Steamy Windows!

Not Tina Turner [grrrr-owl] but Steampunk of course.  Lincoln’s Weekend at the Asylum, 2018.  This is a long post, I’ve pinched lots of pictures from Facebook because we NEVER see all the best stuff!  It should have been posted a few days ago, but IMGUR went wonky and I couldn’t attach any pictures.  Enjoy!

We travelled down on Friday afternoon [should have been morning, but hey, hormones] and arrived in time for the rush hour.  We collected our wristbands [I hate those things, so itchy], had a wander round a few of the stalls at the University site, met a couple of friends,  and headed for the hotel.  We have stayed at the Holiday Inn by the river for two years now, and really like it.  Multitudinous steampunk outfits and accoutrements safely stowed away in our room, we decided we were pretty knackered, so had a lie down [oooh we’re wild we are] and then went down to the hotel restaurant for a delicious tapas-style meal.

Last year, on the way to meet friends for dinner, we spotted a bar flying the rainbow flag just behind our hotel, and agreed we would visit it this year.  Well we did.  One drink was enough though- it was dead as  a dodo, despite being Friday night.  I hate club music anyway, but Dawn assured me it was indeed totally crap, so we went back to our very comfortable bed, and spent  a pleasant night.

Next morning, after a humungous breakfast [I don’t normally do breakfast, but hey, it’s paid for and all you can eat] we togged up in our chosen steampunk outfits of the day, and headed for the university again.  The original festival started in and around the castle’asylum area, but has expanded beyond capacity, so last year they added a ‘Steampunk Campus’ at the university, and doubled it this year.  Busy, but not so jam-packed and stressful, more room to breathe, and NO COBBLES.

Me on Saturday at the castle, doing steampunk meets flamenco!

We met two of my sewing pals [hi Sue and Katja] and had lunch and much chit chat.  Then Katja had to dash and we perambulated about, slowed down when Dawn discovered a flying car and we had to wait while she found out every technical detail from the maker/owner, and then we had our picture taken in it.  We looked at lots of gorgeous stalls- steampunks are extraordinarily creative people, there’s so much to admire!

Sue in her amazing Miss Haversham outfit [-and makeup, she isn’t THAT pale] complete with needle felted mice in her hair

We then caught the vintage shuttle bus over to the castle, had a meander about, admired the fabulous outfits, then caught another bus back to the hotel to get changed into mufti for our evening meal.  We had a fab night out with a great group of nutters, then collapsed into bed again.   Our rest was disturbed by more hormones- Dawn got very upset and homesick for her kitties, and had to be patted and consoled, and convinced that they were fine.

Amazing lego dragon at the castle

Next morning dawned VERY wet and windy, but we stoked up on brekkie, togged up again, and headed off to meet some other pals for lunch.

We got SOAKED- Dawn left the brollie in the car, we decided to run for it…and nearly got washed away.  We arrived for lunch like two drowned rats, steamed gently during lunch, then headed out into the rain again, pausing to buy a suspiciously pricey brollie, and taking refuge in the cathedral, as I wanted to get a pic or two of my semi-completed cathedral inspired outfit in situ.

I only got as far as finishing the skirt, as the blouse was fighting me, and is now back in its box awaiting further attention!  Maybe for next year…

Then back to the uni where we found some stuff we’d missed before- a fab display of costume and armour by Terry English, a steampunk dalek, a 3-D photo booth [Dawn refused as she felt too bedraggled for photos], the Great Exhibition. and all sorts of interesting stuff.  Two people were very intrigued by my patchwork panels, taking pics and asking how it’s done.

We spent the evening chatting to a couple of visiting Americans in the hotel bar [one was, I’m afraid, a very pro-Trump stereotypical Texan, I had to poke him with a stick], then bed, and home in the morning.  We could have gone to see the parade, but couldn’t gather any energy!  On the way out of Lincoln we spotted a lovely little garden centre/children’s farm and spent a happy hour or so feeding goats, stroking deer, chasing  a giant rabbit who escaped, and having a go on the zipline.  And that was our weekend!

Now for more pics, most of which I didn’t take, but pinched shamelessly from Facebook.

Fabulous costumes…

 

Sue again, in suffragette mode, with her gorgeous grandaughter

Many couples dress to match

…accessories….

I resisted temptation, but not forever…

This little fellow was having a strop at his parents, but I coaxed a smile by admiring his lovely knitted hat, complete with octopus.  Steampunks love ’em…

…weird and wonderful vehicles…

Even this gentleman’s [false] moustache was pink.  The lady is wearing an authentic Victorian bodice, very fragile.

Here she is again- gorgeous!

 

…refreshments.  Tea and gin are practically compulsory!

Amazing gadgets

Teapot racer…

Music!

Victor and the Bully

Even the pets get in on the act…