Bristol Renaisance Faire 2009

A Griffin atop one of the shops.


A lovely day with Lee and Vicki. Lee had a knack for finding these quiet little alcoves.


The attraction of the day was (there for this weekend only) Tartanic, a Scottish Bagpipe and Drum band. Wonderful! High energy. We caught all their performances that day. I even bought a CD and got their autographs. God I love Scotland! Yeah--those are real Highland Pipes in the picture. And they know how to play them, too. And they're all wearing Kilts.


Highland Bagpipes and the rising sun. Tartanic : also known as Men without Pants.


This little elf was watching Tartanic with us.


Even managed to catch some of the May Pole Dance.


I also got to ride an elephant--briefly. Her name was Lady Essex. She's 39 years old, so we're about the same age.

Here's what I purchased : a Mug O' the Woods Mug made by Doug "Doc" Rice. These beautiful and rugged mugs are hand cut from logs, many with the bark still on, and many with moss and lichens, then dipped in polyurathane. Since I am the kind of person who takes pictures of tree bark just to study the color and textures, I was really drawn to these mugs. My Dad would love them, too--as he loves his woods.


Anyone know what kind of wood this is? I forgot to ask ... I was so tickled to find one that fit my hand just right, that I wasn't worried about the kind of wood it was.



An Encounter :
Very nice and unusual pieces, so I bought one at the end of the day. While I was there trying them all out -- I had to find one that fit my hand -- I got into a very nice conversation with a young man who I imagine looked like CL at that age with long, dark, wavy hair (before I knew him). He was very pretty, with a few Avalon braids and a kilt. I'd seen him throughout the day--something Dream Academy about him ... He's another Tartanic Groupie, like me, Lee, and Vicki. He came up from Chicago, and is there most weekends. Would love to just get on a circuit going from Ren Faire to Ren Faire. I told him he could make that happen, many people do just that. He was going to start working for the Mug o' the Woods Man. All the while we're talking, I was touching / feeling /trying every mug in the shop to find one that felt comfortable in my hands. So many beautiful mugs -- Rugged. Natural--like a walk in the woods, minus the mosquitoes. The owner had stepped out for a moment. I had finally found the mug I wanted and set it on the counter, and asked if the young man could take my money. He could take cash, but was not yet checked out on plastic yet. I said, "Well, If I stay a little longer, I'll probably find something else I have to go home with. My Dad would love these. He loves his woods." Just then the owner came back and I was able to purchase my mug. Then this young man gave me a stalk of purple-blue orchids. He said, "I'll give you this flower, too. I've been carrying it around all day, looking for someone to give it to--the right person to give it to. The colors match your dress. Blue and green and purple."

I hope I said "Thank you. Every woman loves getting flowers!" I think I laughed and said, "I've got the dress! I'll see you at the drum jam," and I walked away with my mug and his flowers.

That was so sweet! Made my day, made me wish I was younger, too. (Actually no--I'm much more comfortable with myself now, than I was at 20. I'll stick with my real age.) I probably would have talked with him more, but the end of the day drum jam was about to start. I haven't been able to be part of that drum jam since before Oliver! It was a great day! He made a memory for me. ;-)

I wonder if he knows how talking with him and him choosing me for his flower made my day? As I was walking away, of course I thought of all sorts of other things to say to him/to ask him, to encourage him to live his dreams--whatever they may be. Had he been to Scotland? (He was wearing a blue and green kilt ...) Go! It's like Home! Do you sing or play an instrument? Act? What else do you like about the Faire? If you're working in a shop all day, you won't be able to get out and about the Faire ...