Getting fit, Wii Fit!

Tonight was the start of the new aquaspinning season. It showed that it was the first time since June. Pfew... muscles burning... It was tough to say the least! Still, I noticed I could keep up slightly better than before. The reason for that might be my new hobby!

Some time ago Ron discovered the Wii (esp. Wii Sports) and it was love at first sight! :-) It was inevitable: we had to get one too! We made a 'deal': Ron got his Wii Sports and I got Wii Fit with balance board. I had read a lot about it. The board had to be ordered; it is very popular. Last week we got a call: the no. 1 and 2 on the waiting list didn't answer, so we could come and get it. Yay!
We installed it that same day and I started immediately. There are 4 exercise area's: yoga, muscle, cardio and balance. You can set goals, keep track with graphs and lists, do a body test, etc. It has so much advantages: I can do it in the privacy of my home, do it at my own pace and most important: it's fun! I like exercising this way. Since we have it, I've used the board every day and I plan to keep on doing that. Even if I'm very tired, I try to do at least some exercises taking it easy. There are many to choose from. The guidance of the personal trainers (a male and a female one) is good and clear. I'm not that bad at the yoga and cardio, muscle is very hard and balance varies. I have my favourites, but I try to do all the exercises regularly. I'm really happy I have the Wii Fit! I'll keep you posted about my progress.

COT #18: Freyja's places

CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers

who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week,

hosted by Gattina.

Freyja always wants to sit and sleep in strange places. When she was a kitten, she liked to play and sleep in Boris' trough (feeding bowl?):

When we adopted Maia she came with her own sleeping basket. She hardly ever sleeps in it though. Freyja and Foofur take turns in it, although they both only just fit in it.

But Freyja's number one is sleeping in a box, any box. The smaller the better!

Cone of Power

Last week Ara Lowlands had a Ritual Apart Together planned (each at our own home doing the same ritual at the same time in a meditation). Because of my recent health problems the group, together with several people from Phyllis' group in New York, wanted to do a Cone of Power for me. When it was proposed to me, I was ready to trivialise my problems and say it wasn't necessary. My usual pitfall peeped around the corner. But no, not this time! I accepted the offer and looked forward to it. I felt very honoured and happy about it.

I went upstairs early to prepare and get myself in the right mood. The music I chose was "Terre Celte" by Gwenaël Kerléo (harp music). At 9 pm I started. From the first moment on it felt like more people than usual were there. It was pleasantly vibrant around the little huts. Altogether we walked up the hill. In the east the full moon was rising, in the west the orange-red sun was setting. I noticed Bagheera (my power animal, a black panther) was with me, which made me feel extra comfortable. In front of our temple Yin and Yang, our temple cats, were waiting for us.

We made a circle on the meadow west of the temple. I was sitting with my back to the temple, overlooking the sea in the distance. Bagheera was lying behind me, Yin and Yang were sitting on either side of me. We cast the circle from hand to hand, I could see it manifest beautifully. After calling the quarters I invited the goddess Sulis Minerva in our circle to bless us with her healing powers. The God was invited in his guise as Green Man for strength and perseverance.

The Oak Grove grounding exercise was very powerful. My roots made contact with the roots of everyone around me deep in the earth. We all became one and I didn't want to withdraw my roots. I tried to hold on to that wonderful feeling when I finally did withdraw.

I sat down comfortably in the middle of the circle. Around me everyone was preparing. When they held hands I saw the energy pass through the circle and became part of it. After a while everyone picked up their rattles and drums and started walking. Slowly at first, than dancing and finally running around. The energy built up. When one of them gave the sign, the energy reached to me in a shower of splendid colours. It formed an egg of light around and inside me. Sulis Minerva poured a waterfall of green water over the egg. As the energy rushed through me I felt warm and sparkling. The energy I couldn't take up myself I directed into the chakra crystal I was holding. I stayed in the circle for some time to enjoy the energy, warmth and love I felt. Slowly the egg withdrew into my body and the crystal. Wow......

