I met a fellow BDer!!

[Mithalwen]

A very good one. I had the pleasure of meeting her for breakfast this morning as she passed through London on the way from Scotland to moots with Nordic Downers. Sincerely worth getting up a stupid o'clock to get the first train to London and have breakfast at Victoria Station. It was lovely to see her again and I hope fate will allow our paths to cross again.

Edit. Just in case anyone concerned it was a different part of London to the incidents last night and I was home and Galadriel was due to fly out long before.

[Pervinca Took]

So sorry to have missed you, Galadriel. :(

But very glad that you met three worthy Downers, and that everyone is safe. :)

(Edit: more than three, and rising!) :)

[Galadriel55]

Yes, rising and to hopefully rise some more still. I have finally made my way past Rune, and then to the legendary land of moots where I met Agan, Lommy, Legate, Greenie, and Nogrod. When I was there I kept accidentally calling them by their Downs screen names, and now I've almost called them by their real names. I have now been properly initiated into the world of moots.

[Pervinca Took]

Are you back home now? I hadn't been visiting the Downs until Mithalwen alerted me to movement on the Password thread, so I missed your travel plans, unfortunately. :(

[Galadriel55]

Are you back home now? I hadn't been visiting the Downs until Mithalwen alerted me to movement on the Password thread, so I missed your travel plans, unfortunately. :(

Not quite, but I won't be in the UK again. :(

[Pervinca Took]

Don't know where or when, but we will meet. Some sunny day. :)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Indeed, we have had the chance to host Galadriel55 during the previous week for several days and it's been worth the wait :) Or, okay, not saying it wouldn't have been nicer if it had happened even earlier :) But we've had fun, it was really nice to meet her and now her collection of 'Downers she met has just grown dramatically, I therefore feel safe to claim that this has been a successful 'Downer meeting. Well, I certainly hope this trend will continue!

[Faramir Jones]

Galadriel, I'm glad to read that you've recently met Rune, and later Agan, Lommy, Legate, Greenie, and Nogrod; and that a good time was had by all. :cool:

Glad to read your confirmation of things being worth the wait, Legate. :D

Pervinca, I hope you can meet her 'some sunny day'. :)

[Pitchwife]

But we've had fun, it was really nice to meet her and now her collection of 'Downers she met has just grown dramatically, I therefore feel safe to claim that this has been a successful 'Downer meeting. Well, I certainly hope this trend will continue!
I can try with a little help from my friends. ;)

[Galadriel55]

My final Downer meeting for the meantime was with Pitchwife. He and Mrs. Pitch kindly hosted me in their home, with dogs to rival Farmer Maggot's in quality and quantity, and other animals besides. There were no mushrooms, but lots of delicious food nonetheless. And when evening came, I too got a ride in an engined wagon to a flying ferry... or the Old Forest of Check-in desks, where I successfully got lost a couple times before finding a conveniently located Old Man Willow to sleep under.

Weather was tricksy, and tricked us into pursuing the indoor schedule before turning clear. But there was Doctor Who and Star Trek and other geeky stuff to fill the day.

[Pitchwife]

the Old Forest of Check-in desks, where I successfully got lost a couple times before finding a conveniently located Old Man Willow to sleep under.
Apparently the tree was also sleeping at the time, or that could have gone sooo wrong...

I'd like to return the compliments. It was a pleasure to have G55 visiting on the last leg of her grand tour of Europe and its Downers. She was a very agreeable guest and put up gracefully with my great sightseeing plans not surviving first contact with the weather, being treated to musical comedy by myself and a cranky old Yorkshireman, diarrhoeic puppies and my adventurous nightly driving around the airport. Watching and discussing Doctor Who together was much fun. I hope we can repeat the experience some time when we're both a little less sleep-deprived. The Rhine will be waiting!

[Pitchwife]

Amon Lanc (commonly known als Helsinki nowadays) sent its Legate over for the weekend to convey birthday felicitations, salmiakki and Czech mead, all of which are very much appreciated (and possibly also to reconnoitre the lay of the land for a larger incursion in the future?:Merisu:). The weather continued to be mostly uncooperative, but as Gandalf wisely remarked, it behoves us to make the best of the time that is given to us (or words to that effect). We fearlessly crossed the suspension bridge of Khazad-dûm, paid our obeisances to Isis, the Magna Mater and St Stephen and discussed the psychologies of tortoises, dogs and sentient lions. Legate was also introduced to our pack of adorable little werewolves, who were uncommonly quick to accept him moving around the house. It was thoroughly pleasant to have him staying with us, and I hope we can meet again in the not-too-distant future, whether in Riesweiler or Helsinki, and maybe then even among a larger crowd.

[Galadriel55]

I hope we can meet again in the not-too-distant future, whether in Riesweiler or Helsinki, and maybe then even among a larger crowd.

