War on colour!

Garb is a big part of the sca, and one of the hardest things to get right. Being part of the SCA means much more than just turning up for fighting. I am working very hard on some nice garb based on an Image I found.

Landsknect

 But I can't sew very well so its been a huge learning experience, I didn't even know how to use a sewing machine before joining the SCA.

From research most landsknecht make their garb from felted wool but this would be very hot at a summer event, so I am making my garb from linen and leather.

Landsknechts are also exempt from sumptuary laws so colour and high quality fabrics play a big part of their appearance.

Shoes continue to be an issue but I will continue to learn.

St Catharines

Just come back from an excellent event in Ildhafn, St catharines Faire, their majesties were in attendance and ran a couple of fighting classes and did us the honor of a few bouts, the training was very valuable learning a style of fighting used in lochac.

I love SCA events the friendship from those you have never met, the best part of the event is the people, I don't think I will ever find a bigger group of friends than the SCA.

A very nice period style feast on the saturday evening after some heavy play, a great way to end the day, It was soon realised that I forgot to bring some libations it was a combination of gear and space. My tankard wasn't empty the entire event, people I had never met came upto me and offered me drinks, some homebrewed others store bought, all excellent.

I learnt much about fighting and a few tips for long distance travel (eg, put your helm in hand luggage, saves on space and give you more weight to play with) Coconut water after a fight is amazing, very refreshing.

I got some really good practice in on Sunday morning, the bed was a little small being a scout camp and sounded like an engine (snoring) so I woke early (around 5am) and had some really nice alone time in the list ring practicing the circle sword style taught by their majesties.

I was honored at court with my Award of arms and was inducted into the Order of the Silver Helms, I was surprised and humbled to be singled out for such an honor.

I love the SCA,

Golden Flight

I have been invited to join the Baronial court, to which I accepted, I am proud to be a part the barony and hope I play my part well.

It was a grand event, the wind spoilt peoples aim but not their spirits, It was great to see so many archers shooting, I spend my time marshaling and we only had 2 minor mishaps which were corrected with a kind word.

The heavy Tourneys were fun, a bit silly but having to only aim for a certain body part made defense interesting. The day was won by Sir Callum.

I learnt much about using Rattan great weapons from Sir Sigard and Master Brian, keep low and push into the strikes then pump your shot after the blow.

Food is a big part of the SCA and the cooks acquitted themselves well. Much bacon was had as breakfast lunch and dinners were japanese/chinese style meals, I am always impressed by the way the people attending the event just "get stuck in" and help with chores even if they have done alot already.

To swing or not to swing?

Get 3 heavys together and you will learn 4 fighting styles.

Now I have read many many SCA training text's, And watch thousands of hours of training video's I have come to the point where I now need to pick a style to follow.

Most of the kingdoms have vastly different training methods and even different ways of generating power (whether its from the hips or from the legs) to pivot the shoulders or not. There are pros and cons to each style, different speeds and commitments to each blow.

In lochac we tend to throw "combo's" as our goto attacks, elsewhere the focus is on 1 perfect shot kills. Again elsewhere the focus is on manipulation to open to that 1 shot you have been practicing for 18 months.

The need for footwork seems the one universal constant, but this is done if different ways also.

To me this is very exciting! Nothing would be more boring that people standing arounds in Pose No. 1 from Fiore dei Liberi manual.

Rain.

Ah, Rain.

The nemesis of organised training, weather continues to put a damper on heavy training, I really need to find an indoor location but all the sites I have found cost, not a huge amount but enough that I can't cover it myself each week so its chicken and Egg. I need an indoor site so we get more members turning up for practice but I can't afford an indoor site until we get more members turning up for practice.

Solo work progresses as does my new leather jerkin which is my current sewing project, I wish I could fight more.

Golden Flight in 2 weeks, I am looking forward to the event.

Hope.

I came to a realization last night when pondering my role in the progression of the dream (eg, What can I contribute) When it occurred to me that the peers have done the hardest thing to do well which is allows others to contribute.

Example, Myself and my Wife have come up with an easy sew gambeson pattern. Of course the experienced sewers could have made this pattern but even when hearing about the idea offered only support, this sounds strange but is very hard to do.

Imagine you are the best at sewing out of anyone you know, you know you can make a pattern for "item" and you can do it really well, probably better than anyone else, but how will others learn and contribute if you just sew everything. We learn't alot about sewing and I hope we have created a valuable resource for others to use, but most of all I would like to thank the peers for only offering to help and not knowing they could do a better job taking this learning experience from us.

Its not just with sewing, armouring, fighting, brewing even stewarding, every craft in the SCA has experienced people who could most likely do it better. I thank them for only offering support, allowing a new generation of SCAdians the chance to learn and grow,  Hope for the future.

Squeak!

I am a mouse hear me roar,

Training continues preparing for Golden flight, engaged the services of a personal trainer twice a month for help get me into fighting condition, It was an interesting experience trying to explain what I need to work on, in short everything. We use every muscle group and need not just power but speed and flexibility on top of the need a sharp and fast mind with also muscle memory movements.

In the end I just went to the gym in my armour, she understood after seeing :)

My pell continues to be murdered everyday, *stab* Getting those slot shots flowing is proving a challenge but not insurmountable.

I continue to learn to bow and am working on learning simple german, the SCA to me means more than just fighting its an entire lifestyle, when I walk onto an SCA event I like to be my persona. At least thats the aim. Now if only I could learn to sew...