![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
browncoat2x2So, after a week of living in the past, I have returned to the present.
Yes, I was camping with my medieval group this past week, having a (mostly) wonderful time. For the first time in five years, I got to relax at this event, too, instead of run around worrying about how everything was going.
We set up our tent on tuesday, only to discover that the front and back 2x2 poles were 3.5 inches too tall, co-incidentally the actual size of our 2x4 ridge pole. The instructions did not tell us to takin that into account when making the poles. We worked Wednesday, so didnt' actually go back to site until thursday, at which point we cut the poles down with a saw and everthing was happy. This new tent, a roman-style wall tent, gave us almost the exact same usable space as our giant, bulky, unwieldy and impossible to transport viking-stlye A-Frame tent, so I was very pleased. Not a drop of rain inside after several pounding thunderstorms! Awesome
Thursday night was spent under the 'Squire's Lounge', a large pavillion owned by friends of mine, and the default party spot on site. I stayed up very late.
Friday was a busy day. Armoured up and fought in several scenarios, boat battles, galleon battle, causway battle... shoved the big boys around again. Was noticed by many, and our Princess was heard to exclaim "I can't stop her!" Heeeeeheee. After fighting, I showered at the Saxon Showers, a lovely set up with air powered misters and heated water, divine. Then went to watch my brother-in-law fight in the Torchlight Tourney after dark. Four 'gates of hell' torches (long tubes attached to propane tanks with holes at the top) illuminated the field. He did well and it was fun to watch. Avoided the Kama Sutra party that was going on at my back, though sampled some liquere combination that tasted like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups... lovely. After the tourney, I headed back to my main camp for the Vigil of two of my close friends. There was an unbelievable spread of food, some crafts to keep people entertained and to make 'gifts' for the two on Vigil. Our Household went in en mass at the end of the night (2:30 am) and wished them well, and gave them the monies we'd collected for them to buy their own pavillion as their Vigil Gift. Very cool.
Saturday, I woke late and leisurely, sat around, ate some breakfast, then convinced the husband to come with me while I returned home to buy my ticket for SFX online at home. Spent a few hours doing that, having lunch, having a REAL SHOWER, etc. Headed back to site with popsicles for all the hot fighters which was very much appreciated. Then prepared for my Squiring. A huge number of people turned up, which was really amazing. My knight, Sir Cennedi, came dressed in his finery, wearing his County Coronet, while I was in plain camping garb, having run out of time to sew something new. He read a fragment of a Norse Poem, and presented me with a box which he had painted, with his badge on the front, his knight's badge on one side, and his knight's knight's badge on the other, and my husband's on the back, with my serpent on the top. Around the lid, he'd painted the fragment of the Norse poem in runes. Inside the box was a red belt, carved by my friend, with a brass buckle and belt end. Again, the fragment of the poem was carved into the leather in runes. I swore my oath of fealty to my Knight, and through him to the Crown of the North, and then my husband placed the belt around my waist and the hugging began. I honestly think I hugged more people that day then I did at my wedding. My squire brother gave me a square shield blank as a gift, and I will now get to learn to use the new style which is apparently more protective than my centre-boss round. I look forward to it.
After my Squiring, it was time for Court, and my friends who'd been on Vigil the night before were elevated to the Order of the Laurel, the highest award for Arts and Sciences in our club, making them Peers of the Realm. I got to speak to their character before the whole Court which was cool. After, I headed back to camp to help prepare for our household's yearly traditional party. We brought all the food and mead and beer over to the pavillion on the list field, and the party began. Unfortunately, it started to pour shortly thereafter, adn the party never reached it's full potential. I ended up in the Squire's lounge again - offical this time - and stayed up very late once again.
Sunday was tear down day. We had to burn 18 bales of hay, which was a fun experience. At one point, a friend of mine was in nothing but his white under tunic and brais, and was walking around the smoldering bales of hay with a stick... he looked like a peasant tending his charcoal fire. It was a very medieval moment.
We tore down all the shade pavillions, and cleaned up the site, loading up the trailors to transport it all back to my place. We all ate pizza in the shade of the trees and talked about what worked well, adn what needs improvement for next year.
Today was a holiday, and a decompression day... thank god... I'm so baked and tired and just brain dead... tomorrow I have to go to work again, and get back into the swing of things, which makes right now pretty much my bed time....
Till later...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-07-04 03:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-04 05:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-04 08:19 pm (UTC)It was!
no subject
Date: 2006-07-04 08:19 pm (UTC)There may be pictures... a friend of mine took several, so I'll see about getting some up eventually!
no subject
Date: 2006-07-04 12:32 pm (UTC)Great to have you back! Was wondering where you were!
I'm glad you had such a good time, and I hope you have some pictures, I'd love to see you in all your medieval glory. *G*
no subject
Date: 2006-07-04 08:20 pm (UTC)I may have some pictures later... I'll see what I can do!