Lostman's Star
Not all those who wander are lost, but I certainly am!
Tonbridge Castle
Last Friday I posted about my favourite castle, Rochester Castle. This Friday I’m posting about my least favourite castle. Tonbridge Castle.
Now before I go on, this is by no means a dig to the people of Tonbridge, who are as lovely as their little town is. Nor is this to say that I didn’t enjoy this castle. I did! It’s just that this castle is unmistakably ill positioned, and it doesn’t shock me in the least that it was sieged and taken over as easily as it was. It’s in a valley.
Pro tip. Don’t build your castle at the bottom of a valley.
To be fair, the castle was likely never built to withstand a siege, and withstand it did not. Within two days of it’s first the occupants had given up the castle, likely because they, too, realised defending a castle at the bottom of a valley is pointless. Rather the defenses were erected to guard one of the two main crossings of the river Medway, the other being guarded by Rochester Castle.
This particular route was the most profitable by far. Merchants and traders usually came up from France by this route, and had to cross the river here if they wished to reach London. The castle was meant to guard the crossing and the very profitable market which the town was known for.
Tonbridge now uses the manor attached to the towers as their town hall, though this too is open to visitors on special occasions. I had the luck to visit for the first time when there was an art show going on within. There is also a small museum consisting of the tower and town history within the right tower which can be viewed for £9, and it takes about an hour to go through. You can go to the top of the towers as well, which does give you a good view of the surrounding castle grounds and hills.
It’s an interesting and deceptively important piece of English history for being in such a small town and such a small ruin of a castle, but one that I enjoyed wandering through all the same. I will say, it’s made all the better by grabbing lunch at a nearby bakery called The Bakehouse at 124.
Wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay safe gentle readers.
Sweeps
I don’t know why more people don’t celebrate Sweeps. As far as I can tell Rochester is the only place which does celebrate Sweeps and honestly it ought to be a world wide event, though it might be best for each place to pick separate days.
You see, Sweeps is about one thing: getting absolutely plastered.
Legless. Pissed. Sloshed. Drunk out of your mind.
If drinking isn’t your thing then this is not the festival for you. I would say that there are other things which Sweeps is good for, like seeing people in Dickensian or steam-punk style getups, but the fact is that there is so much alcohol around that if that’s a temptation, you’re best just to steer clear.
For those of us who are fine with drinking and being surrounded by alcohol, this is absolutely the place for you!
The festival is a three day events which takes place around May Day, or May 1st. This was traditionally the only day off the Chimney Sweeps had all year. As you can imagine, they used it to go get drunk! Today the Sweeps Festival offers a chance to see Morris dancers, a fair in the Rochester Castle grounds, arts and crafts vendors, and of course the chance to sample a wide assortment of alcohol, the most popular being beer and cider. If you’re not from Kent I recommend trying Bushels, a Kentish Cider which I’ve only ever found there. You might also, if you happen to spy it, try Black Dragon, a Welsh cider and by far the best I have ever tasted. There are also many ciders which incorporate different fruit into the traditional apple blend. Cherry is lovely addition, in my opinion!
During this festival it is permissible to carry alcohol with you throughout the town as long as it’s in a plastic cup. The townsfolk and your fellow festival goers wouldn’t take too kindly to the ungodly amount of smashed pints which might fill the streets where glass to be permitted.
You’ll likely find beer tents and hotels which open up their lower floors and pubs to guests, but any of the pubs on the Rochester High Street are worth a pop in. My personal favourites are Ye Arrow, The Golden Lion (Weatherspoons), and the Two Brewers, the last two can be found at the far end of the High Street, away from the castle.
When you’re there make sure you have a means of getting back to your place of rest, be it your own home, a friend’s, or your hotel. Make sure, too, to be respectful. For the most part the people at this festival are not there to cause a raucous or a fuss. They’re there to enjoy their pints and the company of their friends. You may also wish to bring cash, as some pubs won’t accept cards.
The festival was cancelled this year due to Covid, but with vaccination numbers rising Rochester is hoping to host it once more in 2022. You can keep an eye on their Facebook page if you’d like more details!
Wear a mask, wash you hands, and stay safe gentle reader.
