quick positive notes from the weekend

At the fencing revel on Saturday, after three weeks' practice,  I authorised in single schlager as I reported on the Drachenwald fighters' forum. Splendid day of fencing, followed by fine potluck feast, followed by vigourous dancing... followed by  mucho moaning and groaning and stiffness by goncalves, Robert and I on Sunday and today. Sometimes I feel old.

Unfortunately Robert gets hurt far more often on his rare visits to the fencing field (like, almost every time - cracked ribs, cracked finger, this time bad bruising) than in his weekly practices on the armoured lists; he'd joined the revel to keep me company, and did enjoy fencing the guest don from the Outlands, Domin.

It's possible that Robert is threatening enough that many fencers up their game for him, but without practice, he doesn't have a suitable defense for the level of game they offer.

I know full well not a soul wants to hurt him on the field, but it's hard to convince someone to play if they just keep getting hurt.  Those big rapier bullies! Sheesh.

Revel featured several guests and newcomers. Have to introduce them to the 'your mission, should you choose to accept it...' of replacing themselves in the shire, before they return home.

Mighty mouser! Harley celebrated the revel by bringing in a live baby mouse that evening. I couldn't stomach watching her play with it, so I asked Robert to take it out. Poor Harley was left circling the patch of lounge where it was last seen, sniffing and searching. 'Dammit, I just put it down here, where did it go??'

All that hard work carelessly thrown out by the humans - no appreciation of the finer arts.

West End kittehs are fine and increasingly cuddly. They'll be glad to see their own regular staff back very shortly.

Went to meet a friend of ethnowoman 's, who is moving to T'reach in the winter. Very pleasant coffee and chocolate cafe visit, comparing notes of first impressions of the city (weather, housing, pets, etc.).