Making Improvements Thanks to My Fencing Instructors and a Little Exercise

I came in world last night fully intending to get the Loch more prepared for the St. Andrew's Day festivities. And I accomplished many of the tasks: the small Victorian Skating Rink is installed and fully operational, the ground has been covered with more snow and the snow fall continues, several more trees were planted, and the sky arena is made ready for the Tournament. There are still things on the list, of course, but it will all get done by Friday morning so that our guests will be able to fully enjoy the celebration.

Speaking of the Tournament, we now have eight (8) entrants, which is very exciting. I spoke with Sir Telemachus briefly last evening (more on that in a bit) and he will be creating the matches very soon. We have entrants from 5 of the Duchys thus far. If others contact us with fighters to send forward, then we may need to do a little adjustment on the schedule...or set time limits for each round. Clan bragging rights are at stake here - all in the name of good fun - so we want to make sure all Duchys who wish to be represented are able to send forward a champion. Sir Tele will take good care with this as he works on the schedule.

As I was watching the snow fall, I received a call on my private line letting me know that there were plenty of opportunities for some fencing practice Upstairs. I quickly headed over to find several members of our fencing team practicing. Miss Bryndal Ellison, Miss Hermoine Pennyfeather, Sir Amplebeak Tinlegs, and Colonel Hotspur O'Toole.

Miss Ellison was gracious enough to send me the team uniform upon my arrival, and after she finished her close match with Sir Amplebeak, she allowed me to practice with her.

Here I am (in the black boots) making an attack on Miss Ellison. Following the cards closely as I have been taught by my mentors and coaches, Exrex Somme and Hotspur O'Toole (seen here sitting on the sidelines providing pointers).

En Garde, Miss Ellison!

Coach Somme and Coach O'Toole!! This one's for you!

(I'm sure it won't stand for long....but at least I have it now for posterity's sake.)

Soon we heard from Lord Greystoke that Lady Middlesea was celebrating her Rez Day, so we changed into something less..erm...white...and headed to Greystoke for the celebration and much ice skating. Lord Primbroke provided the lovely music.

Here I am stretching those sore muscles as I skate about the pond with my fellow revelers.

Ah - relaxation.

Just as I was bidding farewell to everyone at the party, I had an IM from Sir Telemachus that he was in world, and that we needed to discuss the tournament. Once I got home to the Loch we discussed this (as mentioned above) as we skated around my own little rink. (Oh by the way, we have ice in Nellie's Cove which will likely see some skating as well.) As we flew up to the arena - skating on air I might add - Tele said off the cuff, "We should really try fighting with the Claymores while we skate."

It was too silly to pass up! I immediately pulled out my Claymore, skated around the sands of the arena (only in SL!) and we battled! I wish I had the wherewithall to take some snapshots, but I was laughing too hard. I highly recommend this diversion to all who would take it up.

What a great night in Caledon!

Warming the Heart of a Duchess

There is very little about owning Loch Avie that makes me happier, than to find that the land is well-loved and well-used by many.

Just this week I experienced a very heart-warming day. When I popped into the house late in the evening, I found that there were 5 others in the Loch at the same time. 2 couples and one of my dear Loch Avie Academy of Arms students, Malachi Fouroux.

Malachi awaits a sparing partner at the Loch Avie Practice Green

A rather modern looking couple meeting in Loch Avie. Actually the Caledon gentleman generally looks much more in period and theme when he uses the loch for his building and creating.)

A young couple takes advantage of the Fae swing at the south end of the sim.

I also give to you some other pictures of Loch Avie from the last week or so, plus a few random shots from other Duchys.

Bow practice (or am I hunting wild haggis?)

Edmond Spenser (1552-1599)

from Amoretti: Sonnet 67

Like as a huntsman after weary chase,
Seeing the game from him escap'd away,
Sits down to rest him in some shady place,
With panting hounds beguiled of their prey:
So after long pursuit and vain assay,
When I all weary had the chase forsook,
The gentle deer return'd the self-same way,
Thinking to quench her thirst at the next brook.
There she beholding me with milder look,
Sought not to fly, but fearless still did bide:
Till I in hand her yet half trembling took,
And with her own goodwill her firmly tied.
Strange thing, me seem'd, to see a beast so wild,
So goodly won, with her own will beguil'd.

After bow practice, I headed to Speirling and found myself meditating in the Bardhaven Cemetary.

Mr. Exrex Somme dressed for Halloween joined us briefly for dancing in Caledon Carntaigh.

Dancing at the Halloween party at Viderian's fine Castle in Cymru.

Dancing to Angel is the Centerfold (how appropriate. ;-) ZenMondo at the turntables.

Fencing instruction with Colonel Somme at Polymath Upstairs, Caledon Middlesea.

A collection of poems by by Ralph Goldstein.

-- THE EPEEMAN --

The Epeeman, the Epeeman, in frayed and tattered gear
Can lick his weight in wildcats and can drink his weight in beer
And for the foil and sabreman he hasn't any fear
For he's a late edition of the dashing Musketeer.

His jacket's a wreck from many a peck of the sharpened pointe d'arret
His pants are torn, his nerves are worn and ears been ripped away;
But should you care to question him, you'll surely hear him say:
"I'm an Epeeman and I guess by damn I'll always be that way."

He'll drop his elbow out a bit and wait for your attack
But then he'll swiftly parry and he'll nail you going back,
But when he's got his point in line and thinks he's guarded well,
He never seems to see the touch that creeps around his bell.

At times he'll answer any feint. At other times he won't.
The time that he should answer is the one time that he don't.
He'll parry almost anything between his head and toes,
But still a simple stop-thrust is the best defense he knows.

You'll always find an Epeeman where the lovely ladies are,
Boasting of the fights he's had, and showing off his scar.
And see the lovely ladies as they hang on every word
For he can tell the tallest tales that you have ever heard!

The woe befell the Epeeman, he met the March of Time.
They wired him up for sound effect, with flashing light and chime
For now it’s just a battery that determines right from wrong,
And every touch is heralded by the chiming of the gong.

-- THE FOILSMAN --

The Foilsman likes to dance around on swiftly moving feet.
He spends long hours practicing to beat a quick retreat.
He lunges fifty times a day and sweats his youth away,
Until at last he wises up and learns to fence Epee.

-- THE SABREMAN --

The Sabreman, the Sabreman, is a thrilling sight to see.
He twirls his weapon 'round his head and hacks away with glee.
His savage heart is filled with joy to hear the steel at play,
But someday he'll be civilized and learn to fence Epee.

-- THE WOMEN --

And what about the women now
They're fencing mainly foil
They're getting tougher all the time
You've seen how hard they toil.

"That day will come," I hear them say
"With all the weapons we will play"
You can be sure the best of them
In time will fence Epee.

*sighs happily*

Really -- this is how it should be.