[Bordermarch] King's College, Thanks

[tessa]

Although the journey to King's College did not begin as an armada for Simonn 
and
myself,  there was something about the way the breezes were billowing our
sails that suddenly made us aware that a vessel exactly like that of Their
Excellencies Santiago and Elisabeth was immediately behind us.
We waved and greeted and caught ourselves laughing overboard because, lo,
after all, it was not they!  Shortly however, at time for breakfast in the 
port of Dayton,
our paths did meet with the Baron and Baroness of Bordermarch, and we
thereafter sailed together. Nearing the site, we noticed that we had slid
behind a vessel that looked exactly like Lord Adolph and Lady Collect's, but
laughed at ourselves thinking it was "probably not."
Behold, as we turned our sails to catch the turning winds, so did the vessel
in front of us; ... they were going to the same place we were going.  In
moments we realized indeed Adolf the Bear was at the helm.
When the nine of us arrived at gate and greeted each other,  HE Elisabeth 
was all ready
to assist with Gate duty.
Lady Isabella was stationed at her designated place awaiting the assembly of 
her
Research and Documentation class.
Lord Il Danach was surrounded by attentive listeners as he began
demonstration of his wood carving craft.  Lady Kaithleen and Lord George had
already established a shade pavilion.

Heralds and a gonging bell alerted us all day as to the change of the hour.

We passed immediately on our left the pottery shed where Sir Giotto had no
class vacancies left, but I was able to observe him and his students at the
wheel.  (It was reassuring to witness that his pottery class was slinging as
much wet mud as I am inclined to do, supposing myself  'too sloppy' at home.
I therefore wear an apron or other covering over my lap to keep from so much
mud landing on my lap.  As much mud appears to be the norm for others,
so I was glad to make that observation.)

Preparations and stations evidenced the myriad of classes ready to commence.
At the registration table, Lady Brenna would hand you your schedule or show
you the classes list. To our right side was a booth selling Popsicles in the
dreaded heat.  One could soon see the siege engine being hauled to its spot
in the open field, other class segments for heralds, calligraphy, bonsai
evidence, a fiber dying station, the chirurgeons' pavilion, a bardic shade,
and the opening where over-the-fire cooking was demonstrated on site.  Also
horses were in a shady glen, just yonder to the left.

Lady's Isabella's class on Research and Documentation referred her students 
to
the Kingdom A & S page to look for "The State of the Arts" link. We were all 
able
to take notes as we desired and present questions for consideration.

The cook's set up put me in mind of my earliest decade in the society when
doing the same way had been the norm for us, from gathering wood,
hanging the pots from tripods, through serving the meals to the masses under 
the stars.
(I'm rather satisfied that in my older age now we usually cook "ahead of an 
event;"
however this camp demo kitchen did yank at my homesick strings.)
Large birds were slowly roasting, spinning, unwinding the tension, suspended 
from the iron
cross beam over the fire.  Hints were given about modern foil for easy clean 
up,
for seasonings, and the use of a meat thermometer for insurance.  The aroma
drifted across the field into the next shade where bardic lilting amazed the
ears.

In Master Finnigan's Tale Telling class, he demonstrated ways to hold the 
interest of
one's audience and way of getting in touch with one's own inner ghoul for 
the sake of
telling a tale.  He provided a thick detailed handout which I will be glad 
to duplicate
for anyone who asks.

The lunch side board was a refreshing cool selection of roasted beef and 
chicken kabobs, cheese squares, rice, mixed berries and melons, and a fine 
cherry tart. Bordermarchers gathered in the shade to enjoy each others 
company and that of other students for a midday repast.  The heat was not 
unbearable, but a cooling mist station was available which was seldom seen 
empty.

His Majesty Romanius presented information about fighting skills.

The Siege Engine was immensely interesting and held the attention of several
of us for hours with practice shots offered.  The blacksmith class must have 
been great,
according to its audience and the wrought iron tools being made as they 
spoke.

A very informative class was on punch testing of linen square layers for 
safety testing
rapier fabric armor.  I learned specifically that to keep white linen a 
glowing clean,
soak it in lemon juice, rub salt into it, and dry it in the bright sunlight.

Countess Sara Penrose was gracious to hold a quick discussion about the 
beauty and service
of a portfolio of scrolls we carried out in behalf of HL Therese' d' Ivoire 
who was not able to travel to KC.
There is always a need somewhere in Kingdom for a black line scroll, and HL 
Theresa is interested in doing more of those. Her portfolio covered more 
than twenty years, ranging from Atenveldt/Ansteorra to Meridies/Gleann 
Ahbann awards and small group functions. Along that line, in one of the 
final classes, Her Majesty Deanna led a demonstration on original scroll 
making
to about the largest group I saw gathered together all afternoon. If some of 
us attended that class, I'd love to hear more about the details of it.

Another one of the final classes was a discussion with Mistress Annes for 
group Historians.  We were able to answer any number of questions for the 
gentlemen from Bryn Gwlad as well as have key suggestions to the other half 
dozen attendees. Among those facts, it is not the "paper" that is important 
so much as the "data" that is found there.  Electronic transfer for 
Historical archives in this day and age is recommended.  It is also 
important for new Historian officers to begin now, with current information, 
and try to gain support data for the past.  If possible, that is ideal.  If 
not possible, the Historians job can proceed from the here and now in a file 
for this year.  We were having such important discussions that I did not 
realize the hour had slipped away and Simonn had already packed up our 
baskets and books.  It was time to be away.