Hint hint wink wink? :Merisu:

[Pitchwife]

Hint hint wink wink? :Merisu:
Nudge nudge, say no more!

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Indeed, as said, I have recently journeyed to Pitch's abode, only to discover it resembles Beorn's house rather than Tom Bombadil's. Being properly introduced to the entire household consisted of meeting dogs both big and small, sheep (including one fellow with impressive horns), chicken, ducks and eventually also the lady of the house. The most prominent denizens were, however, still the dogs, of which there were ten at first (if I am counting right) and that got reduced to "mere" eight during my visit because of two puppies finding new home.

The presence of the furry friends made the place feel very lively, but also welcoming. Pitch now talked about them as Werewolves, but I am not sure - at least one might have been a Seer given how he kept always staring at me with obvious intent to establish a telephatic connection. Among the rest of the pack, there was a lovely lady who always demanded attention whenever I sat down by gently scratching me from under the table, and if I didn't respond by petting her, she started to growl. They were all lovely however, and the whole weekend was also concluded for me with a spectacular walk outdoors with the entire pack.

https://scontent.fqlf1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19642720_10214069403075873_6238937213715948665_n.j pg?oh=f4e55fc52d0af3720c0601e12af107ca&oe=59D46541

Aside from the household and its hospitality (I should remark on the host's quality cooking, plus he also took me to one nice local restaurant), Pitch also treated me with a couple of trips, despite the weather's plot against us. We delved into the ancient history of nearby cities and before that we braved the Stairs to Cirith Ungol and the Gates of Mördör, culminating with passing the Bridge of Khazad-dum, in a slightly non-chronological way.

https://scontent.fqlf1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19642491_10214069253552135_4859288577500790435_n.j pg?oh=20639c418e5a06840839c3c05fea2af0&oe=5A0CB1DA

https://scontent.fqlf1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19601432_10214069210911069_1582988327892275738_n.j pg?oh=2110f3c23effe2707beeefed98139e77&oe=59C3FD2B

In any case, it was a lovely experience and I hope to repeat the visit in the future. I can only recommend that you all make time for a proper "Pitchmoot" where we can all meet in that wonderful place with wonderful hosts and animal companions.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I wasn't able to be there, but I do happen to know that one of the "werewolf" ladies is named Estelyn! :Merisu:

[Pitchwife]

I wasn't able to be there, but I do happen to know that one of the "werewolf" ladies is named Estelyn! :Merisu:
And a pretty one at that:

https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=456x1024:format=jpg/path/see70c98c3943cdc8/image/if567222a32142bcb/version/1497598958/image.jpg

[Faramir Jones]

Galadriel, a very beleted thank you for the news of your meeting with Pitchwife! I'm glad that he and Mrs. Pitch looked after you so well.

It was also good to read your news, Legate and Pitch, of your meeting, along with Mrs. Pitch and the 'adorable little werewolves'!:rolleyes:

[Encaitare]

Personally, I'm just waiting for our first BD wedding, so I can *sort of* justify travelling far and *undoubtedly* spending too much money.

Rikae & Mac?
Eomer & Cailin?

Any takers?


[voiceover] Little did Formendacil know, that one day he would take himself up on his own suggestion...

:D :D :D

[Oddwen]

I had a surprise visit from a Downer today - TGEW and crew were travelling through my town and stayed the night. Then today we had a nice late breakfast of crepes, partially dropped hash browns and a vicious monster pancake. Now they have driven into the West in a swan-white vehicle.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

I had a surprise visit from a Downer today - TGEW and crew were travelling through my town and stayed the night. Then today we had a nice late breakfast of crepes, partially dropped hash browns and a vicious monster pancake. Now they have driven into the West in a swan-white vehicle.

I am so bad. I was so caught up with moving that I forgot to post my picture! Here's Oddwen and me hanging out! I'm the one in red.

748

In other news, Laurinque, my boyfriend, and I went to visit with THE Ka since we live around the same parts these days. It had been a year since we had seen Ka, so it was nice to catch up. I didn't take any pictures, but I do have a funny story. We figured out that both of our boyfriends haven't read LotR (crazy because I always figured I'd fall in love with someone who already loved Tolkien, but I digress). Anyway, my boyfriend said that he wanted to join the Downs right then and there. I was like, "You can't join the Downs, you haven't even finished The Hobbit yet!". My boyfriend proceeded to pull the Downs up on his phone and tried to open an account. The security question was "What was the name of Gandalf's horse." He didn't know the answer and as I was crying out, "Don't give him the answer!", Ka had already spilled the beans. So yeah, my boyfriend will be joining the Downs at some point, but hopefully he actually reads Lord of the Rings before he joins. We have no immediate plans to hang out with Ka again, but it's definitely in the cards for before Christmas.

