It's the second time I've been to a large-scale re-enactment event and I was very sorry I wasn't able to stay for longer, being there for a little over 24 hours. Next time I shall arrange things better to be able to stay for the full weekend. Being only 2 hours drive from Melbourne it was quite a pleasant trip. The campsite had huge amounts of space though the dust got into everything! One thing I've noticed is the large numbers of people I know through other things. There's one girl I met years ago in Star Trek fandom, several others I used to roleplay with, a couple I've met through goth clubs and a few I knew when I was involved with LARPing. This weekend I bumped into another gamer I haven't seen for more than 20 years. It was also a nice change to have people confusing Spike for me this time rather than the other way round. Given the predominantly mediaeval focus of the attendees the facilities were quite good. Dug toilets, showers (though of the bucket drop kind). There was a tavern with a nicely disguised esky and some nice marquees to relax under. Referring to Charlie and Warwick as "Tavern Wenches" was fun (well I thought so). Even the prices were very good. Spike introduced me to a variety of card games including "pock" and a variation of dominos that I hadn't seen before. There was also mention of Fortress but I didn't get around to playing that. Saturday evening's dinner was a very drawn out affair with the main meal not arriving till 10 (dinner started at 7) though watching Prue's dancing was enjoyable. By about 6 my lift back to Melbourne had indicated they might be leaving that night rather than Sunday morning so I made some hasty enquiries and found Graham and Maxine from Geelong who were heading back Sunday afternoon who were happy to drop me home. Again I managed to score a tent to myself (thanks Monkey!) and all was good. Kit from the Knights Hospitallers was asking when I intended to come along to training again. They seem like a fun bunch too. Sunday morning saw a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages and mushrooms prepared by the masterful Helmut and some discussion with Wayne about pewter casting before dragging our sad and sorry Captain up for some pike drill (who complained that he should be allowed another hours sleep due to daylight savings change). The new latchet shoes worked well and I think the resulting sore heal was more due to the seam of my hose than the shoes themselves. After drill we marched to the fort and lay siege. We discovered the younger members of the camp had occupied the fort and after a charge attack with reversed pikes we stormed the fort. Rather than lay down and die the announced they had become zombies or vampires and kept on attacking! Little bastards! After a hard morning's work we made our way back to camp and had lunch. So footsore and dusty I arrived home around 5:00 Sunday afternoon. The brave Trayned Bande prepare for attack These things take time "March...On!" A fine body of musketeers "Give fire!" "Recover your piece!" "At the ordinary time..." Having survived the slaughter Ensign of the Green Regiment An orderly withdrawal is made The Reverend works on his sermon A den of vice and iniquity Master Hand offers some advice Jeff and Katherine Musical accompanyment