"I want to raid and fight. It is what I was born to do..."

So by now you've probably heard the great news, that Season 4 of Vikings is a go! And even more exciting news, that the has put out a call for 8,000 extras. Open casting days are but a few sleeps away. I, myself, will be attending on April 7th in Wicklow(hence, the title above...feeling all enthusiastic yet bricking at the same time). Shooting is commencing at the end of April. And if that didn't get you all excited, what with Season 3 not even finished airing yet, Clive Standen tweets out to stay tuned to "find out who will make it that far!" He certainly does have a knack for generating a sense of foreboding...who will make it? Who will not? Oh the anxious wait to see how it all pans out! Maybe there's a plot twist ahead. Everybody makes it...because it's set in Valhalla and they all rise again each night and feast together...and the show never ends...Or not! Just a theory.

production company

The whole point of this blog is about my little journey to becoming an extra on Vikings and now it is not even two weeks until my fate is decided. Have to admit, I got struck with a little pang of nerves when I read the press release on the Extras Facebook page. A nervous excitement really...all for the sake of being a fuzzy blur in the background. All the learning archery and swordfighting, and brushing up on rowing and horse riding. But I can't wait to go suss it out and hopefully make the cut. Sure what else would you be doing!?! Hopefully, it'll all be worth it.

In farming news, "Sheep Ragnar" has been deemed to have done the business with "Sheep Lagertha" and "Sheep Aslaug", and so, has been sent back to the farm. We now shall await the arrival of a few little lambie lambs just in time for spring.

In other kind-of-related-to-Vikings-kind-of-not-but-you'll-see-where-I'm-going-with-this news, George Blagden is on Irish shores once more! Whilst still playing a priest, he is shooting a movie called Blight. Sure to mess with your mind and provide you with a few sleepless nights, it is the tale of a girl's tortured soul by some sinister enemy and one priest's attempts to save her. Definitely worth checking out. They have quite an active twitter account, with regular #Ask sessions with various people involved. And George himself has tweeted responses. He quite humurously responded to my question about the fear of being typecast as a priest! Ah bless(no pun intended).

For now, #LikeAViking

Title Quote: Vikings Season 1 Episode 5: Raid
Rollo to Earl Haraldson

After the night when I wake up, I'll see what tomorrow brings...

Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one! Unfortunately, due to my Christmas morning dip in the River Barrow and having accidentally swallowed some of the river water(tasty...NOT!), I have been struck down by a case of THE BLACK LUNG. So while all of you lovely people are out celebrating like you successfully raided Lindisfarne, I'm stuck at home like Rollo left off the most recent raid on England! However, it does give me some time to let you know what is instore in the coming year. Silver lining and all that jazz.
First up in January, I'll be commencing Archery classes. You're not a Viking without some serious bow and arrow skillage. This should be fun for a number of reasons. Mostly because I'm about as coordinated as a baby giraffe trying to stand for the first time. Seriously, I trip over myself when I'm standing still. Probably should take out an insurance policy...just to be safe!
February brings me to foreign shores. My very first raid...awww. Not very Viking as I will be arriving by plane but plenty of outdoorsy, Viking things planned. On the agenda will be: setting up camp in a National Forrest Park by a lake, spear fishing, various types of boating activities(apparently I'll be rafting off a waterfall...not sure how I feel about that...well, I do. I'm just in denial), and there's been talk of boar hunting.
I'll be taking a few little trips around Ireland visiting places that have some significant links to Viking culture. Then there's the training. Trying to get into peak physical fitness to be able to convincingly perform everyday Viking chores like weilding axes, climbing ropes, etc. So I'm currently scoping out some form of bootcamp classes that can help me in this endeavour. Stuff like beating up a tyre with a lump hammer and other graceful, lady like activities...Why be a lady, when you could be a shieldmaiden!?!
Not to mention some hobbies I'll be brushing up on. Having rowed for years, I'll be taking a boat down to Blessington Lake where they actually shoot the series. You never know, I may end up captain of one of Floki's amazing creations yet. Then there's horse riding. Haven't been in the saddle for a few years but you got to be able to gallop around the place if you're to raid far and wide. Let's just hope it's like that saying about learning to cycle a bicycle...just with lots of hair and a mind of its own.
I'm also currently looking into taking some sword fighting lessons. Strangely enough, these aren't readily available. And, it's kind of weird when you have to Google search these things. Just in case my internet activities were being monitored for national security purposes, I've become very strict at putting "for film/tv" at the end of each search subject, just to be sure to be sure.
There'll also be some creative stuff. Thinking about booking a Viking themed photoshoot. So there'll be all manner of props and things to prepare.
And of course, when the time comes when they put out their call for extras for the new series, I'll be bringing you through that process with me. Hopefully I'll be successful and might be able to post a blog or two from the set...
So, hoping when you wake in the morning your head isn't too sore and everything you have wished for on the final night of 2014 comes to you in 2015.
Happy New Year #LikeAViking