Hubby and I went to the RenFest again today. I made a different dress this past week because the original was made out of a very heavy material and I nearly passed out from the heat the first time we went.
We really had a great time today. It was a beautiful, sunny and breezy day. Very low humidity and not too hot. Perfect weather for wandering around in a woodsy area among the vendors and watching jousting and glass blowers.
The very first thing I wanted to do was have my hair braided. I learned my lesson about wearing it down during our first visit. So, we made a beeline for the hairbraiding booth and I got in line. There were several people in front of me, so I told hubby to go ahead over to the jousting area, because today and tomorrow are the finals.
When it was my turn, the lovely woman asked me what I would like and I told her to indulge herself to the tune of around 20.00. She smiled and we chatted as she worked. In what seemed like no time at all she was finished. I love it and I'm going to keep it at least until Monday if I can..to show off at work. Here's the pic hubby took:
I wandered over to the jousting area and there was a HUGE crowd. I wondered if I'd ever find my hubby, but since he had gotten there early, I figured he'd be near the front and in a spot where he could take some good pictures. So I scanned the crowd and I found him right where I expected him to be. I made my way over and he had saved me a seat so I got to see the last part of the joust which was very exciting.
The knights "took a bow" at the end:
After the jousting, we headed over to a glass-blowing demonstration. I have to say, this was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. This man has a furnace which he says maintains a temperature of 2500 degrees farenheit. He says he goes through about fifty pounds of silica mixed with ash and lime. He said you can't use pure silica because it would turn into quartz. It's the additions, plus the blazing heat, which creates the glass. It was a facinating demonstration, as he talked as he was working and he made a beautiful pitcher right before our eyes...in about a half an hour. I couldn't get a picture because he had to put it right into the cooling bin he had. He says it takes about two days to fully cool the objects he makes. This pic shows him close to the beginning of the process.
After the glass blowing, we wandered back over to the food merchants and got a meat pie and fish and chips for lunch/dinner. We found a table and sat down. Luckily we were near the "Red Hook Pub" and just in time to see a dancing routine and were honored to see the queen herself participate. This picture is before they got started.
After that we decided to leave, so we made our way out--slowly--there was a lovely duo playing the hammer dulcimer and guitar. The music was lovely and haunting and I bought a cd.
A lovely day all around. Oh, and by popular demand...a photo of hubby and me in our finery.
We plan on going at least one more time. It's fabulous. I plan to try to make a more accurate, period costume for next year. It'll take a while to make, I'm sure. One girl I talked to said her skirt alone took seven yards of fabric. The dress above is about three. EEK! Plus I'll have to get a pattern for the dress and the corset, too. We'll see. Maybe I'll just go as a peasant...the costume is easier! (But I'm sure I won't be able to resist going as a "fine" lady at least once). Maybe I'll do both and alternate between lady and the tramp! Heee!!
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