[Boromir88]

Last weekend several Barrow-downers were able to get together in NYC to explore the Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth exhibit that was put on at the Morgan Library. It was an amazing exhibit, and good to see some friends I don't know half as well as I should like. Including meeting the 3rd Downer baby, William.

The question being, is William named after?
A. William Huggins
B. Bill the Pony
C. Bill Ferny

It began Thursday, with Wilwa flying in and then me a few hours later. Then we went to Encataire's and Jon's (who has a BD account by I forget what it is) new place. A more homely place than their previous one, with prime real estate (for a metropolitan area) - access to a roof top, complete with a grill and outdoor furniture.

Friday the 4 of us went to the New York Public Library and we had the most excitable, lovely tour guide Karen. You can tell she loved the library and the subject, she was full of wonderful stories and knowledge about the library, which just made it a fun experience (despite the dreary rain that day). Then Friday night, we went out to hear Enca's Funkrust Brass Band which was like no other brass band I've ever heard or seen and they were a blast. We returned and now joined by Form, Nienna and a sleeping William who came in Friday night.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/56252719_10107968917322834_8713615206149783552_n.j pg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=01fa89ce620685b4113521f7878c8959&oe=5D2BE037
Front Row: Myself, William, Jon
Back Row: Enca, Formendacil, Nienna, Wilwa, Celduin.
(Photographer, Celduin's husband who was also able to join us for this Saturday)

There were many highlights to this trip, but the exhibit was by far the top. There were so many people wanting to get into the exhibit, there was a feeling there just had to be other Downers there. I don't know about the others, but what stood out to me, Tolkien's artwork and map drawing, it was great to see in person. And his penmanship. Of course the exhibit had some of the cleaner examples of his writings and letters on display, but the way he wrote is like an art form on it's own, so tiny, but so precise and beautiful.

Then the group went out to Central Park, since after the previous day was a bit dreary and soggy, but Saturday was sunny, warm and beautiful. It was the first time wilwa and I had been to Central Park, I'm not sure about any one else.

Even though it's a rather crummy picture of me, it's a really good one of baby Wiliam, so after some encouragement and approval to post, the "Back bench boys" of Central Park:

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/56839683_10107970838742294_5634351271004602368_n.j pg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=464a22b70eddb54825756e951be3b0e3&oe=5D3BCC96

Wilwa and I stayed for a few extra days after, to explore some other places in NYC (and have a nice barbecue on Enca's and Jon's roof top). And I would probably be in trouble if I failed to mention their adorable dog Topanga, she is a sweetheart (and I hate to say it to Form and Nienna, but she perked up over the next few days after the baby left :p).

One of the last things I was glad Jon and I were able to do, was go to the NY Natural History Museum and see the new Titonosaurus dinosaur they discovered. That museum being another place that's a must see if you're in NYC. I tried to get a panorama, but this dinosaur was so huge, they didn't even have a room large enough contain it in (part of the head and neck were poking out the doorway of the room it was in. It really gets you thinking about ancient cultures, and the myths that were inspired if those peoples came across remains of dinosaurs, and mammoths, and 40 feet alligator fossils.

[Inziladun]

Very envious. I've been stuck with the unenviable position of having no other members near my location, and having too many commitments to travel. One day!

[Bêthberry]

Thanks for the report and photos, Boro. Were there some pages from Tolkien's diary? I understand that the original exhibit at the Bodleian in Oxford had some of his diary papers on display.

Inzil, perhaps some year we will have to undertake a quest kind of thingy and have an Inzil Moot in your part of Middle-earth.:)

[wilwarin538]

Thanks for the report and photos, Boro. Were there some pages from Tolkien's diary? I understand that the original exhibit at the Bodleian in Oxford had some of his diary papers on display.

I feel like there must have been, there were so many samples of his writing I just can't remember where they were necessarily all from, one of the others may remember. My favourite piece was his notes planning out the story after the Fellowship breaks up, seeing how he was so meticulous to ensure the weather lined up through each story line. And his maps and art work were all impressive. They had some of his art blown up huge on the wall which was amazing to see. And Form pointed out that there were some similiraties between Tolkien's handwriting and Tolkien's mother's handwriting which was neat.

It was a great trip and fun to see everyone! I'm so grateful I had the chance to go and definitely plan to make another trip to NYC within the next few years, still a lot there I'd love to do.

And I have a new love and appreciation for brass bands thanks to Encai's talents ;)

[Celuien]

It was so nice to see everyone in NYC again! We figured out it was 10 years (!) since we were last all in one place.

The exhibit was incredible. I can’t remember if there were diary pages, but it was amazing to see the handwritten drafts, letters - with Tengwar - and drawings. My favorite displays were the maps and like wilwa, the meticulous timeline chart.