The cake and wine helped me to become grounded again. Especially for me it was chocolate (I'm a chocoholic *lol*) and appel-lemon juice (I don't drink alcohol). Meanwhile we were talking, getting acquainted and exchanging experiences. After a while it was time to say our thanks and close the circle. We danced and chanted on our way down the hill. There we stayed for some time and sat around a fire. Then the "New-Yorkers" walked into the guest hut and we went in our own huts.

Back in my room I just sat and enjoyed the wonderful feelings. I felt reborn, full of energy. I wrote everything in my Ara-book and went downstairs to tell Ron all about it! I felt blessed and loved after this anazing experience.

TT #88: Entrecard blogs

Thirteen blogs I got to know through Entrecard Some time ago I joined Entrecard, a blogging network. You can drop your card to show other bloggers that you visited their site. Other sites can drop their card on your site too, and you can check them out. Entrecard uses a currency - Entrecard Credits (EC for short). You can use this currency to buy adverts on other sites. There are also forums that you can participate in. I met many familiar bloggers there I already knew from memes like TT and CoT and through other sources. I discover new blogs every day, just by dropping my card on their blog. Here are 13 of them, in no particular order (descriptions by the authors themselves)! Vixen's Den - A blog about a little of everything. Madness and mayhem. Mom, grandma, friend, wanna be poet and wanna be photographer. Witchy Mama - I am your average Witch living a spectacular life! Life being a Pagan mommy and raising my kids Pagan. This blog deals with spirituality, family, health, fitness, beauty well being, the environment and entertainment. From A Yellow House In England - This is a blog about the experiences of an American expat woman living in the English countryside and her adjusting to life in a new place. Luxor - A troublesome but sweet white Oriental Shorthair blogs about himself, his sisters, and human beans. Toltec Insights - I share insights from many spiritual traditions to help you remember it is your birthright to be happy no matter what and that you can create what you want when you want it. Obscure History - Pearls of wisdom about little known facts/events in history and day to day life. A little social commentary on current events is also possible to be found here as well. Dragonfly Cottage - Dragonfly Cottage is a place of rest and respite, solitude, and a life that is made up of animal companions, my writing, my fiber art, and communing deeply with the natural world around me. Margie and Edna's Basement - Margie and Edna are two elderly sisters, the oldest (and nosiest) residents of the fictional town of Jericho, KS. They are cranky and funny, and will share their opinions on pretty much anything under the sun. Sensory Overload - I'm looking to do book reviews, social commentary, and thoughts on current events. This is a departure from any previous blog I've had which mainly dealt in the humor genre. Photography by KML - features the fine art and stock images of photographer, Kathy Libby. KML specializes in Landscape and Nature photos. The stock photos include concepts, food, backgrounds, abstracts, sports, architecture, transportation, and people. Chica & Pumuckl - Funny Blog about two Funny Cats; two Egyptian Cats, first in Egypt, now in Germany. Celtophilia - Celtic music reviews, interviews, & opinions from two dedicated Celtophiles. Find new Celtic Music! Holy Cuteness - Holy Cuteness is a family friendly site which purpose is to brighten up your day ( if your day isn't bright already :-) ) with cute animal pictures and videos. Just 13 don't do Entrecard justice. There are so many more interesting blogs - I could make a lot of TT's! Check it out for yourself at Entrecard. You can find some of my favourites here. ~*~*~*~ Links to other Thursday Thirteens! ~*~ jenn ~*~ Sandy Carlson ~*~ Anthony North ~*~ Claudia ~*~ Sue ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ After Hours ~*~ Phil's Grill ~*~ Army Mom ~*~ bernieq1 ~*~ geriatric nurse ~*~ SJ Reidhead ~*~ YummY! ~*~ Alice ~*~ Danielle ~*~ Dori ~*~ Marcia ~*~ the teach ~*~ Qtpies7 ~*~ Lisa ~*~ Gattina ~*~ Just Me ~*~ Alice Audrey ~*~ Chris ~*~ Penelope Anne ~*~ Mama Bear ~*~ Crazy Working Mom ~*~ Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

She's not just a fairy, she’s a guardian angel

Last week Lonnie Lardner, grassroots filmmaker in Los Angeles, sent me an e-mail and told me about a very special, different documentary including Tinker Bell. My curiosity was stirred! I looked more into it and got more enthusiastic with every line I read. I'll tell you more.

