Solent’s defences for hundreds of years.

The most impressive and best preserved of the Roman ‘Saxon Shore’ forts, Portchester was originally built in the late 3rd century. It is the only Roman stronghold in northern Europe whose walls still mainly stand to their full height. Subsequently housing a Saxon settlement, the huge waterside fortress became a Norman castle in the 12th century, when a formidable tower-keep was built in one corner.

Portchester was in the front line throughout the Hundred Years War, serving as a stagingpost for expeditions to France and repelling cross-Channel raids. Richard II transformed part of the castle into a palace in 1396 and Henry V used it as a departure point for the Agincourt campaign in 1415. Thereafter it saw little action, but was used to house troops in the Civil War, and prisoners of war during the Dutch and Napoleonic Wars*

Ya can see why I LOVE IT and so wanna share it with ya all one day.......

Only 2 nippers fell in the moat on Friday and one got stuck out the back in the sea, well the mud cos the tide had gone out lol..... only lost one shoe in the mud, so all was good.....

We taught the kids how to make daisy chains and just enjoy doing simple things without computer games and spending money, we taught them how to try and fly a kite with no wind..... we taught them that being with each other and running around free and getting wet and muddy and stickie with ice-creams is what being a kid is about.......

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This is Sprite, I have her and her brother 9 hours a day, Ive had her since she was 6 weeks old and have had her brother since he was 18 months old...... they are a part of my family, her brother has slight special needs and has the most difficult to understand speach impediment, but he has come on leaps and bounds with me, I talk to him NON Stop........ they love me with a passion as does their mum and dad, and I love and would die for them both as I would me own lads.....

She is called Sprite cos she looks like the little sprite gremlin thats on one of our Fizzy drinks adverts on the telly, EVERYONE now calls her Sprite :) even her mum and dad LMFAO........

Sorry Im was Twaddling and Waffling boring old rubbish today, like a loon, dont know what thats about lol

x

32 comments:

Scots said...

Hi again marmite

I love the school holidays too ... relaxing until the dreaded moment when a kid from the school says "hi there Mr C" when lying on the beach in a sunny far off shore .. jeezo!!

I like the look of the BLUE ice-lollies.

You are steeped in history down there ... well ... the place that is not you personally!

I am an old church and graveyard kinda chappy hahaha ... now that don't really sound right .. but hey ho

Enjoy the rest of yer break x

Lynn said...

This is very cool, Marmite. Castles and really cool ruins are things that we just don't have a lot of in the U.S. I love the picture of your boy above the sign! Exactly half of my children LIVE to climb above signs that say things such as DO NOT CLIMB. No wonder I'm so tired!

Sprite is adorable.

Eddie said...

I think the place is wonderful and think you for sharing with us, great bunch of kids

... said...

That's a well proper castle that is...reminds me of home...well, at least the home of my previous life...back when I was a vicar in a small welsh village near the seaside in the late 1200's. Those were the days, aye..

The Fool said...

Thanks for the post...the history...and the photos. Very cool photos. Terrific stuff. I'm doing the hi-ho at work, and envying the notion of school holidays...but we are in the home stretch! Have a great day, M-Toasty! It's only time for a breath...as here they come...

:0

MarmiteToasty said...

~scots~ welcome back :) - yep history by the bucket load here, but then you have wonderful castles up in Scotland..... Portchester is so amazing though and well old....... and hey, I am steeped in history... lol x

~(((refugee)))~ box ya nippers up and send them to me for a week, that will give ya a rest :) - and yes, sprite with her strange funny little face IS adorable..... I loves her so very much xxxxx

~((Eddie))~ I'll be sharing lots of 'my world' with ya eddie, if ya stick around xxx

~(((((((((Foolie)))))))))~ cripes your lot are back at school? ya dont get a fortnight off at Easter?..... mind you, I think you finish earlier then us, our schools dont finish til about the 3rd week into July..... and start first week back in September....

Sorry I get a tad passionate about places around here lol its just I so wanna share them with me maties, so very much....... xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Great photos, and the context, both historical and what the castle means to you, is an absolute treat.

JBelle said...

Ab fab. I love it that you take th kids down there. I have never been there and will look forward to a proper tour when the time comes!

OrdinaryShark said...

Marm- You live life for about ten people at once. I have no idea how anyone can possibly keep up with you.
And flying like a bird...well, kinda like a swan after its been shot..glide ratio of a stone.
Just a side note: The Massachusetts state bird is the common loon. Maine use to be part of Mass. so we come by our looniness honestly.
I love all the history and the fact that are so steeped in it. You tell it so well. MI5 has taught you well.
Hey Toad! When's the new toadlett due?

