Fire procession atop the Viking Burial Mounds, Borre Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

Saturday, 7 July 2012:
Borre Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

I Awoke relatively early, granola with coconut milk and a croissant for breakfast, then wandering out for the bathroom. Nature’s calling at Mid-night left me to use the old Burning Man fashion of a bottle for relief as it was pouring down rain with the toilets so far away, it was a bit of a tromp. After the morning ritual, I returned back to camp making Peanut Butter and Jelly croissants for my lunch bag, painted myself with purple ritual battle horns, and organized my paints for a day’s vending. Rob lent me his cloak to do the painting on as the only blanket I had was “Mexican” craft and not Viking. I was definitely reliant on Rob’s kindness of lending me the gear to pull this event off. On to the Viking Marked to my blanket place and beginning vending. Lots more painting through the day and friendships to be made. I Had a great place to watch the Viking battles from as well as the fire spinner/juggling performances. I was tempted once again by the sea to swim, but alas, never did. I Worked until about 7 pm, exhausted and cramped from sitting in one place all day, then packed it down with the intent to be social with others. I was looking forward to the “big” Viking feast which was set for 8. It of course got delayed to almost 10 pm (as seems to be as I’m told to be a “Viking standard”). I Made approximately about 680 kronos today. On to one of Rob’s clans, to hang with them and hear them sing and play instruments. I walked into camp just as exciting news was unfolding as two of the campmates, moments before I arrived at the campfire, had become engaged.

Another part of the village was busy trying out swords, spears, and weapons to try to behead the hanging pig (obviously not the one for this feast as it takes too long to cook one traditionally). Just before the feast, one of Rob’s groups got called up for an award for most authenticity and festivity for this year’s festival. Went to go see them get awarded. The awards ceremony was followed by a comedy act about a rabbit, wolf, fox, and human. The feast was soon to begin, as a long long line came together for it with many cutting their way rudely for a shorter line themselves. I’ve heard about Norway’s “Q’ing”, but got a taste of it first hand. There was a wide range of Different tactics they used to cut in line – varying from finding someone they knew and starting up socializing, or coming up and offering everyone shots or a strange green elixir, so they could just meld into line, or simply just cutting in. I definitely appreciated the elixir, but really don’t like it when people do that. The meal was meager, three pieces of roasted pork and a mashed root or carrot pudding? And a slice of bread. Finding a place to sit on the feasting tables was just as bad as the the dinner line … and when we found a place that some people tried to ‘reserve’ with placing things out, but weren’t there so sat down in like fashion. By time we finished up, they came up and annoyingly tried to squash in bitter we took their seats reserved by their cups. The world in all regards is getting way too crowded for the likes of me – even at alternative fests. Headed back to the tent for some cider, then met back up with Rob for some wandering. We settled in around a campfire discussion amongst some vendors near the main stage – which was hosting belly dance, spankings, song, and festivity. Around midnight the fire torch procession was set for the burial mounds. They gave us each 2 wax-coated string bound torches, one they lit off their ceremonial flame, then we all processed in a long line around the village, on out to the mounds, and up the main mound where we sat and stood, torches burning down with many not able to handle them, almost dropping and causing fires. A tribute and memory stated for the ancestors then procession back down to a circle ceremonial space where we were to listen for the waves of the sea (seaside). That part of the ceremony didn’t really flower for the ocean was quiet. Then on back through the gates where they extinquished the torches and collected un-used extra torches. Afterwards, I lost track of Rob, wasn’t really feeling the urge to struggle with Norwegian/English usage battles at various camps and the “non” social butterfly (aka “wallflower”) aspect of my personality kicked in and so I wandered to the pier to look over the Viking boat and contemplate the universe while watching the stars and sea. Tired, I wandered back off to bed in my tent around 2 am, absentmindedly leaving my cup behind.

Viking Art/Rune Stone, Borre Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

Viking Art/Rune Stone, Borre Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

[ Chronicles: A Viking Tale, the Beginning of the Journey ]

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Fire procession atop the Viking Burial Mounds, Borre Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

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In its 7th year … The Chronicles of Sir Thomas Leaf are back … The Great Walkabout Down under and Sailing the Seven Seas will be on hold in its completion for the time being due to funding & time it takes to process the photos, write, and design the pages – these tales should resume back in production come August 2012. Meanwhile, we are focusing on current journeys of Sir Thomas Leaf … hopefully (funding dependent) … live … day to day … If you’d like to see this happen, NOW is the time to pledge support or send in your donations as Sir Thomas will be journeying on the tightest shoestring he has yet travelled on … A $5 donation will buy him a chai where he can get online and weave you a tale with photos … otherwise, you’ll have to wait as fate allows publishing … But we digress … Lets begin … the Chronicles of Sir Thomas Rhymer … and a Viking Tale … This is to replace the failed funding project of the Pirates which couldn’t happen like we wanted it to so is being replaced by this adventure, which will ‘eventually’ be turned into a book …