Of knights and sunny days

The medieval market in Dreieichenhain ist one of the prettiest markets in our region: Magical location, beautiful ambient lots of vendors and stuff to buy, tasty food, knights tourney, shows and music and so much more!

Thanks to the hot and sunny late summer weather the market was well visited and we had to wait a while on the main ticket line. Since it was not far from our meeting point that day we waited patiently (there are two more entrances around the castle, but this is the closest to the parking area ;) )We then met up with some dear friends and started with having breakfast on the castle pond in this lovely almost too hot weather. As always there have been so many booths with food and treasures that I surely missed some of them even after a few rounds through and around the castle but I found enough loot for one day for sure!

The knights tourneys at Dreieichenhain are always entertaining and we even witnessed a real proposal at the end! The team seemed to have kept it a good secret from the future bride as she was confused and shaking already when she was lead in [heart]. And so the "bad" black knight was the winner of hearts at the end and got a lot of cheers from the crowd! Our favourite however was the green knight ;)

There also was a archery competition for everyone, all you needed was a traditional wooden bow. Since my horsebow is sadly not fully made of wood we just watched for a while :)

Bagpipes are weapons of war!!!

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, 

Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!

Finally I found my way to beautiful Scotland even if we lingered in Edinburgh only, with a little trip to the Highlands...

↟ Day 1 - Saturday ↟

We took an early flight to Edinburgh from Frankfurt am Main airport. Security got much more annoying since my last flight and all those scanner-gate-thingies confused me and the security people were clearly annoyed too. The flight however was a pleasant one and since Hannes has celiac desease I got his sandwich too, hrhr!

Edinburgh airport is a small one and we found our way to the AIR Link bus (Yay, free WiFi!) into the city really easy. We got off at Waverly Bridge and met up with Hannes mum who has been at Aiona for a week and wanted to spend the weekend in Edinburgh with us. We brought our suitcases to her hotel until our check in and went off to the Royal Mile for scones and tea at the Deacons House café (ohh the scones were sooooo tasty there!). I wore my Winter Soldier longsleeve that day (with printed metal arm) and got shout outs from some people who were clearly team Bucky!

In the afternoon we got our suitcases and checked in to our cute little apartment for the week. Not far from Haymarket and right above the Mad Hatter pub.

We met up with Hannes mum again afterwards and went to her hotels restaurant for dinner. They took good care of Hannes and we all had a lovely high standard dinner. The seabass was so delicious!

After dinner the three of us went to take the double dead ghost tour through the vaults and visited the McKenzie Poltergeist at Grayfriars Kirkyard. At the end we even got locked into THE mausoleum.

The tour was really really good and creepy with an awesome tourguide and a lot of creepy stories. It sure is a lot to walk and the guide has a fast pace but I highly recommend it and would definitely take it again!

I got a book about the Mc Kenzie Poltergeist at the "Wee shop at the cemetary" which I wanted to buy for a while anyway and the shop merchant said I reminded him of Harley Quinn because of my hair ^^;

We went back to the apartment late that night.

↟ Day 2 - Sunday ↟

We had a good nights rest the first night and a lovely breakfast at our apartment in the morning and met up with Hannes mum again. We went to see Greyfriars at daylight. What a beautiful graveyard! There are a lot of pretty old gravestones and crypts and when I found a stone with "James Buchanan" written on it I lost it for a bit... was glad it didn't read Barnes after ^^; I surely could have spent a lot more time there but not everyone is so fond of graveyards.

The Grassmarket has a lot of lovely little shops and apparently a lot of tweed stores. I LOVE TWEED! Sadly it is very expansive though... and I didn't want to be one of those people who touch everything and don't buy stuff. My buddy Marco would have loved the stores~ I'm sure :)

I got myself a Batman totebag in one of the nerdier shops called Swish.

The Scottish National Museum was closing early on Sunday so we postponed this for Monday morning and went to find a café instead. While trying to find something for Hannes (he didn't trust the glutenfree cakes in Deacons House because they where displayed lying close to the normal ones) we ended up at Starbucks at the Royal Mile. Much wow! Don't get me wrong! I love Starbucks (more than I should) but it was just so boring because it wasn't any different from our local Starbucks (except for more Sandwich choices).

We went for dinner to Monicas hotel again, since it was really good and safe for Hannes. I got a incredible steak with green asparagus and potato wedges and a rose Crème Brûlée for dessert! All three of us got steak; medium for Monica, medium done for Hannes and medium rare for me; and you could see the difference in all of them! That's something you won't see often so I was pretty impressed. And it was really good!

