Don't Fear the Reaper.

Gutentag!

Previously, on Antoine in Estona....
Now, on Antoine in Estonia....

Right after coming back from my talgud on Rammu (see previous episode), Triin and I immediately went to Palupõhja. After putting our clothes into the washing machine (of course I forgot to check the dates and thus thought I'd have one day in between), I went for a walk while people came in. 

The purpose of the event at the nature was to introduce people to scythes, how to use them as well as talk about why it is important to take care of our environment. The first evening though, people just came in and met the others. While most were Estonians (among them several were experienced group leaders), some of us weren't. A group of German girls on holiday with their Estonian friends were here for example.

During my first week here, I helped Indrek, who's in charge with Kadri of the organisation of the talgud, to get scythes (vikat in Estonian) from a old barn next to the Palupõhja nature school 50 km away from Tartu. A couple of days after that, I took part in a training event near the Estonian National Museum in Tartu. Some people came there and we learned some techniques to cut hay and grass with a scythe. It was hard and fun.

Bon appétit.

On Saturday and Sunday, three times a day, it was possible for us to reach a meadow and cut grass with scythes. Talks were organised, as well as walks around the place. Some of us went into canoes over the Emajõgi, enjoying a beautiful sunset. Sauna was available on Friday and Saturday evening. While the talgud ended on Sunday, due to its peculiar nature, people left on their own when they wanted to. After a whole week of socialising, I felt the need to isolate myself so got a ride home on Arko's boat. We had a beautiful ride back to Tartu, and I even got to hold the tiller!

At noon, many of us (and some who weren't there) gathered near the National Museum in Tartu for a scythe contest organised by the ELF. People were divided into two categories, females and males, and competed first on the distance trial. We had to cut as much hay as possible in a minute. The longer the distance, the best your odds to be qualified for the finale. Those who were disqualified (as I did) for missing too much hay had the possibility to try again after everyone else had finished. 

After obtaining more advices (my mistake was to keep my scythe too high above the ground, it should be almost on the ground), I was able to cut hay much better than previously (still not good enough to reach the finale).

The finale consisted in cutting all the hay in designated areas, as fast as possible, with the best technique possible. Judges were carefully watching, and after deliberation gave away the results. Despite a short and intense rain shower, the afternoon was a delight to everybody.

On Saturday and Sunday, three times a day, it was possible for us to reach a meadow and cut grass with scythes. Talks were organised, as well as walks around the place. Some of us went into canoes over the Emajogi, enjoying a beautiful sunset. Sauna was available on Friday and Saturday evening. While the talgud ended on Sunday, due to its peculiar nature, people left on their own when they wanted to. After a whole week of socialising, I felt the need to isolate myself so got a ride home on Arko's boat. We had a beautiful ride back to Tartu, and I even got to hold the tiller!

At noon, many of us (and some who weren't there) gathered near the National Museum in Tartu for a scythe contest organised by the ELF. People were divided into two categories, females and males, and competed first on the distance trial. We had to cut as much hay as possible in a minute. The longer the distance, the best your odds to be qualified for the finale. 

Those who were disqualified (as I did) for missing too much hay had the possiblity to try again after everyone else had finished. After obtaining more advices (my mistake was to keep my scythe too high above the ground, it should be almost on the ground), I was able to cut hay much better than previously (still not good enough to reach the finale).

The finale consisted in cutting all the hay in designated areas, as fast as possible, with the best technique possible. Judges were carefully watching, and after deliberation gave away the results. Despite a short and intense rain shower, the afternoon was a delight to everybody.