Thursday, 31 July 2014

Rat Pucking!

Dearest Lucy,
My goodness, there is much news to be shared as the Festival approaches! The entire village is busy preparing, the merchants are preparing their wares, and the entertainers are practicing – it promises to be an excellent 3 days of festival fun!

Pirate Kitty is very interested in Rat Pucking!

 Mr. Sparsgood, on the other hand, has been playing games. He recently met a man named Emrys Fleet, who introduced him to the “sport” of Rat Pucking (Enunciation is important here, my dear!), and Mr. Sparsgood is quite mad about it! I’m just glad it keeps him out of the house, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to bear it!
 
Emrys Fleet, the originator of Rat Pucking
You will recall that Mr. Sparsgood holds the position of Chandler – as a reminder to you, that is the person who is responsible to sell supplies to ships – but now that the waters have well and truly receded and we are several days from the nearest port, there is not much business to be had. That said, Mr. Sparsgood always kept a hand in, as it were, keeping a stock of supplies on hand that might have other uses. You will recall that I complained quite heartily of his irrational insistence that I too sell wares from a basket – an insistence that he has not rescinded, even though I noted that he himself is spending more time on his new hobby than anything else. To make matters worse, Mr. Sparsgood’s hobby is taking the village by storm, and people (read “certain captains”) who previously spent their leisure time in my company are now finding less and less time for the likes of me!  
Explaining the rules of Pucking
A rat for pucking purposes
Mr. Sparsgood is currently busy planning Dry Bluff’s first annual Rat Pucking tournament, and as it is all he talks about of late, I trust you will allow me some latitude to explain what it is all about. The game is played with a “rat” – artificial, I assure you;    and a stick. The stick must be used to fling the rat towards a specified target, and the person who takes the fewest “pucks” to get there is the winner. To make the game more challenging, the route taken to get to the target is decided on the spur of the moment. For example, yesterday, Mr. Sparsgood and Captain Dampier were playing a “quick round” before dinner. They had decided that the target was my laundry tub, and although they began at the fence line, rather than make the straight shot (a mere 20 feet, to be sure), they decided they would first go over the clothesline, then around the well before they aimed for the basin. This of course results in much merriment, and a few sheets on the line that were previously clean now need washing again. 
Addressing the rat with the stick
Between us, I must admit that the game does look fun, and were it not for the fact that I abhor my husband’s company, I am sure that I would enjoy the game – especially if we could play right after that “so called mayor” put her laundry on the line! As it is, I shall have to content myself with watching from a distance. I do think, however, that I will encourage festival attenders to join in the fun, that way, perhaps I will have more time to myself to pursue my own interests.  
CHEESE!

The tournament will run all three days of the Festival – August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and there will be three different games each day – at 10:30, beginning at the Mud stage, at 1:00, beginning at the Keel Haul Stage, and at 4:00, from the Mud stage. There is a one time adoption fee of $10 for the rat, which you can then name, keep, and reuse whenever you play. There will sticks available for borrowing, or you may bring your own, keeping in mind that they must be wooden.  All puckers are responsible to keep their rats well away from any bystanders, and must cry out “CHEESE” when it is their turn as a warning, so if you hear that, please ensure to keep an eye out for flying rats. Although anyone is welcome to play, please note that there is limited space available, and games may be limited to a certain number of participants.
Well, Lucy, that is all the room I have for this letter – I hope I have amused you with my description. If it sounds a little ridiculous, it probably is, but I hear that ridiculous games are all the rage these days! If you do attend, I shall do my best to overcome my dislike for my husband and endeavour to play a round with you!
Affectionately,
Anthea

Tuesday, 29 July 2014

New for 2014!

My Dearest Lucy!

There is so much to tell! Our village was recently hit by a storm, and a s a result, the entire village has moved closer to the main gate! Those that have visited our village before will find it is much less of a walk to get to the village proper! This means that there is much new to discover at our Festival on the August Long Weekend. I will endeavour to tell you a little more about the expected changes.



First and foremost, Captain Jess Kidd has captured a portion of the village, and had claimed it as an area that is dedicated to children. We will have a children’s stage, which has entertainment designed for our young scallywags, including stories, songs, and more! All the games in this area will be FREE for kids to play as often as they like.  Additionally, there is a new version of the children's scavenger hunt – an activity guaranteed to lead the seekers all over the festival to find the answers to the provided clues.

