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Week two has now completed with the weekend starting off great on Saturday. Lots of people, lots of music (including the nationally reknown 3 Pints Gone and the Limey Birds) and a general elevated festival atmosphere.

Sunday, however was rainy, chilly, and scarcely attended. I was glad my Saturn got out of the mud rather easilly, but the entire experience was a mixture of miserable and fun. Yes, the rain made it a challenge for everybody, but we put on our hats and trompled out into the murk to entertain the few patrons that visited us. 3 Pints Gone entertained the cast backstage prior to our emergence from the castle and were the first to venture out to greet the public. I was fortunate enough to get to play the first verse of “Down by the Salley Gardens” with Kathleen Masino who gave me some pointers and proved to me that the difficulty in playing the low D (all holes covered) on the pennywhistle is one made not only by your own technique, but also by the manufacturer of the whistle.

Other highlights included being walked in on while i was using the privies by a merchant from the chocolate shoppe (is that really a highlight), Little John and I practically destroying the upright supports at the Highland Games, giving Robin Hood a heart attack faking another leg injury, the regatta race in the river that once was the walkway through the food area, and of course listening to the Limey Birds and 3 Pints Gone.

Next up: Weekend 3 (with more rain I hear)

Huzzah!

A few things I overheard / encountered at the first day of the Des Moines Renaissance Faire.

Kid: “Are you going to arrest all the pirates?”‘
Me: It is safe to say naye, for they run very fast you see.
Kid: “Do they run faster than boys?”

Lady to her friend: “Robin Hood wasn’t a Baron, he like an Earl or something, come on we’re leaving.”
Lady turns to leave but friend stays to watch the show.

Loud Dude: “Chainmail can stop arrows – I know, I’m in the SCA!” (all the atord roll their eyes)

Super small kid on verge of tears: “I’m lost… where’s my Daddy?”
Dad end up being within sight at the feasting hall, takes the opportunity to tell his son to pay attention to where he goes.

Sheriff: “Daredart Summers, would you please hold my sword for me?”
After the rain and lightning started.

“There’s still patrons in the feast hall,
Though it’s raining hard.
Patrons in the feast hall,
But no one in the yard.”