Ill Again

Unbelievable. Another cold!

I got over that big one, only to come down with another a week later. Where's the respite? Where's the mercy? Where's the panacea!?

Next weekend is the Manaraefan training weekend in Winchester. That's where newbie members of the Vikings like myself will be going to get assessed for battlefield safety. If I pass the tests for basic combat, they'll actually let me swing a length of steel at people for the public's entertainment! They'll also let other people swing lengths of steel at me for the public's entertainment.

The hardest thing to catch myself doing is still controlling my shield. I have improved, and I hope it's enough to be declared battlefield-ready, but it's something that I still need to work on.

Although I plan to use an axe when I'm actually on the field, I've been advised to train and take the test with a sword. Swords are certainly easier to use, and I can always train with an axe after I've taken the basic tests.

There are two events in Battle this year, and I've been told that Corfe Castle (in Devon) is well worth attending; so I should think I'll be at three events this year, in addition to Manaraefan. Hopefully, by this time next year, I'll have everything sorted out and won't have to borrow the odd piece of equipment (helmet, shield, tent, sleeping bag, drinking horn, etc.) from other Vikings. You never know, I might have another form of transport as well.