Discworld Convention 2026 3

 Greetings

I was not planning to take an overly active part in any programme at the convention.

Nevertheless, I ended up taking part in two.

I have already told you how I took part in one item, playing 'Just A Minute.@

The second item was entirely due to some people finding out that I am a filker and, thus, can sing and that I have also sung Mozart, Gilbert & Sullivan and other operatic arias.

It transpired that, as the theme was Masquarade, one of the other attendees had written a libreto for a short comic opera. He had basically filked several classical composers- and some of the filks were in Italian.

The work was called "Le Conte De Gribeau" and the story seemed to be a sort of contest between Gribo and Count Cassanuda as to who was the greatest lover.

As this involved both dwarves and cats, I quickly decided not to examine this concept too closely...

He even painted and produced a poster to advertise the opera.

My bass baritone was the lowest pitch, so I was assigned the bass line in the chorus for three songs, as well as first voice in a duet.

My part was Sergeant Colon of the Ankhmorpork City Watch and the tune was Offenbach's 'The Bold Gendarrmes' with appropriately filked words.

I opted to wear my scarlet Guards tunic with the waist belt, but without epaulettes or medals. I wore the officer's sash crosswise over my left shoulder, to idicate my NCO rank and wore shorts, long socks and crocks.

It was decided that this was sufficiently silly.

We had two rehersals, one, mostly, for blocking entrances, exits etc and the second for singing. Neither was on the actual stage.

Despite this, the perforamnce went off without a hitch and were very well received by the audience.

I was particularly pleased with the duet, as I had practiced it only twice with the complete stranger I had been paired with. We even achieved a very pleasant harmony on the joint parts of the chorus.

I still find it something of a mystery that these things go so well with so little preparation.

But, a famous rabbit once said,...

That's Opera, Doc!

Until next ime

Adieu

Oriental 20

 Greetings

Now his shirt's all ripped...

Until next time

Adieu

Discworld Convention 2026 2

 Greetings

As I said in the first blog about this, the theme of the concvention was Masquarade.

As part of this, posters had been put up around the convention space. They were all riffs on actual operas, but with a Discworld spin and with some terrible puns.

it took me a moment to get the joke, due to the germanic script. Lohengrn turns into  Loan shark

Due to all Discworld dwarves having beards, dating is a a somewhat circumspect and and temtative process...

Another terrible pun. Cosi Fan Tuti becomes cosy fan heater

This one was my favourite, as it is an excellent re-rendering of the original poster...

It was nice to be at the con and not to be in the chaos costume room all the time. I could actually go to programme items and wander round the dealer's room more than a couple of times...

This did , however also lead to me being roped int.... invited to take part in two items. The first of thse was due to Teddy lertting slip that I'm a filker and, hence, can sing and have sung Gilbert and Sullivan. More on that later.

The other item was due to my liking for word-play.

One of the items on the programme was a game of "Just A Minute".

This followed the rules of the BBC Radio 4 game; A player is given a subject and must speak on it for a minute without deviating, hesitating or repeating anything except the words in the subject. The chair has discretion to allow the rpreating of small words, as long as speaker doesn't abuse the priviledge.

The other players can challenge for repetition, deviation or hesitation, or (if they choose) for a spurious reason that's funny. If the chair upholds the challenge they get a point and take over the subject. If the chair denys them the original palyer gets the point and has to carry on.

I had joined the audience for this item and it rapidly became apparent that there was a problem. The chair was present, but, unfortunately, all four planned players were unable to be there.

Consequently, the chair called for volunteers from the audience and, four foo.. volunteers duly took their places and played two rounds. This was very amusing, especially as one player was trying to game the system.

At this halfway point, the chair asked if anyone else wanted a go and three of the four immediately resigned. I  was then persuaded to have a go.

It is remarkably diffiicult, as you find yourself constantly trying to self-edit and simultaniously both carry on and think of alternative words. It was rather like my attempts to leave voicemail ,or answerphone messages. I find myself trying to remember what I have just said , while still trying to form coherent sentances.

