Barony of Stormhold

Added Thursday 25 January:

Unto the populace of the Southern Parts of Lochac does the Seneschal of
Cairnfell and the Steward of the Cairnfell Surveying Expedition being one
and the same person send greetings and a warm welcome to those gentles that
are soon to travel within our wild lands. What follows is a mix of
information both serious and pleasant in turn and occasionally both. I hope
that after this missive I will have made available all information necessary
for the weekend.

Directions for the event are as follows:

>From Ballarat drive to Daylesford and then towards Tylden. Just (~50m)
before the 70kmh sign at Tylden on the Right hand side of the road is James
Lane. Take this road. If you get to the Tylden General Store you have gone
too far. Do a U Turn and pick up the directions as if coming from Melbourne.

>From Melbourne travel along the Calder Highway north west and take the exit
to Woodend. In Woodend about 50m after the second set of traffic lights take
the Trentham/Daylesford Road to the left. Continue along this road to Tylden
and out of Tylden towards Daylesford. On leaving Tylden do not increase
speed at the 100kmh sign as about 50m after this sign you will take the
first left which is James Lane.

>From James Lane. Before you have driven down this road for 5.75km you will
see Newtons Lane on your right and the beginning of the farm on your left.
After Newtons lane continue down James Lane until you get to the first
letter box on the left after Newtons Lane which is 575 James Lane. If you
get to the East Trentham Church then you have gone about 200m too far. If
you get to the Pig and Whistle Pub then you have gone about 1.5km too far.

Up the driveway take it slow and easy as there is a dip as the drive crosses
the creek. Follow the drive to the right and then left, on your left is the
farm house on your right is Stuart and Sarah's future cottage and a number
of sheds, continue on to the right and then left past the silo and up the
hill. Going up the hill continue straight ahead until you reach a wire gate
that should be open continue through until you reach a set of double gates
that will be closed, turn left. Travel along the track by the fence and
ahead of you is our camp site.

To summarize the event:

The event officially starts on the Friday morning of the 26th of January.
This was initially advertised incorrectly in Pegasus because I had been
under the impression that the weekend was extended by the Monday and not the
Friday. My apologies for the apparent confusion that this mistake is still
causing. There is nothing scheduled for the morning other than setting up
the camp Which will include the dining tent as it will be arriving late
Thursday evening. Lunch is provided and the first scenario will be after
that repast and will START at 2pm and no later. Participating individuals
will need be armored and inspected before this.

Friday evening will see a feast from around 6:30pm.

Saturday morning will bring breakfast and more scenarios starting at 10am.
Followed by lunch and then again more scenarios starting at 2pm. In the
evening will be another feast and the official conclusion of the event.

Sunday is available for pack up and hanging around.

The cost for the event if there are any still yet to book is $65 for the
whole weekend. $12.50is the day rate which will include lunch and the feasts
are $20 and $25 for Friday and Saturday nights respectively. After Wednesday
the 24th any further bookings will be accepted only at the discretion of the
stewarding team and in particular the chook.

Provided on site will be the amenities of toilets and showers. The showers
will have an adequate supply of clear, pristine, cold water. There will be a
small supply of hot water provided by a solar panel. During the day I expect
there to be a reasonable amount of hot water but once the sun sets the small
hot water tank will soon be rendered cold.

If there are any further questions please call me at chida@myaccess.com.au
or on 03 54241200 or 0432 367 505.

Bookings should continue to be sent to: Lord Balthasar (Randy) h 03 5342
0225, m 0439 370 933, randall@doepels.com.au

Now to detail and verbosity.

In three days we will gather to survey an area of the Cairnfell wilderness
and thankfully it appears that the weather will be excellent during our
adventures this weekend. Having said that I feel it necessary to point out
that few things. Our camp site is at an altitude of 700m above sea level as
such the weather is often more unpredictable and weather forecasts less
reliable than usual. While only occasionally do we experience temperatures
hotter than Melbourne we are often cooler. So I encourage all who are
visiting our Canton this weekend to bring a change of warm clothes
especially for the evening.

There are a few other points of which to make our visitors aware in addition
to the climate. There are risks that at the site that are not usual to most
SCA event sites. The first concerns an ant locally known as Jumper Ants or
Jumping Jacks. Unfortunately they are not friendly, unlike most Jacks I have
the pleasure of knowing, being very aggressive and more than capable of
delivering a nasty and painful bite. There are a number of nests around the
camp and scenario sites which will be marked by a red flag. Unfortunately
not all nests may have been discovered so be aware of where you stand, sit
and if the occasions warrants die. Do not linger near the nests and
certainly leave them alone because while you may be unfortunate to be bitten
it is unlikely, unless of course you're self or someone near your person is
to disturb a nest. Upon the detection of an unwelcome guest the ants will
boil out onto the surrounding ground and bite anything that moves. Similarly
If you find an ant in the dining tent, even your own bed or some other place
try not to kill it as doing so is likely to attract its sisters. In
particular be careful near the area set aside for swimming as there are a
number of nests in this area.

