London to Chester Chariots

Sunday saw The Emperor, the Centurio, Pheromonus, Ferrox,Decanus Caderus and myself travelling south towards the town of Milton Keynes and the Capital Londinium.

Our mission was to take the new high speed service from London to Chester, the following morning, in a combined promotion of Virgin Trains and Tourism in our Fortress home of Chester.

While The Emperor, the Centurio, Pheremonus and Ferrox sampled the dubious hospitality of London, Caderus and myself spent a pleasant evening bewildering the fellow guests at our hotel who were bemused to find a pair of off duty soldiers in the restaurant for dinner.

As we strolled into the station the following morning to yet more startled stares we were pleased to receive a warm welcome and after posing for photos for the Milton Keynes Citizen and a short video interview we joined the London contingent on the train home.

We arrived in Chester to a flurry of media activity, which seemed to last almost as long as the journey itself, before retiring to the hospitality of the Queens Hotel who were the sponsors of the competition we ran for the passengers on the way home.

All in all a pretty unique experience.

Beateius Minervae,

Gaius Longinus

Virgin Trains

This morning 3 of our soldiers and our Emperor are on the platform of Euston station, to promote the start of the London to Chester direct service, stopping only at Milton Keynes, where 2 further soldiers will be joining the train.

Good luck boys and have fun. I wonder how many travellers will think they shouldn’t have had that last drink last night. Watch this space for updates from the soldiers on their return.

UPDATE All returned safe and sound on the new modern chariots, thanks to  Fidelity House, 12A Stocks Lane, Boughton, Chester CH3 5TF    t: 01244 320677     f: 01244 320686 for the following images

Marcus Nepos

The Priory Parish CofE Primary (Wirral)

Today our new Soldier took his first solo patrol of Deva. He handled the recruits very well, and experienced his first illogical response to “What metals did the Romans want from Britannia?” Answer PLASTACINE!

That was the first hearing of that reply to that question either myself or the Optio had heard, and I must admit all the adults present with in stitches over it.

 

Marcus Nepos

The GAUL return to Deva…. or not!

Waited for the GAUL to arrive by the town hall, for a tour at 1300, but it turned out to be a no show. I thought they didnt like the idea of walking around Deva in the glorious snow showers we had today! It now appears that they had been given the wrong information by their tour operator. This isn’t a good start to this tour season……………

The next tour arranged by this operator, is scheduled for 1530 on Thursday, fingers crossed it will go off without a hitch.

Marcus Nepos

ST MICHAEL’S AND ALL ANGELS PS UPTON

Had two great patrols of Deva today, despite the two heavy snow flurries, that both had to happen whilst we were out. The students all loved being out and about in snow, despite the cold. Although I have to wonder how the Romans would have reacted to seeing a venatore fighting a fox in the amphitheatre……………?

Macus Nepos