Regia Anglorum Training Weekend, Islip (Oxfordshire, OX5 2SD), 17-18 January 2009.
The Village Hall is in the heart of Islip in rural Oxfordshire and it is attached to a BIG area of grass. The hall was completely refurbished in 2000 at considerable expense to the Millennium Fund. There is a full size catering kitchen and various smaller rooms to which families with kids can retreat. The village shop is actually run from these premises and all the usual facilities are available, including showers.
Across the road is the Red Lion pub and The Swan is a couple of hundred yards away if you fancy a change.
Military Training
Paddy O'Connell thinks this will be an excellent opportunity for experienced warriors and autumn and winter joiners alike to get some basic training before York, four weeks away from this weekend. It will also be a pleasant time to get together in a nice warm hall to renew friendships, make new ones and see each other again after the Yuletide feasting. Training sessions will take place on both days.
The Parish Council have built a new feature in the kids playground - a Viking ship!. They will be officially opening it on Saturday morning at 11.00am and have asked if we could please attend in kit as the press will be there... Please come!
Craft Training
Craft training sessions will take place, details to be arranged.
For example, Mark will run an arrow making session in the evening.
Facilities
Water, toilets, camping, parking are available 24 hours a day. Access for vehicles could not be easier, with modern camping if any hardy souls want to take it up. There is no petrol station in the village.
Food and stuff
The Village Shop is attached to the hall that we are in. It closes at 6.00pm on Friday, but will be open from 10.00-2.00 on both Saturday and Sunday. The Village Shop sells very high quality locally produced bacon and sausages etc. from the local award winning butcher. They charge the same as him. There is now a cooker, fridge & microwave in the kitchen. We will have the use of the kitchen as long as we clean up behind ourselves. Auntie Regia might even provide tea and coffee...
Directions
Islip is close to the A34 and just about ten miles due north of Oxford. From the A34, follow the B4027 and then minor road signs for Islip. The Village Hall is in the middle of the village a stone's throw from the Church.
Important
Bring your membership book!!!
Sign in when you arrive, and sign out when you leave, in the site book at the door. This is a new rule; to do with fire safety and insurance.
Do you still need a lift? Post here and contact me.
This weekend myself and Isabella de Croy did tour the North Yorkshire moors and inspected Pickering Castle and Whitby Abbey.
Pickering Castle was built by the Boss himself (William the BastardandIdidn'ttellyouthat) and is a mostly intact Motte & Bailey castle - I've seen the motte at Thetford, but this was the first time I got to walk up the defensive walkway over the motte ditch and up to the keep area. We held our position against an attack of Morris Men.
Whitby Abbey is a VERY atmospheric monastery on the coast and is visible for several miles around. An abbey has been present there since the 7th century - but was target numero uno for the Danes so was rebuilt many times - the ruins are the remains of the C14th abbey - which alas was shelled in WW1 by some naval Teutons...
Fry loads of onions in oil. Add salt and chopped herbs (I used thyme and sage). Chuck in plain flour and veggie seasoning (I used vegetable bouillon). Stir to coat fried onion in flour. When coated chuck in loads of water and stir to avoid lumps. Chuck in a bag of frozen peas or any other veg you fancy.
Ok, it may not be my best work ever but I have just put up on Youtube the footage from the Battle last weekend. I only put up the final battle though I might do something with the rest later, though don't hold your breath. Hope you enjoy
3 mins 14 secs - Baron d'Evreux (red cloak) takes several big steps forward from the line and it all goes pear-shaped for the Vikings...
Apart from that, my cloaking device was well engaged and there's no shots of me hacking at the right flank. I recommend all armour units be equiped with stealth at their next upgrade.
Some very impressive shots of deBec (Clanky, Peter, Lukas) doing a mince-grinder impression on the Viking Left and don't those radioactive shields show up well ...
Turned and split up a lot more than i remember. Top moments on the video is Lukas being propelled into the line and carving up a couple of vikings towards the end. and the last bit with dave huggins and holderness being beaten into a corner with clanky and paul waddington windmilling that poor bloke with the tiny buckler... bucklers my arse.
Well done guys, excellent fight.
And a big thanks to Dan Cook, and Clanky for getting me and my group home at the end of the weekend.
