"Yes, Ragnar Lodbrok, I am afraid. But not for me. I am afraid for my boat..."

So with this being a horrible day(weatherwise), I spent some time working on a slightly off topic blog only to log on and realise my last blog saved as a draft instead of publishing. So here it is, a bit late but better than never ;)

A couple of weeks ago for my birthday, I convinced my motley crew of friends to take the day off and enjoy Ireland in a way most tourists never experience it...on a blissfully sunny day! Seriously, the 1st of October was a day nicer than any day during the summer this year. Being the birthday "shield maiden", I got to decide our activities for the day and despite a bit of initial hesitation the day didn't disappoint.
Road trips are the modern day equivalent of a Viking voyage. Think about it! You gather together your merry band of friends to go to pastures new(think Ragnar Season 1 talking the boys into heading Wesht) to see what can be seen, to hear what is to be heard and for whatever other mischief can be had along the way. Mind you, not so much about the pillaging these days though!
With all onboard, we headed for Blessington, Co. Wicklow. The drive alone with it's amazing views(or to quote one Mr. Clive Standen, "stunning vistas") was worth the trip. No wonder they chose Wicklow as their main location for shooting the series.
These road trips/expeditions also serve as a bit of a team building/trust exercise where one learns new things about their group of friends. For instance, when your friend(ahem, Peter) tells you he has a fear of open water, he means it in a general sense not just a swimming sense...So when you go ahead and book a boating excursion for the day and he willingly goes along with it, it serves as a measure of just how much your friends trust you despite their crippling fear. Poor Peter was so nervous he was literally clutching the sides of our vessel with a death grip until he got used to it. We also learned that while Darren is a good skipper(and a little too fond of being called Captain), when it comes to rowing, his dreams of Olympic Gold won't be realised as he'll never be making our National Team. And Tara's just a good sport in general as you'll see below. Also, she's quite the Kate Winslet impersonator as it turns out. There may have been a few Titanic moments that may also have included a rendition of My Heart Will Go On that the guys may never forgive us for...but that's a different blog altogether.

Before you go right ahead and view the vlog, here's a couple of things to note:
*Unfortunately due to some colourful language used by one of our crew(ahem, Tara and Darren), this video is unsuitable for viewers under 16.
*The challenges of taking on the role of director, producer, narrator, improvisational script writer, prop manager, location scout, talent manager, casting director, animal handler, stunt coordinator, director of photography, camera woman and co-star may have lead to a lack of visual finesse(aka a considerable amount of time with the camera pointed at a bridge that at no point throughout Season 1 to 3 features in Vikings in any way, shape or form, despite the amazing landscape around us that was far more picturesque).
*No dragons, sheep or fish were harmed during filming.
* I'd also like to take a moment to pay tribute to a vital member of our team that sadly didn't make it back to shore with us, Mappie. Last seen drifting downward to the bottom of Blessington Lake Siggy/Jessalyn Gilsig-stylee(ahem, Tara....this also may or may not have been the cause for the aforementioned My Heart Will Go On outburst), despite a heroic effort to save it that Darren reckons came close to me falling face first into the lake. Lies! I just do my own stunts. I had the situation well in hand.

  

This is the last picture of Mappie taken roughly an hour before it's watery demise. Happier times. R.I.P Mappie

* Lastly, I'd like to thank the good people of Blessington Boat Hire. They are great to deal with and very friendly. I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for something a little bit different to do on a sunny day. It's a great way to see the area at your own leisure or if you like a spot of fishing. There's also loads of little sandy areas to pull in, hop out and have a little picnic.

  

#LikeAViking

Title Quote: Season 1 Episode 2 Wrath of the Northmen

Floki to Ragnar

"Sometimes the gods put things like this in front of us as some kind of test..."

