[Steppes] Steppes Fighter Practice - 6-05-2005

[Mike]

Heilsa,

Visitor(s):

Kage Taka Nosaka from the Barony of Nottinghill Coil of the Kingdom of 
Altantia. Kage travels to this area once or twice a month on business 
and came out to see the fighter practice and meet the people at 
practice.  Gaga had visited the Texas Scottish Festival and Highland 
Games on Saturday.

Weather:
Yes, the month of June has arrived with temperatures that were in the 
low 90's and summer officially, still some weeks away. The wee hours of 
the morning brought forth a strong rain/thunder storm coming out of the 
west and giving a large area within the DFW area some much needed rain.  
The wind varied from the south and southeast, gusting at times.

A reminder that everyone needs to bring water, Gatorade, etc., I suggest 
roughly 1 gallon per person, if fighting then 2 gallons per person, plus 
sun screen and if possible hats.  If you have chairs, then please bring 
them with you.

The bluebonnets have died within the park  - they await yet another 
spring day to bring forth their wonderful bounty of blue - in other 
words, the city came out and mowed the area that we do melees in.

Schedule:
Regular schedule fighter practice - every Sunday starting at 2 PM.
Mary Heads Carter Park in Carrollton.

War Practice:
July 3rd (1st Sunday in July) at Mary Heads Carter park in Carrollton.
Start time: 2 PM
If possible, arrive early as your schedule permits.
Combat Archery will be included in the scenarios.

Gothic War:
Labor Day Weekend - September 2nd through 5th
Sweetwater, Texas - it is the old site
Heavy fighting melees on Saturday, with tournaments on Sunday.
Amazon household's 25th year anniversary, should be some partying going.

Gothic webpage <http://adlersruhe.ansteorra.org/Gothic.html>

People in armor:  6
Children:  5
Total in attendance: 24

A laid back practice with a light turn out - some still recovering from 
Steppes Warlord held last weekend - Memorial Day weekend.  While others 
went to support Elfsea at their demo over this weekend, plus all the 
graduations of both high school and colleges with all the families and 
friends, with the parties that usually follows such events.

One-on-one instruction was provided to one and all who came out, by Sir 
Earl Duncan of Clann Ross, Lord CinaedOHosey of the Condottieri and Lord 
Hrafn - Steppes Knight Marshal and of Clann Ross.

Areas of instruction involved:
   Floretine,
   Sword - both with shield and/or single sword
   Shields:
      Heater
      Round
      Buckler.

Everyone paced themselves, came off the field, were drinking fluids and 
cooling down in between fights.

Areas of discussion:
Armor - what an individual can make vs what would be required to purchase.

Suppliers of leather -
 
   The Leather Factory/Tandy Leather
       web site: http://www.leatherfactory.com

    Paul's Saddle Shop in Royce City
        His shop is east of Rockwall on Highway 276 on the way
          to Quinlan/Lake Tawakon. Believe that he is cheaper than
           the Leather Factory/Tandy Leather for 13 to 15 oz leather.

Various types of patterns for leather and plastic.
      Differences in Plastic Barrels vs flat sheets of "barrel" plastic.

Fighting
Events coming up
Differences in armor/fighting standards between Ansteorra and Altantia.

And as always after the practice, a group of us went to one of the local 
buffets in the area to continue with various discussion on fighting of 
the afternoon, armor, news of interest, etc... Everyone is welcome to 
join in this activity as well.

In attendance this day:

Clan Ross:
Sir Earl Duncan Arthur Ross
    and his lady, Duchess Larissa Alwynn Clarewoode of Aquitaine
    and  with their children:
        son - Murdoch MacDuncan
        daughter - Tressa
Lady Ciannait Chaimbuel
Lady Icia
Lord Hrafn Olafsson (Squire to Sir Earl Duncan) - Steppes Knight Marshal
     and his lady,
        Lady Elizabeta di Valore della Rosa (Apprentice to Duchess Larissa)
Eric and his lady, Stephanie
     and with their daughter: Katherin

Condottieri:
Lord CinaedOHosey and children
   daughter - Tori
   and sons - Jon and Nikko
Lord Michael Fray

Lady Honour du Bois

Amadeus
Bob
Byorn inn Svarti
Cuhlwch
Eric from Emerald Keep - who were active back in the 80's and early 90's 
- came out as well. 
Till - stopped by for a brief fight then had to take a friend of his to 
work.


Fights that I witness this day:

Lord Hrafn with round and sword vs Till with heater and sword
Lord Hrafn with round and sword vs Cuhlwch with round and sword
Lady Honour with buckler and sword vs Lord CinaedOHosey with buckler and 
sword
Lord Hrafn with buckler and sword vs Eric floretine
Lord Hrafn with buckler and sword vs Cuhlwch with round and sword
Lord Hrafn with single sword vs Eric floretine
Lady Honour with buckler and sword vs Eric floretine
Lord Hrafn with round and sword vs Cuhlwch floretine
Lord CInaedOHosey with buckler and sword vs Lord Hrafn with round and sword
Lady Honour with buckler and sword vs Lord CinaedOHosey with buckler and 
sword
Lord Hrafn with round and sword vs Lord CinaedOHosey with buckler and sword


YIS,

Lord Michael Fray
  Combat Archer for the Condottieri
  King's Archer
  Steppes Deputy Knight Marshal
  Steppes Deputy Hospitaler