Kinneil Heritage Day, Bo\'ness, Sunday 21st Sept.

[John Conyard]

Comitatus are staging a cavalry raid into Pictland next weekend searching for malt and shortbread.

Kinneil lies on the Antonine Wall east of Falkirk. We're looking forward to meeting the Antonine Guard who are also at this event.

This feels a long way north for the Roman army of 400 AD.

[John Conyard]

The weather was kind and the day was a big success. Over 7,000 people attended. The venue was excellent, and it was good to meet the Antonine Guard and show them our cavalry impression in detail.

When the midge bites have calmed down there will be some photos posted on the website.

[Salvianus]

The gallery on the web site is still pending, but there are some lovely shots of the event on Flikr, kindly uploaded by photographers who attended:

a fantastic capture by jamiescotland of how those small cavalry parmae can be used to shield punch:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiescotland/2876205691/

and Victor Ultor in buoyant mood
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiescotland/2877032404/

an excellent gallery by post-everything, starting with
http://www.flickr.com/photos/post_every ... 883342368/

follow the navigation panel on the right one picture at a time or click 'browse' to navigate the gallery from that point.

some of my faves:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/post_every ... 883349154/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/post_every ... 883349392/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/post_every ... 883346400/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/post_every ... 883346776/

[Robert Vermaat]

John, what a fantastic show on that cavalry. A feast for the eye! If I ever become a millionaire I'll send a ship to collect the lot of you for a visit to the continent.
Ste, thanks for the links to thos excellent pictures.

I particular like this shot of John, showing the strain on the contus:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/post_every ... 882509009/

[Salvianus]

Cheers, Robert.

A further selection is now up at:
http://www.comitatus.net/Kinneil2008/index.html

with the latest Wall Walk at:

http://www.comitatus.net/HadriansWall2008/index.html

[John Conyard]

Cheers Salvianus,

These photos show a different side to events than the perfect public shots displayed on sites like flickr. A more relaxed and behind the scenes view of an event. In contrast you never know what shots the public are taking, or where they will be displayed.

Robert, you don't need to be a millionaire to hire Comitatus cavalry. We are far cheaper than many displays and only 25% the cost of some jousting shows. But I do whole hearted agree that photos from the cavalry shows are a feast for the eyes. I love the military equipment on display.

[Graham Sumner]

Hello John
In picture 11 of your Kinneil set you are looking more and more like my painting of you at Vindolanda!!

Nice to see the pictures at Hadrian's Wall. Looks like you were fortunate enough to walk on a day of fine weather, doubtless due to all that money you left on the altar. I have never been to Great Chesters (always thought it was on private land) so appreciate the photographs.

Graham.

[John Conyard]

It's the cloak that makes me look like your paintings at Vindolanda. And my increasingly aged look.

Catherine had some very nice off white linen in herringbone weave, and I thought of the Terentius painting showing him and one other wearing white cloaks.

So I showed her three modern interpretative illustrations of the cloak based on the painting. Yours in RMC II. The version in James' Final Report VII on Dura. And McBrides in the Osprey title on the Imperial Legionary AD 161-284. I believe your illustration to be clearly the best since you captured the shape, size and nature of the clothing. You win on artistic grounds as well.

Catherine gave the cloak a nice fringe, but in white, not in purple. Apparently since I would "get it covered in horse poo" it would need a hot white wash, and purple dye would run :lol: Authenticity seems to have come second to washing requirements on this one.

The brooch was a joke, since it was based on a modern belt buckle. But with gold foil and red enamel it passed as a Gothic eagle dress assessory. It went with the 5th century tunic.

Great Chesters is a great site, but open to erosion from tourists and domestic animals. You can access it from the Wall or via a track which is a permissive right of way.