The Photo Scavenger Hunt has also changed formats - this year,right in the program, our seekers of fame will receive an alphabetical list of things to look for. They will need to find 26 answers - ONE for each letter of the alphabet, and take a picture of that item. By submitting your answers, to photocontest.piratefest@gmail.com you could win tickets to next year's festival,including lunch, and pirate swag!



On a completely different tack, Captain Kheir ed Din and Captain Dampier have been plotting and conspiring to provide the best Captain’s Keg party to date! This is an adult only event, held one night only, on Saturday August 2nd, in our Tavern. There is a cover charge of $5 per person, and the bar will be serving until 11:00 pm ! There is entertainment of all kinds, including dance, music, and other piratical shenanigans. This is the party of the year, and one that the pirates certainly look forward to!

Our Galley, the Kitchen, is under new management, and I’ve heard (word does get around!) that there may be new things on the menu to enjoy! There was talk of chili fries and other things! We also will have a snack shack, so that those looking for something small won’t need to join the line for lunch!





We are very excited about the festival, and hope that you will join us! The place to be on August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th is Country Heritage Park, just north of Kelso in Milton, On. Gates open at 10am, where you can find out about the storyline for the day, and meet some of our pirates. Gates close at 5pm, and Saturday night only, the fun of the captain’s Keg begins at 7pm. More details can be found by following this clue: http://www.thepiratefestival.com/

Affectionately, 

Anthea

Friday, 25 July 2014

An Interview with Dry Bluff's expert on all things ale and grog - Smee!

My Dearest Lucy,

I was so pleased to receive your last letter! I am glad to hear that you enjoy hearing about the people living in Dry Bluffs! I am pleased to say that I was able to spend some time in the pub yesterday, and managed to speak to Smee, the person who is most likely to be found there at all hours of the day and night! Luckily, I spoke to him before he was very deep in his cups, so his answers, while quite singular, do still make sense!
Smee was at one time a Doctor on either Kheir ed Din or Captain Dampier’s ship (his memory seems a little fuzzy on that score) , and while he did serve as quartermaster for Blackbeard for a time, he is currently pursuing a career in the area of testing the ale and grog that our pub features. 





Anthea: If you had a day in which you could do anything within the village, what would you do?
Smee: Yarr, a day in the Thirsty Parrot, singing an’ stealin’ ale tis the perfect day fer Smee (a Pirate has to keep his hand in)
Anthea: What accomplishment are you the most proud of? What are you famous for?
Smee: I can’t says for most of the bilge rats and swabs that be around the docks of the world, but the fact, the very fact I be heres to speak to ye, is to date, me proudest moment. All the days I be not Keel hauled is a victory for Smee and Piracy!!!
As to fame and glory, I leaves that to the Captain’s, though I have known for me thirst!


Anthea: How extensively have you travelled? In what way has it shaped you?
Smee: I has sailed the world from England’s fair shore to the far corners of South Seas, Van Dieman’s land, the Americas and the Spanish Main.
I has learned this, where ye be, ye be. Be there, be safe, cozy, and among good crew mates, then all is right in the world
Anthea: What are your greatest stresses / anxieties?
Smee: That the Pub will run dry before I has had me fill


Anthea: What comes easiest to you as a pirate?
Smee: A life of little responsibility and less work
Anthea: What is the best compliment you’ve ever received? Who gave it to you?
Smee: The best that I Smee ever got was from Katy, the day she said she liked me singing…ahhh a fine, clear summer’s day that was…mind ye, she was not well that day…down with some tropical fever, but I cherish the moment!
Anthea:  What do you think about most?
Smee: Ale, then Grog, then Grog, followed by Ale


Well, my dear Lucy, there you have it. Smee is a simple soul, enjoying above all the simple joys of grog and ale. Were you to visit on our festival days (August 2 – 4th), you will likely find him in the pub, or somewhere close to it!

Affectionately,



Anthea

Thursday, 17 July 2014

An Interview with Smash!

