I think my favourite time in re-enactment is the end of the first day of an event, especially when it is sunny and you have had a good day when everything has gone to plan and both re-enactors and the public have enjoyed themselves.
Then you can look forward to a relaxing evening, maybe have a BBQ, sit round the camp fire and visit the beer tent later on. All lovely with the added prospect of another event day tomorrow.
These photos below were taken at the end of Saturday at the Caldicot show last weekend. Caldicot was my first ever large re-enactment event and that is where I fell in love with doing this.
We are so lucky to be able to do this and be in lovely places full of beauty and history.
The castle is a magical place, especially when the evening sun is shining on it and I was just wandering round taking pictures of people relaxing outside their tents, or in the case of the Battle of the Nations group doing a bit of sword training.
The view from the top of the tower was brilliant, thanks to all of the groups who camped inside the castle with their living history displays, it really does bring the castle to life.
I have been helping to organise this event for the last few years and along with Ellie will be organising it again next year, this was our last show for this year and a great way to end the season.
It has been a very variable year in terms of weather, Caldicot being the only show where we have not come home with a wet tent, but still brilliant fun.
Our group, Swords of Mercia, have done more shows for English Heritage than previous years and got good feedback from all of them and hopefully we will get the chance to do those shows again next year.
We have had lots of sitting round campfires, discussing armour and kit, all the new things the boys have bought or want to, and all the things we have made or are going to make.
As usual we have promised to be more organised for next season and make sure that all kit is made well in advance. We shall see if that actually happens!
So I still have a couple of bits of tent to dry, it is raining here at the moment but I am hopefully it will dry up later. Am taking Ted for a walk in a bit and then will be sewing up the wedding jacket 🙂
Hope that you have a lovely weekend planned and thanks for visiting.
Stitches of Time 
When there is so much to organise it’s not surprising if it takes a few years to get the details down pat. If you’re getting good feedback, it suggests you are getting most of it right!
Yes this was the first time that I have been responsible for more of the organisation of the actual show and it was a bit nerve wracking at times. But everyone came and everything worked and people enjoyed themselves and want to come back next year which is great 🙂
Well done, must take a lot of organising. Now starts the planning and making of new kit for next year!