- September 1, 2007
-
 What a glorious
day for a walk through the village at the 2007 Maryland Renaissance
fair. Our day began with a mid-day meal. Sir Aidan enjoyed one
of his favorite items, a "Link on a Lance". And Daddy
scoffed down "Macaroni and cheese on a stick". Mom
was not as adventurous and a simple ham and cheese wrap. But
if you're in the mood for some great food, this is a good place
to visit. Turkey legs, sausage, bread bowl potato soup, and more
will fill you to contentment!
-
- We stopped by to visit our friends at the Woodbutchery. Alice and Alan are coming
up on their 1st wedding anniversary! To think that it was just
1 year ago that we became addicted to faire going from attending
their wedding!
-
- We journeyed around the village and found a most merrimented
group watching the "London
Broil" troupe of jugglers. Oh how festive and humorous
they were. Not to mention very good at their juggling. The 3
men stood in a line and tossed their batons to and fro. The man
in the middle caught the items being thrown at him from the front,
then tossed them over his head to the man behind him. Who then
tossed the items past the man in the middle back to the man in
the front. My goodness it was a sight to see. Then a volunteer
they asked for. A young woman Nichole was pulled from the audience
and placed in the center of two of the men. While the third brought
out the "Blades of Death". Yes indeed, they tossed
these giant knives in front of her and behind her while she stood
motionless in the middle. Oh it was a death defying sight to
see, to say the least. Not to mention poor Nichole who was wondering
what in the world she had gotten herself into. But they day was
won by the masterful jugglers! But the day was not over. With
Nichole safely back in her seat, the troupe added to their Blades
of Death, a giant circular blade that was reminiscent of a deadly
gigantic pizza cutter. And not to diminish their feats of glory,
they stood on boards, that balanced on a large round tube that
caused them to roll back and forth atop a bench for sitting.
From their precarious balanced position, they began tossing these
blades of death to each other! Glory be what a brave act of skill
and excitement it was!
-
 We had arrived
at the bottom of the hill, in the Kid's part of the village,
just in time to see King Henry's knighting ceremony. As with
last year, Sir Aidan was excited to attend and participate. His
goodly deed this year was "Taking care of our new puppy".
And the King was kind enough to re-affirm his chivalry and dedication
to the kingdom. At least this year he wasn't scared of the King.
He did have a problem turning around and facing the audience
for his introduction. But at least he was still a little gentleman.
-
- His goodly deed this year was "Taking care of his new
puppy." Could have just as easily been - "Being very
brave during the house fire!"
-
- As usual, people continually stopped us to take Sir Aidan's
picture. Of course he's such a ham he loved every moment of it.
While we were near the Kid Village, an oriental couple stopped
the 3 of us and asked if they could take our picture. The wife
and baby stood next to Lord Garrett and the Daddy snapped the
portrait. of his wife with this crazy dressed up family. Before
we knew it, there were others standing in line to take similar
portraits. I guess we are sight to see at the faire.
-
- But I think it's more likely to be the charisma of Sir Aidan,
who truly gets most of the attention. Many of the visiting Moms
point at him as they walk by and direct the attention of their
family and friends to his noble appearance. Of course he had
an exceptional time playing pirate on the great pirate ship docked
in Kid'ville as well. Steering the great ship, rushing across
the deck to the hidden portal that slides below deck, and running
up the gang plank. Playing with the visiting crew and making
new friends was the mission of his day.
  And
of course to mark his visit, a special henna tattoo.
He picks the image by himself. This year we had just visited
Hollow Earth Swordworks. Who's logo is tree under the northern
star. I think it was his inspiration.
- It was on to another show and storytelling by William Teller.
A very humorous gentle, from Sir Aidan's point of view. He laughed,
and giggled even before the story telling began. Lord Teller
recanted a tale of a lizard who loved to sing about his rock
home and a bear who lived up the hill and heard the lizard's
song. The bear rushed down and asked the lizard to teach him
the song, which he did of course. Encouraging the audience to
join in and sing along. Which we did of course. But the bear
had trouble remembering it and kept coming back to the lizard
over and over to learn the song again. Until finally the lizard
explained to the bear that he should sing the song about his
own home and his love of his den. Once the bear changed the tune,
he easily remembered the song. - On a side note, on our way home
we talked of the day and wanted to sing the song. Sadly, we were
like the bear and couldn't remember the very song we had song
at least 5 times ourselves!
-
- But alas there was more to see and do. We journeyed back
to the Woodbutchery for the 1st of what will be our annual family
renfaire picture. Thanks to Lady Alice and the beautifully crafted
and very large tree throne that rests in the corner of the butchery.
