Sword-fighting, ambushes, tents collapsing – life was anything but dull this weekend when I attended History Alive at Fort Lytton, Queensland.
Last year I joined a medieval enactment group – Black Wolf – and this weekend was our first medieval event of the season. We worked our tails off sewing, cooking, building, and creating, and finally everything was packed and ready to go.
We arrived Friday afternoon and peered disapprovingly at gray, cloudy skies, hoping the rain would hold off. Apart from a few spits here and there, it did, and soon the sun was out and we were barefoot in the lush, green grass trying in vain to believe that THIS was the dead of winter.
We slept like the dead in our unbelievably cozy and warm Bedouin tent that my friends made by hand. Looking at it I wondered how a tent with no closed seams and walls that flapped in the wind could possibly be warm, but it was. So warm, in fact, that I was happy when gusting breezes wafted through now and then.
Saturday dawned sunny and warm and we spent happy hours cooking over the campfire, frying up bacon and eggs for breakfast and homemade sausages with fried rice for lunch.
My friend Ann and I mixed up the sausage meat before we left, a tasty blend of beef and pork, and her hubby Neil put them into casings. Boy howdy, were they ever good! No additives or preservatives, no bread crumbs and who-knows-what filling them up, just good, lean meat flavored with garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and simple spices like paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and sea salt.
Lizzie braved smoke in the eyes and singed fingers to make homemade cottage cheese. She stirred, heated, strained, drained, and molded until it was perfectly creamy and delicious.
We sipped piping hot chai tea made from scratch in a tiny iron pot, and nibbled on nuts, grapes, apples and figs stored in handmade pottery and wooden bowls.
It was a wonderful weekend of good talks, hearty laughs, and delicious food with dear friends. I can’t wait for our next adventure at the Abbey Medieval Festival. 🙂
What is the best festival you’ve ever been to?
This looks like so much fun, and the meals look so tasty! 😀
Thank you, Audrey! 🙂 They were absolutely delicious and we had a great time. 🙂
This sounds like great fun! And the food looks amazing. It just goes to show that simple cooking done well is the best.
You are so right, Kate! Everything tastes better cooked over a fire. 🙂
It sounds like an amazing way to spend a weekend Krista. I remember when my daughter was in Grade 8 and they spent a good part of a semester on Medieval studies complete with a medieval feast put on for the parents.
What a fun way to make history come alive for kids, Val! 🙂
My favourite festival was the woodford folk festival. Many many cultures from all over that world. …………..My son and I have always wanted to attend a medevil festival ever since we saw a mock battle between 2 warriors at a university fair.
A folk festival sounds like so much fun, Neil. 🙂 You should come visit us at the Abbey Medieval Festival in a few weeks!! 🙂 It’s not tooooo far from your place. 🙂 http://www.abbeymuseum.asn.au/
Wow! It must have been amazing! Good food, great company, cozy warm place to sleep in = heaven! 🙂
It was marvelous fun, Zita! 🙂 Though I confess I was VERY happy for a hot shower when I got home. 🙂
My curiosity was piqued when you mentioned this in your email but I had no idea you were going to something so much fun! Those sausages and the fruit look delicious!
It was wicked fun, Andrea! I’ve never done anything like this before, but absolutely loved it. 🙂
Those sausages look amazing. I’d love to see a how to post sometime. I bought a sausage attachment for my Kitchen Aid but have never used it.
I will definitely do a how-to post for you soon, Jenny. 🙂 I’m craving homemade sausages and will document the process this time around. 🙂
I am not into Medieval things at all but I did stay in a Bedouin tent in Jordan and I must say it is the only time I have ever enjoyed camping.
How fun, Ayngelina! 🙂 So glad the Bedouin tent was a good experience for you. 🙂
That is so cool! Though my first reaction to your story is that any form of camping is medieval. I had no idea that you were into reenactments. Aside from the food, what sort of activities were there? It looks really fun!
Very good point, Stevie. 🙂 I’d never done a reenactment in my life until I got to Australia. 🙂 There was sword-fighting and battle scenes acted out and fun shops to peruse and great people to meet as you wandered around visiting all the different campsites. 🙂
What a fun weekend! I love the idea of leisurely cooking for hours and spending the time chatting with friends and relaxing. Those sausages- yum!
It was such a great weekend, Mary. 🙂 I’m really looking forward to our next event in a few weeks. 🙂
Looks like my kind of party! I love medieval history. Someday I’ll have join you for one of these events. 😉