The last few weekends have included some good shopping trips. One weekend we hit a bunch of garage sales - I picked up a few little things (books, movies, etc) including a nice set of wooden chess pieces for a couple of bucks. The next week Naomi and I hit the Book & Ephemera Sale at the expo center in Oaks. Lots of really cool stuff, including period books and illuminated pages. Fortunately for my wallet, I didn't find anything I needed to have :) That Sunday we made the first of two trips out to Adamstown. It was very rainy the first time to the outdoor markets were pretty dead. Amy and I did find three very nice pewter tankards for $20. This past Sunday was gorgeous so all the outdoor markets were in full swing. Laura, Naomi and I tromped around for several hours (I'm still sore, two days later) with each of us finding some good deals. My purchase was pair of recurve bows, that look to be in very good shape. Both are Ben Person bows, not sure how old yet (I'm guessing 60s or 70s, will do more research when I get a chance). Got the pair for only $30 :) I knew I had a good deal when a few tables later a dealer offered me $40 for them (after hearing where I got them and what I paid). I may try stringing them up at practice today.

We are well into the archery season now. All of my nice scores from over a year ago have fallen off my average (our "Royal Round" average is the average of the highest three scores from the past 12 months). I've been pretty happy with how I am shooting right now, so I hope to start climbing back up the rankings. I'm not likely to break through 60 yet, but I should be able to get close.

Had a good time last weekend at St. Sebastian's Fair. Shot okay on the roving range, but I lost a few and broken many arrows. I started the day with a walk through of the course, then took the first group through. Spent some time running the practice range, and then took the opportunity to go through the roving range myself. Apart from a broken crossbow prod, the event seemed to go very smoothly, and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves.

This weekend is some more archery at Ducal Challenge. Not sure if they will have royal rounds set up as well as the challenge course, but I can use the practice no matter what. At the end of the month we're going up to Concordia for more archery goodness.

Just spreading the word:

MYTHBUSTERS tonight [13 May 2009] is supposed to cover a medieval combat topic of possible interest to the readers of this list, archery from horseback. Shooting took place last summer at the Neumann Ranch, home of diverse European and Asian mounted martial arts activities, located in Oregon.
http://mountedarchery.net/

Airs on Discovery Channel at 9:00 p.m. [ET/PT] and repeats at 12:00 midnight. Check your local listings.
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=1.13056.24704.3913.x

Archery practice is tonight, and afterward we're going to the Craft Ale House. Looking forward to it.

Found by nazorlandi:

Forging a medieval long bodkin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB0jkfI27Ew

There are several others under the related videos section.

Tuesday's archery practice was far better attended then I would have expected for the first one after Pennsic. There were about 19 people shooting plus a few just watching. complexated got to run her first official line (ok, she's not on the official marshal list yet, but it is working it's way through the system).

I shot poorly, but right now I'm using three different kinds of arrows to make up a set of 6-8. I need to do some repair work on a bunch so they can hold me over until I get a new set.

I was poking around some archery sites and came across a local archery event happening at the end of the month. Wapiti Archers is having their first annual traditional archery shoot on June 28 & 29. The site is where Bhakail holds their archery practices. The event is being organized by Jim Bucci - who used to play in the SCA and was one of the marshal who traveled out to Hartshorn-dale to run shoots for us.

That Saturday is Bhakail's Investiture, so I'm planning to go to the shoot on Sunday.

More information can be found at:
http://www.wapitiarchersofpa.com/index.aspx

I can't believe I shot a 21 on the 40 yard target yesterday. Unfortunately, I can believe that it was my best score all night and was not accompanied by equally nice scores on the 30 and 20...

I got to shoot archery outside yesterday. Since I missed Tuesdays practice, this was the beginning of the outdoor season for me. My first RR for the season was a very satisfying 55 (my second was somewhere in the 30s though). This weekend is Spring Thynge, so I should be able to get some more practice in there.

My goal for this season is to push my average over 60 and improve on my consistency. I'd also like to do what I can to help any neighboring groups get archery up and running, but I'm not sure if my schedule will allow for that this year. Outside of Caer Adamant, there is a serious lack of marshals in this area.

Last one, I promise.

complexated and I went to Bhakail's archery practice on Sunday. I had my usual set of scores all over the place, but the high for the day was great (for me). I shot a 20, 30, 45 and 50. The 50 will eventually join my 48 and 56 to bring my average up over 50 (yay!). Plus since all three scores are from the end of the season, I will have plenty of time next year to get back to this point without having my average drop in between.

Lately, more and more has been "clicking" with archery. I can feel when I'm doing things right, and I'm starting to see when I'm doing things wrong (and what things I'm doing wrong). Too bad it is happening so late in the season. Hopefully I'll be able to hold on to it with regular indoor shooting this winter.