It's been a busy few weeks for this particular Viking-in-training! There's been a birth(a new little Maori Leprechaun niece who has already stolen hearts), an illness(seriously, whatever was in that Barrow River water I accidentally swallowed at Christmas has completely compromised my immune system...I never get sick), paid a visit to a young ginger gentleman by the name of Ed Shearan who rocked our national GAA stadium like no one else with just his voice, a guitar and a loop pedal and a few extra shifts of overtime that I was unexpectedly called in to cover. Nonetheless, I have been busy with my Viking activities but I haven't had the time to keep you all updated with my transition...to Viking, that is(no Caitlyn Jenner style makeovers here)! So I'm back and I'm sorry for not being more active on the blog over the last couple of weeks. Let's get on with it, shall we?
In preparation for the Big Viking Picnic later this month(more on that later), I've been getting my wood work on and honing my carpentry skills #LikeAViking. Because everybody knows, Vikings were good with wood. Now, I'm not going to lie, I didn't go down the authentic Floki route by going out into the wilds of the Irish countryside tapping trees and "seeing" the planks that would be suitable for building my very own Viking shield worthy of any shield wall. (Well I did but even my closest of friends thought I was bonkers and doubted my ability of actually cutting down a tree. And then there was the consideration of wood wastage...never waste good wood!)Nope, I frequented my local mill in search of the finest 1/2 inch thick plywood money could buy. Marched on in there like I've been a carpenter for years and knew exactly what I was looking for. Checked each piece that they showed me for faults like a pro...just as the YouTube video instructed me to.
I was very optimistic of going all lone wolf, strong, independent shieldmaiden about making my shield all by myself. That was right up until dad suggested he oversee the project and told me to go get the jigsaw...he saw fit to step in and take the lead on the carpentry side of things when I returned with one of my nephew's 120 piece Disney puzzles and not a saw. I think he was also alarmed at the fact I'd fallen over carrying said jigsaw box and managed to sustain quite a significant cardboard cut(not even a saw blade in sight at this point and already injured #VikingInjuryNo2). On the basis of my penchant for high fives and the likelihood of me lobbing off a finger(high four doesn't exactly have the same ring to it), I reluctantly/happily agreed to the help. I felt it was important to note the aid of my dad in the making of this shield before anyone thought the masculine, hairy arms in the photos are mine. So whilst much of the cutting out/utilisation of sharp, electrical equipment was outsourced, I got fully involved with the sanding and staining process. I also assumed the role of Principle Photographer for this phase of the shield making by Happy Viking Carpentry Ltd(yup, we gave ourselves a snazzy moniker as all self respecting duos do).
The next phase will be attaching the canvas and steel boss at the front, as well as some creative artwork. But I'll post about that when we have that part done.
Earlier I mentioned the Big Viking Picnic. If you aren't aware, it's a charity event for all the family in aid of children's cancer charity, Aoibheann's Pink Tie. It's being held in Grove Gardens, Fordstown, Co Meath on Saturday, 29th August. It boasts a great selection of entertainment for all the family including live music, Viking settlements and longship, authentic skilled crafts, reenacters, SFX makeup, and charity ambassador, Travis Fimmel, making an appearance along with some of his other cast mates. I'm delighted to say I've been asked to come onboard to help out on the day and give my full support to this amazing event and charity initiative. Anyone looking for tickets should follow this link. They are also looking for anyone who would be interested in volunteering at the event. Please follow this link if you would be interested. Hope to see some of you there! And fear not my American readers, it has just been announced that you will be getting a sister event being held in the USA. I'll post details when I hear more. #FightLikeAChild

Til next time :)
#LikeAViking

Title Quote: Series 1 Episode 9 All Change
Ragnar to Björn

"Stay strong! Be ready"

I don't know if Vikings were patient! Ragnar certainly has quite a long fuse when he is being tested. And I'm learning that it is indeed a virtue. As you've probably guessed, I'm still awaiting a call back...checks phone...no new messages...continues blogging...Still feeling optimistic though. Maybe foolishly so, but I keep telling myself that they said they were looking for 8,000 extras, they are shooting right up to December this year and Season 4 is twice the size of the three previous. That probably means it's going to be bigger, better and bloodier so they'll be needing plenty of people to wield axes, play dead and pet goats(there has to be some sort of running joke with the goats since they seem to get way more screen time than any other livestock, right!?! Anyone else notice that?) So I shall continue my preparation and pretend to be patient.
Speaking of Season 4, the cast will be attending San Diego Comic Con and revealing a Season Trailer. Season 4 doesn't hit screens until early 2016...ooh, they are good at this whole creating suspense and intrigue malarkey. Not the only one suffering from a spot of impatience now, am I loyal reader?!? (Just gonna take a moment and say hi! Thank you for checking in on my blog. Hope you're enjoying it and life finds you well today)

