"Sometimes it is better not to know fate..."

You lucky, lucky people on the far side of the pond that separates Ireland from the USA! You all get to find out what happens in the Season 3 finale of Vikings. Most of us are wondering what will become of Ragnar Lodbrok tonight given that we know the great sagas and the multitude of endings that could befall the brilliant but flawed, reluctant king. But what will Michael Hirst decide is his fate? Season 4 or no more? I can already tell you that there is no willpower strong enough to keep me from reading all the glorious

spoilers on how the siege on Paris goes down and who we lose in the process.

In other news, has anyone else caught the clip of the cast talking about the battle scenes and how they prepare(or don't) for them? Just going to take a moment of appreciation for Moe Dunford(Aethelwulf) and his eloquent, honest, most Irish response given to a question ever. I won't ruin it for you! View for yourself and have a little giggle. I can only presume his response on Twitter, which included the hashtag #havinthecraic, was most definitely a pun intended.

Viking progress has been slow this week having taken a little breather from some of the intense Historical European Martial Arts(or for future references, HEMA) lessons. However, YouTube is a brilliant but dangerous source of endless amounts of sword tricking inspiration...I have a few bruises to prove it. If I get anyway good at some of the tricks I'll post a video...you might be waiting a while...some look pretty easy but I've been a little too close for comfort on more than one occasion to losing some fingers, an eyeball or my nose!

However, I have been making #LikeAViking and getting out into nature a bit more. This week's exploration took us to St. Mullins. A beautiful little part of Co. Carlow that not too many people are aware off. Perfect for a little R&R with the option of some hiking or kayaking on the river. It's one of my favourite places to visit. A little meander around the ruins of the church and stroll down to the little cafe by the river to take in the scenery. Next visit will definitely see us hopping in a kayak and taking in the scenery from the river.
#LikeAViking

Title quote: Season 1 Episode 9 All Change
Lagertha to Siggy
Fitting that a quote from the Season 1 finale should be the title on the blog for the Season 3 finale...the show has come such a long way already!

"For everything there is a season and for every matter under the sun. A time to be born, and a time to die..."

I have a confession to make...
Hi, my name is Maddie and I haven't seen a single episode of Vikings Season 3 yet :(

I know, this is horrible but it hasn't aired in Ireland yet. And all my great attempts at streaming it online have failed. Even further, despite all my best efforts to ignore all clips and spoilers, I have failed miserably to keep Season 3 a complete surprise for when I do eventually get to watch it. Trying to avoid spoilers on Twitter and Facebook is like trying to dodge the Black Death in the great outbreak in the latter stages of the 1340's...fecking impossible!!

And, in a little bit of a selfish rant, I firmly believe that a new distribution/airing policy should be adopted for situations like this. If you shoot a TV show in a particular country, that's the country it should air in first. Yup, that's my viewpoint and I'm sticking to it. History, sort this out...please...and thank you...if it's not too much hassle...I'm sorry...forget I mentioned it...don't hate me :)

*SPOILER ALERT* (if you just so happen to not know the following, then congratulations, you have way more patience and restraint than I do!)

I know of the passing of Athelstan, to understate the situation completely. This will be a huge loss to the show. It was such a great story line to see him grapple with his beliefs, both his religious struggle and his own personal moral stuggle. And the dynamic of his relationship with Ragnar. This also opens up an interesting new story arc for Travis Fimmel's character as to what he will do without his confidante and, ultimately, his only true friend. After all, Athelstan truely understood and shared Ragnar's curious and worldly nature. What's in store? Only The Seer knows...

Back to my Viking training, I've been busy trying to improve on my Viking-ness. Cast your mind back to Christmas morn(and my first blog post...aw, we've come so far and made so many fond memories already!) and tackling one of the first major hurdles in this journey to becoming a Viking Extra-ordinaire: icy cold water. Getting used to the conditions real Vikings would have had to face in their daily lives when fishing or exploring. You might remember I willingly(but not so gracefully) threw myself into the freezing, December waters of the Barrow along with some other brave souls. To continue on this trend I decided that, since the Vikings would have had to face some crazy and unpredictable situations like storms on the high seas and rough sailing conditions, I would try something that involved choppy water and something scary. So on my travels in New Zealand I got all suited and booted for a rafting adventure. Yes, I clung tight to a inflated piece of rubber that I trusted to get me safely down the Kaituna River through rough rapids and down the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world...a 7.5 meter drop! I have to say the whole thing was far less scary than I iad imagined and the adrenaline buzz was off the charts, even if we were deliberately flipped over after our descent over the waterfall. (See that arm at the right side of the picture at the front of the boat...that's me meeting the bottom of the waterfull with all its might face first and losing a contact lense in the process!)

Jumping from the raft into the fresh but warm water of the Kaituna, letting the river float you through untouched nature. Bobbing along on my back, recalling the traditional maori blessing for a safe journey and a show of respect for the water and land offered on our behalf before we disembarked, you can't help but be in awe of our great planet. With all the raiding and plundering, I wonder did the Vikings ever stop and just take it all in? For me, the journey through New Zealand was one picture perfect moment after another. So much untouched land that around every bend in the road was another spectacular view. But that moment in the river as I floated along trusting nature(and a fairly serious lifejacket) to keep me safe as I took in the unspoiled scenery, I couldn't help but wonder what amazing sights the Vikings would have come across on their travels that stopped them in their tracks, even just for a split moment.

#LikeAViking

Title Quote: Vikings Season 1 Episode 5: Raid

Athelstan praying for Ragnars recovery.