"Angel in the Hood" is a documentary profiling two tough Latina girls from a gang neighbourhood, who have turned their lives around (attending college, working toward degrees in nursing and education). But the kicker to the story is: they are obsessed with Peter Pan's Tinker Bell; specifically, Disney's version of Tinker Bell. Both of Mexican descent, the girls see Tink as a guardian angel or personal spiritual guide. Their "tough-love" teacher tries to talk them out of their devotion, saying she's "a fairy going nowhere." But the girls stand firm in their conviction. The documentary follows their story for three years, their life-changing journey out of the ghetto and into adulthood through the inspiration of a most unlikely source.
You can read a lot more on the Angel in the Hood website. Don't forget to listen to the wonderful "Neverland", original music by Kyle Lardner.

“Angel in the Hood” will be featured in the first annual Hollywood “Feel Good Film Festival” this Saturday. The mission of the festival panel is to showcase “films with a positive message” that let you “leave the theater feeling good.”
The festival screening will be held at Hollywood’s historic Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, just east of Highland, on Saturday, August 23rd at 1:30 pm. Unfortunately I'm too far away to be able to come, but if you are a Tink-fan too and live close enough to attend: it would mean so much to Lonnie if you could come and show your support. The film runs 50 minutes, and there will be a Q & A session after it screens.

Date: Saturday, August 23rd 2008
Time: 1:30pm
Place: Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

Tickets are $9 and may be purchased at the door or on line
Questions? Call Lonnie: (805) 490-7099, Chuck Mills: (818) 591-8252 or Sharon Lignier: (818) 300-7055

If you're going: please let me know and tell all about it!!

COT #17: comfort and love

CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers

who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week,

hosted by Gattina.

When I'm feeling under the weather, out of sorts or just really ill, my pets are all by my side constantly. Wherever I go, they follow. Sometimes it's a burden but I always like it, it gives me a feeling of comfort and love. It's as if they say "You're not alone, here we are." I bet most of you recognise the feeling! Here are Freyja, Bastet & Maia all over me! :-)

Update

First of all, I feel okay and didn't have any problems with my heart. I'm still a bit more tired than usual, but that's all. I'm taking my rest and Ron is pampering me. The pets never go far from my side. I feel blessed with all the well wishes I get from the people around me and from my internet buddies.
I've visited a lot of blogs, but didn't feel like posting myself. I'm taking a break from the memes this week. I know I'll be back, because I like it so much!

This morning I had to go to the internist. He didn't even know what had happened last week! When I told him he waved it away as if it was nothing. He doesn't take my chronic fatigue seriously either. I was so disappointed. At first I felt a bit down. Later I decided to make an appointment with my GP a.s.a.p. and ask for another specialist who will take me serious. I know I have a lot of different symptoms, conditions, illnesses; some clear and treatable, some vague and strange but not less difficult or annoying. I need someone who sees the big picture and hopefully will be able to find the connections and/or answers. My life is too precious to me to let an ignorant internist treat it lightly!

What a night, what a day...

Yesterday evening I was behind (in front of...) the computer. Surfing, mailing, blogging, the usual stuff. I was upset; two of my friends are quarreling heavily and it was escalating. I felt trapped in between, didn't want to choose sides. I tried to put my mind to other things, but that didn't really work.

