Game of Thrones!

That was to get your attention.

This isn't about GoT, but is certainly in the same field. Just had to share with you all my visit to Graz's mediaeval armoury, while I was in Austria a couple of weeks ago. OK... bear with me, it really was spectacular, even if you hate that sort of thing and don't like rack upon rack of swords and pistols.

First of all, it's the biggest in the world. Second, there's over 32,000 weapons and armour on 4 packed floors. Third, it goes back to the 13th century. And finally, you can only get in to see it on just one official tour every day, so you have the place to yourself.

Surprisingly, only about 20 people turned up on my day, but we were in for a treat. The guide not only painted a brilliant, if brutal picture of the sort of carnage that the contents of the museum/ armoury had caused in its rich and very sanguine past, but also allowed me to hold one of the largest long broad swords.

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The prize of the collection was an amazing and all-encompassing piece of 15th century horse armour, which is valued at several million euros, not surprisingly. What stunned the whole group was the sheer number of swords, pistols, flintlocks, armour and even cannons in this smallish building on the main shopping street in central Graz. It's like putting the Tower of London on Oxford Street.

I could have wandered the tight weapons' aisles all day - it sort of resembled a mediaeval Sainsbury's for the up-and-coming knight, who needed kitting out fast.

So... if you love history and need a quick and impressive fix, within an two hours of Gatwick, then Graz's armoury is the place for you.

And I thought it slightly appropriate to post this on the day that GoT starts its final season. I'm quite sure that most of the combatants in that amazing series would give their right arm for a quick forage in Graz's mediaeval armoury, before getting to grips with the white walkers.