One of my favorite parts of medieval camping is waking up before sunrise while nearly everyone else is still sleeping.
The grounds are quiet and peaceful, and it’s lovely to get the fire burning, brew a hot cuppa, and sit near the warm campfire to watch the sun come up over the sea of medieval tents.
I love my morning cup of strong Earl Grey tea, and somehow it tastes even better made with smoke-scented hot water served in a medieval pottery mug engraved with my Aussie nickname.
Breakfast is hearty fare: pan-fried shortcut bacon (the good, meaty parts), scrambled eggs tossed with the delish crispy bits of bacon left in the pan, and thick slices of flatbread.
After breakfast there’s time to check out some of the medieval displays near us.
I love the gorgeous honey-scented beeswax candles made by my friend Stacey (see top two photos) and these beautiful medieval Hungarian glory beads made and worn by my friend Ann (see below).
One of my favorite encampments is the featuring Iron Age Vikings.
I especially like their food displays showcasing the foods that were available during their time in history. There were no potatoes then, or bell peppers or tomatoes, but they were able to make hearty stews with turnips, parsnips, and elegant purple carrots.
They made soup with dried peas, fried up eggs, and snacked on all sorts of nuts and dried fruits.
I was intrigued to learn that they would make a healing, nourishing tea by steeping pine needles in boiling water. Pine trees are in short supply in my part of Australia, but as soon as I track some down, I’m determined to try my hand at making Viking Pine Tea.
I love learning about new cultures and the foods they treasured. What food culture is most interesting to you?
Once again this sounds like an amazing group to be a part of. I remember reenactments when I lived in Southern Ontario. There was a medieval group as well as one reenacting the War of 1812. It always sounded like fun. I am fascinated at the moment by Canadian cuisine and am researching month by month into recipes from my own area. It is easy once the gardens are overflowing.
I love that you are doing Canadian recipes, @d58b26e263bfdbd99d844b965c5cbbfb:disqus 🙂 They are very special to my heart too – and I look forward to making more of them this year using crab apples, rhubarb, maple syrup, and all those lovely things that shout CANADIAN! 🙂
OK, are those grey-ish blue round things dried peas? Your friend’s candles are gorgeous. Looks like a fun time!
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
Yes, they are dried peas, @9d73767d10227efff04c7307e331304c:disqus 🙂 I asked the same thing for I’d never seen dried peas like that before. I’m glad you like the candles too. I just love how simply they look and how scrumptious they smell. 🙂
Krista have you heard of Ironfest in Lithgow each April? You guys would go off! 🙂
I’d never heard of it, @disqus_2yjJojmJOE:disqus , but I looked it up after you mentioned it and it looks so fun. 🙂 I asked one of my medieval friends about it and he said it is THE place for all the Sydney medieval folks to go. 🙂 We talked about going some time, but for now it’s a bit too far to trek with all our gear. 🙂
I once did a walking tour with a guide from medieval times and it was amazing to learn all the things I take for granted that weren’t part of life back then! This sounds very interesting. One of my favorite times when camping is also early morning sitting with a grand cup of coffee. It does taste better in a campground!
That would’ve been a great tour, @6b4d7b3119b81a21551400d4c7bb88ee:disqus 🙂 I love learning the background behind things, the nitty-gritty details that make history so fascinating. 🙂 And now you have me craving a cup of coffee. 🙂
Your photos are fabulous. I love having a bit of quiet time to myself too – just substitute a strong cup of coffee for the tea.
Thank you, @hikebiketravel:disqus 🙂 Yes, I do love a strong cup of coffee too. Alas, there was only instant available at the time, and I like my coffee real. 🙂
Hi Krista, I love this medieval camping! So very historic and cultural. Definitely looks like you got transported into a different world and time. It’s nice to learn about their food culture. Love your photos.
Hi Marisol! 🙂 It’s so great to see you here. 🙂 It was SO fun medieval camping!! We have another event in a few weeks and I can’t wait. This one is even longer and bigger, so it will be a lot of work but so jolly. 🙂
I’m not much of a camper but for some reason the idea of medieval camping sounds fascinating! I can almost taste the breakfast cooking and that jewelry is beautiful!
It is such a fun experience, @lisagonewiththefamily:disqus I grew up camping, but doing it medievally is a bit like stepping back in time. 🙂
After watching Spice Trails last night I would have to go with Turkish. They love cumin and use it in lots of things but especially lamb dishes. Cumin is my favourite spice, although I use it in Indian Curries 🙂 I love those beeswax candles too.
I’m a sucker for cumin too, @budgetjan:disqus I used it in Spanish rice today and mmm, it’s so good. 🙂
What an adventure this must have been. Your photos are spectacular. And to think you got to wear costumes, too:-) Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings…Mary
Thank you so much, @OnePerfectBite:disqus 🙂 It definitely was an adventure. I think the costumes really make it – you understand what they might’ve felt as they worked and played and slept. 🙂
Pine tea? Very interesting! Is it something like birch tree tea?
I know! Isn’t that a curious flavor to imagine, @inspiringtravellers:disqus ? I’m definitely going to try it. I’ve not had birch tree tea either, though I’ve read it is also healing. I’ll have to look for it as well. 🙂
Oh yum, that all sounds so delicious… I so love camping too… nothing like waking up and cooking your own breakfast in the great outdoors 🙂 happy weekend!
I didn’t know you were a camper too, @TuulaR:disqus ! 🙂 How fun! 🙂
I’m imagining that smoky tea…the perfect thing to wake up to!
It really is, @joanneeatswellwithothers:disqus 🙂 Warms you up body and soul. 🙂
Krista, this camping thing sounds like so much fun and so much to learn. I’ve never been to anything like this but maybe one day!
In a way it’s a bit like going to history class, @OrgasmicChef:disqus 🙂 I spent hours and hours doing research on medieval Finland, medieval medicine, medieval clothing, medieval food, the works! I love it. 🙂 Especially because there aren’t any tests at the end – just fun creative stuff with good people. 🙂
I love these photos – those purple carrots look fabulous! Do they taste different to the usual orange ones?
Aren’t they gorgeous carrots? Nope, they taste exactly the same. 🙂 They were how carrots originally looked before the orange ones came along. 🙂
Krista – where can I find the gorgeous beads that are in the picture above? Are they for sale anywhere? xo
I bought similar ones here – http://www.danishflowerart.com.au/Danish_Flower_Art/Home.html – but I will have to check where Ann bought hers and get back to you. 🙂 xo
Looks like you had a great time. Great photos too!
We sure did, El! 🙂 It still makes me smile to think of it. 🙂
How absolutely fascinating. I know very little about the very early food cultures now you have me interested. =) Right now, I am revelling in the spring produce- fiddleheads, asparagus, early strawberries and beet greens. I love all the vibrant colours after a winter of root veges. =)
I bet the markets are GORGEOUS where you are, @breannemosher:disqus 🙂 We still have pretty good ones, even in winter, but nothing like Summer. 🙂
I especially love the jewelry. I think this would be a really unique idea for a special costume. The colorful beads could match a medieval costume, a long flowing ladies medieval gown. ~New york dress forms
When we lived in Denmark we would go to a Viking Festival near Ribe, it was amazing. Volunteers would come and live the Viking life for 8 weeks and we would come and gawp at them! 😀 I thought it would be a lovely way to spend the summer! Looks like a fabulous way to camp! 🙂