A couple of evenings ago I found myself walking in Caledon over near the Royal Society Offices in Tamrannoch. Suddenly I heard some laughter coming from the general direction of the Anvil. That being one of my favorite gathering places in all of Caledon, it was not a difficult decision to change the course of my evening walk in order to discover what friends might be assembled there.
As I approached, I heard the familiar voices of Colonel Exrex Somme, and Mr Aldo Stern, the proprietor. Also there were a Miss Beaumont and a Mr. Merlin, both of whom were friends of Mr Stern from Renaissance Island. Mr. Merlin, though, is now the newest resident of Tamrannoch as well.
The conversation, whisky, and ale were superb. As I learned more of what was being done at Renaissance Island, though, I realized that I was anxious to be on my way...to have a little exploration of the place. Mr. Stern and Miss Betty Doyle have been hard at work there (with several others) for some time now. And I was hearing that the results were quite dramatic...most impressive.
Since Mr. Merlin had been so kind as to give me several landmarks for the place, I soon excused myself to take a tour. Dear Colonel Somme asked whether he might accompany me. I was happy for the company, and so we two friends set off for the waterfront in Renaissance Island.
We arrived and went straight to the docks to see the ship about which Mr. Stern was so pleased.
Colonel Somme informed me that the galleon had been retrofitted with many improvements by Mr. Stern. She is a most impressive ship.
I wonder how she would sail in the Loch....
After touring the ship, I followed Colonel Somme to the Globe Theatre. The build is exceptional! See for yourself.
Approach from the waterfront.
Interior of the Globe Theatre - view from near the stage.
Colonel Somme practices his lines:
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.
It is my lady, O, it is my love!
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!
As one might imagine....I nearly swooned.
Standing on the stage balcony, Colonel Somme coached me on my lines...and we enjoyed the view.
Duchess Loch Avie:
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.
We agreed that we would truly enjoy seeing a production in this space. I wondered whether I might be able to use the space for some of my poetry readings or other artistic productions. Colonel Somme was kind enough to make some inquiries on my behalf.
As we walked on to the
Village Square,
we saw cute little brood of piglets in a kitchen yard.
Market Square
The builders of the island have incorporated many helpful notecards throughout. Here is an excerpt from the general information notecard.
...is one of the many Elizabethan communities with a growing merchant and tradesman class. Many of these people live and carry on business along the Lane of Tradesmen...a closely packed street of overhanging half-timbered mixed commercial/residential structures and some smaller workshops. As in many English towns of the period, a major part of local trade here involves cloth--many of these shops will offer something related to that business. On the back side of this is an open area fronted by workshops of craftsmen such as metal workers and smiths.
The dense placement of structures reflects the growing value of land. Many of the buildings incorporate walls and other elements of earlier structures (or sometimes the wall of a building next door). This is a reflection both of the practical, frugal nature of the tradesmen and merchants, and the fact that people have been occupying this site for centuries.
Further into the town is the market, a central paved public square, with the ancient market cross as its focal point (a monument at the foot of which monks once came to preach to the common people on market days). Around the square are arranged buildings that house businesses and homes of merchants, as well as a tavern, and a livestock pen and platform for calling auctions...
I look forward to further exploration as the sim continues to evolve. Thank you Colonel Somme for your safe escort and your wonderful company. And thanks to Mr. Stern and Mr Merlin for their hard work on the sim and for reminding me that I needed to make a visit.
