Oh, what a beautiful day it has been. Today was my last day in attendance at the Dingley Dell Heritage Week activities at the castle. It has been fun overall,despite very uncertain climes. I could have done without the rain always threatening,and cold seeping through to your bones under layers of warm woollen things.But there were many memorable moments. The sight of two jolly monks dancing the "Twist together " to keep warm,the incredible skill of the falconer in managing so many wild birds.The beauty of the young kestrel and the soft downy snowy owl,which blinked interminably in the early grey of the morning.Like us, he was probably thinking "what am I doing here ?" The dancing steps on the first floor,led by Queen Brighid the Bright,sometimes quickly picked up by the attendant sprites,and sometimes falling apart to the sound of merry laughter when everyone in the room seemed to have two left feet.The moves were simple,but the difficulty arose when each group had to move together,in time. I was called along to demonstrate and was much regaled by the cheering as I spun and slipped,and circled to the wistful tones of the clavicord,and the bells. I will also remember telling tales while the mist grew over the grey- pink clouds in the dim light of the castle.The early music group which played on ,apparently immune to the weather changes,lulling us all to the breathless rhythms of the lute,the mandolin and the faery lyre.We ate the food the Ancients would have eaten,wore the clothes, and told the tales. I left at noon,hardly daring to look back,yet knowing that we all had learned something about our culture,our history and ourselves this merrie old week. I am even looking at Queen Brighid with new eyes,such a stalwart as she was ,encouraging us all to get the most out of the experience.We WILL do this again.
I had an appointment at one with my favourite alchemist,Dr. Remedius. He was pleased to see me looking so bright and rosy cheeked,and commented that I did not need to dress up just for him. (I was still wearing my silver/black dress under my cloak,as I had had no time to change . It caused quite a stir in the waiting room too!)He was encouraging about the improvement in my left hand,gave me more ointment and reminded me to carry out the exercises from the Faery Physio. I told him I had been completely resting it,of course, which was nearly true. I did not want to spoil his day, by telling him that shopping at the mercantile frequently takes more than five fingers. Home then to pack,as tomorrow Pendragon and I are going in to the Metropolis for the weekend.On Saturday we have seats at the Theatre of the Comicals,to see "Brambles and Mandolins " by elven writer Daedanus Feat.The ticket blurb says the drama is a Celtic romp.with some well known theatricals in important roles. Great fun I think, and our pre theatre dinner will be in the "Tartan Archway",well known for its fine meads and herb souffles.On Sunday, Pendragon and I make our first visit to the Elven Dressmaker who will make my Betrothal Gown, and his doublet and hose. She has many fabrics to show, and a miriad of patterns to sift through. I hope this will not take too long as I know what I want and in which colours. She may of course have more problems with Pendragon,as right now, he says he'll agree to anything.Not while I'm around,he won't.
From Monday, I am finally starting some of the work projects I have been planning. Selling woollen vestments for young sprites and selling used parchments, using my electronic box are two, the third being writing a column in the Dingley Dell Daily Scandal.It will be called "Asking Amarantha" and will be open to all readers to send me their personal burning questions and problems for me to solve. Pendragon is particularly pleased as he feels that I have a natural penchant for this kind of work, - certainly,if the amount of time I spend watching other folk through the window ,and commenting on them, is anything to go by. Talking of that, I have spotted Oggie the Hood (from number three) running amok in the cul -de sac with his notorious playmate Rikki Tikki the Red, several times this afternoon. This does not bode well,for anyone with a four wheeled motor carriage, pet tortoise, glass garden house, or oaken gate. Since that includes all of us, tensions are about to rise. No toadstool is safe when either of these liabilities is around.They just look like they are looking for trouble. Oggie's permanent smirk will lead him to the jaws of some penal institution in the fullness of time,of that I have absolutely no doubt.
Wishing you all, my dear friends,a weekend of mirth and memorable musicality. From your favourite and new "agony elf",Amarantha Willow,the Rainbow Faery.