Oak Leaf Gathering (or Carry On Pagan) continued By Rich Mills

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The evening ended with Sam and I watching the Tea Pot Challenge next to the Old Boiler. Which went something like this.. Tea Pot full of mead, a willing contestant, the crowd count to 10, and if the contestant can last until the count then they've survived the Tea Pot Challenge. It was as simple as that. What a laugh! Sunday was another day that started over-cast but turned out to be a roasting hot summers day by the afternoon. Much the same as Saturday, Sunday had one main difference.

The building of the Wicker Man, for the ritual burning late that evening. In the early evening he was ready, standing a good 4 metres or more, he stood erect over the gathering crowd. People had been writing wishes on small pieces of paper and sticking them inside him. After being paraded around the camp, he was set alight.

People cheered, people sang, some danced while others played drums. Let the party begin! Sam and I got a good evening to ourselves, as the weekend had wiped Eve out, and she crashed out before it got dark. So down to the Old Boiler to try their various lethal potions, and then to bed, a little drunk and very happy. Monday, and time to pack-up camp until next year. My first ever gathering but not to be my last. I'd do it all again tomorrow.

Photographs courtsey and Copyright © Rich Mills

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