"I say yes. I will fight with you..."

Now that things have settled down after an epic weekend(yes, I know we are on the cusp of another weekend but that is how hectic my week has been since getting back to modern civilisation), I finally have a moment to update you all.

I had the utmost pleasure of spending my weekend in Grove Gardens, Meath helping out at the Big Viking Picnic in aid of Aoibheann's Pink Tie. If you attended, that was me ushering you into our lovely car parking field(with Tara on the hill doing her best Braveheart impressions to catch your attention as to where to locate your vehicle). I'm delighted to say the event was a resounding success with over €20,000 raised so far and further funds to be collected through items donated to the Picnic that will be auctioned off online.

It takes special people to come up with the concept of such an event(as a standalone festival this was always going to be a lot of fun) but, with such kindness and generosity of spirit to partner with a children's cancer charity as a nonprofit, it gives you a sense of the goodness in the people who organised such a

day. And you need look no further than main organisers, Natasha White and Marta Jadach. It was an honour to work along side you both and even more so now to call you friends. What they achieved with this festival is beyond impressive. It took a Herculean effort to bring such an idea to fruition let alone pull it off with no major hiccups. And they thought of EVERYTHING!

Around every corner, and in each nook and cranny, there was something to draw your attention. Whether it was the intricate crafts for sale or the sword fighting demonstrations hidden away by the Viking settlement, to the presence of Kíla, the imposing but friendly Irish Wolfhound. And that's not even mentioning the wealth of talent that graced the stage or field(very nearly became an accidental extra in one group's performance of Michael Jackson's Thriller such was their stealth at flash mobbing) or the worryingly realistic SFX wounds being inflicted upon willing attendees. If a refreshing beverage was what you were after to quench your battle earned thirst, Ragnar's Inn was the place to be to pull up a straw bale and sip a Brú craft beer or cider before heading back out to the masses for a record breaking shield wall around the real star of the weekend...the Ardglass Vikings longboat, Skiðblaðnir. Everything on display or on offer helped set the atmosphere for the weekend with everyone getting into the spirit of things(thank you to the kind lady who brought us water in the car park. You'll never know how much we appreciated it!). The effort that everyone went to putting together their outfits and shields. Entire families in matching costumes. It really was an amazing spectacle and the culmination of months of planning and fine tuning.

I also had the honour of meeting charity founder, Jimmy Norman, whose tireless efforts to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer in his daughter's name are as remarkable as they are heartwarming. I've seen first hand how much support he offers to families going through such hard times. The calming and welcoming effect he has when talking to kids and adults alike. This man and this charity are making a real difference in a time when budgets and support are being cut all around. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. I'm proud to say I support the work they do and would encourage anyone else to support them in whatever way they can. Little things are often the big things and it all makes a difference.
Though initially attending as a member of the press(sorta), I'm happy myself and fellow Viking Tara involved ourselves as volunteers, mucking in wherever help was needed. To see the reaction of the festival goers to the set up, entertainment and trade vendors was better than any question I could have asked Vikings actors Travis Fimmel and Alexander Ludwig who attended the event. Even better than that was getting to spend time with some of the kids and their families who have been battling this illness so bravely. Hearing their experiences and how Jimmy through Aoibheann's Pink Tie has helped them, I got a sense of just how big an impact this fundraiser was going to have on so many people. What struck me the most was the hope and happiness of those we spoke to. It really was an unforgettable experience in every way.
And then two Vikings showed up in the hospitality area reserved for the children and families of St. John's Ward Crumlin. Little smiles appeared on tiny faces as they got to spend a bit of time and have a chat with charity ambassador, Travis, and his co star, Alexander. In that time, you got a sense of the men that these much loved actors are. Moments after having my picture taken with Alexander he was thanking everyone within range personally for showing up and supporting the cause. Both took the time to speak with those gathered and ask the correct spelling of names before putting Sharpie to shield or poster(or cleavage in one case! Just to clarify, NOT MINE.). Later, out in the main event area, they both took their time trying to ensure everyone got their little moment with them whether it was a picture or something signed or both. Upon being gifted with a pendant specially designed by Gall Gael Crafts for the Big Viking Picnic, Travis refused to accept it as a gift and instead paid for it. And in another moment of trying to spend as much time with those who had waited to meet them(filming ran late that day and so they were a bit behind arriving to the festival) they both ignored the requests to stay on the main stage for photos and jumped straight into the gathered group of kids, warriors and shield maidens to get in the spirit of things and pose for any event photos that were to be taken.
And then all too soon it was over. We all would have done it all over again the next morning if we could have. The armor(newfound respect for the cast and extras moving around in those things for long hours on set...I've done my practise. I'm waiting for that call!), the camping(in fairness we practically had a three bed semidetached house for the two of us compared to some of the other two man tent setups), the camp site sessions with the Ardglass Vikings(Grandpa Pad's Homebrew Sloe Gin until all hours of the morning) and the countless laps of the festival site helping out and taking it all in. Same again next year? ;)

#LikeAViking #BigVikingPicnic #AoibheannsPinkTie #FightLikeAChild

Title Quote: Season 1 Episode 9 All Change
Rollo to Jarl Borg