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I'm starting to think I should go for a last minute getaway this weekend before Notting Hill carnival takes over West London.

As I've said before, I usually go to Reading Festival, but it's pretty dire and muddy this year so I won't be, and I really don't want to get stuck here so I'm looking at my options.

I found a funny article that has alternative bank holiday fun - such as a weight loss boot camp in Kent, hmm... not exactly what I had in mind!

They also suggest heading down to Sussex and visiting Herstmonceux Castle to watch England's largest Medieval festival battle where more than 1000 knights, bowmen and men-at-arms 'lay siege to the castle over three days with cannons blazing'. Interesting, if a bit weird...

Then there's the suggestion to help with the French champagne harvest. This weekend the 'vedange' or annual harvest is taking place and you can join in and visit some of the Champagne Houses that usually don't open their doors to the public. Now this sounds more like it! I might have to look into this one!

Photos: Brainbitch / FromTheNorth (Flickr)