MDRF Weekend the 4th...
The Heat!...The Humidity!...
There was both. But we survived, and the humidity made for some good bubbling...
As always, the pictures are available on our Photo Gallery.
The heat and humidity were indeed, oppressive. Temperatures in the 90's on both days lead to minimal garbing and poor sales. It was Scottish weekend, with lots of pipes and drums, but it's hard to be enthusiastic in such weather. However humid days mean great bubbles, which is exactly what we got. So on Saturday, I took Ellawyn down to the Bubble Cart and she and I practiced her hand bubbling. This is a vital skill that every apprenticed bubble fairy needs to learn, and she is getting there. It takes an understanding of soap films and suspension to get good ones. Here is a little slide show set to the music of Dean Martin, singing "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles".
Each morning, the hair braiders next to us fill up with pre-opening braids. They open early so participants can get twisted before the cannon. So on Sunday, Jamie got her locks all knotted up. That's her in the back with braiders working each other in front. It's alot of fun being next to the braiding booth, as it's a bit of a hang out spot when not busy. Sort of like a hair salon...
On Sunday, friends from the Cumberland area came for a visit to their first RenFest. Here is their boy, Graham, and Ellawyn. We showed them around and gave them the behind scenes tour. It's always neat to have that outside perspective of what we do. Reminds us that it is really fascinating to many people. We took Graham to his first Joust, which is, of course, boy heaven. And just to ice the cake, Sir Barchan came over in his full plate armor, and had a nice talk with us and the kids. JHe explained the history of both old world and modern jousting, let the kids bang on his armor, showed them how the plates moved, and really hung out. I think that Graham's parents enjoyed it as much as he did. After the joust, Graham had just gotten his first wooden sword, and our kids were doing what every RenFest worker dreads and fears...fighting in the streets. Of course, when they are this little and well behaved, it's really cute. Graham looks surprisingly fierce and Ellawyn intent on winning, which she will. With kids her age, she pretend fights, but with Jared and myself, we have agreed to really train her so she is learning blocks, parries and counter attacks. Shield work is slow, but she will get it. The pictures show this well.
In all, it was a good weekend. It will be nice when the cooler air comes, the leaves turn, and it doesn't hurt to wear the garb. The clothing of this era evolved in a Europe beset by a little ice age, so the garb is decidedly not suited to the muggy climate of the Chesapeake summer. Soon, the Autumn air will grow crisp, the leaves start to turn, and a hot mug of cider while wearing leather and wool will seem lovely. We look forward to it with antici..............
Kubiando!
Mythical Designs
There was both. But we survived, and the humidity made for some good bubbling...
As always, the pictures are available on our Photo Gallery.
The heat and humidity were indeed, oppressive. Temperatures in the 90's on both days lead to minimal garbing and poor sales. It was Scottish weekend, with lots of pipes and drums, but it's hard to be enthusiastic in such weather. However humid days mean great bubbles, which is exactly what we got. So on Saturday, I took Ellawyn down to the Bubble Cart and she and I practiced her hand bubbling. This is a vital skill that every apprenticed bubble fairy needs to learn, and she is getting there. It takes an understanding of soap films and suspension to get good ones. Here is a little slide show set to the music of Dean Martin, singing "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles".
Click to viewEach morning, the hair braiders next to us fill up with pre-opening braids. They open early so participants can get twisted before the cannon. So on Sunday, Jamie got her locks all knotted up. That's her in the back with braiders working each other in front. It's alot of fun being next to the braiding booth, as it's a bit of a hang out spot when not busy. Sort of like a hair salon...
On Sunday, friends from the Cumberland area came for a visit to their first RenFest. Here is their boy, Graham, and Ellawyn. We showed them around and gave them the behind scenes tour. It's always neat to have that outside perspective of what we do. Reminds us that it is really fascinating to many people. We took Graham to his first Joust, which is, of course, boy heaven. And just to ice the cake, Sir Barchan came over in his full plate armor, and had a nice talk with us and the kids. JHe explained the history of both old world and modern jousting, let the kids bang on his armor, showed them how the plates moved, and really hung out. I think that Graham's parents enjoyed it as much as he did. After the joust, Graham had just gotten his first wooden sword, and our kids were doing what every RenFest worker dreads and fears...fighting in the streets. Of course, when they are this little and well behaved, it's really cute. Graham looks surprisingly fierce and Ellawyn intent on winning, which she will. With kids her age, she pretend fights, but with Jared and myself, we have agreed to really train her so she is learning blocks, parries and counter attacks. Shield work is slow, but she will get it. The pictures show this well.
In all, it was a good weekend. It will be nice when the cooler air comes, the leaves turn, and it doesn't hurt to wear the garb. The clothing of this era evolved in a Europe beset by a little ice age, so the garb is decidedly not suited to the muggy climate of the Chesapeake summer. Soon, the Autumn air will grow crisp, the leaves start to turn, and a hot mug of cider while wearing leather and wool will seem lovely. We look forward to it with antici..............
Kubiando!
Mythical Designs