Leighton Buzzard- April 2009

Training Weekend

As the pre-season planning starts to come together, there is always a need for a get together to do those final bits of preparation and this weekend was our last chance before the Cosmeston event at the end of May. We have been exploring a central UK venue to accommodate members from all over the UK, with the requirements of high roof (useful for dorys!), inside sleeping, outside space and secure, and this venue seems to fit the bill. We have already booked it for our winter activities... so great plans ahead.

This get-together gave us the chance to plan our display layout for this year, do a bit of drill, some linothorax building, pattern making, a recreation of some battle or other using Quality Street as the hoplites (with a very effective way of removing casualties as they were killed....), a chance to examine Steve's latest project - 'the wagon' - and most importantly, start another big project!

This one might take some doing, but after Ash put in the investment to design and have the sail built, we set to with the paint and managed to get all the major painting done. The benefit of a large hall is that the canvas could be laid flat... and amazingly Ash had sized it perfectly. It actually touched both sides of the hall and gave us just about 8 feet on the other two sides to work!

Ash reckons he will be able to finish the bits of detail in his workshop as we have concertina folded it, and will set to work on masts and oars before Cosmeston. By which time, hopefully, he will also have sorted the rigging.

Don't get too excited! No sailing around Cosmeston lake this year as we need a bit of decking etc building as well and that is a much bigger job... (although, in fairness, Cosmeston lake will be a little small)... but perhaps in time for the anniversary of Salamis, Ash??

Saturday night was long, late and we had a few tinnies, a nice (FREE) bottle of wine from the Indian akeaway and a film show - Faintheart being the main feature. A real re-enactors tale... although we were struggling, on the small screen, to see our friends from Britannia. But we watched all the extras Dan, so you got a cheer or two.

By the way, we have the same game with newbies, but we call it 'shoot the Spartan', as they seem to be the ones that volunteer as moving targets a lot!

All in all a very productive weekend. Many thanks to all who made it and to Steve for sorting it out. See everyone at Cosmeston.