Truth and Reconciliation
Listen.
3 Video Game Locations You Can Travel To
I live for stories. I’m a collector of them, so to speak; so it should come as no shock that books, movies, and video games are all favorite pass times of mine. I love an amazing, immersive video game with a great story line, or better yet a sandbox for me to explore. It’s even better when games and places are reminiscent of each other. These are some of my favourite games and the places I’ve seen which remind me of them!
#1. Skyrim – Scottish Highlands
While Skyrim is supposed to be based on a sort of European continent, the main story line and a few of the side quests remind me much more of Scotland. The Imperials, an invading force from the south, even dress like Romans! The Nords, whose homeland they are trying to reclaim, remind me of Picts, a people who painted themselves with blue pigments in battle. You’ve got the Companions, a group of people whose hero-leader crossed the sea in a ship with what was essentially a warband and settled there. Vikings anyone? You’ll also find cairns scattered all over Skyrim like you will in Scotland.
#2. Red Dead Redemption – American South and Mexico
Alright, I know, this one is a bit obvious. It’s supposed to take place somewhere down south, likely in Texas judging by the proximity with the Mexican boarder. In the first game places like Armadillo are reminiscent, to me, more of western Texas whereas New Elizabeth is reminiscent of the middle. In the second installment, Red Dead 2, takes us more towards the east towards Louisiana with Saint Denis. While none of these places in Red Dead or Red Dead 2 are, to the best of my knowledge, real, I find the intention behind their design really cool!
#3. Assassin’s Creed – Everywhere
Behind Red Dead, Assassin’s Creed is by far my favourite game series. It’s come so far from Altair drowning or deciding to flatten himself against a wall rather than climb it. It really appealed not only to the traveler in me, but the history nerd as well, and as much as the plot in recent games has been so convoluted as to be lost, I still love it. In most of the games you can find reasonably accurate depictions of what major historical sites either look like now, or did look like at the time the game is taking place. Running around with Ezio is definitely a trip down memory lane, not only because I enjoyed the game so much as a teenager, but because I’ve seen a lot of the Italian locations his story takes you to! The same goes for Ratonhnhaké:ton’s story. Although the settings we walk through with Connor are American, I don’t imagine a Canadian setting being altogether too different. Now if they would only make a full game in an East Asian country!
Are there any other games you love and would like to visit? Let me know!
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle reader.
Rochester Castle
I’ve seen my fair share of castles and palaces in my day, but this is my all-time favourite.
I used to live near this beauty, and would often meet my friend Atlas in it’s garden before heading to our local for a pint. It was also the first thing I saw when I moved to the area.
Rochester Castle is a Norman fortress, the stone construction of which dates back to the 10th century, though there had been a wooden Roman fort for centuries before William of Corbeil was commissioned to build the imposing structure you see today, as well as the construction of the cathedral next to it!
Strategically, Rochester castle is impeccably placed. The walls which today border the Esplanade were once lapped at by the River Medway, and the old Roman bridge was nearly at it’s gates. Along with Tonbridge, Rochester held one of the two most prominent routes from France to London. I could go on about how well it is designed and how advantageous the location is, but I’ll leave that for another post. In essence, it was an ideal place to be if you want to stop an invading force from reaching your capitol. In fact, no true invading force managed to capture it, the three times it was besieged was to oust home grown rebels from within it’s walls. It was the spot to be if one wanted to put a king in his place and secure the freedom of the common folk the world over. Think I’m kidding? Do you remember King John?
Yes, the very same who features so prominently in the Robin Hood stories. The stories aren’t far off from the truth. King John wasn’t ‘evil’, but he and his predecessors had always ruled in such away that indicated he thought he was above the law. He did not rule according to the custom of England, but instead his own will. This displeased his barons a great deal, and so they revolted. This was a period of conflict known as the First Baron’s War, and it resulted in the signing of Magna Carta Libertatum: the Great Charter of Freedoms.