*Because it's a beautiful piece of writing by Michael Hirst, was brilliantly delivered by George Bladgen and was an important moment in the friendship of Athelstan and Ragnar, and sets out the premise for many of the storylines, here is the quote in its entirety.

"For everything there is a season and for every matter under the sun. A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant and to pluck up what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal. Mary, Mother of God, listen to me. Do not let this man die!"

"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

Raiding season is nearly upon us...

It is but a week until I begin raiding/holidaying in new lands. The expedition is being a little overshadowed by my injury. Still not able to walk right(or left for that matter!) which has majorly impeded on all my plans for training. However, with alot of down time on my hands(and unexpected time off work) there have been some other developments...

Meet Ragnar, Lagertha and Aslaug! (Also known to my nephew as Ram-one, Ewe-nice and Bahahaharbara...for a five year old, you have to admit that is some serious pun-age!! I have taught him well) Yes, that is right, I have made like my Viking ancestors and become a farmer. Well, kinda. There was the slight matter of a field with overgrowing grass. Rather than make like regular people and invest in a ride on lawn mower, we thought we'd get all agricultural and get these living, breathing, four legged, bleeting lawn mowers for the shear hell of it(get it? Shear? #SheepHumour). So far they've shown more interest in eating the hedges than the grass. I may reiterate the terms of their contracts and bring their attentions to their main job description. Otherwise, I'll have to bring them bahahahahack(too much sheep humour??). But everyone knows the Vikings were farmers, so now I feel a little more authentic with my herd...of three. Hopefully, that won't be for long and "sheep Ragnar" will do the business and we can welcome Bjorn, Ivar, Sigurd and Hvitserk.

With large amounts of time to fill, I can pretty much tell you everything you could possibly need to know about what constitutes a good training sword. Oh yes, I got all researchy about sword fighting and purchasing training swords and other equipment. Let's just say there is a parcel on the way from the Czech Republic as we speak that may or may not pass customs. There is another on the way from Wicklow with various bits of archery equipment. There may also have been an order put in with the saw mill up the road for wood required to make a shield...can't neglect my carpentry skills! At least there is plenty to get stuck into after raiding/holiday season!

In other news, to help with my recovery I have befriended a golf ball. This little thing is apparently aiding my recovery. It doesn't feel like it most of the time. In fact, it feels worse after rolling it under my foot for prolonged periods of time to help break up the scar tissue. But roll it I shall until I am better and can recommence my training! #LikeAViking

The Vikings Are Coming...

It is but a few short days until Season 3 of Vikings drops. And it is such a credit to the fans of this show that the History Channel are putting everything into creating engaging content for the shows following. Up first is the premiere installment of, what will hopefully be, a long series of video journals from Athelstan(George Blagden). Serves as both an insight into how the actors get inside the heads of their characters to convincingly portray them, as well as a handy little recap on everything leading up to the new season!

And if that doesn't get you all excited for new raiding and the escapades of our slightly cleaner than their stereotype warriors of the sea, for good measure, the people of the History Channel have spoiled us all rotten with a quick taster and behind the scenes look at what is in store in the next 10 episodes. Grab your drinking horn, fill it with meade, and enjoy this little teaser...
#LikeAViking
(If you're confused about where to view this video, the hashtag is the link...click it...click it! Or if you are one of those people who are motivated by mischief and act out the exact opposite of what you are instructed then DON'T CLICK THE LINK ON THE HASHTAG! A little bit of reverse psychology for you there :) )

It's Only One Month Away...

Who said Vikings can't read?

Very excited to have taken delivery of a couple of books today. One in particular was recommended to fans of the show by the one and only, Clive Standen, himself. The Hammer and the Cross A New History of the Vikings by Robert fergusson shall be my main source of historical guidance on this little adventure. Looking forward to having a bit more insight into the entire Viking Age to put the show into some sort of perspective. If it weren't for the fact I have to go to work for the evening I'd be happily curled up on the couch with a large cuppa speed reading it from cover to cover...

However, I'm not going to lie, I'm eagerly anticipating the new series like everyone else so I might have, slightly, kinda, maybe, possibly checked out the index of the book seeking out the bits that relate to Ragnar Lodbrok and some of the other figures that are being depicted in the series...After seeing a clip on Youtube with the cast talking about the upcoming third season and that there is going to be a few deaths...I'm a little concerned that the new king of Sweden is going to meet his end in season 3 :( Let's hope the producers don't take any notice of Game Of Thrones and don't kill off half the cast just yet!

Also, in a bid to aid the training to become more badass Viking, a little less couch potato, I'll be trying to eat a bit more like our hairy northern friends. So I'm reading up on the Paleo plan which would be quite similiar to what the vikings would have eaten...no recipe yet for meade though! Bye bye enjoyable food and hello salad...And yes, i'm quite aware that no great story ever began with "this one time I had a salad..." but we'll see what happens.

Archery classes have not commenced yet but I've been looking into how I'm going to learn sword fighting with a complete lack of any sort of class or course in the area. I have come to the conclusion that I'll be taking an online tutorial course for the foreseeable future. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up the basics quite quickly and maybe take a weekend course over in England for stage and screen combat to help me a little more. Right now I'm looking into getting the right equipment and sourcing a training partner...who would have thought getting the equipment was the easy part? Turns out family members and friends are a little dubious about the whole idea. I'm actually shocked at the amount of times people have questioned the motive for learning the skills of the longsword as being merely a means of a legitimate excuse for any possible injuries/fatalities that may occur. And further still, there is concern that they themselves have too much aggression that might spill out in any high tension sparring...and yet i'm not deterred...

How hard can it be? Someone, somewhere, made a sword for the first time with no fancy training and just got on with it...simples! #LikeAViking