Drove to one of about five parking areas to connect with shuttle bus (a Bart Simpson School bus) to Jamestown Settlement which is about 50km north of Newport News where we were staying.
There are two Jamestowns - the original which is a very precious archaeology site and which is probably now 50% of the original size due to 4 centuries of erosion of the James River and the new Jamestown, which is an educational reconstruction surrounded by a large museum complex. This is where the celebrations are being held with three full sized replicas of the ships that brought the first 104 settlers to Virginia on this day 400 years ago. There is also a replica Indian village of the era. Volunteers all dressed in period costume or Indian deerskin demonstrate everyday skills of the era and can answer any questions. We watched the firing of cannons and muskets of the time, Indians making flint and bone arrowheads and other implements. Their dwellings had above floor timber frame beds and scatter amongst them were the furs of wolves, bears, rabbit and deer. The houses, armoury and church have been resconstructed as accurately as possible. We spent quite a while in the excellent museum and had lunch on a large grass area where a huge stage complete with several screens televising the constant variety of performances. Acrobats, jugglers and wandering performers completed the entertainment.
On entry to all this we were captured by a BBC Radio announcer who recognised Ian's Australian accent and wanting the views of someone from the Colonies y'know, asked us to do a live radio interview.
The organisation for the thousands of people attending was exceptional.
Drove back to Newport News to an Irish Bar for dinner which was bar snacks including some really good buffalo wings. Ian and JB then attempted to drink the place dry and had to be helped back to the hotel! Kev Lynch to pass on to Bob Taylor a message from Ian...Cigarettes$12.99 a carton, schooners of Guiness $2.50. Sorry, no Kilkenny. Levi 501s $45 a pair.
Finished the day by making Skype calls to both Mums for mother's day.
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