Days of Knights

[Sir Edward]

I'm going to plan on bringing some dry-goods as some food items. And hand-sanitizer!

I'm new to the living-history camping thing too, except for my trips to Pennsic. But I've also done extended trail hikes.

As a general rule, I try to touch absolutely nothing in the porta-potties with my hands if I can at all help it. If I need to flip the seat up, I do it with my foot. Open the door with my elbow, that sort of thing. And of course using hand-sanitizer back at your tent might be a good idea afterward.

Cleaning your dishes is a non-issue, I think. As long as you rinse it after each use, it's pretty good. That's all I'd do out on multi-day hikes on the trail. As others have pointed out, if you use soap but don't get it all off, you're going to have intestinal issues. I think it's better to just give it a good rinse so there's nothing left on it to decompose. It won't leave any meaningful amount of anything on it to be an issue.

Just keep an eye on your feast gear, or don't leave it where passing visitors will put their grubby hands all over it.

[Sir Edward]

Oh, if it's anything at all like Pennsic, be prepared for all weather. Rain is always an obvious consideration, one we can't do much about except hide in our tents.

But what I mean is, it might be warm during the day, out in the sun, even if the weather report says it'll be cool. And the nights might get chilly.

The extended forecast is showing lows in the '40s and '50s. So packing a warm sleeping bag and some extra layers to wear (even if just throwing on a t-shirt or turtle-neck hidden under garb or whatever) might be a good idea.

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Frankfort+KY+USKY0919:1:US

[Sir Brian]

If you all are really unsure about how clean your dishes are you can always use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, just rinse them well with clean water before using them with food. 

[Sir William]

This is good stuff fellows- for the next event especially as all of the groundwork, which is considerable, is being laid.  I wish I could go with you.

[Sir Wolf]

ya me too. maybe next year if they have it.

[Sir William]

This is not an annual event?

[Lord Dane]

May not be time authentic but I am not going without a shower. My health & cleansiness is a paranoia of mine & even the Romans had bathhouses & they considered themselves a civil society too. Too many germs & disgusting people who don't share in the importance of good hygiene. I'd have a shower rig for public use at the event.

[Sir Edward]

This is not an annual event?

Not currently, no. They're waiting to see how this one does, I think. So far they've said you shouldn't assume there will be a second event.

[Ian]

We're considering bringing a camp shower. The whole 'tough it out thing' was very off-putting for me. I think we as modern follk like to pretend that people in the middle ages were dirty all the time, but that's simply not true. They took care of their own personal hygeine and had plenty of soap available etc... obviously no running water, but we don't give people of Medieval Europe enough credit for being clean.

I'm not too worried about keeping myself clean, the biggest concern was what was out of my control, that being the other participants. The non-chalant attitude by some of them just stuck out as an indicator that they're probably not as interested in staying clean as we are. Clorox wipes and lots of hand sanitizer are great ides.  I hope they locate us all together so we can pool our resources on some of this stuff. We're bringing a few cases of drinking water and snacks, and are more than willing to chip in on daily runs for stuff at the local store.

Good call on the weather too Sir Ed, we've got our 40 degree sleeping bags ready to go.

[Sir James A]

Ian, last I heard, myself, our "community squire" Chris, Sir Nathan, and Sir Edward will all be next to each other on Agincourt lane with Master Hughes and Dr Metz.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, not everyone has the same comfort-zone with getting filthy and roughing it. I've roughed it before on the trail, so I was expecting to pretty much do the same thing here, even though I'm packing like I'm going to Pennsic (and at least Pennsic has showers you can stand in line for and freeze in).

Originally I was going to get a hotel room, so I could be sure to sleep at night and also have access to a modern bathroom and shower. But when I started calling around and they were all booked or charging outrageous rates because of the other event in town, I gave up on that idea.

A camp shower is a great idea.

[Ian]

Speaking of events.... the second presidential debate is in Danville, KY at Centre College on October 11th, the night we're all arriving.  It's just south of Frankfort.  I would suggest avoiding that town if it falls on your driving path.

[SirNathanQ]

Ian, brilliant post. I just finished reading up on a book about the 14th century English cleanliness obsession. It truly was than anyone of any standing (not just nobles) would do their best to appear and be clean. We see liberal use of whatever they had, whether it be soap, water, or simply a stream. In fact the first thing one did was give themselves a type of sponge bath, and wash the hands and face. Clothes were cleaned often as well (if possible). It seems the major things they were missing was pest control and germ theory. Unfortunately, what a huge part they had to play in health. But still, the image of everyone stinking and reveling in the filth was an anachronism.

I'll be happy to chip in and help out in any way I can to keep ourselves and the camp healthy. Rubbing alcohol good?

[Sir Brian]

Rubbing alcohol good?

A more practical and better solution Sir Nathan would be something like these:
http://www.parentgiving.com/shop/aloe-vesta-bathing-cloths-1147/p/

Rubbing alcohol would dry out the skin to much.

[Lord Dane]

Ian, brilliant post. I just finished reading up on a book about the 14th century English cleanliness obsession. It truly was than anyone of any standing (not just nobles) would do their best to appear and be clean. We see liberal use of whatever they had, whether it be soap, water, or simply a stream. In fact the first thing one did was give themselves a type of sponge bath, and wash the hands and face. Clothes were cleaned often as well (if possible). It seems the major things they were missing was pest control and germ theory. Unfortunately, what a huge part they had to play in health. But still, the image of everyone stinking and reveling in the filth was an anachronism.

I'll be happy to chip in and help out in any way I can to keep ourselves and the camp healthy. Rubbing alcohol good?

I recommend Clorox bleach wipes for those with stronger stench than others. LOL Let's face it, Italians can really sweat during a workout & it kills everything. The only downside with it is an albino-skin side-effect w/ some slight irritation.