April 28, 2006 -some info on Tolkien Weekend 2006
The seventh Tolkien Weekend will take place at Sarehole Mill, Birmingham, UK on 13th and 14th May. This year’s theme is The Shire and events will include themed walks, an exhibition entitled "Tolkien's Boyhood in Birmingham", archery and excerpts from The Hobbit performed by Shire Productions. There’s further information here.
pondered at 1:15 am Friday
April 18, 2006 -some info on The Shire from tuckborough.net
The Shire was a peaceful and bountiful land in Eriador in northwestern Middle-earth. The race of people known as Hobbits lived there, largely forgotten by the outside world until events at the end of the Third Age brought them and their land to the attention of powers both good and evil.
The Shire was 40 leagues (120 miles) across from the Far Downs on its western edge to the Brandywine River on the east. From north to south it stretched 50 leagues (150 miles) from the northern moors to the southern marshes.
The Shire was a rich, pastoral land. Much of the land was devoted to growing crops. The marshlands along the Brandywine, known as the Marish, were ideal for the cultivation of mushrooms, a Hobbit delicacy. The warm, sheltered climate of the southern part of the Shire, particularly around Longbottom, was conducive to growing pipe-weed. Barley used for brewing beer was grown in the Northfarthing and there were vineyards in the Southfarthing where grapes were grown for making wine such as the popular Old Winyards.
The Shire was divided into four quarters called Farthings: the Northfarthing, Southfarthing, Eastfarthing and Westfarthing. There were also areas named for the families that traditionally inhabited them, most notably Tookland, the home of the Tooks around Tuckborough in the Westfarthing, and Buckland, where the Brandybuck family lived on the east side of the Brandywine between the river and the Old Forest.
The landscape varied across the Shire. The Green Hill Country stretched from Tuckborough in the Westfarthing across the north end of the Southfarthing and across much of the Eastfarthing. The Hills of Scary were located in the northern part of the Eastfarthing near the Brandywine River and there were stone quarries there. The Westfarthing included the chalky White Downs as well as the Far Downs.
Several smaller rivers flowed into the Brandywine: The Water began in the North Moors and flowed through Hobbiton and Bywater; the River Shirebourn, Thistle Brook, and Stockbrook all sprang from the Green Hill Country.
Marshland included the Marish and the Overbourn Marshes along the Brandywine and Rushock Bog along the Water northwest of Hobbiton. Woodlands included Woody End in the Eastfarthing at the east end of the Green Hill Country and Bindbole Wood in the Northfarthing.
The chief township of the Shire was Michel Delving on the White Downs. Other towns and villages included Tuckborough and Hobbiton in the Westfarthing; Long Cleeve and Hardbottle in the Northfarthing; Frogmorton, Stock, and Whitfurrows in the Eastfarthing; and Longbottom in the Southfarthing. Bucklebury was the main town in Buckland.
to be continued...
pondered at 9:45 pm Tuesday
April 14, 2006 -Driving fears for Tolkien statue
A Lord of the Rings sculpture planned for Birmingham is to be moved so it does not distract drivers.
The 20 ft (6m) statue is being proposed by the great-nephew of J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote the popular fantasy trilogy.
The sculpture by Tim Tolkien would depict the character Treebeard from the books and is planned for Moseley Green, close to where Tolkien grew up.
Mr. Tolkien said it could be placed among trees instead of on the pavement so it is hidden from motorists.
J.R.R. Tolkien was born in South Africa on 3 January, 1892 but moved with his family to Wake Green Road in Moseley at the age of three.
His great-nephew said a tribute to the author had been planned for a long time.
Read the rest here.
pondered at 4:11 am Friday
April 04, 2006 -Return of The King EE
Gandalf: Now come the days of the king. (He smiles down at Aragorn, and says softly) May they be blessed.
(Before facing the cheering crowd, Aragorn pauses to catch his breath before taking on the mantle of his duty and destiny.)
Aragorn: (raises his hands) This day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace.
(The crowd cheers and applauds. White flower petals from the White Tree begin to fall. We see Faramir and Éowyn standing together. They smile and look at each other lovingly as they applaud the king.)
(Standing tall and proud, King Elessar sings in Quenya the song which, long years before his forefather, Elendil, had sung as his feet first touched the lands of Middle-earth.)
Aragorn: Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta.
(Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.)
pondered at 12:40 am Tuesday
