Recount: Medieval Adventure Park

I sat in the car, looking out my window at the green hills of Ballarat. I imagined what exciting amusements I would find at Kryal Castle, the only medieval adventure park in Australia. I hoped there would be crowds of actors dressed as noblemen and common folk, real medieval food, herbal remedies to create and most importantly, a convincing battle of some sort

I was pulled from my fantasy when the car stopped; we had arrived. The castle exterior wasn’t quite what I had thought it would be. With its peachy coloured stone bricks and Robin Hood archer statue, it resembled a Disney castle more than one built for battle. When I walked over the metal bridge across the extremely small moat, I began to doubt that this place would meet my expectations.

“Welcome, my lady! Welcome, my lord!” A comically dressed man said to everyone who walked through the doors. I would have liked to point out that if this were the Middle Ages, we most certainly would have been peasants.

We paid the fees and were officially in. The carpet was royal red and the room was lit dimly as if by candles. To my right was an intricately carved flight of stairs (with a ‘no entry’ sign) and to my left was a dark, cramped little hallway with an arrow telling us to enter.

I walked down the hallway and then found myself in a courtyard. It was actually quite beautiful, with a cobblestone floor and neatly kept plants. Before I could begin to explore, another dressed up person approached us, this one was perhaps a town crier. “Don’t miss the joust at one o’clock!” He told us the details and wandered off to tell someone else.

I then entered a dark building; the torture museum. This was possibly the only part of the day I found interesting. There was a small, metal flight of stairs to walk down, and then I was in a haunted house setting. Replicas of different torture methods were lined along the walls, with lights flashing on and off and loud screams sounding whenever I walked by a motion sensor.

The sunlight pierced my eyes when I stepped out of the museum/haunted house. I heard a very modern loud speaker turn on. “Be sure to watch the joust at the arena! It starts at one o’clock!” This joust seemed to be a very big deal; I hoped it would be as good as it sounded.

After walking around and deciding that I wasn't going to find anything exciting to do, I suggested that we have lunch. I’d hoped for dried meat, barley loafs, pork on a spit; anything medieval. I ended up having hot chips, as 'Ye Olde Bakery' only served deli food. "Ten minutes until the joust! Gather 'round lords and ladies!" I heard the announcement while sipping my cream soda. I was hurried out of the 'Not So Old Bakery'.

We arrived at the arena and seated ourselves on some steps, amongst a large crowd of onlookers. I decided to take a positive approach about this. Perhaps I'll actually enjoy this. Perhaps it will be a serious joust.

It all started with the prince sitting in his throne, then two knights walked into the middle of the grassy arena. Their costumes were impressive and did look like they'd come from the middle ages. One wore red clothing to suit his crest; the other wore purple and green.

They shook hands and walked towards opposite ends of the arena. Their horses, one white and one chocolate brown, were brought into view and the knights hopped onto them. They were each handed a lance. The audience around me was both tense and eager to watch the battle, I was happy to find that I shared those feelings.

Drums were pounded in the background, their beat acting as a count down. A moment later there was a loud crash! The knights kicked their heels into the horses and off they went, lances aimed at each other, the horses' hooves sending dirt flying in a cloud of dust. They got closer and closer until one lance found its target and the crowd roared.

This went on for five rounds, after which the winner was announced. The knight in red approached the prince to claim his prize. Suddenly, the purple and green knight stamped his boot into the ground, sending up just as much dust as the horses. He drew his sword and advanced towards the victor.

I should have been either thrilled at the turn of events. But my heart sank. I realised that it had all been rehearsed, and this was all an act. My suspicions were proved correct when the younger children were pulled out of the audience and armed with foam swords to fight the angered knight.

So I left Kryal Castle with my shoulders slumped, the torture museum being the only amusement I had thoroughly enjoyed. There had only been a few dressed up actors, not a whole crowd as I had hoped. I hadn't been able to try real medieval food. There had been no herbal remedies to create. And most disappointingly, the highlight of the day had turned out to be nothing but a well-rehearsed play.

880 words.