It was challenging, but still quite fun. I was quite good a challenges, and even managed to challenge one player for repetition twice- for the same word.

I came third and must have done something right, as the chair later said that I should volunteer again.

I will tell you about the other programme item later.

Until next time

Adieu

Regency Buck 13

 Greetings

This is something of a blast from the past...

It's amazing what one turns up when looking for something amongst old blogs.

This is a version of one of my pieces of computer art from 2024.

I drafted the blog, but then obviously forgot to post it...

So here it is now...

The Regency Buck as a blond...

Normal service will be restored with the  next blog...

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 19

 Greetings

More fun with this lad...

Now, in ripped britches.

Until next time

Adieu

Discworld Con 2026 1

 Greetings

As I have mentioned (probably many times) before, Teddy and I used to run Chaos Costuming at many cons, including the Discworld con.

When we decided to retire from this onerous activilty, one of the last cons we did it at was a Discworld con. They were very grareful and not only gave us free ticket to the gala banquet , but floweres, chocolates and a bottle of champagne as well.

That( we thought) was that.

The Discword cons a bi-annual and the tickets sell iut very fast.

Just before they went live for the 2026 con, we were contacted and told, as an additional 'Thank You' we had been given free memberships.

So , as 'twould be churlish to refuse...

The con was being held at the Hinkley Island Hotel, which is well known to us crom many previous cons.

This did, however, did raise one complecation, as out=r Sat Noav has developed a quike and won't let us type the number '1'. As the postcode for the hotel included this forbidden number, we had to program it for nearby and partially rely on maps and memory to get there.

Somewhat surprisingly, this worked.

The theme of the con was Masquarade, so we just HAD to bring to bring costume.

here is the wizard outfit Teddy wore

The hat was covered in sparkly orange fabric which spread its joy of glitter everywhere it went- in the car, on the seats, on other people, thoughout the hotel....

As for me- on the first day I wore my blue velvet and gold lace georgian coat, which I have posted pictures of before.I wore it without a wig, but didn't get any pictures on this occasion.

I decided to call myself Count Casanarfwe (to tall for Casanunder, but to short for Casanova)

On the second day I wore uniform, Monsterous Regiment style.

This was my Steampunked Guards uniform worn with my Napoleonic officer's sash and LIght Company shako and, of course, some Steampunk medals I mounted up myself.

This outfit proved very popular and I let lots of people take pictures.

I will post more about the con later.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 18

 Greetings

I am having considerable fun playing with this particular artwork...

Here is another vesrsion with him in his undies...

Until next time

Adieu

Even the trees object.

 Greetings

I live in the the London Borough of Merton and have done so all my life.

I and my fellow residents often have cause to be dissatisfied with some of the actions of our local council, who seem to have their own particular fashion for applying various rules and regulations.

This is a leafy and tree-lined-street area of London, but recently, the council seems to have decided that quite a number of trees are no longer required.

Now, some of these have proved to be deseased or otherwise on their way out, but I came across this one the other day...

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 17

 Greetings

Here is another new version of this computer art.

Just the wet britches...

until next time

Adieu

It's a hard life...

 Greetings.

I have made and aquired quite a large amout of costume over the years and much of it is kept hanging on rails in the sewing room. There is not much space on each rail.

I was putting one of  the bishop's copes away the other day and , in the process, one of his day robes decided to leap from the rail.

When I picked it up, I discovered the reason for this.

This is the wire coathanger I extracted from it.

I did not alter this shape in any way and (briefly) considered giving it an odd title and entering it for the Turner Prize .

Unfortunately, I seem to be cursed with too much integrity...

So, instead, I put the day robe on a better( wooden) hanger and threw out the old one.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 16

 Greetings

Here is a new version of this computer art.

Until next time

Adieu

New Regency 4

 Greetings

I have now tacked the interfacing to the front panels of the coat.

The  instructions said I should have already added the main pocket flaps, but I still need to work out how best to add the stips of bullion on silk I am using to decorate the coat, so I haven't made them up yet.

I think this will turn out quite well, however, as I plan to use the pocket flap to tether the lower edge of the interfacing.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 15

 Greetings

Here is the latest version of this computer art.

Now his britches are wet as well...

Until next time

Adieu

New Regency 3

 Greetings

There's been a bit if a gap on the project to make new civilian Regency kit( due to one thing and another), but I have now made more progress.

I have cut out the outer fabric and the inter-lining, as well as most of the lining. I still need to adjust the lining to work out which bits need to be cut from the grosgrain silk.

I have set the coat pockets in.

and set in the under pocket flap, whcih stops the pocket gaping.

As the button hole is only three eighths of an inch, I sewed it by hand. I have some nice antique bone buttons that will fit.

 

The seam for this flap is samwiched between the front and back of the pocket bag.

I am continuing to work on the coat and will post more later.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 14

 Greetings

Here is another version of this artwork.

This time I've gone for the wet shirt look...

Until next time

Adieu

Knockhoilt

 Greetings

The Paladins were recently hired to attend a village event in the very small commuity of Knockholt.

This is south of Croydon and just north of the M25.

It was a little interesting getting there, even with a sat nav, especially as they had neglected to let us know that the main road through the village was blocked by roadworks at one end.

I tried finding a way round and after much swearing at my sat nav, found myself back at the same junction that I'd had to turn off at in the first place.

This did, however, let me see the diversion sign, that was placed so it could only be seen approaching from that direction, so I did, eventually get to the site.

We set up the camp. Here are some pictures.

We then got into kit.

The event started with a parade around the village. As the weather forecaste showed it would be dry. I had opted to parade a the bishop, in cope and mitre. It was very hot, so I decided not to wear my day robe, or my tunical. 

I was, however, wearing my poltock and hose and my medieval boots under my vestments. The group had been told we could wear modern shoes if we wished, but it was too late to change by the time this filtered down to me.

We had to walk up to near the church to take our place in the procession.

The whole thing was led by a marching band, who, it soon became clear, had not had a lot of practice marching and playing at the same time. This resulted in a lot of slow marching and frequent stops to avoid running into the groups ahead of us and,on top of that, my left boot began to give me a blister.

Eventually we got through it and I gratefully swapped to my spare ankle boots.

After a quick lunch we had a short tournay. I left off my standard and breastplate due to the heat.

This was the first official fight for young Russell and Adam( who I haved been training) as they had recently turned 16. They both did very well with me killing Adam (twice) and Russel winning the melee.

They were bth fighting in armour and seemed to have no problem with that.

We had very few visitors, but entertained those that showed an interest.

It was a low key event, but went very well.

The journey home was also interesting, particularly the moment when I turned a corner on a narrow lane and found myself nose to nose with one of the largest tractors I have ever seen. 

Luckily he was able tto back a bit to a place where, with a lot of breathing in on bith sides, we could edge past each other.

Then, once I'd also had to pull over sharply for an ambulance on the wrong side of the road a little further on, I manged to get home at a very reasonable hour.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 13

 Greetings

Here is a new version of this artwork.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 12

 Greetings

Heres a new version of this computer art.

until next time

Adieu

Oriental 11

 Greetings

Here is another version of this computer art.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 10

 Greetings

Here is the ltest version of this computer art.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 9

 Greetings

Here's the first variation on the new look...

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 8

 Greetings

Here is another version of this computer art.

I have redressed him as a Regency gentleman.

I will post more of versionsof this later.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 7

 Greetings

Heer is the latest version of this computer art.

Until next time

Adieu

Igor

 Greetings

I have recently found another photo from my time in the Far Isles Medieval Society.

My second personna was Sir Igor Ross, Lord Red Dragon, knight of the Silver Falcon

His mother was from Ukraine and his father was a Scots mecenary,hence he had dealings with the Muscovy Company. Well, when you've got contacts at both ends...

I used a n the name I had first come up with for a tabke-top role playing charcter. The system I was using rolled up all aspects of the character, including sex and social status.

I rolled up a lesser nobilty werwolf, so I thought 'family curse' and Igor, the Weird of Ross, was born...

Until next time

Oriental 6

 Greetings

Here is the latest version of this computer art.

Until next time

Adieu

Lord James

 Greetings

Teddy was showing someone some old photos the other weekend and this one was amongst them.

I think this was sometime in the mid 1990's and this is what I looked like then.

This is a Far Isles Medieval Society event and I am dressed as the Bishop's evil twin, James de Velmont, Master of Danmar. He wore lots of rings (two of which could be opened) and did 'little favours' for the Medicci...and the Borgias... and the Doge...and the Pope...(you get the idea).

Here's a close up

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 5

 Greetings

This is another version of this new computer art.

Until next time

Adieu

Anya's Birthday Ball

 Greetings

Teddy and I have been going to Regency Dance class for a few years now.

We usually do not attend any balls in the Spring and Summer, as Teddy overheats in costume and I have to give priority to my medieval re-enactment group, the Paladins of Chivalry.

However, one of our friends from Regency dance had decided to throw a private ball to celebrate her 6oth and the venue was only a half hour drive away, so we decided to go. We also offered to get there early to help with setting up chairs and tables etc.

Teddy was hoping to wear his new coat, but, partially due to the extremely hiot weather, but mostly due to the darstadly recalcitrant sleeves, this was not finished, so he wore his wrapping gown and long waiscoat.

I wore my line officer's uniform( with order of the Thistle)and my' Peninsula' medal, but when I got there, I realised I'd forgotten to pack my epaulettes.Oh, well, I blamed my man...

Here is a picture of other attendees marking their dance cards as they enjy some celebratory champagne.

The meal was picnic style , bring our own food. So we brought our tin plates, wooden bowls, napkins , coloured glass goblets, pottery jugs etc and( as Teddy was in charge of the catering) too much food.

We ended up taking the pork pie and all the scotch eggs home again..

The.ball was great fun and I danced most of the dances, despite the heat.

Teddy, unfortunatlely, found he'd pulled a muscle on his rib getting chairs down from a rack and had to sit out ( I strapped it up for him the next day and that seemed to help a lot).

We stayed at the end to help the hall's caretaker to put all the chairs and tables away, but his did not delay us overmuch and we were home before midnight.

Until next time

Adieu

Oriental 4

 Greetings

Here is the next version of this new computer art

Until next time

Adieu

Hades

 Greetings

We recently celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary.

We decided to go up to the West End and see a show.

Being disorganised we tried buying tickets quite late, but the show we managed to get tickets for was Hades Town.

It was a bit of hassel getting there, despite having left the house in plenty of time, as there was a problem at Clapham Junction that backed up the trains.

We got there just in time, but it was a good thing we had printed up our tickets.

We were in the upper circle, but the view was not too bad.

These were taken before they told everyone to turn off phones and cameras.

The show was a musical based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Euridyce. It was set in a sort of 1930 nightclub with Hades being a sort of Mob Boss.

They didn't mess with the story so much that my classical soul was made to cringe (except for one aweful moment when it looked like they were going to Disney it and give it a happy ending- but they pulled it back on the right track).

The singing was good, especially the Bass playing Hades, though the Tenor playing Orpheus obviously thought he could hit a higher note than he actually had the range for. I expect most folk didn't hear it, but I'm a trained singer and he was definitely a bit squeeky.

Unfortunately the lady singing Pesephone had to play it drunk as part of her character and her diction was not wonderful, so we missed a lot of words in her songs.

However, all in all, it was a good show. The musicains were very good, particulary the Trombone and we enjoyed it.

We went for a meal at the Angus Steak House on Charing Cross Road. This has been there since I was a schoolboy and they still do an extemely good steak.

We ambled back to Waterloo via Hungerford Bridge.

Until next time

Adieu