Midwinter

Frustration over unsolved relationship problems still running high. I want to talk about it but I feel I can't do anything more to untie this knot.
Weekend was great, though. The trip worked very well, with wolf driving most of the way down to Rand's place, and me taking the last three hours or something - after it got so dark I couldn't sew anymore. We had a good time in the car, singing metal songs, sewing, talking about the Viking Age and so on.
Visiting Rand was nice! Such a nice family he has, and to live right in the middle of really nowhere! I finished my dress around 00:30 AM, that is, in the middle of the night, but I think I'll move the arms down some centimetres and I have to fix some last details, that really wasn't important enought right that night. But it's as pretty as can be and the colour really suits me. So next morning we geared up and we looked real good all of us! The weather was kind of grey, but we didn't mind.

Foteviken was, like all Viking villages reenacted or whatever today seems to be, situated not entirely... well. We could see that butt-ugly bridge to the land of the Danes, not to mention their coastline, and in the night-time several spotlights made a not-so-nice light, since there's a recycling place right next to Foteviken Viking Reserve... But that was mainly outside, right by the museum and such; inside the wall there was much less disturbance, much less. So much, in fact, that you could almost pretend there was just a large fire outside, or the moon, and only when going up all the way in the tower were you more disturbed.

We got there quite in time. I thought maybe I'd not buy so much... but oh, all the things! And Rodiaud is a wealthy woman. "This handwoven cloth is perfect. I need it. And this pot, how perfect! Another comb, this was very cheap, and from bone, too. And look at this marvellous piece of..." and so on.
Germans, Russians, Estonians, Polish people and so on. There were many nationalities there! Some I have met enough times to recognize.
I bought myself a perfect little pot, handmade, to use for vikingr stuff and larp, a nifty symbol (I AM a Tremere, and now also an alchemist...), and finally also a small finger-held open lantern and a Christmas gift for IvilElectra, I think. Not much, compared to what I wanted... Grip and the other boys of Randvi∂rs posse needed something warmer - Grip, bless his pretty face, bought a big blanket-like rectangle of herb-dyed, handwoven cloth, in a pattern from the Oseberg burial. It is gorgeous! Dark-blue and natural dark grey, it is, and he just looks stunning. It reflects on Randvi∂rs good status, it does, and it cost... well, nothing, really.
Mainly, we sauntered around the grounds, met the count with his girl, Tavathlon the silversmith and girl, and so on. Lot of talking and enjoying people's company, even more drooling over cheap and well-made handicrafts, and then, there was a blot and a feast. Rodiaud had her... my... her gods to send thanks to, and a wish for the light to return, and I had my... our... err... oh, shucks. Anyway.
It gets so tricky when you're more than one while still being you and one, doesn't it?
The pickled herring tasted good enough for the gods themselves, I was somewhat disappointed in there not being lamb but pork instead (yes, I know, I'm spoiled), and in general, we just ate till our stomachs were filled. Then came the porridge, too.
There was music, some of it I joined in singing, and a good time was had! Many vikings had a jolly good time.
It grew later and later, and me and Rand took a walk, and when we got back, the others were fast asleep, having practiced fire drill precautions:
"Stay low.
Drink mead. Lots of mead.
Wait for better times.
If in pain, drink more mead."
Our darkvision was good enough that we didn't trip over anyone... And had a good nights sleep.

In the morning, we packed everything, took a last (couple of) turn(s) around the market places, and split up. Me, Rand, wolf (Ranulf) and Agnar (his brother) went by the coastline up to the Ale Stones ship-burial (I think it is a burial, at least). We were very appreciated by other visitors, still in our viking outfits, much to our amusement.
After having visited said standing stones, we didn't smell nearly as much smoke anymore. That wind, I tell you! A steep, steep hillside after the wind had a whole sea to fly over, and then the flat land around the stones... We had a great time! Leaning out over the hillside, arms out, as far as possible, was thrilling, and there was no real chance of falling since the wind blew too strong. If you weren't careful, it caught you and you were forcibly moved at least five metres back before maybe catching your feet and standing against it again. Even my hairdo was ruffled!
We also had a look at two runestones, thrilling that too, and I could read them and guess from what time, roughly, they were, and see the composition and how the one who made the runes knew his art.

Dinner at Rand's place was nice, as was a shower. Agnar had some sleep, and at 11 PM we said goodbye and drove for Stockholm - see, it is closer to go by Oskarshamn by a very far, but he needed to get to Stockholm so therefore we went by Nynäshamn. I slept a little, I think, and at precisely 6 AM we said goodbye to him. Then wolf drove the rest of the way to Nynäs, where we slept until 9 in a cold car, had some breakfast and then boarded the ferry. Sleep was had there, too, lucky for me since I had a lecture right when coming back.

And now we've started unpacking, had dinner with wolf's mother and his youngest brother, and changed the lamp in the living room.


What now? After a great weekend. What now? Well, practice tomorrow, and I am looking forward to it very, very, very much. Playing Exalted on Wednesday, yay! And the stupid preparations for Christmas. Snuck up on me, it has. It's not nearly cold enough for me to realize anyway.


Yeah, I miss you.