We head back to our accommodation.
It is
surprising how often, in northern France at least, one comes across random crucifixes on the side of the road.
They are large too!
We enter the grand gates of the wooded property we are staying in.
And drive down the road with manicured lawns.
A glimpse of the main house...
As we cross the bridge...
...that crosses the small lake where we take a paddle around a little later.
As we round the corner we see the spectacular
Chรขteau de Bambecq, a beautiful
Chรขteau in Pas
de Calais, Northern France, that has B&B rooms
.
The
Chรขteau is on the outskirts of
Racquinghem, a large village some 10 kilometres south-east of the city of Saint-
Omer and under an hour's drive from
Boulogne, Calais and
Dunkerque.
Bambecq Farmhouse is a Flemish-style property situated in the extensive grounds that we rent out.
There are two very old glass conservatories behind the farm house. You can see the large grape vine has made its way out of the windows.
A closer look inside.
The second greenhouse has tomatoes and looks as though someone is tending it.
The farmhouse itself has been decked out by Linda, the English owner. I love the light against the dark.
Guests have the use of the
Chรขteau grounds, which consist of fifteen acres of parkland, woodlands and the small lake.
The grounds are a wildlife sanctuary for wild deer, waterfowl, hares, rabbits and a great variety of birds.
The previous owner had been a hunter and it took some time before the new owners said they heard and saw wildlife return.
The grounds also have a horse ring which is rented out to local horse trainers.
The main
chรขteau is heated entirely by wood as the previous method of oil proved too expensive.
They have hired an ex army and logger named Frances who converted the entire system for them, manages their forest and thins it for fire supply and local sale. He seems elusive and rather hermetic and is fondly known by the owners as St. Frances.
The farmhouse itself is a large horse shoe shape of buildings. We are only in one small part. From our window we can see some of the other buildings.
A wander around and I find several abandoned and webbed attics spaces.
The main farm rooms are lovely.
All the furniture we are told comes from markets around the area.
Sigh. Very beautiful.
Participants set up several days before and lived using all authentic gear so that by the time the public arrived they were in full swing.
A medieval sculptor.
All clothes had to be made from authentic fabric. Cotton and wool only.
If you dressed up, you got into the event for free. Drat, I left my medieval dress back in London.
You should have seen the authentic toilets!
Groups from different countries came. Here we have the English St. George's cross.
A mother and child walk by tents.
It was a whole family affair.
The food looked good and some pots really had nice smelling stews.
There was sword fighting.
Jousting.
Even mounted jousting in full suits of armour.
The audience sits and watches the horse show.
