On Sunday I was finally introduced to the world of tea duelling.  My expectations were high, because, as I stepped on board the HMS Trincomalee, one of the first sights to catch my eye was a table full of pistols.  I was a little apprehensive as I hadn’t brought a swashbuckling hero to defend me.

The atmosphere below decks was ripe for a little duelling, but first I wanted to meet up with Lynne and Richard Hardy.  I knew they were exhibiting and giving lectures in the captains quarters.  Normally they like to play their table top game “Cogs, Cakes and Swordsticks” in a tea shop.  Well, that’s just the kind of people Steampunks are- never too far from cake, or at the very least a biscuit or three.

The harbour, not surprisingly, was empty of craft

There seemed to be a little problem of a rifle misfiring, so I was greatly relieved when it was set aside, and tea duelling commenced.  The rules were carefully observed.  How glad I was to discover that tea duelling was simply a variation on the biscuit dunking that my very own swashbuckling hero was at home, busy practising!  In fact, he’s an old hand at it.

All in all, “Tiffin on the Trinc” was another example of the wacky, but harmless, exploits that I’m beginning to associate with Steampunk.  I hope nobody minds me poking a little gentle fun.  I’m withholding names to protect the innocent.

Lynne wrote a very nice piece on the event in her blog Cogs, Cakes and Swordsticks.  The snowy picture alone of the Trincomalee, at home in Hartlepool Maritime Experience, is worth a look.  Her explanation is one hundred percent clearer than mine.