We took the train to Winchester on Friday and were lucky enough to get a table so we could spread out a bit for the hour-long journey. Once there, we headed to The Old Gaolhouse for some lunch and to meet up with Genevieve. After lunch the SIL and I and all our gear (lots of rucksacks and tents) settled in at the Royal Oak (Yes, another pub. Why do you ask?) while Constanza, Genevieve, and Nadia (we met up with her between pubs) went off to the Knitting Library at the Winchester School of Art to do some research. It was a hard task, but someone had to watch our gear! The Royal Oak claims to be the oldest bar in England and I'd believe it. And they mix an excellent Pimms! Eventually the ladies rejoined us (after much knitting goodness) for a round of drinks before we headed out to the site of the Pilgrimage.
Once we reached the Hospital of St. Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty, we set up our mundane tent in the meadow behind the church, whilst those with period pavillions set up on the green.
Here's our modern tent. It looks lovely next to the church, don't you think?
After we got everything set up - which was a rather hilarious undertaking, because I'm pretty sure a non-native speaker wrote the English directions for setting up that tent... well, you can imagine - we checked in at Troll, got our tokens (amazing pewter pins of St. Swithin's basket of eggs made by Lord Robert), got into proper dress, and settled in to the Hundred Men's Hall. We then had an evening of traveller's fare, singing, poetry, and handwork. And some drinks, too.
Then off to bed to be ready for the morning Pilgrimage. More on that tomorrow....
No comments:
Post a Comment