Interesting Locations

[JniedWKU]

My friend and I just had this urge to fence today, not to work on our game, but just to fence for the love of it. So, to make things more interesting we whent to the ampatheater on campus here and fenced, right there on the center area. It was awesome, we had a few spectators who watched us for a bit, got the sport out there in the public view, and the engament of the blades echoed beutifully. So, I was wondering if anyone else did this kind of stuff, and if so, where at? I thought it might be interesting to see where some of us fenced when not at practice. Lets hear those stories!

[Jeeves]

I practiced for a while with some fencers at U. W. Parkside. They were all in the theatre arts dept. and took stage combat class. I'm a Parkside Alum. When we couldn't get our usual room in the sports complex on campus, we would opt for the blocking and rehersal stage in the arts building. We usually drew a small group of onlookers.

[DamedEscrime]

OH yeah! Hamptom Beach,NH. North Beach, right on the sand, barefoot, waves lapping at our feet. What a rush!
Then there were the rocks in Maine.
Drove up to Kennybunk Port and thought about doing it in former Pres. Bush's driveway..but secret service and all kinda put a damper on it.
So what did you do on vacation?

[Moonitic]

Onstage, at the Michigan Renaissance Festival last year (I couldn't do it this year). Free admission, food coupons...best practice I ever had!

[JniedWKU]

I never thought the beach would be a good place, I'll have to keep that in mind. The theater people here on campus don't like us for some reason...probably because we constantly try to keep as close to the real Elizabethean style as possible. Oh well. Anyways, there is one place I am really itching for, I'm not too far away from UK's campus, and there are rumors that there is a systym of catacombs under the campus, now fencing there would be too awesome. I just need to find a willing oponent.....Any takers?

[DamedEscrime]

Okay, get this. My coach recently took a new position at a local military academy. All the buildings look like little castles complete with turrets and towers. And there are huge cavernous rooms everywhere. Not to mention a really long pier that goes out to a 3 masted schooner. Guess what I'm thinking?

[Moonitic]

I'm thinking what you're thinking, Dame...

And I'm DROOLING over it. ::sigh:: tri-masted schooners....

[JniedWKU]

Dang..........two words.......

ROAD TRIP!

Seriously though, that sounds like something I dream of....I am very jelous.

[Fencing Angel]

well.. ya know i hate to say this.... but i think that i must..

Ok.. I fenced a stump... it was one of those last ditch options.. i had a month between fencing and fencing.. and it REALLY SUCKED!! so i fenced a stump.....

P.S. it was with my practice weapon.. just a little note..

[ 09-30-2001: Message edited by: Fencing Angel ]

[Moonitic]

So Angel, tell us...

Who won? You, or the stump?

[DamedEscrime]

Aha, So I see you took my advice, Angel.

[Fencing Angel]

well dame.. i had to..

moon, peice of advice.. always parry when fencing stumps.. they tend to counter attack alot.. :P:P

[Event Horizon]

When I had the time, some fellow fencers and I would go to Kapiolani Park. The city just recently built a new bandstand/stage type of structure. A perfect place to fence. It's covered so the sun is out of your face but no walls, just support columns. This allows for the wind to keep you cool. They also put in permanent seating near the bandstand. We would get some spectators also. If the bandstand was booked for that day then we would just go somewhere nearby and fence on the grass. I haven't tried Fencing on the beach yet. That looks like to be a lot of fun.

[JniedWKU]

How about a little "This or That"?

Would you rather Fence in an abandoned Train Station? Or a huge, old barn. complete with rafters?


Train Station!

[DamedEscrime]

Ooohh, that's a hard one. Who else is will be there?

[HilandDoug]

When my friend Sean and I went to the UK in '94, we planned our trip to visit as many jousting tournament grounds as possible, as well as castles, and fence there. The best place was the beach at Bamburgh Castle when the tide was out. There was a busload of kids watching us from the castle wall and cheering. What a rush. I had a picture of it on my web site at one point, but have since taken it down. They filmed the end of NBC's "Merlin" right where we fenced.

We also had nice crowds at the Renaissance Festival this year for our mini-tournaments. It was a lot of fun to fence saber there with Sean on the last day, prior to our mini-tourney. We filled the seats with people while using our Raedelli sabers and fencing what we now call "New Jersey" style, which is Italian Dueling Saber. Thigh is also target, and we were in full costume with our fencing masks, and the banter between us could be heard by the audience, and we had way too much fun.

[ 10-03-2001: Message edited by: HilandDoug ]

[Moonitic]

Yeah, Doug...but was Aaron wearing his tights?

Anyhoo, I was waiting for you to write about the castle. I've always found that to be the most interesting place of all! And I LOVED the pictures!

[HilandDoug]

Aaron wore his tights on Sunday. The Shallow Sisters were swooning.

[MStaubitz]

I think that was a little beyond swooning...

My wife (Shallow Twin #2), actually smacked Aaron's behind during the afterparty at the pub...

[Moonitic]

Oh, I SO wish I was there. Instead, I was at a boring birthday party for children I'm not overly fond of (brother in law's girlfriend's kids).

How incredibly YUMMY!

Mary, the Long Lost Half Shallow Sister