Although he threw a massive kicking and screaming temper tantrum afterwards, King John did sign the Magna Carta. In essence the charter limited his power as king, demanding among other things freedom from wrongful imprisonment, the barons’ consent to levy certain taxes, and access to swift justice. King John largely ignored these demands despite having agreed to them, but the ideas in the Magna Carta became part of nearly every charter of rights and freedoms in the western world.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Constitution of the United States, and the European Convention of Human Rights are all based on documents which were reviewed, interpreted, and reviewed again, over and over going all the way back to the Magna Carta. Rochester Castle and her rebels helped to bring that about!
If you decide to visit her, which I highly recommend you do, you’ll want to get an audio guide. Be sure to check out the English Heritage Rochester Castle page to make sure you go at the right time as the castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays! I also recommend you wear a good set of closed toed shoes. Like any good castle it has uneven steps to trip those who are unfamiliar with it, ie., an invading force. You may not be wearing mail, intent on returning the castle to it’s ‘rightful monarch’, but you’ll still likely trip.
It’s not a large castle, so you’ll not need a water bottle or food, and if you find yourself in need of food or drink you can always wander to one of the local pubs and restaurants on Rochester High Street when you’re done at the castle. There are plenty to choose from.
The only word of caution I would say is not to go on a day wherein it is raining, or the day after it has rained. The castle has no roof and no floors save the ground of the basement. The only footing to be found is the platforms which have been added for tourists, and although they are railed one good slip could still send your phone, or worse, you, tumbling down. This holds especially true on the battlements. The beautiful view from up there is worth it, just be careful!
I hope you’ll enjoy this castle as much as I do, gentle reader.
Wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay safe gentle reader.
Lost’s Ultimate Packing Light Guide
Pack light.
Seriously.
Don’t break your backs, arms, or anything else dragging around things you don’t need while you’re trying to enjoy your vacation. You’re there for a good time, not a workout.
It did occur to me, though, that packing light was something I had to learn, and it is therefore a skill that can be taught. If you’re the type of person who packs for a weekend city getaway as though you’re preparing for the apocalypse, this guide is for you.
I’ve tried to make this as vague yet specific as possible, and I know that sounds ludicrous but hear me out. Instead of saying ‘pack x amount of -” I will let you judge your dressing and grooming habits for yourself, and give you some helpful tips as to how to judge yourself on that matter; just in case that’s a habit you need to learn like I did.
P.S. This list doesn’t apply to backpackers. They need to think about a lot more than hotel goers.
Let’s go!
#1. Clothes
How many times a day do you change a day? Not if you have a stain on your shirt or if something happens to spill, just a regular, normal day. Unless you live in a Downton Abbey-esque life, you probably only wear one set of clothes a day; two if you count Pjs. Pack accordingly. If you’re travelling for a week, pack seven to eight of everything except underwear. Pack three extra pairs of those. One or two sets of pjs a week will do, plus one nice outfit just in case you decide to go out somewhere fancy.
#2. Shoes
You really only need three pairs. One set for walking, one set that goes with your fancy outfit, and one seasonal set if it differs from your walking pair. Think flip flops if you’re headed to a tropical destination, wellies if you’re headed somewhere marshy.
#3. Hygiene
Floss, toothbrush and paste, deodorant, a comb or brush, a bar of soap, shampoo, and pads/tampons for those of us who need them, and you’re set. If you decide to bring the travel sized versions of these items, make sure you have enough to last the entire trip. Tiny shampoo bottles will usually give 3-5 uses, and that’s generous. Personally, I bring full sizes of all of these items because I’m either not away long enough to bother fiddling with the tiny ones, or am away too long for them to last the entire trip. That, and I put a premium on cleanliness. Think about it, would you rather be near a person who doesn’t have the nicest clothes but smells clean, or someone in a thousand dollar dress but who reeks to high heaven?
#4. Non-Hygenocentric Grooming
I have to put this in a separate category because for some reason some people got it into their heads that makeup and shaving constitutes hygiene. They do not. You can be perfectly hygienic with hair anywhere on your body, and you can be perfectly hygienic without wearing an ounce of makeup.
That said, should you wish to bring these items, there’s a simple guide for that too. Bring a disposable razor that’s a week old, that way it will still be sharp without being so sharp that you’ll cut yourself, and a travel sized version (Unless you shave every day, then maybe size or quantity accordingly) of whichever shaving cream you prefer. Enough to last the trip, no more, no less. As for makeup, take only what you need for a ‘natural’ look (that should go with most of your outfits) , or the look you intent to use for your fancy outfit.
