As the days get warmer here in the Kingdom of Ealdormere (aka the rockingest kingdom in all of Ontario :P), more SCA events hit the calendar. Last weekend saw the first camping event of the year, hosted by the Canton of Bryniau Tywynnog . The weather was pretty meh for a good portion of the event, which means that I didn’t get to do as many cool things or take as many sweet pics as I’d have liked, but there was still good times to be had, and these SCA posts are as much for your entertainment as they are for me to be able to look back at in a few years when my memory’s slipped, so I can get thoroughly confused as to why I was wearing such a floppy hat.

Fruits Of Our Labours is a learning event. There’s no grand tournaments planned for the armoured combatants and the like, but all day every day of the event there are classes being run to teach all sorts of things, from making enamel pins and brooches to overcoming stage fright when being all bardic. Now you get to see pics.

I arrived Friday night, having scooted my way to the site after leaving the office. My pals in what would be designated Camp RumorRumor were all set up already. For the record, I’m spit useless when it comes to camping, but my pals are all very experienced and accomplished and we almost got my tent set up right. Almost.

Having pretty lanterns on your communal sunshade makes it easier to find your camping group once it’s past Dark O’Clock.

As many of you know, one of the few historical arts I’ve actually been able to get a handle on is Kumihimo – Japanese cord braiding. Accordingly, since FOOL is a learning event, I made sure to sign myself up for the two classes being taught by my senpai, Mistress Gwendyon (whose Welsh name I won’t even try to wrap my keyboard around).

Eager pupils in the beginners class. With a frankly dizzying array of examples for our edumacatory viewing, Mistress Gwendyon helped everyone find their feet and helped the newbs see just what sort of things they could learn to do.

When the kiln you made to teach historical methods of glass bead making cracks and goes phut, remember that you can always use it to cook sausages!

His Excellency Percival ran the Archery range pretty much whenever it was dry enough. Saturday was largely dry, albeit windy as all heck, though Sunday was a tad too moist for most bowslingers.

Up the hill, one of the most intense classes I’ve ever seen – it ran for two straight days, all day. No other classes for you! But when all was said and done, these eager smiths will have learned how to smelt iron.

Seriously. They spent two days turning coal and ore into actual iron. I’m surrounded by alchemists.

Mistress Gwendyon isn’t a fan of papparazzi.

I’m curious as to how far back in history kite flying goes. Still, awesome that one brave gentle was taking advantage of the buffeting winds. More than one canopy took flight that day.

Sheltered from the gale, block printing classes led by Her Grace Rylyn.

I did take a couple of selfies with my Scadian pals; this is Adnar. He’s super spiffy sweet with calligraphy and stuff, and even made his own brushes this weekend! There’s a pic later. For now? Hi Adnar!

Some people just want to hit things. Including each other.

The Queen’s Guard processes into court, followed by…

Her Majesty! Duh!

Court at FOOL was kind of important. Baron Penda and Baroness Sybilla, after five years on the High Seats of Ramshaven, were retiring their baronial coronets. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting their barony and enjoying their events several times over the last few years. Each of them has been a wonderful experience.

Her Majesty took away their hats and then made them swear oaths on a sword. The sword, as far as Ealdormere is concerned.

Their departing excellencies did name their successors, and after some test fitting to make sure the right coronet when on the right noggin…

… Baron Penn and Baroness Lucia assumed their new roles.

Penda and Sybilla were granted Court Baroncies in honour of their service, so they’re still Excellencies!

Watching Lady Meredyth try to open a can of Coke Zero without removing her hands from their toasty warmth under the blanket was an adventure in itself.

Sunday saw the Advanced Kumihimo class, and we even suckered Lostie MortymerXT into coming along to make a thing.

For myself, I tried a new braid which resulted in a ribbed spiral cord. I’d like to try it a few more times in different materials.

Here are the brushes I mentioned earlier! Adnar made these from dog hair. I don’t think they’re quite suitable for painting miniatures yet, but it’s a start!

Back up the hill, more smelting was going on.

Down the hill, we were playing chubby bunny.

Molten iron pouring out, anyone? Closed toed shoes are a must.

After a windy Saturday and a rainy Sunday, two nights of Coyote choruses, FOOL gave us a beautiful, if slightly misty morning on Monday as we packed up our tents and wondered if they’d ever be dry again.

It truly impressed me how despite the weather being cruddy pretty much the entire weekend, we still had an amazing time with good friends and adopted family. That’s what the SCA is all about for me.

Wassail.