↟ Day 3 - Monday ↟

After breakfast we met up with Monica again (for the last time this trip) and went to the National Museum together. They had a special Celts exhibit which was very interesting. Including the Celts Kings statue from Glauberg not far from where we live. The museum itself was sooooo big! It is not manageable to see all of it in one day! So we decided to go for lunch before Hannes mum had to go to the airport. We ended up at Mums Comfort food which was a tip at one of the glutenfree travel blogs. It turned out that the owner was celiac herself and the staff was well educated on the issue! Hannes was able to eat nearly everything in the diner and had a hard time to decide. I went straight for the Haggis (which also was homemade and glutenfree so Hannes could have a taste) and it was so delicious! My dad always said "Try Haggis! It's the best thing ever!" and he didn't promise too much :) [we have plans to make our own Haggis some time, haha]  Also I had Irn Bru, a Scottish soda, which I liked really much and a very tasty Reese's milkshake. Afterwards we said our goodbye and parted.

Stuffed we rolled went to Wawerly mall for shopping. I bought too much at the Bodyshop. I went in to get some moisturizing cream since I forgot mine and got out with a bunch of stuff... but also with a great discount so I think it was ok. Also I got a small wobble head Ant Man from a games shop and my hun bought me a fancy shirt at Pulp.

↟ Day 4 - Tuesday ↟

I was in a really grumpy mood that day~

It was raining a lot, which is to expect in Edinburgh I guess, but we found our way to Edinbugh castle nonetheless. It was really lovely up there anyway and the view must be impressive when the weather is nice! I especially loved the cavalry and military museums. What can I say? I have a huge love for uniforms and they had so many stories and things there. I enjoyed the info about the cavalry and the horses and there was a lot to look upon. Also the war memorial was pretty impressive in a way, with all those books filled with names of the fallen.

Later we were pretty soaked and cold and since the castle cafés have been so crowded we went back down to the city into a very crappy small café where I drank the sweetest (and that's not a good thing) Chai Latte I ever drank in my life! It was so damn sweet I couldn't drink it x__x It was like drinking pure syrup! Yuck! So that didn't lift my mood much but the Burgers we had at *drumroll* Burgers *badummtss* where so good (and it was the Burger Burger btw *badumtss*). They had gluten free options there as well and Hannes really enjoyed his giant burger and cheese fries :D Also cool: Hoodoo Lemonade with chili. Fancy stuff!

↟ Day 5 - Wednesday ↟

We skipped breakfast at "home" and went for a full English Scottish (!) breakfast at Mums. It was huge and absolutely delicious! Gluten free and perfectly safe for Hannes of cause! After this breakfast for warriors we went to Mary Kings Close. The tour was really interesting and a lot of fun. The guide was so funny and they sold a lot of Pest merchandise there. Shirts with pest doctors and the black death microbe from giant microbes (which I already have of cause) and so on.

We then went to Deacons House for tea and it was then that I realised something was off. It seemed I caught a bladder infection, maybe the other day at the castle, and it was getting worse pretty fast. Since we had booked a tour to the highland for the next day we decided it would be best to buy lots of tea and spend the rest of the day at the apartment. I spent the evening writing postcards, watching Ghost Hunter docus and strange shows like "Stupid Man, Smart Phone" and playing on the DS.

↟ Day 6 - Thursday ↟

Highlands! Finally!

The original plan was to rent a car and drive around by ourselves. But as I don't have a credit card and Hannes doesn't have a drivers licence it was not possible to book a car in advance. The driver had to be the one inhabiting the credit card used for booking... and I didn't want to gamble.

But as a tourist city Edinburgh of cause provided several Highland tours for tourists. Definitely not the same as exploring by yourself but better than not going at all! So we went for it! I managed to get over the 8 (?) hour trip without drinking much and taking a few painkillers.

The busdriver was a really great guide and told us so much about the Highlands, Lowlands, Whiskey, Scots and Scotland in General. The tour picked us up at the Royal Mile and drove up to the highlands~ we stopped at Kilmahog, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness and Pitlochry and then back to Edinburgh. Yes it was just a tourist tour but it was the best we could get and I wouldn't have missed this! The highlands are sooooo pretty. I hope I will get the chance to visit them once more and hopefully on my own pace then with the ability to explore. They have lovely small holiday cottages there :) Although we sat in the bus most of the time we were pretty exhausted when we got back. Grabbing something to eat at the supermarket on our way to the apartment and dropped to bed shortly after.

