We have emerged from a glorious weekend: Carnivale, the circus that has seen better days.
We began to assemble in Devon a week ago and spent several days leisurely preparing the barn and getting things ready. We were able to build on last year's Beltane party to decorate and light the barn really effectively, and the theme was generally a joy to work with.
Our general advice to guests when they enquired about the dress code was "tattered opulence" and "camp it up". When they started arriving around 6pm on Saturday, there were soon lots of fabulous outfits on display, including one or two very circus themed ones such as the lion and his tamer, a mime artist and the knife thrower's assistant. Charles came as Death, who made an amusingly sombre contrast to most other guests, in his long black robes and death white makeup covered face.
Our ceilidh band for the evening was Fox Amongst the Chickens, who led us ably through lots of traditional country dancing. Rachel had prepared lots of amazing food, and we had stockpiles of cava, beer, cider and wine. Check out the photo gallery for pictures from the beginning to the end, compiled from various sources. Thanks to Ondre, James G, Tom P, Benjie and Jo and Andy for the photos.
On Sunday and Monday, people drifted home more slowly than last year, and on Monday those of us left all went for an idyllic swim in the River Exe in glorious hot sunshine, bobbing about in the fresh water amongst the bright blue damselflies and shady trees on the banks.
