Fun in the Sun Part I (Regency Picnic 2012)

Vacationing is lovely while it lasts, but it does seem to make real life a bit overwhelming. I’ve been slow on the posting lately because of my vacationing. And, to be honest, life + vacationing is most likely going to be slowing me down some more over the next month or so. Some of my vacations will generate some really great pictures, though, so stay tuned for those in August!

It’s been roasting-ly hot here in Massachusetts for the last few weeks, but the heat didn’t stop the Massachusetts Costumers from enjoying the annual Regency Picnic. It was toasty, but we tried to spend lots of time in the shade. And despite the heat, we had a marvelous time! Join me in recalling the fun through viewing (just a few of the 300 or so) pictures we snapped that day.

Our idyllic setting at a lovely park in Bridgewater, MA.

Okay, so our food and table setting was not historically accurate. But the colors were so nice and summer-y! (And the pink lemonade was quite refreshing.)

After eating, we strolled through the park and took pictures (and coerced random passers-by to take photos of us…). Lovely group of ladies, don’t you think?

Then we played a Regency game called… “Graces?” (Ack! I can’t remember the name… Jenni, help me!)

Basically, each person has two long sticks which they use to fling the be-ribboned hoops at the other player. The second person catches the hoops on their own sticks before flinging them back again.

I’ve included pictures where you can see the hoops in midair. Despite the fact that we often seem to be catching the hoops, I also have many pictures where we, um, didn’t catch the hoops…

Eventually, we got the hang of it and decided to make it more challenging. In this instance we had two hoops going at once, one flung by each player!

It took a little time to get used to the coordination of flinging and catching in quick succession.

But we got the hang of it and then we started flinging two hoops at the same time in one direction! That meant the person catching had to catch two at once! Eep!

After that challenge we thought we were finished with the game… but then one of us (I can’t remember who…) had the brilliant idea to attempt to make graceul, Regency-like poses, while playing the game. That kept us going for awhile longer, with some amusing photos and lots of laughs, but you’ll have to wait till my next post for those photos (I don’t want to overload you with too many fun in the sun Regency picnic photos at once, you know!). In the end, the heat wasn’t so bad!

6 thoughts on “Fun in the Sun Part I (Regency Picnic 2012)”

Sabine says:

July 17, 2012 at 1:55 am

Aaaawww, the location is truly idyllic! And your weather is wonderful with the mingling of sunshine and shade. Lovely photos, you all look gorgeous.
And I do love the game! It’s called Diabolo over here (still see it being played nowadays from time to time) and it’s said to be invented around the 1760s.

I’m looking forward very much to seeing your following share of photos 🙂

Sabine

1. quinnmburgess says:
  
  July 17, 2012 at 6:08 pm
  
  Yay! I’m so pleased you recognize the game. Have you ever played it? What did you think? 🙂
  
Jenni Lithgow says:

July 17, 2012 at 9:33 am

Yup, “Graces” is right! 🙂 This day was so much fun! We are so awesome. 🙂

1. quinnmburgess says:
  
  July 17, 2012 at 6:06 pm
  
  Thank you for confirming! Yes, I had SUCH a blast. We ARE awesome. 🙂 Can’t wait for our next event… (though I can’t honestly remember what it might be…) 🙂
  
Issy says:

July 17, 2012 at 1:14 pm

Oh I am so jealous. I would love to go to a regency picnic, and it looks like yours was wonderful. 🙂

1. quinnmburgess says:
  
  July 17, 2012 at 6:10 pm
  
  I just took a quick peek at your blog (I’ll be going back to read more in just a few minutes…) and it looks like you have your share of fabulous Regency events, even if they are not picnics! Thanks for reading, commenting, and vicariously enjoying the picnic!