↟ Day 7 - Friday ↟

On Friday I really felt like shit. The infection has gotten worse and I was in pain. Eventually I got scared because of the pain and we called a doctor helpline thingy. The nurse asked a few questions and I told her it's better with painkillers but I was really uncomfortable because the thought of damaged kidneys and stuff got to my mind...idk. But the nurse was like "Oh painkillers work? Great! Take more of them and drink some Whiskey, everything should be fine then!"

So I did this and tried to sleep, which I did a lot on that day. Hannes went to the city alone checking out a gluten free patisserie and stuff. When he got back he had a little package for me.

A small Captain America bear from the Build a bear store to cheer me up Q___Q I called him Steeby!

I spend the whole day in bed.

↟ Day 8 - Saturday ↟

I felt much better already. Apparently sleeping a lot and painkillers really did work their magic...

It was the first really sunny day and we decided to take one of those bus city tours with the Horrible Histories commentary which was a lot of fun. Afterwards we went shopping, strolling through the city and dinner at Mums (again! Because it was awesome!) and in the evening we took the Ghostbus tour! This one was so hilarious!!!! Those guys have been really great and funny~ entertainment at it's best including jumpscares, patchouly, a graveyard and a creepy ghost on the bus. Really really highly recommended! :)

Sadly, this was our last day in Edinburgh and it was time to pack our stuff already as soon as we got back to the apartment.

↟ Day 9 - Sunday ↟

Bye bye Edinburgh

We got up early and cleaned the apartment and checked if we got all our stuff. Since we had quite a few hours until our flight and no idea where to store our luggage we went to the airport and stored it there. We took the bus back to the city and to the ocean terminal for window shopping and so on and got a few last minute souvenirs.

Back at the airport we were finally allowed to check in. I had some fun with the airport security people there and then we grabbed some snacks and waited at the gate. Best announcement: "Ball games are not allowed on this airport. Please stop playing football on gate 12!"

Later on the plane we raised the tomato juice in memory of my grandpa (who loved to drink it on flights) and had a pleasant flight home~

Our lovely landlady was so kind to pick us up at the train station when we got back.

Edinburgh is a really really lovely city! We met a lot of great and kind people there and we had a lot of fun despite my illness. I guess we will definitely come back to Scotland and also visit Edinburh again for more ghost stories, comfort food and all the stuff we have missed :)

Umm... hello!?

It's nearly May 2016 already!? When the hell did that happen???

One of the things on my list for this year was "more blogging" but as it's already May now it seems it didn't start that well... although I got a few unfinished posts here. Oh yeah!
But despite all the stress and chaos I also feel kind of motivated to do stuff at the moment!
We already planned a lot for this year, big and small, and I hope there will be a lot to post about!


Last year was really weird and chaotic running by so fast with a lot of things to happen. Some of them good, others bad. Like it is with years. I think it's just what they do and there are always things that trigger the "It was my worst year ever" stuff...
Always!
There was a lot of stupid stuff, stress and chaos but I want to focus on the positive things and I also don't want to give a full review of 2016. Would be a bit too late now that it's May already wouldn't it?
So I spent much time at the stable: Training lessons, trails (one of them was 6 hours!) helped with events and finally got a riding badge I wanted to train for for a few years now. We adopted two adorable black cats in summer and the one year anniversary is drawing near. We found a wonderful group of people from our region, a heathen hearth so to speak. And there were so many small and beautiful things throughout the year~

So here I am 2016!

Autumn is time for handicrafts - Naalbinding

Last year I finally learned how to do Naalbinding/Needlebinding - an old scandinavian handicraft.

I wanted to learn this for a few years now since I'm really interested in the viking age and everything related to it.

My friend Lena had this lovely needle made for me at one of the markets we visited last year. Our friend Harald der Knoppmecher made it from a piece of pear-wood :) I optained a second needle from him earlier this year. Smaller and with a lovely structure!

The first project I made to learn how to do it was a pair of pulse warmers~ then I tried a hat which turned out waaay to big. The second hat I made was for our friends 1,5yrs old babygirl and fitted just perfect. Her mum told me she's loving the soft hat made from green fluffy wool [heart] 

Sadly I forgot to take a picture of it x_x Here's some of the giant ball of wool and midst production ;)

Still got a lot from that wool, also blue colored~ :D

I made an Alpaca loop-scarf for my mum (last years yule present) and am currently working on more pulsewarmers for me (yes I like those). Next project: Socks :)

Loop scarf for my mum

Solstice weekend feasting

My hun turned 30 this weekend and together with the summer solstice we spend two lovely days with friends and family and lot's of food!

