Hafla Party Tonite!

-What is a Hafla?

A hafla is a middle-eastern gathering, a party. There is usually dancing (think belly dancing, sometimes freestyle dancing, sometimes group performance) drumming, and general merriment!

-Why are we having one?

To celebrate the opening of a Nile River-themed venue to benefit Relay For life situated high above Caledon Greystoke, complete with explorable Temple of Karnak, pyramid tomb, and RFL merchant's Bazaar.

-When is it?

Monday, May 17th, 7pm-11pm SL time

-What shall I wear?

Middle-eastern garb suggested, or victorian touring garb, silks, etc. But wear what's comfy for you.

-Do I need a dance ball?

Nope, belly-dance bracelets and drumming animations, hookah, cushions, will be provided.
Everyone is invited, hope to see you there:)

Play it, Blues Boys! (Now w/ music!)

Play it, Blues Boys!

The Barrows

"The Nineteenth Century-
During this century the study of prehistory took shape, due to discoveries in several fields of knowledge. However, there were also set-backs. For instance, the period 1840-1870 was the golden age of barrow looting. Local societies arranged "excavations" for the Sunday afternoon enjoyment of their members who frequently included ladies. Indeed, archeological studies have always offered equal opportunities to those females who have the stanima to compete. In 1870 J. H. Parker informed the Oxford Architectural and Historical Society that 'to find out whether a young lady knows anything of Archaeology or not, is a test whether she has been highly educated or not. The daughters of our higher nobility...are almost always well acquainted with Archaeology. Some of my favorite pupils have been young ladies of this class, our future Duchesses and Countesses.'
However, barrow digging could be as tedious for the diggers as reading most of the accounts of it can be for the modern scholar. Thomas Wright records an unrewarding afternoon in 1854 in which, after procuring a plentiful supply of provisions for picnicking, 'we all felt somewhat of a dissapointment as our men labored hour after hour, and no sepulchral chamber presented itself, and not even a burial-urn could be found to reward our patience'. But all enjoyment was not lost on this occasion, as they contrived to pass the time between eating and digging 'in games of various descriptions- not exactly such as those with which the builders of the mound celebrated when they laid the deceased on his funeral pile- and in other amusements.'"
------From The Origins of Britain- Lloyd and Jennifer Lang 1980


In this spirit, The Duke of Greystoke has opened the longbarrow on his estate to public exploration! Come discover the secrets of the tomb. It is advised to set view to midnight, grab a torch, read the notes as you go thru, and scroll your view perspective somwhat in, as these passages can be cramped. Find the Barrow entrance under the dolmen stones found near the barn, pack a picnic, and enjoy!

Enter the Octagon

I had the pleasure of touring a nearby state Historical Landmark this last summer, the Hill Octagon House, and was taken with it's beauty and design. Erected in 1854 and renovated to original appearance in recent years, it offers a tour of rambling Victorian-furnished rooms on beautifully situated grounds. Having hit the gift shop, I returned home with a book of its history and copies of the original floor plans.



These plans would come in handy when I decided recently to do my first large-scale build, and, after a few weeks time the structure was finished to my satisfaction, and finally furnished. Here then, is a virtual tour of the new seat of Abeldown, Greystoke, Caledon.

"Welcome, guests! Do come in."

The Parlour

The Dining Room

The Music Room

The Kitchen (with adjoining pantry)

The Washing room (also adjoining the kitchen)

The stairway leading to second, third levels and Cupola.

2nd Level- the Library

Another view of the Library

The Jungle Room (a reading room adjoining the Library)

The Study

Another view of the Study

The Main Bedroom

Another view of the Main Bedroom

The Washroom

Another view of the Washroom

The Dressing Room (adjoining the Washroom)

3rd Level - A Moroccan theme Gaming room

A Ladies Salon


The 1st of two Servant's Rooms

The Servant's Privy

The 2nd Servant's Room

Up the stairs to the Cupola

From the Air

The Structure was far from flawless, yet I learned a lot in it's building. Unfortunately, the conservation of prims is not my strong suit; and it ended up, when furnished, with very little room for any other growth in Greystoke, so it has been reluctantly put away. But I am content now that you have all had a chance to tour it, in a sense. Something else will arise in Greystoke, soon enough. Also, I have a new home in Harborside, and very special developments, attendant upon that, to report in my next journal...!

Caleversary 2

What a celebration it has been! Fortunately I was able to attend several parts of the festivities, and here are the obligatory pics!

First, at midnight monday/tuesday the 24-hour revelries commenced at my neighbor's castle, the manse of Lord Cymru:

The Guvnah himself attended and, at one point, assumed a clever but telling disguise-

Duchess Gloire was able to join for the next set of Waltzes, Lord Primbroke acting as Master of the Dances-

Upon my return to Middlsea the next day, I was delightfully surprised that I had stumbled on a prime viewing spot for the fireworks, joining Hotspur and noble company on his ship's platform-

At one point I decided to inspect one of the skyrockets before it lifted, and found myself hoisted in the air along with it! Luckily I returned to earth safe and sound, rejoining the company to enjoy the marvelous display.

The final hours of the celebration continued at Cymru, with music courtesy of Sir Zenmondo-

As Her Grace Gloire could not join me for the dance, the kind Miss Discovolante allowed me waltz to end out the evening and the festivities.

Here's a toast to Caledon on her anniversary- and to her next year, to her people and her Guvnah- good health and prosperity to each and ev'ry!

Ducal Shenanigans

(Novel cover by Gloire!)

Since my return from the Isle of Phillip, Her Grace Gloire, the Duchess of Middlesea and I have become very close, and fine romance has slowly unfolded between us. Here are some recent moments-

Upon beginning a course of the Masonic Tonic, known as Windlight, I celebrated this newfound clarity of vision and restoration of health with a trip with Her Grace to the shores of the Gardens of Apollo, taking in an exquisite sunset-

Days later, a trip to Flashman's Bar, for dancing, and liquor enough to throw caution to the wind for our next adventure--

Soaring high above Caledon, the Duchess shows her acrobatic skills, walking the wing of the ill-piloted biplane I barely kept aloft. Such a brave woman, indeed!

New years Eve brought us together at the stroke of midnight (SL) in Penzance, for the "Many Midnights" New Year's Ball-

Under the expert musical direction of Edward, Count of Primbroke, we waltzed for hour upon hour-

Many were there, But I should mention another happy dancer, Eugenia Burton, whose rez day fell on the 1st-

Thank you to Emilly Orr; Christine, Countess Primbroke, Miss Burton, and all others who dedicated time and talent to make such an enjoyable ball!

The fair Duchess Gloire and I, having grown quite fond of one another, have thought it best to partner, and share our time together as much as we are able. In recent days, we have purchased plots in the new Steelhead Harborside lands, here we survey the Russian-influenced northwest frontier style home, built under her expert direction, that we plan to erect there-

While currently at our dock sits a reminder of Caledon, my Abeldown riverboat, which awaits rechristening as (what else?) "The Duchess Middlesea."