Day 2

As previously mentioned woke up at 7:30 am made coffee, scarfed down some pain/allergy meds and dig out a clean pair of pants. Time for a walk about. Forego the foot wear and get some grounding in. On my walk about it would appear there is some where in the neighborhood of 15 people here, At least it appears this way judging by the people, cars and tents etc. The previous days wind is gone and it is slightly overcast. Temperature wise it is very comfortable not too hot nor too cold. A wonderful day so far.

I spent the day relaxing and chatting with friends. I missed the previous nights drumming and made apologies for that. Over the course of the morning aside from chatting and visiting I wandered the land, visited the horses and just let the world drift away.

I miss horses. I really wish I had been able to keep mine. He would have be 28 this year if he is still around. Mystic was a grey dappled roan Arabian/French Canadian cross. An even tempered sturdy horse albeit a little small for some one of my stature.

While on my wanderings it began to rain slightly. I headed to my tent grabbed a light jacket and headed over to the firepit and added a few logs to keep the fire going.

Forgot to mention, as some of you reading have never been here, several years ago a stage was built in the field. It was built around the flatbed of an 18 wheeler and has been modelled to look like a pirate ship. Some day I shall have to post a photo. I have watched a few bands and singers perform on it. It is amazing to look at. As well some people have built cabins and small villages. One particular little village has been made to resemble a small kingdom complete with a castle.

Over the morning I learned that some people I had been hoping to connect with would not be out. Apparently there was mention of rain and they decided to stay home. Damn was hoping to see them. As this is my first time here for the May 24 gathering there were some people who I thought were mainstays for this event were not present…I guess I was wrong, people are fickle. Normally I would be somewhere else this week-end. That may or may not be something I write about later as I remember stanza 127 of the Havamal “GIVE THEM NO FRITH”

With the rain the wind started to pick up a little so I ambled back to my site to grab some food and take a quick nap. At 1:20 an alert blared one my phone. I ignored it as I was try to get some sleep. The wind really picked up and the skies opened up. I lay there for about another 15 or twenty minutes trying to sleep. But the rain was really pelting down, and the wind was getting quite strong. I got up looked at my phone to see what the alert was about. It was a severe weather alert interesting first time I received one of those. The alert indicated high winds, sever rain and the potential for “toonie” sized hail. For you non-Canadians that is about an 1 and a quarter size. The winds were now close to gail force, I could here the trees creaking and the thunder was continuous and it got very dark. Only about 15 or so minutes past from the time the alert was received to what was happening outside my tent now. What a great advance warning.

My tent was fairing well so far, no leaks and it was not blowing in. The thunder continued to boom, and the wind and rain was relentless. I began to wonder if I should head to my car just in case trees decided to come down. At the time of that thought three sharp gusts of wind occurred causing my tent to balloon out. Ok Thor I get the hint. I organize my things in the tent so that if it did leak my stuff should stay dry. Unless of course the wind blows it in. I got out of the woods and into open ground. WOW that wind was fierce and the rain was coming down sideways.

From the initial weather alert to the time the weather settled back down was only about 45 minutes. I faired well my tent remained standing and all was dry. Unfortunately there were some people who lost their tent. I found out later they were in it when it collapsed on them, a kitchen tent became a parachute and went flying, some ones tent flooded and a structure blew down. The tent that flooded had its windows left open while the people were off site. Rule number one never leave your windows in your tent open if you leave site. And the power was knocked out at the house as of may 25th they were still out of power).

Some of the campers were off site when the storm hit. Some were out shopping some just out for a cruise. Those who were shopping had to abandon their trip due to the stores loss of power. Reports of major devastation, down power lines and trees on the roads, some had to get out and help clear roads so they could return. The property next door to the Magik Morn lost buildings. By reports the storm hit most of Southern Ontario, wide spread damages, and power outages. It was an impressive storm at least I can say I survived it with no loss. As a result though some people cut their losses and went home early. I certainly can understand wet gear sucks.

Speaking of wet gear the ground was now soaking wet, and the temperatures were cooler. I had been bare foot until now and decided it was time to don footwear, blah, unless you are tending fire footwear other than sandals really sucks when camping.

Around dusk checked on the fire it was still going, the fire keepers started to ramp it up for the night. It was going to be a coldish and damp night and people want to be warm. I went off to prep a thermos of coffee and filled my travel mug. Blarg my chair was damp. Oh well a nice warm fire makes the difference.

The remaining group was small around 10 or so people but we spent many hours chatting, no drumming happened but the conversation was good and lively, I headed off to bed around 4:30 am and this concludes the second day.