Dearest Lucy,

I have managed to track down one of the stars of a travelling troupe of Entertainers known as Smash, Bash, and Crabbe, who have promised to return for all three festival days!. I was fortunate enough to speak with Smash, and here is a transcript of our conversation so that you may get to know her before you see her in action. I am so pleased that I managed to track her down for you!


Anthea:    Please introduce yourself, and include any nicknames you may be known as.
Smash: My name is No-Patch, Two-Eyes, Sophia Smashing, but my friends just call me Smash, since I tend to smash into things, cause I’m a little accident prone!  I don't really have a rank at the moment.  I'm kind of ... between ships you might say.

Anthea: How and when did you come to Dry Bluffs?
Smash: I arrived in Dry Bluffs just recently.  Still getting me bearings and I'm chasing a trea... I mean I'm looking for new shipmates, if they'll have me. (Phew that was close).
Anthea: If you had a day in which you could do anything within the village, what would you do?
Smash: It would certainly not be swabbing the decks.  That's what I calls BOOOOOOORRRRRRINNNNNNNGGGGG!  I suppose I might find someone who wanted to do a real pirate toast with me.  That would be smashing!

Anthea: If you hadn’t become a pirate, what other role / job might you have done?
Smash: Probably would be a bored housewife in some land-locked village somewheres.  Having to wash floors all the time.  Ewwww.  Whew dodged me that bullet!
 Anthea: What are your greatest stresses / anxieties?
Smash: Stress?  Why stress if you're a pirate?  If something or someone stresses you, you just fix it (usually by smashing it) or by telling the person rather loudly (or smashing them).  No stress.
  
Anthea: What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you?
Smash: Finding a land locked village full of so many pirates.  It's uncanny.  Well that and the time a man with a hook tried to poke me eye out.




So Lucy, there you have it. The life of a piratical entertainer. Now that I think about it, it doesn’t seem so different from the life of any other pirate in the village. That said, the show that Smash stars in is still very entertaining, and I highly recommend taking time to watch one if the performances by Smash, Bash, and Crabbe!

Affectionately, 

Anthea

Monday, 14 July 2014

An Interview with Blackbeard!

My Dearest Lucy,

Thank you for your last letter! Yes indeed, I am pleased to tell you that preparations for this years Festival (August 2 – 4) are well underway! As I have been doing for the last few weeks, I have been busy speaking with all the residents of Dry Bluffs in order to introduce you to them before your much anticipated visit!  This week, I spoke with Captain Blackbeard, otherwise known as Edward Teach, but hereabouts we call him Blackbeard.



You may remember that I wrote to tell you that the young ladies in town – those that we thought were the Major General’s daughters were revealed to actually be Blackbeard’s daughters! So it is that Blackbeard is the father of at least 8 girls (yes indeed, not a boy among them!), those who I have met are Angelica, Mad Mary, Mabel, Missy, Maude, Matilda, Meredith, and Maddy. One is never sure, with Blackbeard, just what else he has hidden away, so there is no telling how many more there actually are! 



Blackbeard, although a fierce pirate at times, also has a gentler side, although he would not thank me for telling you this! I know you will guard this a close secret, so I may sleep soundly, and not worry that he lose his temper! Many a festival day I have watched Blackbeard consort with the younger children, trying to recruit them to his crew. 



That said, he does also have a reputation for being the fiercest pirate in living history, and he certainly has a manner of speaking that one does not quickly forget! He has a propensity for wearing black to match his beard, which I tell you so you may recognize him!


Anthea: What prompted you to choose a life of Piracy?. Are you happy with that choice?
Blackbeard: The one thing that got me into piracy was MONEY!!!!!! Is there any other reason? I am so happy with my choice because it made me a captain.

Anthea: What is your greatest Stress or Anxiety?

Blackbeard:  My greatest stress since being in Dry Bluffs is that I can't get out of this damn town because there is NO WATER for our ships, we are so dry docked it isn't funny. If by some miracle we got rain and it gave us enough water to get out of here, I would leave to sail the seven seas again and stay out until we needed provisions. If we needed to dock, I would make sure the place was FULL of water so that we could leave once provisions were gotten.



So, there you have it, Dearest Lucy, a peek into the private, village bound life of the fierce pirate known as Blackbeard! Do write back with any further questions you might have!



Affectionately, Anthea.