Maybe you've been living under a rock. Or maybe you've been raiding foreign lands recently on what some might call a holiday. So maybe you didn't hear about the Big Viking Festival being held in Grove Gardens, Fordstown, Co. Meath on 29th August. It's a pretty cool idea by some fans of the show FOR fans of the show(or even if you're not a fan of the show. In which case, really? Are you serious? Why not? Why are you reading this? Let's talk it out. We can binge watch all 3 seasons together. After that, I'll just get you to write a 20,000 word thesis on it and we'll see if we can get your TV viewing priorities sorted out. OK?) They will travel by foot and longboat, wheeled horse and steel winged bird to attend. It promises to be a fun filled day with live music, special effects makeup artists on hand to give you battle wounds, demonstrations, a Viking Village and not one but 2 Guinness World Record attempts. And if that doesn't sound fun enough, they also encourage everyone to dress like a Viking...I've already booked my camping tickets!

It's all in aid of a charity that is doing amazing work for children suffering from cancer and supporting their families as they fight against this horrible illness together. Aoibheann's Pink Tie is the beneficiary of all funds raised by the event. In May of this year charity founder and spokesperson, Jimmy Norman, was named the Pride of Ireland Fundraiser of the Year Award Winner for his Herculean efforts to provide any sort of financial and emotional support to families in need. Recently, Vikings leading man, Travis Fimmel, was announced as an ambassador for the charity. Mr. Norman has big plans for the foundation with ambitions to help families in need all over the globe. Tickets for the event are on sale now. Get them while you still can, I believe they are selling fast. In true Viking community spirit, everyone should support this worthy cause in whatever way they can.
In preparation for the Viking Festival, myself and a couple of friends ventured forth on a perilous expedition to Slane. If you were there, you know the amount of mud that was created by the torrential rain we had that day. I feel like I should get a medal or at least a tshirt that reads, I SURVIVED THE HILL AT SLANE 2015. Not many did. Many the inappropriately shoed man or lady couldn't quite keep their footing whilst making their way through a sea of revellers on the unforgiving gradient of the natural amphitheatre landscape of the grounds of the castle in the Boyne Valley region of Meath. Despite the pity that was felt by onlookers as they watched others meet their muddy fate, there were a distinct few victims who brought a heartfelt tear to the eye of the wisely shoed around them. For it was many the just bought, over priced, never graced the lips of its owner, 4-pint-plastic-carriers of beer that were unceremoniously laid to rest as puddles in the foot prints that marked the struggle of where their owners had fought qto keep upright in a bid to carry back liquid gold hydration to one's kin folk.

Despite that being a harsh lesson for some to learn, our biggest lesson came in the form of building our dwelling for the weekend. We had thought of everything. Cooler boxes of food, beverages, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, air mattresses, camping chairs, sunglasses, any amount of possible medical supplies you might need for a weekend in the elements. We also arrived with the flashest tent for three people I'd ever seen. For all intents(possible pun most definitely intended) and purposes it was a three room detached. There were rooms and windows. A front and a back door. Raining outside? Everyone could bring their camping chairs inside  and continue to enjoy a beverage in our lounge!

The only problem was that this was borrowed and therefore came with no instructions...not even a picture to help us along the way to decipher what it should even look like. We took it out of its bag and pretty much unfolded it for 20 minutes as onlookers rolled their eyes at our cluelessness. Apparently, it's standard practice to have a run through of how to set up your tent before you arrive onsite. But where's the fun in that? That's not very Viking! True Vikings would wing it. However winging it didn't quite work out for us. So eventually, with the aid of four other individuals we got it up(the tent...mind out of the gutter!). That's despite a tantrum or two, a tirade of expletives, a nap and one of the group suffering an existential crisis 5 minutes into construction....that may or may not have been me freaking out over an entire line of tent poles that were pretty important to the actual functionality of our tent. And they may or may not have been found perfectly present and still in the bag we took everything out of. But at least now we are fully capable of setting up camp #LikeAViking

Title Quote: Season 1 Episode 5 Raid
Lagertha to Björn