She graciously snapped the picture for us. So here we are, dressed
in our garb and having a wonderful family day together. Before
we left, Sir Aidan had talked Lord Garrett into purchasing a
very special walking staff for his use. It's the third time Sir
Aidan has picked out a similar staff and asked to take it home.
This time Lord Garrett gave in and acquired the finely crafted
staff and Sir Aidan was indeed excited and happy.
-
 We made
our way along the lane and found a special little place called
"The Midsummer Knight's
Dream". Within it's walls are very special Woodbabies.
From unicorns and griffins, to some very special wolves. Upon
a shelf waiting to be noticed was a wolf who seemed familiar
some how. It was not so long ago that we lost our own special
Merlin wolf to
cancer. Being the kindest and most carrying noble, Lord Garrett
prodded me to adopt him. And within moments he sat upon my shoulder
and traveled through the village sharing his magik with those
who noticed him.
-
- Many children noticed him first, as he moved to look at them
wondering by. They asked to pet him and asked if he was real.
How did he move and his he alive? Of course he is, you can touch
him can't you? You see him moving don't you? Their excitement
was contagious and eventually the Mom and Dad would take notice
and share in the magikal experience.
-
- Thus ended our adventure for this day. It was fun, exciting
and once again filled with magik and wonder.
-
- September 16, 2007
- What a day! There were many happenings to see and do. First
and foremost; it's Alice
& Alan's 1st wedding anniversary! And we had to pay our
respects of course. It also marks an anniversary of sorts for
us as well. It was on this day 1 year ago that we attended our
first renfaire. And it was here at the Maryland renfaire for
Alice and Alan's wedding.
-
- One year ago on this day we decided to make attending renfaires
in full regalia our family play thing! And we have scarcely looked
back ever since. It was a great decision and one we're having
a fantastic time putting into practice!
-
- But first and foremost as mentioned before, there's a wedding
anniversary to be acknowledged. We tracked through the lanes
until we came upon the Wood Butchery. We were met with a slice
of anniversary wedding cake and a glass of champaign. The cake,
saved from the original wedding day, was fabulous and made it
through the year keeping it's same wondrous beauty and flavor.
-
- The bride and groom wore there same renfaire wedding day
garb and both looked as wonderful as they did a short year ago.
 So our gift was
given. Hugs and congratulations were accepted. Introductions
to my family were made and now it was time to walk through the
village.
-
- Oddly enough this is the first time Sir Aidan, Lord Garrett
and I have made it to a jousting match here in Maryland. It's
not like we haven't had our opportunities to attend. We just
haven't made it around the village to get a seat in time to see
a match. On this day, we were following my sister Pam and her
planning clock.
-
- Now one thing about this jousting arena, it's a little small.
Well compared to our very first jousting arena which was at the
2006 Carolina Renfaire. Unfortunately we failed to record that
event, other than in our memories and renfaire Journal. A failure
I was not going to repeat on this day!
-
- Four knights graced the field before us. Honoring their King,
each other and the crowd that surrounded them. We were favored
first with feats of skill. Riding at a gallop each knight attempted
to slice an object in two as they rode by with sword in hand.
Next they
 attempted
to slice a series of ribbons that adorned steaks set before them
on the run. A skillful bunch of knights these were.
-
- They adorned their armor and meet in turn in the center for
combat. With sword and shield they clanged and banged upon their
opponent. It was exciting to watch and amazing to bear witness
to the steadiness of their very large and well trained horses!
They did not flinch or shy away from the combat taking place
above their ears. Instead they responded to their riders commands,
turning and prancing to assist in winning the combat.
-
- How terribly hot they must have been in that metal on such
a very warm late summer day. But they performed with strength
and valor and indeed a victor was proclaimed.
-
- Their next feat of battle was to run full force through the
jousting field. Spear and reigns in hand the strength of their
steeds paraded
 quickly
toward each other. Sir Aidan was mesmerized by the dueling as
you can see in that first picture above!
-
- The first pass was a draw and the great knights took their
turn in line for a second chance to be victorious. But as the
second group of knights raced toward each other, the smell of
victory was in the air. And we were not disappointed. The knight
of blue seen here scored a hit and knocked his opponent from
his horse. Victory! Hissah!
- It was a wonderful day, filled with fun and merriment by
all.
-
-
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- Archive
- March 2008
- October 2007
- September 2007
- May 2007
- January 2007
- October 2006
- September 2006
- It all begins!
- Alice & Alan
|
