Tourney of the Yellow Rose

I have finally recovered enough (although I'm still tired)from the weekend to make a post. The A & S and Archery afternoon went really well - Sorle and I passed as Target Archery Marshals (TAMs) so I can start to organise regular archery activities. The banner making went down a treat as did the leatherworking. A huge thank you to Finn and MoG for coming to teach us - and to Caterina for assisting as well!

Friday night started with dinner at Hog's Breath and a few quiet drinks at home. Then a huge day Saturday with feeding people for lunch and the Tavern, not to mention the archery stuff! We had a most enjoyable evening with good food (even if I do say so myself), good company, much laughter and singing! It was great to hear Finn sing in person! I am so proud of Conrad and Gryffen - Conrad did a few verses of Amazing Grace (he is developing quite the voice!) and Gryffen did a small song in Dutch! We of course had to do the Radburne Drinking Song which caused fits of giggles. My mum and dad said they thoroughly enjoyed themselves too and it was the best event they had attended so far(they have been to 3 this year).

The Tourney on Sunday was nice too - although a tad disappointing from a fighter's perspective - we had 2 no shows and 2 out injured (not SCA related I might add!) so we had Lord Sorle and Baron Sir Guillame. A big thank you to those two who took the field! They did so with enthusiasm, pomp and ceremony which was most enjoyable and in keeping with the spirit of the Tourney of the Yellow Rose!

A photographer from the Daily Liberal turned up too so we should be in the paper sometime this week - will just have to keep an eye out!

We did our little speeches and gave gifts (I'm just sorry I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the banner - I was so busy on Saturday I forgot!) and got a bit misty eyed. We're hoping to catch up with Oz and Francesca at Festival, but if not then the Radburne War Weekend in August. We will stay in touch of course via email etc.

I got most of my jobs done before the weekend but some I just couldn't finish due to lack of hours in a day, like my new dress. Not to worry, that is something I can do over the summer break - sit in air conditioning and sew! The next big task is getting gear together for Festival because it is only ever 2 weeks away!

I also have to say a huge thanks to my family - to Johanna for helping out with last minute sewing together of the banner (which I ran out of time to do), my mum for making afternoon tea, my dad for being a sounding board and his words of wisdom, Conrad, Wolfstanus and Gryffen for helping out with all the little tasks I asked them to do, and a huge, huge, thank you to my husband who has put up with all the organising and time spent on it! He helped out wherever possible and even stayed home on Sunday to do all the housework so I wouldn't have to do it when I got home. You are and always will be my Knight in Shining Armour - I love you with all my heart! Thanks for putting up with my hobby! (I have to add he is slowly being drawn into this hobby too! LOL)

I'm looking forward to the summer break, to wind down a little and to work on some projects as well as for the group to have a think about direction for next year.