May was a busy month. Not only did the Subtlety Sisters go on a steampunk inspired holiday to Haworth they also attended several events along with their sidekicks The Steambetweeners., a day at Bridlington Steampunk Weekend with Race The Waves and the Newark Steampunk Festival.
We started the month with our trip to Haworth via Shibden Hall where we had a great time as Hetty and Lilian Steadbone Mc Cree, Alternative Cryptologists. On the Saturday we spent the day playing on the trains.
The weather was glorious and perfect for a day of fun and mayhem around the town for Doncaster’s Steampunk Day. We chatted to pirates and stormtroopers, listened to The Old Time Sailors and watched the Morris dancing. Later whilst the boys wandered off to do whatever teenage boys do Amanda and I took ourselves off to get a few photos around the grounds of Doncaster Minster before poking around the charity shops.
The following day we were all up and off early to Bridlington. Since it was the Race The Waves event on Bridlington beach it was more of a petrolhead trip than steampunk, and we were joined by Paul, Lils and Jessie, the boys decided not to dress up for the day. Whilst the others stayed on the seafront watching the races Amanda and I took a stroll to The Spa to peruse the wares of the stalls before heading into town for a look around. We wandered back along the harbour and the beach to meet up with Paul and Lils for the rest of the races.
The grand Newark Steampunk Festival was held at the end of the month, over the bank holiday weekend. Four days of steampunk mayhem. We didn’t attend the ball on the Friday since I couldn’t get there in time with the boys plus I needed to finish my outfit for the Saturday. I did try to sort out my headdress the day before but my idea had fallen flat, literally! I rocked up at Amanda’s with a flat octopus in dire need of resuscitation. Being a milliner she soon had a few ideas; I knew she would; and with a little stuffing, some net, some ribbon and an old 50’s hat I had myself a lovely frivolity that suited my outfit to a tee.
Saturday was our big day starting with the picnic in the morning. As we set off the sun was out and it was pleasantly warm but as we sat in the gardens enjoying our picnic it suddenly became quite chilly. We enjoyed solving the Alice In Wonderland quiz and seeing all the fantastic teacup gardens. After our picnic we wandered around the gardens to get a few photos. Whilst the boys wandered off to do their thing we took a turn about the market.
That evening The Subtlety Sisters were taking part in the fashion show. We left the boys to enjoy their games night with Lisa’s husband and headed back into town. We had a whale of a time. We had decided, months before, not to go for the spectacular gown look but for a traditional steampunk explorer look more suited to our personas of Alternative Crypt-ologists. We had also opted, since we are known as a pair, to walk down the catwalk together. Which have us so much scope. Rather than just strut our stuff we put on a show for which we received many a compliment.
We had a late start to a very damp Sunday. We got soaked to the skin just getting to the car to drive in and didn’t get into town until mid afternoon. Everywhere we went folks were stopping us to say how much they’d enjoyed our comedy routine the night before, which made it all worth while.
