Bear and I are home safe and sound from our wild and wonderful trip to the St. Ives Medieval Faire.Β We’re utterly knackered after the 27-hour round trip, but chock full of great memories made with old and new medieval friends.

It makes me smile to think back on all the great discussions held around campfires, huddled under tents out of the rain, and on straw bales outside the sanity-saving coffee vendor’s tent. There’s truly never a dull moment at medieval events, for each person you meet has a passion backed up by years of research and experimentation that leads to the most fascinating conversations.

medieval fruit and eggs

I learned about medieval perfumery, Varangian leather armor, how to make soap from olive oil, what people ate for lunch in the 14th century, Templar religious practices, Odinism, Scottish herbalism, surgical practices in medieval times, and how to do Viking tablet weaving.

medieval nuts and seeds

I loved strolling through the medieval encampments and market stalls, learning all about how rose petals and Grains of Paradise wereΒ used in the Middle East and what vegetables were grown and cooked withΒ by the Vikings.

medieval veggies

I couldn’t get enough of all the gorgeous handmade crafts, from hand-dyed wool and linen to carved wooden spoons. Aren’t the colors marvelous?

Viking craft

I’m always charmed by the naalbinding mittens, socks, and slippers. They look so cozy and warm, and the cheery colors and patterns are delightful.

Viking mittens

Some of my favorite displays are the toys. The hand-carved wooden horses and tiny dolls made from scraps of wool and linen.

All this beauty and talent and history inspires me no end. As I sat on the bus coming home, my brain was whirring with things I want to research, make, and taste. Bear and I talked a mile a minute when we got in our car for the final leg of our journey, listing plans to enhance our own encampment, garb, and personas.

We want to finish the medieval bed Bear started a while back, complete my armor so I can start practicing medieval combat, and add the colorful Bedouin tassels I’ve been making to the Bedouin baby cradle, doorway to our tent, camel saddles, tent poles, and anything else that needs them.

Viking dolls

It all makes me so happy and excited.

But first we need to settle back into normal life a bit. There is laundry to be done, dishes washed, bread made, animals fed, gardens watered, and errands run.

It’s so good to be home. xo