Dansecombe Academy...
So, have been to several Dansecombe Academies in the past, and have always come away with away with learning something new plus hanging out with the Interior people. So, I was looking forward to this years rapier classes. The previous Academies have been either in the spring and if I remember also in the fall. Fall can be tricky as the mountain passes can be tricky. But I was not all that concerned (had the Mother in Law's 4x4)
So, got my classes reserved, truck packed and had the whole day to get up there (no rushing or night driving). Checked the highway cams, #5 not looking that great but still...not that bad, #3/#97 looking better, but is 1 1/2 hours longer a drive....take the #5 and risk it. Didn't get out of the house as early as I'd like to have, but on the road by 10:30 am...no biggie. Start going up the #5 and all is good...and then not so good...then traffic comes to a complete halt WTF?. Crawl for about 1/2 hour...one of the drivers going back down the hill yells out to either chain up or go back....sigh...no chains. Traffic hasn't really moved much for the next 20 minutes...F this...find a cut out and head back down the hill (realistically...I'm not that far up the #5....I'm taking the #3/97). Other than a few sketchy spots not that bad. Decide to risk taking the 5a from Princeton to the 97C connector...other than more small rock slides (well...fallen rock about 5-8 inches in size) on the road around blind corner than I like...the road is clear and dry. Hook up on the 97C and all is good...till I hit fog....and now it's getting dark to boot...fcuk....nothing all that bad....just really have to slow down now.
Finally roll into Kelowna about 5:30 realistically....not all that bad considering. Others have chosen not to risk the road or have given up part of the way...hmmm...ya, I could understand that...if the 3/97 was any worse...I'd have gone home too.
Crashing at Kieran's and Jaida's for the weekend. Hang out with some of the crowd watching BAD BAD...horrible Youtube videos till Don Samuel finally rolls in. Then soon afterwards....sleepy time....time to grab a chunk of couch. Samuel warns me about his snoring...I warn him about mine...but I win at who falls asleep first.
Morning arrives...get my act together and off we all go. The cops are out in full ticket writing fury...but I've got random strangers to hide behind...no laser tag for me! Finally arrive on site...most of my classes have been cancelled ...hmm...well, time to hang out and chit chat with Enoch and Andrew...make plans for next years GWW. Get to help out with unit drills (Gemma...our Pretty Pretty Proto Princess...wants a pike brigade...oh...maybe have to get my heavy kit together) and do some George Silver stuff with Enoch.
My one an only remaining class finally happens, Intro to Meyers Rapier C&T, being taught by my Cadet Tulloran. It's got some interesting things in it...and some interesting moves....more of which I think I'll be able to use...and more for which I'll have to apologize for hitting hard with (seems Meyer likes to truly ram his message home). Also did a bunch of pick up fights...ya...got to pick on my Cadet for awhile...till we traded blows to the diaphragm...mine being the stronger blow...(whoops)
So....instead of a feast, the majority of the event people...go to the local pub (damn near fill the back half with just us!). Order me up a Stuffed Yorkshire pudding...turns out to be a Yorkshire pudding the size of a human head stuffed with meat and covered in gravy! I'm rarely defeated by a meal (my expanding belly is testament to that)....but I couldn't finish all that was on my plate.
Back to Kieran's for some drinking! And how we ended up on SCA politics....I don't know (though I blame Enoch) but much Scotch was consumed (plus my whole bottle of Rye gifted to me from my Cadet....good Cadet...good). But now...sleepy time cometh. But this night....I lose the who falls asleep first contest....and I lose big. I now apologize to anyone else who's ever TRIED to fall asleep in the same room as snoring me....I now feel your pain...
Morning arrives once again...and now the decision...which way home....#5? After looking at the road cams...oh Hell's no....97C/5a...no way Jose. 97 and 3 it is. Actually, it was fine all the way home (though some snowy spots in Manning Park) 5 1/2 hours later....home....and done.
So, good times were had, things learned and booze consumed. Looking forward to the next Dansecombe Academy (though...please...during better driving season!)
So, got my classes reserved, truck packed and had the whole day to get up there (no rushing or night driving). Checked the highway cams, #5 not looking that great but still...not that bad, #3/#97 looking better, but is 1 1/2 hours longer a drive....take the #5 and risk it. Didn't get out of the house as early as I'd like to have, but on the road by 10:30 am...no biggie. Start going up the #5 and all is good...and then not so good...then traffic comes to a complete halt WTF?. Crawl for about 1/2 hour...one of the drivers going back down the hill yells out to either chain up or go back....sigh...no chains. Traffic hasn't really moved much for the next 20 minutes...F this...find a cut out and head back down the hill (realistically...I'm not that far up the #5....I'm taking the #3/97). Other than a few sketchy spots not that bad. Decide to risk taking the 5a from Princeton to the 97C connector...other than more small rock slides (well...fallen rock about 5-8 inches in size) on the road around blind corner than I like...the road is clear and dry. Hook up on the 97C and all is good...till I hit fog....and now it's getting dark to boot...fcuk....nothing all that bad....just really have to slow down now.
Finally roll into Kelowna about 5:30 realistically....not all that bad considering. Others have chosen not to risk the road or have given up part of the way...hmmm...ya, I could understand that...if the 3/97 was any worse...I'd have gone home too.
Crashing at Kieran's and Jaida's for the weekend. Hang out with some of the crowd watching BAD BAD...horrible Youtube videos till Don Samuel finally rolls in. Then soon afterwards....sleepy time....time to grab a chunk of couch. Samuel warns me about his snoring...I warn him about mine...but I win at who falls asleep first.
Morning arrives...get my act together and off we all go. The cops are out in full ticket writing fury...but I've got random strangers to hide behind...no laser tag for me! Finally arrive on site...most of my classes have been cancelled ...hmm...well, time to hang out and chit chat with Enoch and Andrew...make plans for next years GWW. Get to help out with unit drills (Gemma...our Pretty Pretty Proto Princess...wants a pike brigade...oh...maybe have to get my heavy kit together) and do some George Silver stuff with Enoch.
My one an only remaining class finally happens, Intro to Meyers Rapier C&T, being taught by my Cadet Tulloran. It's got some interesting things in it...and some interesting moves....more of which I think I'll be able to use...and more for which I'll have to apologize for hitting hard with (seems Meyer likes to truly ram his message home). Also did a bunch of pick up fights...ya...got to pick on my Cadet for awhile...till we traded blows to the diaphragm...mine being the stronger blow...(whoops)
So....instead of a feast, the majority of the event people...go to the local pub (damn near fill the back half with just us!). Order me up a Stuffed Yorkshire pudding...turns out to be a Yorkshire pudding the size of a human head stuffed with meat and covered in gravy! I'm rarely defeated by a meal (my expanding belly is testament to that)....but I couldn't finish all that was on my plate.
Back to Kieran's for some drinking! And how we ended up on SCA politics....I don't know (though I blame Enoch) but much Scotch was consumed (plus my whole bottle of Rye gifted to me from my Cadet....good Cadet...good). But now...sleepy time cometh. But this night....I lose the who falls asleep first contest....and I lose big. I now apologize to anyone else who's ever TRIED to fall asleep in the same room as snoring me....I now feel your pain...
Morning arrives once again...and now the decision...which way home....#5? After looking at the road cams...oh Hell's no....97C/5a...no way Jose. 97 and 3 it is. Actually, it was fine all the way home (though some snowy spots in Manning Park) 5 1/2 hours later....home....and done.
So, good times were had, things learned and booze consumed. Looking forward to the next Dansecombe Academy (though...please...during better driving season!)