Catrine's Discworld Jamboree Diary
2nd August 2007
We had a good drive of 3 hours to Wincanton. We coincidently got there when quite a lot of other people made it on Thursday. The first activity was pushing cars out of the mud, the spectators were entertained. We put up the tent and listened to the next activity - the obligatory remembering and arguing of how to put the tent up, always a bit of a laugh. We then had to go and get some food because we packed the car and couldn't fit any in.
We grabbed a bite to eat and then it was time to hit the watering hole, as there was a cider on barrel and it needed to be investigated. It was great to catch up with friends and have a good old chin wag.
3rd August 2007
Friday started with a BBQ breakfast. I quickly signed up for the Assassins' Guild which were very professional to join. The patches were absolutely excellent. We had a quick look at the Birds of Prey which we visited quite a few times in the weekend. They were from a local rescue centre and were there for the whole weekend. They were spectacular and the keepers were patient and very informative. Then it was time to start the fantastic load of activities and entertainments. Poisons for Assassins was inspiring for the junior assassins. Pat was brilliant and brought his unique style to the talk. Did you find the missing poisonous reptile? I also found out that my birthstone peridot has an element of poison in it.
Then it was time for the Raising Of The Scouting Flag, Mr Pearson to introduce the way of things and for a Mr Pratchett to lead by example. There was an Orchestra playing for a while and they did a concert, which was music bliss.
Animal Lover was fun as I found my cow; we had to pick an animal from a bag until we found the cow. Gardening was very interesting with Angua. I'm hoping for growth from my special bean any day soon.
It was time for the sun cream which was needed liberally applying over the weekend, as the sun shone and it was hot!
Archaeologist was always something I wanted to do and even though it was only a small area to investigate, it was interesting and exciting. The people running it were very knowledgeable and we found lots of interesting pieces. We then made it to the Traders tent, one of a few (cough… ) visits over the weekend. We caught up with new shiny things, Barrie, Harry and the LBEs which tempted my purse mercilessly. Luckily I brought cash which was a wise decision, as when I had run out that was it.
Insect Lovers And Reptile Handling was fantastic. As a snake keeper myself, it's interesting to see other exotic creatures and species. Dave was knowledgeable and interesting. He had answers for all the questions. It was thrilling to stroke all the creatures, a very unique delightful experience. The Burmese Python was fantastic, such a handsome, good natured, huge snake and it's not even his biggest.
Then we went to Lupine's amazing Magic Show. He managed to expertly mix skill of reading people, comedy and teaching a few secrets, yet still kept us guessing. The audience was enthralled from start to finish.
4th August 2007
Another BBQ breakfast and it was time for me to meet other witches for the Witch Trials. Then we hit the activities again. Digit Making was brilliant. It was one of those things that you've only ever known about but never had the chance to do. It was rather amusing watching finger after finger being squeezed into the clay and then getting stuck. Some people were there for ages with a stuck finger. Well, Vince had a captive audience.
A unique activity was suggestions of Sporting Poses for a large Feegle to do. In my opinion the Hammer Throw was the best pose. You will have to find the pictures.
Knotting was very good. It's amazing all these skills that you never really know about. I didn't time myself knotting but others did. Needlecraft was a good wheeze. I made a black pin cushion for my needles, always very useful. I was very proud how well it came out. Origami was fun and the castle we all built got so big. I've never seen anything like that before it was clever and took patience to get it all together. Paper Planes was a classic for me. We could have done with a platform or something that would have helped with distance. I've always found that a simple design is the best though there are lots of combinations.
Then the good old tradition of Queueing. Mr Pratchett and Mr Briggs signed my Jamboree Programme.
Rune Craft was fantastic - you got two blank runes and a chance to carve your own. I did one symbol for Protection & Stability and another symbol for Good Luck & Inspiration. Very relevant runes for me at the moment. It didn't matter if they were not perfect as they were meant to look like how they came out. I therefore ignored the comment that one of my symbols was wonky. Shamble Making was good for free artistic flow. You got a lot of bits and stuck them together. There were lots of materials to choose from. My shamble ended up quite purple - not a surprise for anyone that knows me really. Thanks to all who donated bits and bobs. Woggle Making was amazing and clever. It took a bit to get my head round it, but my woggle woggled.
Then it was the Beathty Roll Call which my now 4 Beathties dragged me to. Dragon won a prize for meeting his ancestors at Colchester Zoo. He enjoyed himself enormously. Zeus the bear beathty did very well and won the camouflage award - he was a tree, his idea not mine.