On swimming it is my personal belief that one of the great advantages of the
site is the dam that is available for said purpose. When one says dam this
is an accurate term but may communicate an incorrect image to many people
use to seeing holes more or less filled with brown muddy water. Another way
of describing this feature, though less technically accurate but more likely
to communicate the quality follows. Imagine a lake with clear pristine
spring water flowing out of the ground down a short gully filled with tall
trees, shrubs and many a manner of herbs, sedges and rush. Then the lake
being full, imagine an equally pristine continuance of the tributary out of
the lake and down the valley. This is where we shall swim it is also from
whence we will drink. So be aware of this and if there is any need or reason
for you not swim in this water please don't. In addition only the very
surface of the water tends to warm up during hottest of summers the layers
below being excessively cooler. This can be dangerous because upon diving
into the water it is possible to go down too far too quick and the shock
caused by the cold in the lower layers of water has caused individuals to
drown in water bodies that share similar features. The water deepens very
quickly being over my head a mere 3m from the bank. For this reason there is
to be no swimming alone or in the dark.

Further to swimming it is the practice at SCA events where swimming is
possible to require period bathing attire. This is usually interpreted as
entering the water in the manner that we all entered the world. This event
will not only require period bathing attire it will also require period
bathing practice. While bathing naked certainly happened in period at least
once and is probably documentable among most polite societies it was
considered lewd and wanton. Anyone swimming is asked to consider the
sensibilities of others present on the site and not just those in the
immediate vicinity of the lake.

Other things of which you should be aware are mostly common sense. Drive
slowly on the internal roads. Be very aware of the risk of fire despite the
apparent greenery you will see around you. If wandering around the site be
careful of the electric fences and in particular the stock, especially the
bulls and boar. Even these last few points may insult your intelligence so I
will not add any more of the common do's and don'ts.

I look forward to seeing you all over the weekend,

Alasdare MacGillEthain of Duart Seneschal Of Cairnfell, AoA, ARoLi, etc.

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This event is a quest to determine the Innilgard, Stormhold borders. The quest will involve armoured and un-armoured scenarios as well as camping. So there should be something for everyone. Come for the day on Saturday if you don't want to camp, but the Stormhold Baronial Pavilion will be available as shelter if you change your mind and want to stay.

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Let it be known that Baron Stormhold will be mounting a surveying expedition of the land in the west of his fief. To this end he seeks applications from suitably qualified individuals and companies. In particular all surveyors, engineers and cartographers are encouraged to represent themselves to his Excellency. In addition the services of a number of guards will be required due to the wild nature of the lands into which the expedition will venture.

The surveying expedition will assemble at 575 James Lane, Fern Hill, Victoria and then proceed into the wilds of the Cairnfell Hinterland. Its commission will be to survey this wild area of Lochac, identify valuable resources and impose the Kings peace upon any brigands who may happen to be operating in the region.

Applicants should contact Lord Balthasar (h 03 5342 0225, m 0439 370 933, randall@doepels.com.au) to indicate their availability.

In the manner of the Elizabethan court successful applicants will need to secure their position with a payment of currency being:

$65 before the 7th of January or
$75 before the 20th of January.

After this it may still be possible to join the expedition and applications received after the 20th of January will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Individuals who wish to join this expedition who are not citizens of the fair kingdom of Lochac will add an extra $5 to their application.

The Hills of Cairnfell are largely unpopulated so it is advised that expedition members bring suitable material such as tents, beds and whatever other equipment is appropriate to their station. Further more this area is known for its unpredictable weather. Snow is very unlikely but HAS been known to occur at this time of year.

*Translation*
Bookings to Lord Balthasar (h 03 5342 0225, m 0439 370 933, randall@doepels.com.au

Prices are as follows;
$65 before the 7th of January or
$75 before the 20th of January.
for the non member price add $5

Meals will be provided and will include dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, breakfast porridge and bbq lunch. You may wish to bring snacks.

This is a camping event and there is no bunkhouse available. There may be tent space available for travellers if necessary, please tell us when you book and we'll see what we can do.

While it is often hot at this time of year, it can also be very cold. Please come prepared for all weather.