Anam Cara

A Medieval keep in New England? 

Who knew? 

Tell and I traveled with the Gillespies to the unusual home of David O'Connor and Paula Salazar in Barrington, N.H.

Would you tent in the woods for two years while building a replica of a 9-10th century castle?

They did, and the result is Castle Anam Cara, a strange mix of Medieval living history and ninja warrior course.

"Lord Duncan" spent significant time outside, immersing us in the everyday activities necessary for survival in the harsh Medieval environment.

I'm fairly certain that today's generation wouldn't need "safe places" and coping mechanisms like coloring, play dough, therapy puppies and bubble blowing if their days were consumed with planting, harvesting, preserving and building, the reward being survival.

Even at 11, performing these activities in the chill of late November gave Tell an understanding and thankfulness of the ease of our lives in this millennium. 

Called inside by "Lady Espringale", we were seated around the banquet table where a slice of bread was given as our plate and we enjoyed simple foods that would have been available in the Medieval times. A well summarised history of the era accompanied the meal.

The highlight of the field trip for all involved was the wearing of armour and wielding of swords. It was an accomplishment that all limbs and toes were accounted for when we left.

Our hosts truly expressed the feel of "Anam Cara"...soul friend, as they presented the complicated and interesting era of Medieval history in a hands on way. I would highly recommend this place.