MarmiteToasty said...

~((SideNote))~ fanks, I was thinking we twaddle would bore people to tears.....x

~((JBelle))~ Most definetly we will do the castle plus hundreds of other places AND Stonehenge is sort of just up the road a little way..... x

~((Shark))~ see I always knew you was a loon, and ya have just provided me with the proof :) - I live in a very historical part of England I must say.....it feels like Im sharing it a little with you all on here, obviously its only through my eyes, and I aint to technical on details..... maybe one day I will get to show ya all :)

Seeing as its now 1.15am and Ive just received a little bit of real sad news, Im gonna go snuggle under me duvet and try and sleep..... so, Shark, can I leave it up to you to do the honours...... cats, lights, plugs.... fanks matie, I owe ya one xxxxxxxxx

green libertarian said...

Well you did it again, my dear Marmite, had me fascinated by the history and pics of the castle, crying at your telling of your broken collar bone, and laughing like a loon at the climbing stories, and loved the pictures of the nippers, especially that Sprite. Gawd's sake's woman. Amazing.

Anonymous said...

We taught the kids how to make daisy chains and just enjoy doing simple things without computer games and spending money, we taught them how to try and fly a kite with no wind..... we taught them that being with each other and running around free and getting wet and muddy and stickie with ice-creams is what being a kid is about.......

Can we please teach everyone this? Please? Really.

And as for this business:

"I had flown like a bird that day, even though it was straight down to hit the ground"

Poignant and beautiful. And just stop dodging it, missy. Just take the fact that your words are powerful and your stories delightful and painful and textured and vibrant. Just hold your sassy tongue for 3 seconds...

Beautiful writing, beautiful living, in ugly realities.

Fine, now you can sass me. I don't care, I'm still blowing you kisses... xxxxxxx

Go Figure said...

Yep, What Jump to the Left said...except that last bit...no you can't sass me, and the nice firm handshakes that I am blowing your way, will have to do. Oh, the coughing flower, I do hope you are feeling better...I don't shoot flowers. I have basic principles...chickens? Yeah I shoot chickens. Seen any around here?

Anonymous said...

Starr,
You've seen the way she sasses me, right? I mean, gawd! So don't let her get away with shit.
;)

Go Figure said...

J to the L. You are dern toot'en. Say, is that a bird that the loon has posted up there no, or a darn diving board? I think I might fire for effect, and see what happens. What do you think?

MarmiteToasty said...

~((Green))~ I dont try and do anything lol I just type, and it just spills out.....

I thought ya would all find these last nipper posts well boring lmfao...xx

~((Jump))~ ya know its the simple things in life that capture my heart and soul...

*Poignant and beautiful. And just stop dodging it, missy. Just take the fact that your words are powerful and your stories delightful and painful and textured and vibrant.*

I dont get it meself, I just type whats in me head, and I waffle off in other directions....... its just from my heart, and sometimes it drags me soul up to the surface ...... shit grammar, shit spelling, just daily life...

But hey, I ave a 'well ard' reputation to uphold ya know, dont make me sound all soft lol xxxxxx

~((Starr))~ thats me, that little worm, flying like a bird and falling to the ground LOL - you shoot the bird thing then that worm wont have a platform to jump from..... xxxxxxxxx

And wheres Shark, thats 2 nights in a row that he has left not only the lights on, but the kettle plugged in AND the back door wide open...... gawds sake....

x

Go Figure said...

Whats the difference between a castle and a fort? Is there such a thing as a castlenight as in a fortnight? Does a castlenight cost more than a fortnight?

Anonymous said...

That worm is having way too much fun!

And Dearie, your reputation is rather well intact!

MarmiteToasty said...

~(((Starr)))~ just 'rolling me eyes' at you..... gawds sake..... lol

~(((Jump)))~ phew..... but wondering what reputation you have heard about LOL

x

Go Figure said...

UNIFORMS!!!????
Mtoast, I am LMFAO...okay, I don't even know (for sure) what that means. SO if it doesn't mean what I think it says, let me explain that this is what I mean... I am "Laughing my Fn Ass OFF". Uniforms, egad! You are a LOON!

MarmiteToasty said...

~((Starr))~ oh hush ya gob........ its way easier with school uniforms, way bloody cheaper, it makes kids respect more their schools it makes everyone equal in the clothes stakes no hassle with what to wear in the mornings or Im not wearing that I had it on yesterday, etc etc :)........... SO SHUT YA FACE lol

x

MarmiteToasty said...