Suddenly I felt a twinge in my chest and I cried out with the shooting pain. It didn't go away at first, just got worse. My throat, shoulder and arm started to tingle. After a while the heavy twinges went away slowly and I was left with a constant heavy chest pain. Meanwhile Ron had called 112 (emergency number) and they sent an ambulance. The paramedics made several ECG's, checked my blood pressure, etc. They couldn't really find something wrong, but didn't trust it and decided to bring me to the hospital. One of them sprayed something under my tongue, which slowly took away the pressure and pain in my chest.

In the hospital I was brought to the coronary care unit, where I was connected to a monitor. I got a drip in my arm and was checked regularly. I hoped I could go home with Ron, but they wanted to keep me overnight to monitor and do more tests. When Ron went home late at night I cried, but I was so very tired that I fell asleep almost instantly.

This morning I woke up around 6.15 am. Blood was taken again, several checks done. I felt okay, no pain or problems whatsoever, just tired. After breakfast I had to wait for the blood results and then for the heart specialist to visit me. I had to do a test on an exercise bike to see if extra strain would cause problems. I sweated like crazy and was a bit dizzy, but gladly no further problems. After lunch the specialist told me I could go home. They don't know exactly what happened, but the symptoms were clearly related to my heart. There is no damage, so it wasn't an infarct. My potassium is too low, cholesterol too high. I get extra medication on top of the ones I'm already taking. Next Wednesday I have an appointment with the internist.

Now I'm home and I'm feeling okay. It scared the hell out of me though, same goes for Ron... I hope it was just an unfortunate incident, never to come back! Tonight I'm sleeping in my own bed close to Ron. Pfew....

