janewilliams20

Chris and Lee's wedding on Saturday. Much is being said elsewhere, and pics are all over their FB pages. From my PoV, I got to catch up with a lot of old friends I haven't seen for years, to wear an ACW dress I haven't tried on for years (not only can I get into it, its a little loose!), and to dance in the first one of the ceilidh. The place was full of re-enactors, and we probably had costumes spread over a thousand years or so.

The bit I wanted to geek about, though, was the music for the wedding service. They'd got a group called Stella Splendens. all friends of ours, who (to quote their FB page) "are six musicians bringing early music to life. We play music from the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries often in splendid period costumes and on beautiful period instruments."

They played, and they sang, and I acquired acute Harp Envy at the sight and sound of the Gothic Harp (complete with brays)
(I got to play with it later!) and wanted a better look at what seemed to be a Rackett.

And then it was time for the last piece, as the bride and groom exited. The Rackett came out again, as did the drum, and something BIG was assembled - like a Crumhorn, but bigger. A quick count-in, and they started to play....... no? It can't really be....? It was, and four bars in, the congregation burst into applause, The Imperial March from Star Wars on Baroque Rackett, Extended bass crumhorn, drum and temple bells.

The catchup on the end of the holiday will just have to wait (but it needs to happen, because it'll include a link to a WONDERFUL place to stay in Bruges, and directions to a great place to eat).

I had a list of what I need to do before Continuum that made me want to curl up under the bed and hide until it went away. Which probably wouldn't have worked...

Yesterday I went round to Malk's place and we looked at the song he's doing for the Storytelling that he wants me to do harp accompaniment for. This being the harp that I've practiced about once since Xmas....
( beginner harp geekery under here )
So, some practice needed, but at least I know that what's required is well within my capabilities. (And I know that Malk's daughter is at least as delightful as he'd suggested).

One more job off the list - I'd been making up some playing areas for HOTT, knowing that only other other GloryGeek will be there (and since Gregory's bringing the Block Game, he won't be bringing HOTT stuff). HOTT in 25mm requires a 3*3 playing surface (15mm needs 2*2. So I've taken some vinyl floor tiles in a texture that looks a lot like mud, and used their self-adhesive properties to back them with an old green tablecloth. Instant modular playing area, thin enough to pack down nicely.

Now all I need to do is the Duck Point Race prep and sort out the cooking side. All.... no, hiding under the bed is still not allowed!