Mad welshmen and shiny new tractors!

It's been a few days since we got back to Circus headquarters and I have only just got over the amazing experience of Y Bont Faen Primary school!!!
It was just over a week ago that we set out on a new adventure - to what the GPS tells us was a new country. How EXCITING!!!
The trip there went well with Fred, Chi Chi, Henry and me all in the van. We knew that there was going to be a problem with access to the school field but on arrival we decided to give the sloping field a 'go' and drove down the the flat area when we were to put up the tent. This also meant that Chi Chi didn't have to sleep in the van in the carpark - which was nicely positioned between a graveyard and the bins! (she's obviously been watching too many zombie films!).

The last of the stakes being bashed in by a team of 8!

First slight hitch was trying to bash half the stakes into Limestone!!! But... to the rescue came DYNAMIC DEAN and his team who used their brute force, determination and muscle to power through the Welsh landscape.

Tent up... job done.. and then we decided to see if we could get the van out of the field... I think it was on about the 10th attempt the Assistant head came along and said - "don't worry - my husband will come along and drag you out with his tractor - no worries" (Thanks Julia)
The next few days we were treated like royalty. With the threat of gale force winds and heavy rain the school offered us shelter in the school - but we're a hardy lot and braved it out in the van and Chi Chi slept in her tent backstage inside the big top.
We have to thank the amazing Headteacher Meic who kept us entertained with his amazing comedy banter, sense of humour and kindness. The highlight has to be sitting in the school hall Friday night watching Tin Tin on the huge screen!!!... Chi Chi was in heaven.

Meic looking busy!

The shows were amazing and what a great audience - they whooped, whistled and cheered all in the right places.

And so to Sunday... After the 2 shows on Saturday we packed up as much as we could and Sunday morning came the team of helpers... including Meic who had only had 3 hours sleep...

Spot Fred's matching John Deere hat that Chi Chi
had bought him for fathers day... what a coincidence!!!

And then came the exciting bit. A HUGE THANK YOU to Julia and her husband (and his new tractor)... who towed us out of the field... our most dramatic exit of the year!!


And so now we are into our final week of touring with the big top. There is going to be many a tear as Fred and Chi Chi (and Sam) have had many memorable and magical experiences and I have utterly enjoyed touring with them these last 2 years.
Fred and Chi Chi are still working hard on many projects and are going to continue their work in schools - but just without our lovely big top.

Look out for my next blog as we are bound to have a few new adventures in our last week. Next stop... Shoreham-by-Sea.

And thank you again to all the staff and children at Y Bont Faen school - you are definately in our top 3 schools of all time!!

Toodly Pip for now
Mrs Fred xxx