TT #87: Olympic Games

Thirteen memorable facts about the Summer Olympics Tomorrow is the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. I'm looking forward to a great sports event. Although I sympathise fully with the protests surrounding these games I hope the sports won't be outshone by politics. After all, the goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. 1916 — Games cancelled due to World War I. 1940-1944 — Games cancelled due to World War II. 1936 — The Olympics were coming to Berlin and Adolf Hitler viewed it as a golden opportunity to showcase his country and prove to the rest of the world that his Aryan race was superior. He viewed African-Americans as inferior and chastised the United States for stooping to use these "non-humans." Despite the endless racial epithets and the constant presence of the red and black swastika, Jesse Owens made Hitler eat his words with four gold medals. 1960-1964 — Ethiopian Abebe Bikila was an unforgettable sight running along the ancient Appian Way during a warm evening in Rome. The skinny Bikila, running barefoot, flew by the soldiers standing with flaming torches along the darkening course that evening and slowly pulled away from his Moroccan opponent before crossing the finish line at the Arch of Constantine in a world-record time of 2:15:16. Bikila would battle back from an appendectomy to repeat as Olympic marathon champion four years later in Tokyo, becoming the first ever to successfully defend a marathon gold medal. 1968 — American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos bowed their heads and raised their black-gloved fists while on the medal podium in Mexico City, marking one of the most famous photographs from any Olympics as well as a memorable milestone in American civil rights. While the protest seems relatively tame by today's standards, the actions of Smith and Carlos were met with such outrage that they were suspended from their national team and banned from the Olympic Village, the athletes' home during the games. The protest had lingering effects for both men, the most serious of which were death threats against them and their families. 1968-1972 — Before the 1968 games in Mexico City, American swimmer Mark Spitz predicted he would accomplish what no one else had: to win six gold medals. He ended up with two team golds, plus an individual silver and bronze. It's tough for someone to be disappointed with four Olympic medals, but Spitz was. He spent the next four years at Indiana University, winning almost every conceivable award, setting almost every world record in existence, and preparing himself for the 1972 Olympics in Munich. At Munich, not only did Spitz win the six golds he predicted four years before, he won seven! And not only did he win all seven, but world records were set in each event. 1972 — Eight Arab terrorists broke into the athletes' compound in Munich. They killed two members of the Israeli Olympic team and took nine others hostage, demanding the release of 200 guerrillas held in Israel. Israeli leaders denied the release. When both sides agreed to let the terrorists and their hostages out of West Germany, shots rang out as the terrorists walked the hostages onto the jet. It's unclear who fired first, but once the fighting began, the guerrillas killed all nine Israeli hostages. Five of the terrorists were killed. 1972-1976 — His long-distance performances in Munich '72 and Montreal '76 gave Lasse Viren sporting immortality. The Flying Finn completed an unprecedented and unlikely-to-be-repeated ‘double double', taking gold in the 5000m and 10,000m at successive Games. Viren originally only intended to run the 5000m in Munich. He had hardly shone in the previous two years but began to peak at the right time. It was a dramatic 10,000m that brought the first of Viren's four gold and the one he most savours to this day. 1976 — During the Summer Olympics in Montreal Nadia Comaneci, a 14-year-old, 4-foot-11, 86-pound Romanian became the first male or female to ever receive a perfect 10 score in a gymnastics event. The 14-year-old Romanian dazzled the judges to the point where they couldn't help but give her a perfect 10. And they didn't stop there, for not only did Comaneci receive the first perfect score, she then proceeded to get six more! 1980 — The U.S. Hockey team scored a major upset by beating the heavily-favoured Russian team, in what came to be known as the "Miracle on Ice." Sports aside, the game held much more meaning, being played at the height of the Cold War and on U.S. soil in Lake Placid, N.Y. The story was later made into the Disney movie "Miracle." 1988 — Jamaica entered the bobsled event, marking a first for the sunny Caribbean country. However, during a run in the '88 games, their sled flipped onto its side, thus eliminating them from contention. The story was later made into the Disney movie "Cool Runnings." 1992 — British sprinter Derek Redmond returned to the Barcelona Games in 1992 after having to withdraw in 1988 due to injury. He entered as one of Britain's favourites to win a medal, and easily won the first round and quarter-finals. But in the semi-finals, his hamstring snapped and Redmond went sprawling to the track. It was what he did afterward, though, that cemented him in Olympics lore. Redmond got up and began hobbling toward the finish line. Unable to continue very far, he again fell. A moment later, his dad appeared at his side, at first to talk him out of trying to continue. But when Redmond still tried to get up and keep running, his dad put his arm around him and helped his son around the track. The race was long over, and officially he got a disqualification, but the crowd gave Redmond and his father a standing ovation as he completed the remaining distance of the race. 1996 — It was a small event, but impacted and touched many observers. When former boxing champion Muhammed Ali held the Olympic torch at the opening ceremonies of the Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia, it brought tears to many eyes. Visibly shaking from Parkinson's disease, Ali lit the cauldron as the arena chanted his name over and over again. Paralympics —The Paralympic Movement started in 1948, when a sports competition was organized for persons with a disability during the London Olympic Games. In 1960, two weeks after the Rome Olympic Games, 400 athletes from 23 countries participated in Olympic style games organized for the first time for the disabled in Rome. These were the first Paralympic Games. The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will be the 13th Paralympics. Today, the Paralympics are elite sport events for athletes from six different disability groups. They emphasize, however, the participants' athletic achievements rather than their disability. On 19 June 2001, an agreement was signed between IOC and IPC securing this practice for the future. From the 2012 bid process onwards, the host city chosen to host the Olympic Games will be obliged to also host the Paralympics. sources: Fox News , Infoplease , Associated Content , The Street , Times of India , Paralympics 2008 , Official Site Beijing 2008 ~*~*~*~ Links to other Thursday Thirteens! ~*~ Chelle Y. ~*~ Anthony North ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ Claudia ~*~ Sandy Carlson ~*~ Lilibeth ~*~ Lori ~*~ Meju ~*~ Lisa ~*~ Yasmin ~*~ Adelle ~*~ Danielle ~*~ Nina ~*~ B Boys Mom ~*~ Marcia ~*~ Kristi ~*~ I Must Confess ~*~ Carol ~*~ Tempest Knight ~*~ Dera ~*~ Chris ~*~ Heather ~*~ RaenWa ~*~ storyteller ~*~ Puss Reboots ~*~ Elaine ~*~ Gayle ~*~ Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Castlefest 2008

Last Saturday Ron and I went to Castlefest, a medieval pagan fantasy festival in the gardens of castle "De Keukenhof" in Lisse. Wonder didn't go this year and Monique couldn't come because she broke her foot, but we met lots of other friends and acquaintances. It's always a feast of recognition. The tickets for the day were sold out and the terrain was so big, that we saw most of the people only once!