If you are planning to go out for a fancy evening you may also wish to bring a small bottle or container of your favourite hair styling product. Make sure you know how to use it before you go! Personally I also choose to bring nail clippers. They’re handy for if you buy something and you want to cut the tag off. You may also wish to bring a bottle of your favourite pain killers. I put a premium on comfort, too.
#5. Electronics
Try not to bring your laptop unless you need it for work. Bring your cell phone, it’s charger, headphones, a mobile battery pack, and it’s charger. This applies for weekend and month long trips. It’s all the same.
#6. Books
Before you come at me, yes, books are a necessity! I told you I put a premium on both cleanliness and comfort. Books are both of those things for the mind. If you’ve an e-reader, bring that and it’s charger, and stuff it full of your favourite books, same goes for audiobooks and before you come at me again, absolutely they count! If you’ve not got that sort of tech, pick something that, for your reading level, is lengthy enough to keep you for the trip but not so complex to keep you from enjoying it. For me, that’s anything by Stephen E. Ambrose, Andrej Sapkowski, or George R. R. Martin. Choose well and you’ll only need to bring one.
There you have it! Usually for a week long trip I don’t require much more than a duffle bag with those guidelines. For weekends I can usually get away with my backpack.
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle reader.
Bridal Veil Falls
There are numerous falls called Bridal Veil, but this particular veil can be found in Ontario on Manitoulin Island, and despite the lack of nomenclative creativity, I’m rather fond of this waterfall.
There’s a small parking lot right next to the falls, and at the base is a small swimming hole. There are no lifeguards of course so you swim at your own risk, but most adults should be able to stand at the deepest point without the water coming over their heads.
Bring a bathing suit and water shoes, the ground around the fall is rocky. With good water shows or even running shoes you can go behind the falls! It’s slippery but the rush of wind and the view from behind the falls is really cool!
You can also walk the trail which follows the Kagawong River, though I don’t know how long that hike is so I would definitely recommend sneakers and a water bottle or two for that trek.
It’s a great spot to snap a few pictures, cool off in the summer, and have a little picnic if one so desires. There are also bathrooms, a gas station, and a little shop for if you’ve been driving for a while and need a break.
Just remember to bring a mask as this is a popular place to swim with the locals.
Wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay safe gentle reader.
Preparing for a Hike: 5 Dos and Don’ts
It became obvious over my hike to Lion’s Head Lookout that there are a lot of people who do not know how to properly prepare for a hike, and I’ll be honest it made me very worried for the folks I passed. There were so many tiny things that, changed, could have made their experience much more comfortable, so I thought I’d put together a list of dos and don’ts on the offhand chance that you, gentle reader, are planning a hike and are not sure how to prepare!
Let’s start with things you should do.
#1. Bring enough water.
I drink about one bottle of water per hour on the trail. Pack accordingly!
#2. Bring good walking shoes.
There’s little that makes me cringe more than watching someone hike in flip flops or flats. Their poor feet! At the very least you should have a set of sneakers with some good grips.
#3. Dress appropriately.
Don’t be hiking in a tux. It may be a bit warm but I prefer to wear athletic leggings when I hike, that way poison-ivy and ticks are less of a worry. This category includes sunscreen and bug spray too!
#4. Research the trail ahead of time.
Can I hike the Bruce trail to Lion’s Head lookout? Absolutely. Can I climb Chomolungma? Nope! A bit of research will help you decide whether or not a particular hike is suitable for your fitness level and preference. Be sure to check the weather, too. Look for an fairly cool, overcast day, and stay away from days where it rains either before or after your planned adventure. If you hike before the rain, the bugs will eat you alive. After, and you’ll end up muddy at best, injured at worst.
#5. Pack food.
No one plans emergencies. Pack food just in case you get a bit hungry on the trail, or in case you get lost. You never know! I usually pack a backpack with my water and a suitable lunch.
Now the things you probably shouldn’t.
#1. Don’t bother the wildlife.
Especially if that wildlife is dangerous like black bears, Massasauga Rattlers, or moose.
