Gothic is favourite, even with five-year-olds, it seems.
My five-year old nephew, Big Al, knows what he likes and likes what he knows.
Little boys don’t like bracing country walks: they get tired and bored half way through and need finessing all the way home. Little boys love soft play centres, but it is rather frenetic for Al, who can get a little over excited and forget that there are other people in the space he is using. Little boys fall into two camps on the whole petting farm thing, but a five-year old who is still into experimental tasting should be kept clear, I feel.
So what to do when I had Al and his sisters for a Saturday which promised to rain in the afternoon?
At 9:08 Al and his two sisters burst cheerily through the door.
“Where are we doing today, Auntie Kate?” Al bawled good-naturedly.
I thought on my feet. Not just a walk, but in the open; unmanned, so Al could charge around without censure and with his full measure of enthusiasm. And a tree to climb.
Ah. I had just the place. But we’d have to go in the morning, while it was fine. It was due to bucket at two. “Al, we’re going to a sort of ruined castle. Monks used to live there. A king knocked it down. And it’s by a river.”
We played a little and then piled into a car with snacks for later. We drove for 25 minutes. I took the wrong turning and carted everyone round an unneccesary one way system, and wondered whether to compromise and go somewhere else. “Shall we just give up and go to Farnham Castle? It’s just round the corner.”
A small voice came from Al’s seat at the back of the car.
“Have we been there before, Auntie Kate?”
“We have, Al. Do you remember?”
“Yes. Because I like to try somewhere new.”
So we persevered, and crossed a level crossing and finally found the ruined abbey by the river, virtually deserted except for ducks and a couple of dog walkers.
Al held my hand all the way along the river. And then, as soon as we had gone through the gate and past the ancient little stone bridge we turned towards the place which, almost five hundred years before, had been a bustling, powerful, self-sufficient monastic community.
Thing about Waverley Abbey, though: it retains a deeply gothic feel.
And as luck would have it, little boys love – adore – gothic.
Al transformed from Little Boy Tolerating Walk to Boy Magician Extraordinaire.
“I’m Harry Potter!” Al yelled joyously, as he charged headlong towards the vaulted ruins. “Come on, Hermione! Somebody make a film!”
Hermione, aka Al’s elder sister, Ella, obliged. I was promoted to cameraman. “Come on, Aunie Kate, you’ve got to film. Shout ACTION!”
I shouted:”ACTION!”
That was enough. All the way round the stunning abbey ruins Al kept up a script, requiring one sister to answer periodically, the other just to be moaning Myrtle. The place, I realised, had everything a small child’s movie set needed: tunnels, great halls, fan-vaulted stone rooms, even a monster yew tree which must have been planted by the monks themselves.
It was an energetic visit. I found that after a while it did not matter whether I had the camera pointed or not: I could just progress things by bawling ACTION, then conducting my own business.
Magic. Enchanted. And a little boy rapt.
Eventually dinner beckoned, and we trailed back down the path by the river past the great house on the other side, and the fluffy ducklings.
“Can we do Harry Potter part 10 when we get home, Auntie Kate?”
I nodded magnanimously. “Of course, Al. And part 11.”
Harry Potter sighed happily, jumped into the car, and put on his seatbelt.
It had been a gothic morning.
Kate Shrewsday 
Fantastically imaginative outing. Good to see the back of you all:)
I knew you’d like he camera angles, Roger 😀
happiness, a place to play and lots of imagination 😉
It really is true, Sidey. It’s all children need.
Great pictures. I especially like the turnstile and the bridge. Also the big black bull.
That bull. Quite a placid fellow, thank goodness, Steven.
King of the castle, his royal majesty….Big Al.
Al and his very own Camelot, Lou 😀
Experimental tasting, hehehe.
Fantastic outing! Felix would have signed on as Voldemort in a heartbeat. He does love the baddies.
I have a feeling Felix and Al would get on just famously, Cameron.
Ah, the modern equivalent of Northanger Abbey! Great post.
In Wales, we’re blessed with ruined castles, nowhere more so than Pembrokeshire: I’ve taken our two grandsons to at least five in the recent past, and armed with wooden swords and shields they’ve attacked and defeated every monster and villain they can devise.
What more could any little boy want than that, Chis? Perfect.
Methinks Al adventures would make for great Middle Grade material. 🙂
He probably would, Rafael, if I could ever get my act together to put all the stories together…
I may have enjoyed this outing as much as they did! Love that arched bridge shot. Perfect.
It is the most perfect bridge, Nancy. The setting is idyllic.
Wonderful wonderful day and photos. I enjoyed the tour as much as Big Al.
Glad to hear it, Chris. Now: we have Hermione, Harry and Myrtle. Who will you be?
I just love Al. May he never lose his priceless imagination. I want to say I knew him when.
His imagination gets more engaging every day, Andra. The one-liners just tumble out. As you say: we will watch this space, and one day talk about the time we knew him when he was a very little boy.
Sounds like a great place thanks Kate I’ll put it on the picnic list 😉
Well worth a visit, Charlie!
*wail* I had a deprived childhood! Nothing like that place to send imagination soaring. What an inspired choice – you must qualify for the Advanced Aunt Award, with Honours!
Thank you, Col. But I find it hard to believe that your part of the world is not home to some spectacular places for youngsters to air their imaginations!
Oh, what a fun adventure. I would have loved this as a child. I’m glad it was a hit with Al (and his sisters, I hope).
It made the day, Judy. I was relieved.
A perfect morning indeed!
It was, Tandy!
What a wonderful, wonderful day! Such a dear imaginative child! And you are all a great supporting cast! 🙂
He just has so much to offer, Debra. Al is never, ever dull.
a ruin and a small boy’s imagination – nothing much better to be found:) I do hope he will remember the joy of it all when he grows
Probably not, Alberta: but we’ll have these journals to remember the early days.