It was a long time ago that I'd been to the Archeon but this Sunday we had a reason; it was the last day of the international Viking week. Since we play Viking-inspired characters at the Summoning, Matthijs and I decided to go.

We arrived around 10:45 and shuffled inside behind a group of bouncy kids and their less bouncy but equally obstructing parents. When we passed that first obstacle things got better and we quickly walked to the prehistoric huts. We had both been to the Archeon before, myself quite often, so we didn't hang around for the guided tour but proceeded towards the first Viking market stalls.

There were lots of reenactor groups, from Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands. Perhaps some more countries too. There were plenty little tent shops and also a few campsites. Most vendors sold glass beads, the kinds with bright colors and weird bumpy shapes that are still being sold nowadays. Most of the reenactors were wearing lots of jewelry, most of the time with glass beads. Saw some very nice amber necklaces too and I bought myself one.

There was also a vendor who sold wooden buckets (the water tight version) and at the end of the day we picked up one of those. A 10 liter bucket for only 35 euros. Other loot included a leather working tool, linen yarn, 6 fur tails and a beeswax candle that I made in a workshop surrounded by 5 year olds. Got some more inspiration for Enid's clothes and jewelry too.

The weather was reasonably well, though it was a bit chilly out of the sun, and we had a great day. Around 16:00 we went home again, both tired of lugging our heavy backpacks around. Arrived in Enschede on time for a relaxed dinner of fries and a movie. The movie was the saddest thing of the day: Lady in the Water, on television. The idea might have been fun, though a bit far fetched, but the characters were interacting in a not quite realistic way.

Went to bed around 23:00 and woke up tired this morning. Another work week. Starting on a big hack-filled project this week, not looking forward to it.