#2. Don’t leave without telling anyone where you’re going or how long you’ll be.
Although this rule holds true in most places, in Canada it’s especially important. We’re the second largest country in the world by land mass; that’s a lot of space to get lost in. Telling someone where you’ve gone is like giving a gift to your future self and your potential rescue crew. They’ll have a much better chance at finding you should things go terribly awry!
#3. Don’t bring cumbersome items.
You’ll be expending enough energy as it is, you’ll not want anything like a hefty purse getting in your way. Personally, I put walking sticks into this category. The trails I walk are never so harsh I would require one, nor is the wildlife ever so hungry as to see me as a meal.
#4. Don’t take children or pets on unsuitable hikes.
Children and pets like small dogs will require more water, food, energy and time than your hike would otherwise require. By all means bring them along, but make sure you’re prepared for their needs, and to take on the burden of carrying them out should the situation require it.
#5. Don’t leave trash on the trail.
If you’ve hiked it in, you can hike it out. If you’re the kind to bring a loo roll with you on hikes just in case, invest in some compostable doggy bags so you can hike your Toilet Paper out with you too. It’s your responsibility as someone who has used the trail to ensure that you also take care of it.
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle readers.
Lion’s Head Lookout
As you may have noticed my instagram is a bit more active lately, and one of the locations I’ve visited recently is Lion’s Head Lookout. I’m trying to become a better photographer and videographer so let me know how I’m doing. These ones are all my own!
You’ll find Lion’s Head Lookout in the village of Lion’s Head, in a sort of halfway point between Northern and Southern Ontario. If you’re coming down from up north the easiest way to get there is on the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry which crosses from South Baymouth on the Manitoulin Islands to Tobermory on the tip of Georgian Bay.
You can either pay for parking at a local school and take a shuttle to the trail, or you can reserve yourself a parking spot on this website. You can technically also park along the roadside, but I wouldn’t. It’s disrespectful to the residents of the town; you’d essentially be parking alongside their lawns. I would also advise going on a weekday because on summer weekends this trail is busy! I would be willing to bet that there were easily 500 people on the trail at the same time we were. Be sure to bring your mask and wear it as you pass your fellow hikers. It’s your duty as a responsible traveler to reduce the spread of Covid!
The trail itself isn’t all that technical. If you can put one foot in front of the other, you can manage, and the incline is very gentle. I will say, though, that the rocks can be slippery, and I would recommend at least three water bottles for each person hiking, as well as good shoes. The rocks can be slippery, and the trek from the carpark to the lookout is roughly one and a half hours both ways.
That’s not to say you can’t do the hike without these things, it’s just that you may get some odd looks. We saw some people carrying highly impractical purses, wearing shoes that could barely count as slippers, and carrying one water bottle between two people. One person was even carrying a pizza!
These people were either ill prepared or highly determined. Either way, I can’t say I envy the hike they took.
Be careful when you come to the lookout. The area in which you can see the Lion’s Head rock formation from can barely hold ten people standing, and there isn’t a rail in sight. The view is worth the hike, but not a life. Personally, it’s not a chance I’d be willing to take with children or animals who run around thoughtlessly. If you decide to bring children or pets, keep both on a tight leash. I hate leashes on kids but in this case even I’m willing to admit that it’s better than the alternative.
If you follow the lookout trail to the right there are more viewing points. Though their no safer than the official lookout, they do offer different vantage points and are well worth the little effort it takes to visit them. Along the trail you’ll also find smaller side trails which lead to other rock formations. Take a few minutes to explore them, they’re pretty cool!
As with any hiking or natural area remember to take all your trash with you, respect the area and your fellow hikers, leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos.
Hopefully mine turned out okay!
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle reader.
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Another Vacation!?
Yes, gentle reader, I’m headed out on another vacation, though this time I’m very excited to announce that I will be traveling!
I’ve had both of my vaccinations and will be wearing a mask when I am in a public setting, as any responsible traveler must.
I’m so excited to be able to be back on the road, I hope to bring back many sublime pictures and tales from my adventures, but until such time as I return I won’t be posting.
Not to worry! It’s a short vacation! I’ll be back on September 10th!
Until then gentle reader wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe.
Lostman's Star 