Jan 2010

Thu 31 Dec 2009
We flew in to Dublin, were picked up by Hilde and arrived in the heart of Ireland to stay at an SCA sharehouse owned / occupied by Sigmundr, Sagadis and Etienne. Sigmundr is a genuine published novelist, but the three of them gain more from Etienne's jewellery expertise and they all work toward this business. Jen couldn't keep her eyes open to make it to midnight (yet again) but Steve thoroughly enjoyed the revelry into the small hours.

Fri 01 Jan 2010
New Years' Day, and its a glorious but literally freezing day. The garden wading pool is completely frozen over and strong enough to take a man's weight. The children walk about on the ice in the fountain. Here's the late rising sun over the frost - that is one heck of a serious frost!



And here is the lovely grand Georgian homestead we're staying in. 

Our hosts arranged for this weekend to be an SCA event as well. They have a permanently set up spare hall laying about for events! And a couple of other buildings for offices / horse stables and such-like. When these three aren't working on the business they're doggedly working on renovations across the property.... or restoring classic Jaguars, or exercising the horses, or tending the hundreds of herbs in the garden, or....

Sat 02 Jan 2010
So today Jen spent as much time indoors as possible, and Steve got into armour and got physical with the locals. Here's a shot by Jen (indoors) of the courtyard (outside, the white bits are frost yes it is dang cold!) The building you can see here, has a games and art area upstairs.

 

At right: Steve keeping warm with Cernac.

 
Below: The hall was heated. L-R: Steve, Hilde, Cernac, Sigmundr.  

Later on the feast was here in this hall.... loads of tasty dishes served up... unexpectedly Etienne came into the hall clothed as Death, and entertainingly harassed various unsuspecting folk. His scythe was made of kitchen foil and many jokes were swapped back and forth about its floppiness. Perhaps this inspired us all, and the evening degenerated into bawdy songs and fanciful tales.

 
Sun 03 Jan 2010
We squeezed the last out of the event, consulting with Etienne as our seneschal, and Jen taught him a couple of things about painting with fine gouache. Alas we left and headed back home to a new mountain of unpacking and laundry.

Mon 04 Jan 2010
Snow makes east London look so clean!
Loads of sporadic snowy days across the next fortnight or so......
This photo taken 6th (Wednesday morning)

 
Thu 07 Jan 2010
After work we picked up Judith and Gerhardt from Heathrow and brought them home.

Fri 08 Jan 2010
Had a leisurely breakfast together - Steve cooked eggs benny, and hopped in the car, drove toward Bournemouth (about 2-3 hour journey). Loads of very beautiful 2 to 3 inch thick blankets of snow everywhere. We did stop in to see the Mary Rose on the way but it was closed due to the snow. Darn it.

Sat 09 Jan 2010
So Judith and Gerhardt 'stepped down' from being King and Queen, and Fiona and Thorvaldr stepped up.  Our friend Mary is elevated to Pelican (very well deserved award), and Cernac was made a Laurel.

 Above: Steve speaks about Mary's virtues during her elevation / ceremony.Raphe took this photo, and the next also. This photo at right is as Judith is created a Lady of the Rose after her reign as Queen.

Next photo below is by Theodric, and is of Judith and Gerhardt as a newly made Duke and Countess. It was really lovely to see our pointy hats worn elegantly by our friends (borrowed for the night). Alaric's ermine also looked fab on Gerhardt!

Sun 10 Jan 2010
Unfortunately Jen left the camera and her watch at site, and wished it would have turned up during unpacking but it was not so.  On the way home we indulged our guests and drove to Bodiam Castle. It was closed, but we were allowed to wander about the grounds. This was really fun and very beautiful. It's the deepest snow we've ever seen - half way up the calves! Very very beautiful snow, darn not having the camera to hand!

Mon 11 Jan 2010
Our guests made their own way to the airport today while we were at work.
This week we watched loads of original series Star Trek episodes. Thanks to Sophie for getting us the DVD sets for Xmas.

Tue 12 Jan 2010
The London snow has turned to slush and black ice, and is now almost all gone. But its still stoopidly cold. Three jackets, beenie, scarf and gloves.... but the legs feel cold in the wind.

Wed 13 Jan 2010
Jen wakes to find she is very light sensitive, so back to bed. Steve cooks her a nice dinner - what a sweetie.

Thu 14 Jan 2010
Hooray for our missing camera (and Jen's watch) being declared found in the lost n found from the weekend. The bad news, it subsequently gets put into a safe place by the rescuers, who eventually do find these items but only after turning their flat upside-down (and returned at last in February).

Sat 16 Jan 2010
Today we both went to work. In the evening we had Edith come around and enjoy takeaway with us, and watched a DVD.

Wed 20 Jan 2010
Jen wakes up to strange heart palpitations! Its been more and more frequent over the past year, but today was insistent enough that she was worried. Gets blood tests and ECG at the hospital. The results 2 weeks later are normal, and the doctor doesn't need to see her. Since this day, hasn't been as bad, so hoping it will just continue diminishing. Taking it easy in the meanwhile.

Sat 23 Jan 2010
Today was the annual SCA London event, held in a little 14th century London city church called St Ethelburga's. Here is a nice photo taken by Theodric, a pic of us holding court as Viceroy and Vicereine.

Sun 24 Jan 2010
Scooped out itty bitty bits of glass from the car. Thieves smashed the passenger front window and raided the glovebox. Wasn't anything worth stealing, but the inconvenience (and unnecessary expenditure) of replacing the window was infuriating!

Sat 30 Jan 2010
A belated Aussie Day party. Us and about 10 guests watched "The Castle" a true Aussie classic. Everyone tried Vegemite, mint slice, Anzac biccies, Tim Tams and lamingtons. (but Jen passed on the Vegemite).