Crossroads at Canterbury

For a poetic and well-written description of our activities this past weekend, I recomment peregrinning's post here: Canterbury post.

L and I arrived late on Friday, well after supper. It was a long day at work for him, packing for both of us, and of working on the house as well (trying to get some of the work done that we thought should be done before the house inspection on Monday morning). All the folk we met were cheery and courteous, and guided us to our little cabin where we were staying for the weekend. Early Saturday morning we tried setting up near the beadmaker, but the weather was too inclement in the morning for our paper goods, and we were concerned for the type in the cases as well. We then transferred everything to the barn. L was busy most of the day with sorting type, doing a bit of printing, and talking with many passers-by about his craft.

We did also sell a few girdle books as well, an eye chart and a set of bookplates. Alas, no demonstrating of bookbinding. I think that would have had to be done by me, but I had judging of the relics and the reliquaries, along with jdulac, which took some time, and then there is talking with this person or that, making connections, that sort of thing.

Damp though the weather was at first, it did clear up and the rest of the day was most lovely. Minstrels and singers and plays occurred throughout the day; one of my favorite moments of the day was perhaps when I was at the pie and meats stall in the shelter of the towering trees, standing in the lightly misting rain, and a couple of wandering minstrels strolled by playing on their woodwind instruments.

Court went well, I thought. I made the presentation of pilgrim badges to some of the makers of relics and reliquaries and was able to be heard by most everyone in the room (a feat for me, and a compliment to the construction of the room). Their majesties recognized many worthy gentles in their court that day, as well as making welcome those whose first event this was. I saw zaduzbina and rickwolff there -- I haven't seen them in a while, and it was a great pleasure to see them, if only in passing.

And of course I saw many, many other folk there as well, many of whom are on my LJ f-list :)

The feast was amazing, one of the best I've ever attended. The company was also excellent, and the entertainment like little else I've seen -- and all of it wondrous indeed! I loved the birds, and the Miller's Tale was told in both a fresh and refreshing way. The evening's music was of course as lovely as that during the day.

My part in the weekend's festivities was fairly small, but I had ample opportunity to see nearly everyone at their chosen tasks, and I have great admiration for them all. Everyone did whatever they needed to do with grace, courtesy, and great efficacy. In particular I interacted with dreda and rising_moon, as the relics and reliquaries, banner-making (pre-event activity), and acquisition of juggling fish were all in relation to the office of Revels, of which rising_moon was in charge. It was a great delight to work with them; they made everything flow seamlessly, handling any small glitches with apparent ease.

Saturday night was indeed quite cold -- the storm clouds had been blown away during the day, leaving a clear and starry night. The cabins are not insulated by any means, but we were off the ground and in our wonderful sleeping bags (good to -20F !). I didn't feel the need to fully enclose myself in it however (it's a mummy-style bag, with footed end) -- just zipped most of the way up the side was plenty. I did wake up at one point because my legs were bothering me. L woke up too, of course, and asked if I wanted company on a walk to the tavern (and the facilities). Since we were up, I thought it might be a good idea, so off we went. And there, at a quarter of three in the morning, were people chatting away, mostly by the fireplace! We chatted briefly with a few folks, and then back to bed.

Sunday we were up early once again, and packed up the printing press and the rest of our goods and belongings. Got in a lovely chat with loosecanon during all that (she helped us with some of our packing, which I greatly appreciated). We never did make it up to the great hall before we left, so I'm glad we had the chance to get together earlier!

This left us time to see if anyone else needed help with packing up. L and I did various things here and there. No more than anyone else, and certainly less than the primary dog crew, but many hands do indeed make light work.... which was about all I could do, having used up most of what good my rt. shoulder had in it, Saturday. Fortunately for those who wanted to help, there were many tasks of varying strength/dexterity requirements, so plenty to share around :)

A lovely weekend, all around!

House Update

We do have a bid on the house, and the house inspection, termite inspection, and appraisal all happened this morning. Good thing too, as there is in fact a few termites under the front porch. A previous owner had left a pile of wood under there (not pressure-treated) -- L says they were laid out kind of like a floor, perhaps so people didn't have to kneel in the dirt under there. So we will have to have spraying done, but only around the porch foundation, as very few have actually gotten into any of the wood of the house itself. Phew! We still have some other things to do at the house as well, or have done, but it's getting there.

The mason came this morning as well, to look at what would be involved with repointing the chimney, and also a new cap for it, and a little work on the basement support pillars and such -- all safe and functional, but we want to make sure it's all good for the long haul.

L did a lot of electrical work Friday -- cutting baseboards for the living/dining room, including the holes for the existing outlet boxes to come through, then mounting them. And I think the downstairs bathroom ceiling light went in on Friday also.

Once the buyers have a chance to look over the house inspection report, we'll discuss items and see who's willing to do what.

One more inspection to go, on October 2nd -- smoke/CO2 alarm inspection; all the alarms are installed and are brand new, so not worried about that. Thank goodness!

Meanwhile, also getting ready for Ashfield Fall Festival (Oct. 6-7). Also in October, Franklin County Fiber Twist (20-21) and New York Sheep and Wool Show (27-28) -- assuming life doesn't take a left turn at Albuquerque...

Hopefully it will all go smoothly, and we can proceed to close on October 12.