Knights, Jousting & an Unexpected Medieval Saturday

While having coffee this morning, S happened to notice a reminder that the Medieval Festival was happening in Strathmore today. Another last-minute, impromptu event! I quickly published our last full day of vacation blog, jumped in the shower, fed Harley and the cats, and we were out the door after 10:30, hoping to make it in time for the 11:15 jousting.

As we got closer to the rodeo grounds, it became pretty obvious that half this following was way bigger than we expected. Traffic was backed up to the lights and the line to get in was just as impressive. Eventually we parked way out in the boonies, walked all the way around and then down the long lineup to get to the end rather than going straight there. LOL. By then the line stretched down 817 about a quarter of the way down the high school football field.

It took more than half an hour to finally reach the gate, where the medieval experience really began. There were people in costume everywhere, and I would easily say 85% of the crowd was completely committed to the costume role-playing. It was quite the sight!

There were areas showing all sorts of medieval skills and activities—a stew being cooked over an open fire, metal being forged with bellows, a wooden boat with its sail, hand carving, sewing and all kinds of demonstrations. The marketplace was another whole adventure, with real swords, helmets, costumes, crystals and every sort of role-playing item imaginable.

We did manage to buy some very expensive coolers from a distillery we have bought from before. We probably should have asked the price first, because we bought eight bottles for $41! Oops. Apparently we were feeling medievally reckless.

The food truck lineups were about 50 people deep everywhere, so we decided food could wait and headed to the beer gardens for a cold drink instead. We sat in the grandstands and watched the armed skills demonstration before heading to the truck to meet Leonard and Ina for a late lunch at the Roadhouse.

 

 Full challenge video

The day had started out pleasantly cool at 20°C, but just as forecast, around 3 o’clock the sun came out and the temperature climbed to 28°C. Beauty!

We made our way back to the festival around 3:30 to get a seat for the 4:30 jousting performance. Good thing we went straight up to the grandstands instead of getting caught in one of those 30-deep beer lineups, because the stands were already almost full and people just kept coming. Before the show started, the “herald” even had everyone scooch over so they could squeeze more people in.

Then came the main event.

The knights came out in full armour and put on quite a show. Horses, armour, weapons and jousting—it was a pretty unique spectacle and worth the effort of getting there.

Once it ended, we picked up our coolers and made our way home. Chips and dip were had while we played a couple of games of crib, but S soon got hooked on the Jays game. I took advantage of the quiet time to work on today’s blog.

I was just taking Harley out for a much-needed walk when B arrived. She headed out to ride Roo in the dimming golden hour while I continued my never-ending battle with the weeds, pulling away at them one small chunk at a time. As I keep reminding myself, you eat an elephant one bite at a time!

Once back inside, we started Lioness again while B finished her ride, fed up and headed home. We made it through a couple of episodes before S was out.

I started a new surf-girl series instead, enjoying the tropical views and a little armchair escape before calling it a night.

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday that wasn't even on the agenda when we woke up. One minute we were having coffee, and the next we were dodging traffic, watching knights joust and wandering through a medieval village. Sometimes days you jut have to try something unexpected.