Our Bedouin Tent attracted some curious glances as we began to erect it. We are still getting used to it, and to be honest it was a little bit saggy in parts and slightly askew. However once all the trimming was complete it looked the part.
On the Saturday we performed outside our tent and it was lovely to get some of our audience involved too, (some definitely had potential). The people we talked to were keen to know a little bit more about the travelling women following the Medieval camp.
Some of the Medieval traders' stalls
Throughout the day there were displays by the various groups, from Vikings through to Knights and Crusaders. In some cases whole families were involved, which was lovely to see. We watched the squires practising combat and later on some of the more experienced knights putting each other through their paces in the small arena. Meroe was in her element when the falconer asked her to help fly the large birds of prey in the afternoon.
Meroe and friend
Later on, Horses Through History treated us to a demonstration and we all cheered on our favourite horsemen; they were incredibly skilful and exciting to watch. Mish Mish was delighted when the Welsh rider won the competition at the end. (The way she talked you'd think she had been riding the horse!)
Mish Mish's Welsh knight
On the Sunday the weather changed and we got a taste of the winds coming off the Fens. We spent some time tightening ropes and hammering in wooden tent pegs to keep the tent upright. Thank you to the kind man who came around to help secure our tent at one point.
We were quite nervous of performing so far from home and with people we did not know, but all of us in Ya Raqs would like to thank everyone for making us feel very welcome and appreciated. It was a fun and educational weekend for us, and we are all looking forward to the next event.
