It was fun

duchessgrace and I set out from home at 4:00 in the morning on Saturday to get to New Bern, NC (founding home of Pepsi, I learned that afternoon. w00t! Now one of my favorite towns.) to attend their "300th anniversary" celebrations. They had set up a 'world' in their Union Point Park (on the waterside with a lovely breeze all day), with different world continents in pavilions scattered throughout the park and 'passports' for the visitors. The Austland Vikings, members of Vikings Vinland, had been invited by the Sons of Norway to put on a demo there. And thus I, as a friend of theirs, and my guest, were invited to take part.

We had a lovely, exhausting, time of it. Various pre-event/set-up glitches were overcome and soon Oda (that would be duchessgrace) and I were esconced on our seating; she on her newly-made travel chest and I on my lovely reproduction Oseberg chair, working away at the fiber arts. I don't believe I've seen so many dropped-jaws as I saw Saturday while she was using her drop-spindle to spin wool. I also don't believe I've had so many people stand behind me simply watching me embroider - or gotten so many compliments on my 'tension', 'consistancy' (of tension or stitch), patience, or just plain 'ability'... I know people in that town know how to sew! But you would have thought we were doing a Very Lost and Baffling Art by the comments we recieved. Oda made herself a new Jorvik cap and a set of three-fingered mittens - it was fun to watch people watching her and then casually drop into the conversation, "She wove the fabric herself and dyed it, too", then sit back for the reaction. Very gratifying, that.  And also very sweet was being made an "honorary member of the Austland Vikings" since I cannot be a member in actuality.

That evening we checked into the Candlewood Suites hotel (I can recommend it, absolutely. Lovely bedding, simply lovely. And truly fluffy towels) and soon baronessadriana arrived from the Raven's Cove Investiture and we proceeded to have some silly girl's night out time until we were overcome by The Sleepies. Breakfast was pleasant and uncomplicated and we were back on the road again.

The only downside was in coming home too brain-tired to want to be near anyone, even my sweetie. He, accustomed to my post-trip habits, merely visited with me in small bits off and on as I played endless sets of "Fishdom" until I finally bit the bullet and went to bed at 7:45 in the evening. But since it is Football Season, I comfort myself with the knowledge that I wouldn't have been spending much time with him anyway. Now is the time of year when I catch up on rental movies on my computer while he watches his games.

All in all, a lovely weekend. Oh, and - - -

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY donnavenice !