Quick bite to eat and then it was time for the Gangshow. The audience laughed from start to finish. There were some hilarious sketches. Mr Pratchett and Mr Pearson like Statler & Waldorf from The Muppets was inspired. The Trolls singing "We Will Rock You", the Three Witches, the Sand Dance, the School Register, the Dwarf Folk Music, the Mine Dwarfs, Nobby Running, Polly Being Stoned, Nanny Ogg's Song (and Tim with horn), the Vanishing Eyebrow, the Finale Sing-a-Long etc… There was just so much, it was well scripted, witty, comical and with a pole!
Then it was back to the bar which needed propping up by the many sunburnt, happy but tired bunch. The light sabres came out and many a fun time was had by all - as all the little ones were entertained.
5th August 2007
BBQ breakfast again and just time to get some more activities in. I managed to get over to the Squires Talk it was insightful. I learned that "Frenchies don't like it up em". There was an incredible amount of information given and the weaponry was very impressive. I watched The Lady have a go at an underling. She was very good and could defend herself well. She could give quite a lot too. She must have been roasting though, with long dress, head gear, sword and gauntlets.
Corset Making was informative and went through the ages of how the emphasis of ladies figures has changed. I for one am very glad I didn't have to wear the bone crushing ones. Thank goodness fashions change, especially the organ crushing corsets.
The Witch Trials were fun to be involved in. Being rounded up by two hot doggies was very amusing. It was great to be involved and those dogs were very rough! All the acts deserved medals, purely to be in the costumes in such heat. Both of the doggies were not as trained as they should be and one of them was very naughty to Mistress Weatherwax, proving that dogs are not intelligent.
Woodsman - using the tracking information we were given we had to work out the foot prints and some of the intricacies of the mark. Ode Writing by Tim was literary bliss. The English language is so unique, beautiful, elegant and wonderful.
Juggling was difficult for me but Alex was very patient. I'm going to keep practising with my new shiny balls and hopeful will be proficient with them, ready for the next Jamboree. Grope & Hope - which I really enjoyed. You had to guess the item when you stuck your hand in a box with a flap, then match up the guess with a stamp. It was amusing, especially when some of the items were a little mushy!
Orienteering was an exciting game with very interesting symbols to find. It took me two days to find all the symbols. Thanks to Steeljam for sorting that out.
Rush Weaving - I made a woggle with black beads. It was quite hard as my perfectionist side kicked in and wanted complete neatness. I did my best and ignored myself. It came out very well, the basic technique was simple and effective. We managed a quick semaphore lesson and learnt our A - G. I was surprised how hard it was for me. But practice makes perfect. We just had time to convert our stickers to badges.
Then it was Auction Time. The Mothers' Institute (MI) was there, lending a hand or two and a bucket, to help cool people off which was refreshing. I sat on my hands the whole time of the auction. There were so many exciting, sparkly and stampy items. Again lots of money was raised for 3 different charities.
Awards Time was next. Well done to Pam for winning the Silver Discworld, a very well deserved prize for her contribution to costumes over the many years. The MI awards went out for food stuffs. Isobel was also congratulated on such a sterling effort for the Jamboree. Members of the organisation committee were also awarded and thanked. There were also awards for the best in the different activities, so many winners well done to every one.
The end was near. The Final Ceremony had its usual speech. The balloons went up after much encouragement.
The clear up started. Many packed up and did a runner back to their real lives on the round world.
Time for a leisurely tea for us. We chatted to friends until the heavens opened up. Then we moved back to the Marquee where the last remnants remained. We had a laugh, met new friends, consumed alcohol and were merry. The light sabres came out and the wars began.
6th August 2007
BBQ breakfast again. Then the slow clear up, packing all the equipment and tent - trying to get it to fit back in the bag it came in. Then trying to fit everything into the car. The Tent Packing Team jumped into action especially as the heavens were threatening again.
I had a fabulous time. There was so much to do and judging from the pictures I missed as much again as I have wrote about. I didn't have a favourite activity as there were so many. Each was different and a unique experience, they were all excellent.
Finally I have to say thank you to all of the special and selfless people that make Discworld Events the best. I would like to also pass on my heartfelt appreciation to people who find it hard to come to events, especially camping but struggled through and came anyway.
Only one question needs to be asked …
When is the next Jamboree?
Catrine