Border Raids really is one of my favorite SCA events, even though it is ungodly hot and I would be tickled absolutely pink if it were moved to say….MAY. for example.
This year was a new site. Very pretty very nice…would be super in say….MAY. for example.
Thea came over around noon and she Kat and I went to M-boro to pick up my squire Ashildr, then off to E-town.
Got there checked into the hotel, grabbed dinner and went to site. site was a public camp ground but nice, good fighting field lots of camping pretty good amount of room. Hung out on site till the Torch Light (as in just one) tournament started, then headed back to get some rest in before the big day Saturday.
Up (fairly) bright and early Saturday, got to site and got stuff set up. Haus Gewalthaufen had a pretty good attendance looked like Meridies and allies (Thanks Trimaris) had about 60 fighters Midrealm had between 75-80. so not too bad.
First fight was a Long Hall battle (no res)- 25 fighters hold the hall while all of our army attacked, 10 minutes after Lay-On the rest of the Midrealm forces would be released as “re-enforcements” the smart move for either side holding the “long hall” would have been to hold up in either ends giving them only two breeches to defend….neither did that and each time the smaller force was overwhelmed. All in all it went about as I expected.
Second fight was a (Very Wide) bridge battle – the command (as I understood it ) was Big G and I were going to charge the Mid’s line, and when we made contact the rest of our shields would use that impact to “ground” (a horrible move for us, we’re just not built for equiped for that) and fight a defensive attrition battle. Anyway, at lay-on Big G and I took off and slammed into the enemy lines…about 2.3 seconds later, “Polar Bear fell on me” , basically either (most likely) G knocked someone over on me or he got knocked over on me (doubtful), and landed on the side of my calf. As soon as I felt it I stopped fighting and just let the impact take me to the ground (after MANY years of football I KNOW that feeling and I know its the best way to avoid real damage) but even with that tactic I felt the “pop” felt my leg/knee shutter. I got up and hobbled off the field (several folks asked to help) and made it to the pavilion where the ladies iced my knee and took care of me. (I never made it to the rest of the battles for the day)
I could only take that for a little while and headed back to the hotel where good friends (Thanks! Aslin, Hala, Wolfgang, Finn) all helped Kat take fabulous care of me checking on me several times and following up, several folks checked in on me (thanks your Maj’s).
That Monday I went to the Dr. who gave me the news – some stretched and pulled tendons, a knee sprain – rest it take care of it – which i “mostly” did. now I think I’ll try fighting on it for the first time since, at RUM on Saturday.
Was gone to Lilies War in Calontir from 13 – 20 June.
Drove out on the 13th with Serena, arrived on the 14th, set up camp on the point with our hosts Gottfried and Bridgett. also in attendance (in the camp-located in Lower Tiberia – aka the point) were Serena, Mel, Madoc, Valaria, Thomas, Elisanda, Cisco, Omi, Cassi, Genevote, Bill, Katerina, and 3 other people who’s name I can’t remember… and a couple of cameo’s by Tibs himself
The pont where we normally camp was reduced to about 2/3rds its normal usable size due to a new road. This meant that the local eco system had been thrown in a tizzy. add that to some rain and poor drainage (also due to said road) and viola – Spiders in the tent…this meant that when “A” arrived Wednesday the tent was apparently too crowded and she got “us” a hotel.
Fighting this year had moved all the way to the other side of site – which meant instead of the fighting being 50 yards from site, it was no about half a mile. in case you don’t know, I’m a fat man, that means I don’t like to walk that far in armor, but I did. But I didn’t fight anywhere near as much as I normally do, cool part is, its Lilies, laid back is part of the game. They tell me the battlefield will be back in its old spot again next year (WOOT!) thats a good thing. thats too much walking for vacation.
Several fun things happened out there but the coolest was the “discovery” of “Shatto Milk” – a local dairy that makes many flavored milks, and let me tell you it was FABULOUS! The Strawberry milk was the bomb…. it alone would be almost worth the trip every year.
Thursday fighting was neat – in the belted/unbelted rose tournament our king fought for our princess, and our prince, and the Kings squire (Cisco) fought for our Queen – all did well but alas none proved victorious.
Childrens tournament on Friday afternoon was fun as always lots of children, The only Meridians in the tournament were Prince Maximillian and I – always fun, and the little girl who sponsored me seemed really excited to have gotten a knight as a “pickup” fighter – its always nice to see them smile. – Duke Hrothgar from the Outlands won the tournament.
Got some decent pickups in Friday, using the experimental Polysomethingorother swords – Don’t think I’m going to like them, they are heavy and feel dead in my hand. I might like them more once I can shave down the handle to something usable…
Friday night had the fireworks show – which was beautiful as always, this years was extra special though, as just before the big finish there was a pause, and an single rocket went off – this was lit by Duke Sven of Caid, and it held the ashes of our favorite Kitty – Duchess Kolfina of Caid. whom we all love and miss, it was very touching.
Saturday was going to see a lazy day and us leaving at the end, but we’d had a light weather Lilies and when we got up the weather man said there was a big storm coming through….so we went to site got everything taken down and prepped to load, then as “A” took Mel and Serena to the airport, thats when the rains came and the tornado sirens went off…and several of us got to go stand down in “the hallar” in the rain as the weather passed over us. Luckily all the stuff that was yet to be packed into the van was covered by a tarp (thanks Bridget!) and only got a little wet on the bottom sides.
Ok so that is the rough sketch of how the week of Lilies went…
