Magical Mystical Mill

You might have heard of the "Magical Mystical Mill"

During the Hallowe'en holidays we ventured to Mossley Mill in a deluge of persistent rain.  There we were greeted by magical creatures (fairies and the like) who guided us around the mill.   We had tremendous fun despite the downpour, so when I saw the little magical man on the programme once again, I bought us tickets.

Thus our half term was to begin at the mystical mill.

All day Saturday, it rained.  That heavy, soaking rain that drenches you on the sprint between the back door and the garage.

I considered abandoning the trip to the mill.

But, I then remembered that I live in Northern Ireland.  If I allowed the weather to dampen my adventures, I would plan none.  So I got my raincoat.  I also packed my husband and two giggly girls and set off for the mill.

On arrival, we passed some giant fox gloves before we were ushered inside.  

Beatrice and Beth made themselves comfy on the cafe chairs and watched two jugglers.  Our guide then appeared.  A charming gentleman with a light up hat and rather long arms....he also had a strange, if not endearing habit of patting grown ups heads.

He led us into the courtyard...closely followed by Bea and Beth who were not in the least put off by his irregular arm length.  He introduced us to the Queen of Hearts, who had rather long legs.  (One may suspect she was on stilts).  The Queen invited us all to play with her games on the squishy grass. Of course the only rule we had to follow was that the Queen wins all the games.

There were quoits, giant jenga, snakes and ladders and Alice & the Mad Hatter riding on Flamingos as they played croquet.

As the games ended, we made our way back to the Queen who asked who won.  

Bea replied "You did"

and the Queen smiled.

Thankfully this was the correct answer and we all kept our heads.

The Queen guided us around the corner where we met the amazing Marvello (or some similar splendiferous named circus performer)

He ate fire.

Honestly he did!

He was also a bit silly.

Then Algernon and Slug arrived on their tandem to guide us down to the fairy circle to meet the most beautiful green faced ogre in the world.

Led by these two musical gents, with Slug on his ukulele  we sang "You are my moonshine"  

Then the tandem halted and the children were given a musical instrument from Algie's basket.  As they shook, chimed, bashed and banged, we carried on to our meeting with the ogre singing "Zippidie do dah"

The ogre, who according to Beth "was not at all beautiful" led us to the fairy ring where Fizz and her friends were waiting.

As we approached the fairy circle, Bea said, "Oh look, there's Fizz"

Even I had not remembered her name from Hallowe'en!

The fairies danced for us.  We stood close together for warmth, but grateful that our little window of mystical adventures had occurred during the only dry 45 minutes of the day!

Once the fairy dancing show had ended we followed flaming torches back to the museum at the mill (pausing to gasp at the river in full spate gushing over the normally tiny little waterfall)

Once in the warmth a mime artist appeared, suitcase in hand.

The only noise he made was a roar.

He happened to roar at a little girl who was just about to rummage in his suitcase.  For me, her reaction and quick dash was the highlight of the show.  Not that his performance was in any way disappointing, but two year old terror is amusing in its own way.

Alana, Bea and Beth made themselves comfortable to watch the hat spinning, glass ball juggling and general amazing circus skills.

(*FYI - incase you were worried, the little girl obviously recovered her high spirits as that is her standing on the red chair)

He was able to toss the balls from his shoe and balance them on his forehead.  Quite amazing really!

He eventually lifted his incredibly heavy suitcase to be replaced by another magician who chose Beatrice as his apprentice.

Somehow, she closed her fist around one squishy eyeball and when he fist bumped her, she opened her hand to reveal TWO squishy eyeballs.  The trick was repeated...this time, her two eyeballs turned into THREE.

(When her Daddy asked her later how she did this trick she refused, as all magicians do, to reveal her secrets)

Finally, the girls discovered a tree of fairy wishes.

Some children had wished for a million pounds, a new pet, a puppy, a new daddy and all the money in the world.

Bea and Beth wrote their wishes and added them to the tree.

Should you need a translation...

Beth - "I wish to see a real fairy"

Bea - "I wish for chocolate"

So we returned home and had some toast for supper.  Bea also had a chocolate coin.

Wishes do come true.