Gulf Wars XIX: Monday & Tuesday
Monday was a super-lazy day aside from organizing and decorating our home for the week. We'd brought our lean-to dayshade, but I decided that it wouldn't do the job I'd wanted it to do. I purchased a canvas drop cloth the previous evening and sat under Their Highnesses' shade fly while sewing grommet holes into the fabric that would become our shade fly. By early afternoon, the pavilion and shaded area was set up to my liking, including an indoor/outdoor rug so that I could have outside barefoot time. (Spiky vegetation and the threat of bitey insects put a damper on my usual running about sans shoes.) I can't remember if I ever actually left camp on Monday. Oh wait, yes! We made our first foray into the marketplace in the late afternoon and I bought a lightweight mug peppered with rounded spikes. We also stopped by Egill's shop and I bought a walnut Glastonbury chair. I suggested Hubbyfink take a look at Egill's bed to get some ideas for how to construct a frame for us. Sian's bedframe was nice, but a little bit too tall and heavy for us. Egill said he had a couple of beds for sale. Plus, since I'd just bought a chair, he'd give me a discount. I looked at Hubbyfink. He looked back at me. Sold!
One good thing about camping in the back of beyond is that the privies stay fairly decent throughout the week; however, Hubbyfink and I were quite dismayed to discover that toilet paper disappeared pretty quickly. Thank goodness I always pack my own. We also learned that akgnome was not embellishing her description of the shower/flushy trailer as being frightening. Hubbyfink thought it could be something out of "Left 4 Dead". I got more of a "Friday the 13th" vibe. wombatgirl dubbed it the Bates Motel. Brrrr. The shower house, once the rightmost shower stalls quit backing up, was muuuuuch better. Plus, it had functional sinks and lighting.
Tuesday was Opening Ceremonies. I meant to take pictures of the procession but somehow I wound up in the Atlantian contingent (walking with kass_rants and mselspet and baronessadriana) processing to the fort. Their Majesties were resplendent in their Russian finery and Her Majesty's smile went to eleven. I waved to Hubbyfink and rhino_boy who were wise enough to have found a spot on the side of the road to watch the procession. I got a couple of photos of banners and people once we got to the fort, but we were standing off to the side, so the photos aren't great.
After Opening Ceremonies, WG, RB, Hubbyfink and I wandered off to check out the merchants. WG was an evil, horrible person and dragged me (kicking and screaming) to the most wonderful fabric merchant (District 96 Mercer). They had patterned wools and those patterns weren't paisleys! They had silk damask! They had REAL silk velvet! I made my debit card squeak for mercy and promised to return on Friday when my next paycheck went through. WG also directed us down the street to the Gode Bakery which is operated by the folks who run GodeCookery.com. OMG, applewood sausage and raspberry muffin and minty sekanjabin for the yummeh win!
That evening, Hubbyfink and I donned our warmest clothes (because it was really freaking cold in Mississippi this year!) and strolled about the site. We stuck our heads in the Green Dragon tavern, took a look at Al-Mahala, and finally stopped by Calontir and visited with WG and RB until the not-so-wee hours.
One good thing about camping in the back of beyond is that the privies stay fairly decent throughout the week; however, Hubbyfink and I were quite dismayed to discover that toilet paper disappeared pretty quickly. Thank goodness I always pack my own. We also learned that akgnome was not embellishing her description of the shower/flushy trailer as being frightening. Hubbyfink thought it could be something out of "Left 4 Dead". I got more of a "Friday the 13th" vibe. wombatgirl dubbed it the Bates Motel. Brrrr. The shower house, once the rightmost shower stalls quit backing up, was muuuuuch better. Plus, it had functional sinks and lighting.
Tuesday was Opening Ceremonies. I meant to take pictures of the procession but somehow I wound up in the Atlantian contingent (walking with kass_rants and mselspet and baronessadriana) processing to the fort. Their Majesties were resplendent in their Russian finery and Her Majesty's smile went to eleven. I waved to Hubbyfink and rhino_boy who were wise enough to have found a spot on the side of the road to watch the procession. I got a couple of photos of banners and people once we got to the fort, but we were standing off to the side, so the photos aren't great.
After Opening Ceremonies, WG, RB, Hubbyfink and I wandered off to check out the merchants. WG was an evil, horrible person and dragged me (kicking and screaming) to the most wonderful fabric merchant (District 96 Mercer). They had patterned wools and those patterns weren't paisleys! They had silk damask! They had REAL silk velvet! I made my debit card squeak for mercy and promised to return on Friday when my next paycheck went through. WG also directed us down the street to the Gode Bakery which is operated by the folks who run GodeCookery.com. OMG, applewood sausage and raspberry muffin and minty sekanjabin for the yummeh win!
That evening, Hubbyfink and I donned our warmest clothes (because it was really freaking cold in Mississippi this year!) and strolled about the site. We stuck our heads in the Green Dragon tavern, took a look at Al-Mahala, and finally stopped by Calontir and visited with WG and RB until the not-so-wee hours.