Exploridust: Shrove Tuesday!

What an exciting celebration. In Alnwick, the festivities are all about football and pancakes.

For dinner at 12:45, the students hosted the members of the Alnwick Shrove Tuesday Committee for a delicious pancake breakfast at the Sanctuary. Then, it was the ceremonial toss by a Percy and procession down to the pitch for the big match up and rivalry between St. Michael's Anglican Church and St. Paul's Catholic Church. This football is not much like normal football. The field is very long and the goals are two narrow wreath archways. There is one rule: don't touch the ball. There are at least a hundred people on the field participating (100 lads about 10 lasses, in today's case most of which were American girls) in the game and about a hundred more spectating. The pitch is really the pasture out in front of the castle across the River Aln. Yes, there were sheep. Being England, the ground was very wet and muddy. It was quite the sight. But, I wasn't watching from the sidelines. No, I was in the game with the intent to have a good time and get very dirty. I even got to kick the ball several times, which is fairly impressive due to the number of people on the field which much more experience.

At the end of the match, awards are handed out to significant players (Sam and Felicia got awards). The final and most adventurous match of the day is a free for all. The ball is tossed into the River Aln and the first individual across the river with the ball wins the grand prize. Most often its the lads who sport this event and its usual less than ten in number. Well, today was different. I am proud to say that when that ball splashed into the river, Danielle, Sara, Mike, Felicia, Kirstie and I went bounding into the freezing cold water. Mike had a pretty good run for the ball and nearly won, but some other boys had a better strategy. Felicia and Kirstie ended up just jumping in and returning to shore. Sara, Danielle, and I however, did swim to the other side. The initial impact with the water is painfully shocking to be sure. My poor lungs. I couldn't really feel my body, but I continued to move toward the other bank as the boys were sorting their fight for victory, so I figured my muscles were still working. It was such a great feeling of achievement reaching that opposite bank of the river, even though the winner had been established. By now, my veins and arteries were coursing with adrenaline. Next, those who braved the river are free to run for warmth while the spectators clear out of the pastures across the bank. The river crossers all ran for showers at home. However, there were roadblocks in our way. We had to jump over two tall wooden fences and run up a large hill packed with people, all while still dripping wet. Then, my classmates and I had to check in with the security guards and run around all the various construction work until we finally were able to make it indoors. We all ran straight for the shower rooms. This was the most painful part, besides that initial shock. The thawing. It took me at least 30 minutes to get myself back to the proper temperature. But, there were never any regrets! I would do it all over again!

After heating up, we all went out for a pint at the pub. That is another part of the tradition. For supper, Wade bought us pizza and we invited Matthew and Simon over whom we met at the game to join us. Then, it was off to the Market Tavern and Black Swan again to celebrate some more.