Genevieve's Journeys

One of Polderslot's gifts is its integration of adult and child activities; there's no distinction between them. I've said it before, but it charms me every time I see it.
I've never seen a group that so thoughtfully plans its days so that kids can do everything (except fight and cook), and that shares its childcare so willingly. It's a benefit of a shire made up of a group of friends who have known each other a long time, that most of the parents feel free to pick up each other's kids, and to also rein them in as needed.

Shire styles:  Many Polderslotters also do reenactment at a historic village, aiming for a generic 13th-14th c peasant to prosperous villager look; sturdy tunics in wool and linen in plain browns and greys and dark colours and modest pattterns.

As a result, those of us from outside the shire stood out in our colours and different styles. I was in a madder-pink fitted 14th c gown, HE Judith in her splendid silk and brocade 15th c Italian gowns, her lady in waiting (whose name I've forgotten!) in a stunning ultramarine blue silk Bergundian gown in the evening, a newly arrived lady Caid in a beautiful bronze silk taffeta Italian gown, and armillary in a sharp green and black 16th c doublet and trunkhose, with gold trim.

Watching him and HE Judith lead a line of couples, they really did look like a pair of nobles followed by their servants and peasants. :-)

Some Society behaviour is universal, like the lure of good fabric. We arrived fairly late on Friday evening, and dressed to sit with a few folks who were up puttering on projects. armillary had brought a half-circle cloak to finish with a lining and some hemming and trim. As soon as he spread this lovely green velvet out on the table, three different people got up to look at it and ogle the trim; it was like a magnet.  

There's nothing so engaging about your own work that you can't stop to fondle someone else's fabric!

Hurrah for living just a channel-width from the Netherlands. The good folk of Polderslot were the very first Drachenwalders I ever met, and they hold a special place in my heart. They made me welcome long before I moved kingdoms, and meeting them confirmed to me that I'd be able to make a home in this land.

For the first time in months, I attended an event without Robert - last one was Dance Moot in February.  Happily though, this time I shared the trip with armillary , who decided dancing trumped a fighting event in WD, and joined me on a leisurely trip by rail and sail to the Low Countries.
( part the first of the journey )