Peas in a Pod

This weekend a pirate festival was held in Hampton and it was pretty great. Our friend Alyssa joined us as we walked around looking at the vendors, the pirate camps, the tall ship and enjoyed the fabulous “people watching.” There were definitely some characters out and about (and I’m not just talking about the pirates.)

Here’s a character for you! I don’t know, Clark. The hat is a bit much. In fact I think if you had bought it we’d have had to put you. . .

. . .in the stocks. Luckily we’ll let you keep your grog with you.

Why don’t I get any grog? What do you mean pouting doesn’t work with pirates?

Ready to defend the shore against pirates. Isn’t that a bit odd at a pirate festival?

Wait a minute, I’m sure there are no “bad birds” only “bad bird owners.” Or is that only for dogs?

The blue ship is a reproduction of a tall ship that made four voyages across the Atlantic to Sweden in the 1600s (good thing I grabbed the pamphlet or all I could tell you would be: the information overload they gave during the tour means I brain dumped everything. Whoops.)

This is a pirate ship (behind) seizing a merchant ship (in front). It was pretty dull, which I don’t think was an accurate portrayal. The merchant ship hardly put up a fight and as Alyssa pointed out no one even fell in the water.

The tall ship was open for tours. There were people up on the platform but apparently they were invisible for my picture.

This open to the elements area is where the crew used to have to hang their hammocks to sleep. And live. All crammed together. And Clark thinks he has it bad!

There is seven miles of rope/rigging for the various sails and such.

There was some pretty wood work on the ship, definitely won’t find that on Clark’s ship! Of course the tall ship can’t hold 5000 people either.

Back on land in the pirate’s camp and some red coats were hassling the pirates. Finally we saw some drama! Where were these guys when the pirate ship overtook the merchant vessel? I bet one of them would have fallen in the water.

Alyssa, pirate who really likes rings, Clark and Tovah. What a fun time. I love festivals and fairs.