Tournament of the Phoenix

ENCINITAS

Drove to Encinitas (17 miles south) for a noon hour free concert.   On wednesdays, the Library hosts free concerts in the acoustically superb Library Community Room with a view to die for.   The library also hosts Music by the Sea concert series (seasons passes are only $105).

Library view (photo courtesy of Encinitas Library website).

View of the Pacific from the park adjacent to the library.

Photo from: ChristineBrownPiano.com

Christine Brown is a pianist and composer of contemporary classical solo piano.   Her music is inspired by emotion and life experiences.   Her music is distributed worldwide; her music can be heard on the Whisperings Solo Piano Radio (for which she was nominated as Best Piano Album of the Year 2014).

Encinitas (population of approx 60,000) holds claim to be the Flower Growing Capital and a surfing meca (average water temp 63).  The Swami's is an internationally known surfing spot, a point break located in Encinitas.   The shopping district is over 100 years old so there is a wide variety of architecture, quaint shops and cafes galore.

Birds of Paradise line the streets.

Brunch at another Cafe 101.

Best eggs benny!!!

ELFIN FOREST RECREATIONAL RESERVE

A 784 acre Reserve with walking, hiking, mt biking and horseback riding trails.  Guided interpretive walks are available, an interpretive centre sits at the trailhead and Bill the Bug Guy will take you on an insect tour.  Elfin forest is one of the terms used by naturalists to describe the vegetation which formerly covered much of S. California.  This coastal scrub is now endangered & government is studying ways to protect it.

Marc wanted to put his new "Yeti" to the test; a climb of over 1200 feet and then down the other side of the mountain with rock, rock jumps, loose gravel and of course, dust.      And, not to mention over 40, tight bumpy switchbacks!  Climbing up was a total grind but part of that is the almost 90 degrees and little shade; up a fire road.

One of the view points overlooks the OIivenhain Dam and Reservoir.  

To the east you can view Lake Hodges.

The Reserve is a nature lovers dream.

Elfin Forest supports more than 200 species of plants, 110 types of birds, 22 species of mammals and 13 specious of reptiles and amphibians.   Wish we had a little more time in the area.

The dog owners warning chart to avoiding heat stroke during peak summer temperatures.  A river at the trail head allows pet owners to cool off their overheated pets.

TOURNAMENT OF THE PHOENIX

This is an 'extreme' sport, the only event of its kind in the US, and one of the most prestigious events in the world.   Six knights compete over two days in six event sports.  Events such as combat on foot, Skill-at-arms on horse and four sessions of jousting.

We went on preview day which is preparation for the Sat and Sunday combative competition.

Competitors just finished the "Ground Target" (tent pegging) round when we arrived.  Small shield shaped targets are placed in a line on the ground.  Each rider attempts to thrust into and carry a shield on their spear.  They must target the shield bearing their own colors.  Points are awarded for striking and for carrying it away on the point of the spear.

"Thrown spear" - riders throw a spear at a wreath fixed to a straw bale, aiming for the centre.  3 points for hitting the center, 2 for striking the wreath and 1 point for striking the bale.

Various exhibits were set up depicting the way of life in Iron Age European history of the 15th century.  Programs range from storytelling and talks on topics from warfare and chivalry to cloth weaving, archery, sword practise, spinning, hunting and weaponry, blacksmithing, etc.

Blacksmithing

 The man on far left is wearing a chain maille top (heavy!).

BIRDS OF PREY

PEREGRINE FALCON

Falconry originated in China and is currently practiced in various countries in the world.  

The owner (above) of the birds travels to various schools, teaching children about his various birds.  A fabulous entertainer and informative.

Great Horned Owl

Harris Hawk ("Madame Margaret") pruning herself.



Cooling off period.  Madame Margaret is 20 years old!

Margaret flies through the "forest" of people from handler to handler in search of her food.

The competitors come from the U.S., England, France, the Netherlands and Russia.





Dmitry Savchenko is suited up, preparing for the jousting competition.   From Russia.

Suiting up is no simple task.

Alix van Zijl (from the Netherlands) is the only female jouster in the competition.   She is a veterinarian, has been riding horses since childhood.  She took up historical riding in 2003.


ENTER THE KNIGHTS   .  .   .   .

Tobias Capwell - of the United Kingdom

Alix van Zijl (female) from the Netherlands

Jousting rules:  maximum of 10 points for each course.

1 point is awarded for striking an opponent between neck and waist, including shield.

2 points for breaking the lance on an opponent between neck and waist but not the shield.

3 points for breaking the lance on an opponent's shield.


In the case of a broken lance, 1 additional point is awarded for breaking at least half the lance tip's length.

10 points awarded for unhorsing an opponent with a strike to a legal target.

Strokes to the head, below the waist and swipes across the body are disallowed and score no points.   Any strikes to the horse are disallowed and score zero points.

A blow to the chest   .   .   ...

Tobias Capwell is unhorsed . . . and appears unconscious for several seconds.

He appears to be alright and gives a gracious bow to the crowd.

The victor:   Luc Petillot of France.

The Gauls, or Continental Celts versus the Romans.

A historical lesson on the changes through the years in combat gear; changes from leather & linen combat wear to chain maille vests, large helmet and shields, changes in weaponry.

Romans

The battle uniform of a Continental Celt; the Gauls or Celts were a predominant military and cultural power in Northern Europe.

The Escondido Mounted Posse.   The trained and armed volunteers ride throughout State Parks throughout California as part of Search and Rescue.


Our time in the Oceanside area has come to a close.   Leaving Oct 19 for a couple of nights in Indio, Ca (approx three hours from here) and then destination Arizona.