House Capuchin 3

Easy travels, came in and found a good camp place fairly quickly. How fortunate! The good people at The Gate were sorting out the usual… one woman seemed a little faint and flushed from the heat as I was greeted in, so when I got my camp roughed out, I went back to Gate to lend a hand. I was given what seemed to be an almost silly task– folding the voluminous program schedules*. However, apparently it was appreciated and a needful tiny project. Lesson: Create small tasks so that everyone can participate and enjoy the satisfaction of contributing to the Event. Conversely, don’t be afraid to ask TO help– who knows that a small favour might benefit new friends.

I also went back to Gate because, as per instructions, I had left there the packages which House Capuchin assigned to me to be delivered. I was a little concerned about the cold-package of vittles for vigils, because I had no idea where its destination was located. However, just as I was explaining to the new Gateperson why I was poking around the packages, up bounded a big healthy enthusiastic lad from the very vigils camp, so he relieved us of the heavy load. The other package recipient was known by some at Gate, and so I trust that package was properly received as well.

*I rather liked the voluminous program “Book” –it was small-print, so there was a lot of good information and insight about Tournaments and general SCA knowledge. Oddly, although maybe there was meant to be, there was no map, which would have helped a lot, maybe a simplified version of the events area on the online map at http://adiantum.antir.sca.org/…/up…/2017/05/Egils-43-Map.pdf

I stayed at Gate awhile with Forest [?] and Moira [? my spelling of names is probably incorrect] partly because it was close to Field, and partly because it’s fun to watch people come in to The Gathering, new and old Family.
I walked around Camp for awhile, watched a little Beat-And-Greet… after all, like the Book says regarding the Egil Skallagrimsson Memorial Tournament on Sunday morning –“The reason we’re all here.” Ahhh… the smell of wet leather and sweat-soaked quilting and the sound of heavy blows and the ensuing grunts.
I wanted to watch some of the archery, too, but I know to pace myself, so I wisely went back to my camp to eat some cold Zucchini Squares and dense, moist Banana Bread –both made with green butter. Corn chips and cold raw zucchini slices. Swiss cheese. That’s all I ate all weekend, and it was excellent. [EXCEPT Sunday morning when I had a $5 plate of superb biscuits & gravy at McLavender’s cafe – good and reasonable.] I had a tot of rum and laid down early to a long quiet sleep. I had thought I wanted to be in Noisy Camp, but ya know… something to be said about peace and quiet, too.

Saturday, my first “mission” was to deliver a hand-made and blackwork embroidered pincushion to the Silent Auction before 10am – yikes! That’s early for me! Mission accomplished, with surprising ease. Then I walked around the merchants circle and spoke with some of the craftspeople. I was amazed at the reasonable prices being asked for amazing workmanship. I went to Gate for awhile and helped Xenos [?] by folding Books again – he took the time to teach me more about SCA traditions such as Three Pillars. Of course, when I heard the loud blows and grunts beginning from the Field, I excused myself and went to enjoy Holmgang armored fighting. Heavy chalk circle drawn on ground. “Pretend you’re fighting on an ice flow. You fall off, you die…”
Also watched some rapier action. Here’s where women seem to have an advantage – sprightly and intuitive can be more effective in this sport. Rapier is more dance-like, whereas the armored fighting is more brutal and intense. That being said, it sure was fun to cheer Vesta in the brutal-intense realm where she shines.

I never made it to any classes all weekend, my loss. There was so much to take in! Even studying peoples’ garb as they walked around was educational. Also, with no map it was less clear where classes were held and if at the time they were held, they were full, open, pay, free, pre-register, etc. even with the Book. Also I’m lazy. This Egils felt more like summer vacation than school.
I was able to discern where to work at Egils next time, where my talents will serve. Had I known I would be in shade in camp, I would have brought my guitar. I reconnoitered several places where a busker might serve very well!

Saturday afternoon I went back to my camp to rest for Court – and The Night. Court was beautiful and came to me. I was standing in the shade of a side pavilion towards the back of the Field to watch the proceedings, when Court suddenly realized that the Sun was all wrong. Heads will roll, I’m sure. Populace was solicited to physically move the 8-pole assembled pavilion and all its thrones and accoutrements to the other end of the Field, and suddenly I found myself “in the wings” where I could stand quietly unseen and yet see and hear up close and personal. It was a bold and brilliant decision, because now Royalty – and populace — were more comfortably in the shade of this late afternoon. Court was beautiful and made me get a tear or two in my eye – who doesn’t like to see the deserving receive their just awards?

Saturday Night. I am going to wander like The Lost and see where it gets me. Well, not far – K- Camp. Earlier in the day, I had crossed paths with brother Marcus from House Capuchin, and his pavilion was near the Trail which I was using to go to and from my camp. He mentioned that his neighbors were kind of rowdy. Perfect. When I went to their camp and introduced myself, I felt Camp-Mom and I were going to get along juuuust fine. And so it was. She was being responsible for children in camp and therefore politely declined the rum I offered — but there were other takers. So I sat around their fire, enjoying some truly unique conversation. And rum. There was lots of discussion about SeaDogs Nights and Gypsy Carnival. I am invited to camp with them. There are requirements to join this camp, of course, one being to construct a spork. www.seadognights.com

It was mentioned, almost as a dare, that Heresy Camp [graphically explained] was nearly next door down the path, but it was too quiet down there for some reason. If I’m going to <gulp> experience Heresy Camp, I want the whole lively blasphemous package, not some passed-out dregs. I accomplished what I set out to do – drank some rum and boasted some boasts with new friends around the fire, and made it safely back to my camp – intact – in the early hours of Sunday morn…

Sunday morning, the Egil Skallagrimsson Memorial Tournament –“The reason we’re all here.” Amazing as usual, the virtual experience – it’s gotta be HOT inside there! and the eternal enjoyment of cheering on the fighters…
oh, I’ll be back!

Alas, the sun reached its zenith and slowly I packed my caravan, bid a fond adieu to the Lords and Ladies, and traveled a safe and pleasant journey back to the sea, and damn glad to be here now, home in my humble home,
with a headful of dreams…