Ok its 1 o'clock in the morning and Im off to bed, it is now officially my Toms birthday..... god Im an old cow :(

x

MarmiteToasty said...

Fanks for stopping by today.......and if anyone sees Shark, tell him he is slacking in his responsibilities ...... nite maties....

x

OrdinaryShark said...

Jeebus woman, I'm in a far closer time zone than all them flakes out west. Hell it's already Wednesday here and they're all sloshing around in what's left of Toozday. And what a day it was. I continue to do battle wif the clods and idiots of the planning board who want to tell me what I can and can't do with my own damn property. Tonight they rejected Weaselsboy's lot out back because of a new rule THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN FIGURE OUT WHY IT'S THERE OR WHAT IT MEANS.
Sorry, I didn't mean to shout. I think that was the cat running out the door. And it sounds like Janet just laid an egg. Oh gosh, I hope I didn't wake anyone.
Here, there's a birfday card here for Tom.
/Turning out the lights and...whoops!

The Fool said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Fool said...

Oh...and g'night, matie.

The Fool said...

**These notes are backwards...yes, I will delete and repost when I spell your name wrong - eegads***

Hi M-Toasty...our kids start in August and end in May. Our week break in the spring falls in March. Enjoy your time, Marmie. This post was just as much fun to read a second go around as the first. I love local history. I grew up in the oldest town in Connecticut (est. 1636)...and it was one of those towns where the houses have the date fobs on them like the "Hello My Name Is" tags. It's fascinating to connect to the history of an area.

MarmiteToasty said...

~((Shark)))~ well dam and bugger me...... we, me X *spit* and I tried for years to get planning permission on our little bit of land where our nursery was..... and the year we got not only permission to build a dwelling, it was the first year after all mine/his hard work that we was to start reaping the benefits of our business, and he upped and left empting taking every single penny we owned LOL....... so you can shout and I can shout TOSSER lol

Yep you get to Wednesday sooner then those westerners lol but I will always be one jump ahead of ya all lol

Hope ya get ya plans sorted eventually, sometimes, I know over here, its a long hard bloody slog..... xxx

~((Foolie)))~ thinking I might repost ya deletie and change every single word to make me sound well nice and cool LOL.....

Yep our little row of cottages have a Date Tile inserted between the bricks...... love love me local history........ our school year is split into 3 terms.... from september to Crimbo with a weeks break in the middle and a fortnight off at crimbo - then it runs from crimbo to easter again with one week break in the middle and a fortnight at easter and now our last third of the school year starts next week and will run from easter to middle july with one week off in the middle....... we get just 5-6 weeks off for the summer......... when I say we, I mean the schools, I only technically get a week off at easter (this week) a fortnight in the summer (last 2 weeks in august) and one of the crimbo weeks........ I can obviously take any other weeks off but being self employed that means I would NOT get paid.......but sometimes the time so outways the dosh :)

Me X brother in law owns property in Conneticutt it ajoins his wifeys family ranch place so when her father snuffs it her part of the estate will just tag onto the land and home they already have....... they dont actually live there they live in West Virginia where he is something to do with a childrens charity..... he married a yankie doodle second time round and has 3 doodle sons besides the 2 sons he has with me sister........ xxxxxxx sorry that must of bored ya to tears LOL

MarmiteToasty said...

hang on one sec Foolie? you spelt me name eegads???? lmfao WTF eegads aint nowt like Toasty LMFAO........ you are so funny :) xx

Anonymous said...

Very good Marmite, an enjoyable read and the pictures were great. I have been to your neck of the woods many times, and the castles are always my favorite thing to explore. And a few of the churches, like Salisbury and climbing to the top, exhilarating. Dover castle to the south was a fun day, as many others around your beautiful countryside. Thanks for the invite into a day in the life of MarmiteToasty. Soooo many nippers, must keep you very busy.

Anonymous said...

Sorry about that, the anonymous guy is The Stickman, it's the only way I can get this thing to work and to post on your blog.

MarmiteToasty said...

~((((Stickman))))~ WELCOME matie :) - and fank you for popping over..... if you click on me name ya will get to the main page thingie I think then you can scroll back and read about me other Twaddling rubbish :).......

Some of me maties are finding it hard to log in...... :) but anno is fine, just sign off ya post with 'stickman' and I will know its you.......... and yep, loads of castles in this neck of the woods, its just that Portchester Castle is just over the hill from here so its a doddle easy day out :) xx

ps - sometimes ya have to log in with ya email account where it says username.... that might help, ya email dont show just ya name..... but I not sure if it works, even I have to log on with me email addy :)