Oh, you know how the media blows things out of proportion...
After months of fundraising, practicing and general hard work, Great Meadows Morris and Sword went off to perform at the 2004 World Sword Spectacular in Whitby, England. Here's a fond look back at our trip. (Other photos available at the Candy Rapper Web site.)
Most of the group departed from Logan Airport on the evening of May 26. After some initial excitement, a number of us settled down in our special "VIP Lounge" for a bit of wholesome recreation.
(Left) We arrived in Manchester around 7:20 a.m. local time, somewhat low on sleep. (Center) Nothin' to do but sing them Early-Mornin', Jet-Lagged, Waitin'-for-the-Baggage blues. (Right) Finally, we settled into our rental vans for the next leg of our journey, and Tom Pixton reminded passengers to please keep legs and arms inside the vehicle at all times while counting mullet haircuts.
The first stop was the grand old city of York, with its wondrous cathedral and endearingly narrow streets.
We had lunch at the Black Swan Pub, name-sake of one of England's premier rapper sword teams, and equipped with a car park perfect for youthful activity.
Then it was off to the moors of North Yorkshire and our lodgings for the night in the lovely, bucolic village of Goathland. (Right) The most-asked question that evening: "How many of them do you think I can fit into my suitcase?"
(Left) After testing the durability of the pillows provided, we set up camp in the village's parish hall, along with our bunkmates for the night, the Gay Blades.
Barely a half-hour after arriving, Great Meadows F.C. went at it with the Goathland All-Stars, as an enthralled spectactor looked on.
The fun 'n games continued at the Inn on the Moor, where we were warmly welcomed with a barbecue hosted by Sword Spectacular organizers as well as members and supporters of the Goathland Ploughstots, the village's longsword team, which goes back several generations. Refreshed and reinvigorated, we played some tunes and, later on, got in some close-quarters practice for the days ahead.