Dalwhinnie Fields
Barony of Iron Mountain
May 4-6, 2018
On 4 May, I journeyed to Dalwhinnie Fields near the lands of the Barony of Iron Mountain for the Black Axe tournament to be held there.
I had been looking forward to a nice tournament for some time and Black Axe had the makings for what I had been looking for.
During the day of the 4th, I had been fighting a bout of anxiety. A malady that I have encountered more frequently as I have gotten older. But, none-the-less, I fought the demon and drove on to site.
The trip was quiet and I found it enjoyable as I listened to an audiobook as I drove.
Once there, I trolled in and setup camp. The humidity was up more than I had anticipated there and camp setup was a little draining I think.
I donned garb and went to the hall there for traveller's fair, a soup as I recall. The hall was cool and slightly damp due to the humidity and air conditioners.
I attempted to write in my journal some, but quickly found I could not focus enough for writing. Just wasn't in the mood and felt tired, so I retired to my tent.
Once there, I removed some layers of garb and laid down. Soon there after, a mosquito or gnat found me. I had not prepared for that. But, I was able to take cover by placing some bedding over my head to foil the foul creature's efforts to annoy me.
That night was one of the worst night's camping I have had in some time. I was not able to find comfort. Eventually, my allergies came to bear and I couldn't breath. These things amplified my already present anxiety that had haunted me throughout the day.
This is the condition I woke in during the early hours as the sun crept up to is pre-dawn position to light the morning.
Rattled, agitated, and feeling-ill I made the decision to depart. So, during the early hours of the 5th of May, before the camp rose to greet the day, I broke down my tent, loaded my baggage, and departed Dalwhinnie like a thief, leaving nothing there to announce I had been at the site at all.
Anxiety is no joke. You cannot explain it easily. I am intelligent enough to recognize it in myself and my actions. And, in a controlled environment I can manage it. But, when it sets in...I fall prey and feel feeble in its wake. Every agitation is amplified ten-fold making me an angry person to be around.
So, in this state I 'fled' Dalwhinnie and Black Axe in the pre-dawn light of the 5th of May. On the road, audiobook playing, I eventually found some calm and was able to build upon that as I made my way north to home.
So, in regards to Black Axe... The soup was good. Wish I could have stayed for the veal. I missed out on a fun event and regret it.
In regards to unexplained maladies that the ancient Greeks labeled as 'hysteria', It took me a few days to recover. This summer heat and my allergies have been tough this year. Mixing those things with Anxiety is a bad recipe.
So, here I sit sharing my experience. Anxiety is a battle that is fought every day. Many of us deal with it in our modern world. Sometimes we win. Sometimes, like in this retelling, we lose. We can take a note from Bruce Lee and try to 'be like water' in our fight. Find some Zen. Seek calm. Achieve some joy in spite of it.
I regret not getting to enjoy a day at tournament at Dalwhinnie. Hopefully, there will be another opportunity for that soon. Until then...
I had been looking forward to a nice tournament for some time and Black Axe had the makings for what I had been looking for.
During the day of the 4th, I had been fighting a bout of anxiety. A malady that I have encountered more frequently as I have gotten older. But, none-the-less, I fought the demon and drove on to site.
The trip was quiet and I found it enjoyable as I listened to an audiobook as I drove.
Once there, I trolled in and setup camp. The humidity was up more than I had anticipated there and camp setup was a little draining I think.
I donned garb and went to the hall there for traveller's fair, a soup as I recall. The hall was cool and slightly damp due to the humidity and air conditioners.
I attempted to write in my journal some, but quickly found I could not focus enough for writing. Just wasn't in the mood and felt tired, so I retired to my tent.
Once there, I removed some layers of garb and laid down. Soon there after, a mosquito or gnat found me. I had not prepared for that. But, I was able to take cover by placing some bedding over my head to foil the foul creature's efforts to annoy me.
That night was one of the worst night's camping I have had in some time. I was not able to find comfort. Eventually, my allergies came to bear and I couldn't breath. These things amplified my already present anxiety that had haunted me throughout the day.
This is the condition I woke in during the early hours as the sun crept up to is pre-dawn position to light the morning.
Rattled, agitated, and feeling-ill I made the decision to depart. So, during the early hours of the 5th of May, before the camp rose to greet the day, I broke down my tent, loaded my baggage, and departed Dalwhinnie like a thief, leaving nothing there to announce I had been at the site at all.
Anxiety is no joke. You cannot explain it easily. I am intelligent enough to recognize it in myself and my actions. And, in a controlled environment I can manage it. But, when it sets in...I fall prey and feel feeble in its wake. Every agitation is amplified ten-fold making me an angry person to be around.
So, in this state I 'fled' Dalwhinnie and Black Axe in the pre-dawn light of the 5th of May. On the road, audiobook playing, I eventually found some calm and was able to build upon that as I made my way north to home.
So, in regards to Black Axe... The soup was good. Wish I could have stayed for the veal. I missed out on a fun event and regret it.
In regards to unexplained maladies that the ancient Greeks labeled as 'hysteria', It took me a few days to recover. This summer heat and my allergies have been tough this year. Mixing those things with Anxiety is a bad recipe.
So, here I sit sharing my experience. Anxiety is a battle that is fought every day. Many of us deal with it in our modern world. Sometimes we win. Sometimes, like in this retelling, we lose. We can take a note from Bruce Lee and try to 'be like water' in our fight. Find some Zen. Seek calm. Achieve some joy in spite of it.
I regret not getting to enjoy a day at tournament at Dalwhinnie. Hopefully, there will be another opportunity for that soon. Until then...
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
THL Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde', CACM, CKP, CAS
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire , KSCA, OL, OP
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire , KSCA, OL, OP
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