There were even more stands than last year. We made several rounds. I bought a lovely wooden box with sliding lid for just €5. As my dried white sage was almost used up, I looked for a new bag. What a difference in prices! At the booth where I eventually bought the sage I looked at a beautiful leather book with handmade paper in it. I loved it, but unfortunately it was almost €90. Absolutely worth it, but a bit much for my budget!
In the Pure Fantasy tent I bought the supernatural thriller "Jachtmaan" (hunting moon) by Tisa Pescar. She signed my book for me too. I'm looking forward to reading it! At the time it's only available in Dutch.

Most people were dressed in style. I didn't feel like it, but I stared my eyes out at all the costumes. Among the public artists performed like Johannes The Fool, the Queen of Bats on stilts by Medusa, green goblins of Greenthingz and more.

The sound of the bands playing on the main stage was bad. I didn't know any of the bands except Omnia of course. Compared to last week in Luxembourg they didn't sound that good due to the bad sound on stage, pity! All day we had warm and sunny weather, but from around 6pm it started to pour. Omnia started at 8.45pm, they have no luck!
The wickerman, build by Omnia & a team from Castlefest and consecrated to the sun god, Lugh, was sacrificed during this special Omnia gig at the Pagan-night. Everyone could put something into the wickerman. A wickerman is an ancient Celtic ritual piece of art, made especially to fill with all sorts of gifts to the gods/goddesses and spirits of nature, after which it will be burned as a sacrifice. Near the end the fire was put out, but I don't understand why! Ritual fire is not meant to be put out except in case of fire hazard, but that was very unlikely with all the rain...

Everyone was wet and tired, so it was time to go home. First we brought Luna with her friend to the train station and then we headed home. A very nice and successful day!
You can see our pictures here. For a limited time you can see IJs' pictures here.

Anno Domini 1408

I'm way behind in things I want to share, but I'll catch up in my own time. ;-) I'll start with the trip to Luxemburg (from Thursday July 24th until Monday 28th).

Ron and I met the other four in Nieuwegein. We drove with two cars and left around 2pm. After a few hours we stopped at Slavante on top of the St. Pietersberg in Maastricht, a Grand Café and marl caves. We decided to go for a walk there first. IJs had been there before and could tell things about the surrounding area. Marl winning, tower ruin of Lichtenberg, caves, Our Lady of Lourdes chapel, hills and so much more. After that we drank something at the Grand Café and continued the journey. We stopped at Baraque de Fraiture in Belgium where we ate chips. It was too fat and later on I had to throw up; not nice, but a relief to get rid of it!
We arrived at 10 pm in the Youth Hostel in Luxembourg City, only to discover our room had been given away! When he made the reservation Marco had passed the message that we would be there late in the evening. Somehow the Youth Hostel messed up. Marco showed the manager the confirmation e-mail (luckily he had it on Gmail). At first the manager wasn't that friendly, but now we got excuses and something to drink. Then finally things were rearranged and we got our six-bedded room with its own shower and toilet. Everyone was irritated, angry and very tired. What a way to start the vacation... We put our stuff in the room and went to bed.

