The last dance

Circa 2003 we took our then very small son to the annual Crawley Folk Festival. Back then it was an event with lots of free music and the chance to spend a relaxing afternoon with a young child whilst enjoying a pint of ale and the spectacle of it all. That year I saw Hunter's Moon for the first time. It was my first encounter with the Border tradition. I was new to Paganism and that day my world changed. From then I knew that at some point in the future I wanted to do precisely that and my discovery of the local side Mythago quickly followed. I waited ten years until my son was a young teen and I no longer had to work full time so I could fully commit to my dream.

To this day Hunter's Moon remain my favourite other side. They always perform to an incredibly high standard on their own terms and are a joy to watch. It has been a privilege to be able to perform alongside them. So it was with a heavy heart that I went to their final bash last night. For a multitude of reasons they have decided to disband and us, along with their other specially invited sides, got to dance with them one last time. It was one hell of an evening charged with joy and sadness. This is their swansong  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdL0-MxEXyo

And me well after the witching hour....looking rough as old boots, tired and emotionally spent. I can't say it's every day I come home covered in lots of lovely black lipstick kisses. I never do selfies normally, but this is one of those special moments I wish to remember.

So many wonderful memories.

Arilx