The San Francisco Faire at Golden Gate park was the perfect setting
for a friendly rapier tournment. But even better than that was the opportunity to get together with old friends
from the Guild of St Michaels.
Marcus and Mina made the trip
on Friday to set up the pavilion to provide a place of respite for the twenty-two members of the Diamond Rose who were also coming to play. Mina and Marcus were well met
by Erland and Paul who helped with the set up.
With amazing
coordination, the other twenty members of the Academie came in a multi-car caravan and arrived on Saturday morning for check-in. As soon
as everyone was settled in it was time for a short procession. Then it was time for check in for fencers in the tournament. The ladies began setting up the snack table for the pavilion and then went about shopping and sewing and taking in the sights of the faire. Laura came back with a pretty wreath for her shiny blonde hair, Jennifer returned with a leather purse and Mina returned with a mixed pearl necklace to compliment the noble attire she was wearing. Delpha worked on her embroidery and Adriana came back with a new chemise to round out her outfit.
The
tournament in which Katie won third place took up the better part of Saturday, leaving only a little time
for free bouting between the fencers. As the afternoon waned it was time for the
fencers to use their strength to help with setting up tables and seating for
the evening repast. Lady Marta and her minions set out a bountiful Renaissance buffet for all to relish.
Even after leaving the table so well satisfied, the fencers were
still game for a few more bouts while the daylight held out. Sir William was quite pleased to fence against two beautiful ladies, Sydney and Mina, at the
same time. Most of the Diamond Rose either drove home on Saturday or went sight-seeing
in San Francisco like Jennifer, Connor, Laura and Rosana.
Sunday started late for the Diamond Rose as the majority of them spent
a leisurely morning repast in Marcus' roving palace. Patrick did finally fetch
us all together. Then we set about the serious business of fencing until you
drop. Erland shouted challenges from Sir William to the Diamond Rose; challenges to which William got his hair thoroughly tousled
in response. Mina played the lute in front of the fencing eric and passed out dragon pictures to the children.
Later Patrick played the lute underneath the awning of the pavilion.
Spending
an afternoon bouting melee's can only lead to one thing, comparing war
wounds in the evening. Most everyone was sporting a stop thrust or a bruise of one kind or another. These were small matters in the name of having
a grand time fencing. Tear down of the pavilions went very smooth as each group was well practiced in
teamwork. An unhurried spaghetti dinner for the evening was appeciated in Marc's
roving home. Then it was finally time to load up and drive home. It was definitely
a very fun trip well worth the drive, but then it's always fun to be with
such fine hosts as the people of St Michael's. Huzzah.
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