I would have loved to have a fire outside for the solstice but we we're so exhausted and it was raining~ so I decided to light some candles instead and spend the night relaxing and pondering on the sofa. Small offerings were made in the morning though :)

Historische Stadtrechtsfeier Gelnhausen or: Another medieval market

Every 5 years the beautiful city of Gelnhausen is holding a big medieval 3-day event. 

The historical core of the city is very pretty and during the event flooded with merchants and people showing old handicrafts and stuff. It really is a beautiful setting!

Sadly, this time they had no knights turney, which they had at the past two events 2010 and 2005~ but it was pretty as always. And again I took just a few pictures with my mobile cam since I again forgot my camera -.-

Oh and of couse here is our small treasure haul ;)

Adventures on horseback

Six hours in the saddle! Gods~ it has been a long time since I last rode a horse that long...  but it was totally worth the pain and the enormous sunburn I got :3

We started on Thorsday 4th at 9:30 in the morning with 11 riders and travelled about 15km to Krombach were a Sternritt - a kind of smaller trail ride were lot's of riders from more or less around the area gather. Often horse blessings are held, food and drinks are served and sometimes clinics held etc. - took place.

We had some food and sat together for a while before riding back home.

The way home was really hard! It was freaking warm, the sun was burning without mercy and my butt hurt like hell XD I do have a horrible muscle ache and my walk the day after should make John Wayne proud! I'm pretty sure Urmel and I slept well that night! Love the stubborn pony [heart]

Also the sun was burning intensely that day and I got the sunburn of my lifetime D:

I'm pretty sure there'll be a  lot of skin coming off... yuck...

THAT,  my dear readers, is what happen if you are such a pale ghoul like me and don't manage to use suncream properly for once... -.- The photo was taken today~ 6 days after I got the burn!

BUT IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!

*___*

Beltane

Traditionally we celebrate Beltane most of the time at Ronneburg castle. Every year they have a big medieval market with fires and fire based acts and incredible fireworks.

A few years ago they had quite a few acts including Fangdorn the dragon but is got less every year. Liudon Incorruptus was playing (as they are on nearly every market at Ronneburg castle for a few years now... I really like them but changing musicians regularly would be appreciated...)

We have been really suprised by the mass of people who celebrated since it was kind of rainy the whole day but the event was really crowded I would say :)

Nonetheless it was a great night (although I wasn't feeling that well~)!!! 

This years fire act were Firedancer whom are a absolutely stunning local group. Sadly I didn't manage to take some proper pictures due to our standing position.

I hope you all had a blessed May night!

Stormy spring market

Spring is here and with it comes the annual Spring Market at Ronneburg castle!

Despite the rainy weather we had a great time there! It was much better visited then I expected due to the weather and I was happy to see so many kids there playing and having fun. The phrase "There's no bad weather, only bad clothing" seems to apply to more people again. 

We had some tasty food, as it always is provided at the markets, and Apple-Mead from our favourite tavern :) We also had a great time with friends and looking at all the pretty treasures and wares that where for sale adn talked a lot to friends. We also bought a few treasures for ourselfes of couse!

[dried fruits, handmade candy, pumpkin-coconut marmelade, a wooden hammer for the wall, handspun wool and a new Naalbinding needle, silver earrings, a pretty amber necklace with silver leaves and a stone necklace... BIG LOOT]

Paganfest 2015 - Donars Donuts

Paganfest with Turisas!? Hel-yeah ;) 

Thorsdays Paganfest was awesome~ I had so much fun with my friends!
It was so great to party again! I'm so tired most of the time atm and haven't been out for a while now except for dinner and drinks.

We went to the Batschkapp right after work and so I sadly missed most of Frosttide because they where already playing when we arrived :/ Obscurity was pretty cool too, didn't know them before.
Heidevolk was really great -DONUT! \m/- and best of all was Turisas. The new stage deco was kind of impressive and the whole atmosphere was awesome! I had a lot of fun -and like to tell myself I had some eyecontact with Jussi XD-!

I have to admit I'd have liked Turisas to be the headliner and not Wintersun and I'm not the only one who thought so. Wintersun was ok yes but the atmosphere wasn't the same and Turisas was so much more fun! So thank you Turisas!

Thank you for that great evening Paganfest and thank you friends and other crazy ppl<3 p="">