Monday, 27 June 2011

Redcoats & Convicts Festival - Musket firing


Today was a Festival of Redcoats & Convicts at the Hyde Park Barracks which opened in 1819 to house convicts and closed in 1848. Directed at young families, the day (a glorious 21C) had a range of hands-on activities for children, and genuine tradesmen plying their trade in the courtyard: masons, 'smithies, saddlers, and seamstresses.


Being regaled in the sun with a glass of cold riesling, old English folk-songs wafting on the wind, and scurrilous convicts weaving in and out the table, doing a bit of general thievery, made for a glorious Sunday, which I will share with you for the next couple of days.

12 comments:

  1. Sounds like an interesting day.

    Is there a band called Redcoats & Convicts? If not there should be.

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  2. Wow! Looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. You really should be awarded by the Tourist Bureau for what you do for Sydney! It's all true, too! I look forward to seeing some convicts. I'm writing a little play about female convicts and I might get some ideas for costumes!

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  4. Julie,all is well, I will probably be back to commenting and blogging this evening.

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  5. Well done. I knew this was on but after the last few weekends, needed to spend one at home. Must get there one day.

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  6. A great way to revise history and share it.

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  7. They all look the part. Sounds like it was a very pleasant day.

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  8. Brilliant shots. Marvellous post.

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  9. Interesting, Julie.
    More interesting, however, was Kirsten's news.
    Luv, K

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  10. Yes, Kirsten's news was more than interesting ...

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  11. You do such a great job on pageantry.

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  12. Yeah, I'm a sucker for that sort of thing. Little people being joined together in support of a bigger issue ...

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