Sailing for Adventure

Yesterday was agood day - not only was I spoiled for my birthday, it was the Pirates event at Duncarron Medieval Village (well, for this weekend it was renamed Port Carron!). As you can see, we went all out in the costume department. Whilst hubby and I were dressed up (more on that later) Missy was quite rightly the absolute centre of attention with cries of "pirate dog!" following us through the day. 

We arrived for opening. There was no plundering and pillaging as we were escorted up to the village but we were immediately greeted by two Jack Sparrows, in full character, sashaying over to us, stealing hats and posing for photos when we were able to stand up straight from all the laughter. They decided hubby, in his royal blue coat, looked like a young Gibbs, and he was henceforth called as such. 

I wanted to get Missys photoshoot done quickly (those little white sleeves didn't stay white for very long) which meant a quick tour de force around the Port where we were corralled by a dozen people desperate to say hello to her. Honestly, it was like handling a celebrity. 

I'm still shocked that she was the only dog dressed up - Missy has a store bought pirate dress and a pirate jumper that have been used for Halloweens past, so I expected to see a few of those! 

Nonetheless, my mother was insistent that there be photos of me and hubby on my birthday, so she had us pose too and I got nice photos of her as well. Being away from the bulk of the visitors, and more than happy to chat, our photos were quickly filled with other pirates and we were given basically a private tour of a weapons armament and a ships surgeons table. 

We were photobombed by LARPers (one pretended to be about to strike my mother's head off with a sword) and we started the next lap of the port, looking at stalls and chatting to anyone who would listen. Hubby had decided that he wanted to try some walk about magic and, after cheekily dashing up to offer the pirate band some sweets following a joke they made, decided to take the plunge and give it a go. He never comes across nervous, but I can always tell. He preformed for stall holders and LARPers, for the mermaids and for Jack Sparrow 1 (who took a shine to us after we hid from the rain in the LARP weapon store together. 

Boy did it rain. 

Once the squall passed my eldest sister arrived with eldest neice and nephew and on went the shenanigans. 

Hubby was approached by Jack 1 as we were leaving. 

"Have you been commissioned for here? The tricks and whatnot?" 

Hubby - "No, it's all voluntarily." 

"Well you've got everyone very excited and talking about it - that's really cool, appreciate it." 

And just like that, he was back in character. 

"Gibbs! You me throw me hat." 

We had an absolute blast. Missy was fawned over by everyone (she even had a song dedicated to her by the band: Dogs and Freaks by Golden Apple for those on Spotify). The Mermaids (in human form sneaking off for tea) joining in on a magic trick and seeing the look of absolute astoundment on thier faces was a highlight. Having a go at throwing knives. Joining in on a sea shanty; honestly, it was the best way to spend a birthday following three lockdowns. 

I feel a need to take a moment in the sewing part of the blog. My pirate costume is a well established costume - my long koi coat, a captain Hook hat and other embellishments and I'm ready to theatrically sail the seven seas. Hubby I've been chasing for months about a pirate costume, suggesting fabrics and cuts and he kept declining, saying he'd just wear a Jacobite shirt and be done with it. Fine. I'd focus on Missys instead. 

As you can see, her little coat is designed to look like a waistcoat and, whilst I knew those sleeves wouldn't stay white, I honestly couldn't resist (spoiler, they were black by the end of the day, but bonus, once it was off Missy, she was spotless).

I just finished up, pleased to have it done with a week to spare when hubby shuffles in. 

"So, you know how I said I didn't want a coat?..." 

He got into a conversation about Monkey Island at work, and was told he should cosplay as Guybrush. His argument was that he didn't want me to go through the effort to make something he would wear once. This he could cosplay in, go to fancy dress party's in (party? What's that?!). 

I looked at him. There's always one important thing to ask a magician. 

"How many pockets?" 

"... How many can you add?" 

I gleefully took the challenge and, after 5 days, finished the coat. Its both piratey and yet he could dress it up as an admirals coat. A pair of stockings and he could even be a Prince. Detailed photos will go on insta next week, I didn't have time to get any before the event! 

I shall leave on a rare note in this blog, a family portrait: