The lane before us is Le Premiere.  The founders of the faire must have taken lessons from King Minos himself. The path winds through the gauntlet of shoppes. The merchants are in tents or small pavilions. Pine trees are scattered throughout the grounds.

Craig of Farrington serenades people with his lute which resembles a fat guitar.

Before the Royal Nuts booth, a hawker drops free samples into any open palm.  I am more than surprised to find so many patrons in garb.   I see one musketeer, plenty of peasants and merchants.   Tis with a sad heart that I must report no sighting of chainmail girls nor fur cladded barbarian women.  The one fantasy character that I do see is part of an act.

At the bend where Le Premiere becomes the Queen's Promenade lies the Queen's Stage.  The benches are split logs with their barks stripped. Unfortunately, the flat side faces downward.  The benches may be of wood, but it adds to its primitive charm.  No awning hangs over the benches for shade, but the sun is welcomed for a slight chill still hangs in the air.  A few years had past before either the Texas Renaissance Festival and Scarborough covered their stages.   Sir Michael informs us that Lady Lisa is at the Birds of Prey show which is being held at the Jousting Grounds.  From the Queen's Stage, we can hear the voice of the falconer magically amplified.   Just over the timbered wall, we can see the jousting field but we must weave our way through the entire festival to get there.

Privies are plentiful throughout the the festival.  A portable handwasher with soap, water and towels stands at the entrance to privies.  A nice idea but by the end of day, no water would be available.  The actual privies are claustrophobic port-a-potties which brings memories of the early days of the Scarborough Faire.  Tis difficult to perform one's business in such a small quarters and such a long rapier.