Final fling at Caerphilly...

After all the foreign focus in our lives right now, it was kinda grounding to head back to Caerphilly this weekend, for one last event (for a little while, at least) with the Company of Chivalry. Sadly, I was senza Anthony, (who was doing what we hope might become the first of numerous paid gigs at the Tower of London!), but after half a dozen events, this castle is starting to feel a bit like home, and there aren't too many parts of it that I haven't now explored.


This trip, we managed to camp in the inner bailey, which is gorgeous - although more of a hassle for carting water, which has to be carried up from the outer bailey and across the drawbridge... sigh. Life is so harsh and cruel. Being chief kitchen wench I had to order other people to fetch and carry for me all weekend.


May has seen a spate of company birthdays, so there were gifts and much silliness on the Saturday night: including a broomstick from Si Atford for our resident 'witch-cum-wise-woman' Kate, who was turning a number ending in one. And she STILL doesn't look a day over 35.

The show this weekend revolved around a 'seige' theme, culminating in our bailey being stormed and everyone dying gloriously. I hit on the idea of defending the women of the keep (who had been sent to the kitchens for safety, my handing them all very large wooden spoons as weapons, and going in to clout the soldiers with a massive frypan. Made the public laugh, anyhoo!

Company events now have something of a familiar routine to them, which is comforting. Up at 7 to get brekky ready for 'as soon as drill finishes', just after 8am. Round up the lads with the biggest hangovers (or anyone else the Sargent has put on a charge) to scrub out the pots, put dinner on a spit and chill out til mid morning, when it's time to start making lunch. Wander between the roles of kitchen wench and wandering minstrel for most of the rest of the day, with occasional cameo in shows for the public. Have dinner ready for about 7. Drink, talk nonsense, sing songs, fall over. Not a bad life really.

I'm gonna miss these guys - and I know Ants is gonna miss them lots. We feel like we've become part of the 'Company' family, and it's rather special to be adopted so quickly.

You buggers better come and visit!!!!