Friday we had a whole day to spend for ourselves. We decided to visit the Casemates. There are two series of casemates open to the public, the Bock and the Pétrusse. We did the Bock first. Those were individually accessible. Very interesting with amazing views. The weather outside was very warm, but the casemates were cool. The lower we came, the colder it got.
We walked to another side of the city to go to the Pétrusse casemates. This was a guided tour and we had to wait some time for the next tour. These casemates were different, but very interesting too. I liked having a tour guide, because that way we learned a lot more of it. There were a lot of steps. At the end I was knackered, but it was worth it.
After rest and a lot of drinks we decided to walk back through the gardens below. Soon I had the idea we were going a wrong way. I didn't pay attention to that, because my (non-)sense of directions is well-known. I started to worry though when Ron got the same feeling! To cut a long story short: we walked a looooong time, up and down and up and down. I was completely exhausted and dizzy when we finally reached the youth hostel.
We had dinner in the hostel: enough choice, cheap and amazingly delicious! Ron took the entrecote and I had a yummy lasagna bolognese. After dinner we went into the garden to do some archery. Afterwards the others went up to the city again, but I decided to go to bed to recuperate after a very tiring day.

Saturday was the first day of the medieval festival Anno Domini 1408. Ron wore his black shirt and I my blue medieval dress. A bit of a confrontation, because it fitted me only just. :( Again the weather was very hot, so I had to rest frequently and drink a lot. The market was smaller than last year, but still very nice to roam about. Artists like Melania, Die Streuner and Die Irrlichter brightened up the streetscape. Ron assisted strong man Georges Christen again. On the podium were performances by Poeta Magica (great music, as long as the female singer kept her mouth shut) and of course Omnia. They were performing twice. Ron and I bought their new DVD "Pagan Folk Lore". At their first performance I had to stay in the shaow, because it was too hot. For their second I had a seat under a parasol. During that show the weather got darker. Suddenly a flash of lightning and the thunder rolled. Within seconds it poured down, first rain than hail! Omnia continued to play, but all of a sudden the thunder and lightning hit somewhere and everything on the podium got dark. My back wasn't under the parasol, so it got wet and cold. After a while I started to shiver, I wanted to go home. The thunderstorm and rain hadn't stopped yet. IJs offered to get his car and pick Ron and me up, so I didn't have to walk down cold and wet. In the youth hostel I took a warm shower and felt somewhat better. We had dinner in the youth hostel again. We sat outside for a while. I decided to go to bed early this night too, the others watched the Omnia DVD.

Sundaymorning we sat on the terrace of the hostel, when we witnessed a van overriding a little pole. It got stuck under the van. Ron and IJs went over to help them and in the end the van got free.
It was the second day of the medieval festival. A lot of the stalls had damage from the thunderstorm, but they all stayed. A lot of us didn't wear medieval clothes, I didn't feel like it. Luna had asked us to buy a lambs skin. They were cheaper because some had become wet the night before. We bought one for ourselves too and a set of little lambs skin slippers for Dominique (to thank Monique for caring after the dogs and cats at home).
Omnia' performed like nothing happened the first day. Afterwards I asked them to sign our DVD and of course they did. Ron's knee ached and I was very tired, so we decided to leave the market somewhat earlier and go down to the youth hostel. Marco joined us. In the lobby I watched the final of the Tour De France and saw Sastre winning the yellow jersey. The Dutch rabobank team had the green jersey. I followed the Tour as usual, but missed the last stages. At least I could see the final.
When the others came down we went to the dining room. This time I took the entrecote (done) and it was very good. I needed some red meat. After dinner the others wanted to do archery again. Ron took a nap and I played some games on the laptop. I went to bed early.

Monday we had to check out before 10am, so we had breakfast early. Ron and I wanted to make a stop on the way home in Lier to visit our friends in the cottage where we stayed a few weeks ago. the others wanted to go abseiling first, but decided to go with us. We were all welcomed with drinks and cake. We had a great time, but Ron and I wanted to be in The Netherlands before the traffic jams would start. We were home around 6pm.

You can see all of our pictures in this album.

Some YouTube video's:
Melania with music
Omnia - Etrezomp ni Kelted
Omnia - Saltatio
Omnia - Fídhe Ra Hurí
Poeta Magica
artists together on podium