[Inziladun]

Inzil, perhaps some year we will have to undertake a quest kind of thingy and have an Inzil Moot in your part of Middle-earth.:)

I'll be up for it anytime! And here's hoping certain persons may become a bit less treeish. ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks, Boro, for posting about the exhibition and the get-together! It's always a pleasure to meet fellow Downers, and the rave reviews of the exhibition make me want to see it very much. NYC is too far away and too expensive a trip for me - Oxford would have been closer, but I didn't manage to get there. Next stop is Paris, and I will try my best to see it there as that's only a trip of 3 - 4 hours by train. (Note to self: Brush up your minimal and rusty French...)

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

So so jealous, but lovely that you are keeping the moots going.

It sounds like a brilliant exhibit, and possibly even better company.

[Faramir Jones]

Just to say that I’ll be arriving in Birmingham tomorrow for Tolkien 2019, and am looking forward to seeing fellow Downers there! :D

[Oddwen]

I was in the PNW for the weekend for a family event and was able to meet up with THE Ka, TheGreatElvenWarrior and finally meet Laurinquë - I found a little tavern under a game store called Helm's Deep where we drank many Eye of Saurons (which had no business being that delicious) and some mead (which wasn't the best but was plentiful) and wondered at the tape measures and models of the gamers (there was some sort or tournament going on). A few days later I was able to meet TGEW and Laurinquë again and we had dinner & snacks in flower crowns while overlooking the water where we saw a probable skeleton. It was good to see friends again and I hope the next time isn't as many years in the future.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I was in the PNW for the weekend for a family event and was able to meet up with THE Ka, TheGreatElvenWarrior and finally meet Laurinquë - I found a little tavern under a game store called Helm's Deep where we drank many Eye of Saurons (which had no business being that delicious) and some mead (which wasn't the best but was plentiful) and wondered at the tape measures and models of the gamers (there was some sort or tournament going on). A few days later I was able to meet TGEW and Laurinquë again and we had dinner & snacks in flower crowns while overlooking the water where we saw a probable skeleton. It was good to see friends again and I hope the next time isn't as many years in the future.

Sounds wonderful. I could do with a good downer meet-up before too long.

[Pitchwife]

Twelve years had passed since the legendary & unforgettable Finlandmoot of 2011, six since Legate’s visit to our household in 2017. Communications had gone to and fro every now and then, agreeing about the desirability of another RL meeting, without reaching fruition. At one point the idea of a 10-year anniversary gathering in 2021 was pondered, but we all know how that ended, and nothing happened… until this summer.

Mrs Pitch and myself had originally been planning a tour of the Baltic in our mobile home, including a detour to Finland, and I had been in contact with Legate to make arrangements, but when these plans fell down upon th’ inventors’ heads for various reasons I kind of invited myself solo to Helsinki on short notice, and the Finns, hospitable folks that they are, rolled with it. Nogrod, who had recently moved into a spacier home, accomodated me on his comfy couch, and Legate provided bedding so I could travel lightly.

Times have changed in the last 12 years. Lommy and Legate have become parents, with all the responsibilities that entails, and everybody had things to do, but the various members of Clan Nogrod (of which there are now three generations!) did everything to make me feel welcome and between them always found some way of making every day one to remember. We spent an afternoon and morning at Clan Nog’s lovely lakeside cabin/cottage (https://i.imgur.com/lzt0fv4.jpg) (cabbage?!?) in the middle of the woods until the neekerbreekers drove us away, and I befriended Lommy’s and Legate’s adorable little werepenguin-cum-seagull chick, who initially regarded this strange German with due suspicion but gradually warmed up. It was a pleasure to watch her explore her environment and her ability to affect it; her shrieking conversations with the actual seagull chicks who had their nest on the cabin roof gave rise to speculations about a totemic relationship. Also A Little Green as an aunt is almost as adorable as the werechicklet herself!

In other news, we visited Espoo Cathedral (https://i.imgur.com/BUoQ5TY.jpg) with its remarkable murals (https://i.imgur.com/rXJM4Pr.jpg)in a style I can only describe as 16th Century Northern Primitivism, a lovely park (https://i.imgur.com/emh3v2hl.jpg)of many-coloured rhododendrons and azaleas near Lommy's and Legate's place, as well as the island of Vallisaari (https://i.imgur.com/Rcv404C.jpg), once a restricted military area, now reclaimed (https://i.imgur.com/4jwQkOI.jpg)by nature (https://i.imgur.com/ANHoghm.jpg)and the Helsinki Biennial with some striking (https://i.imgur.com/fVVu4L1.jpg)art (https://i.imgur.com/kiTvH6d.jpg)exhibitions (https://i.imgur.com/egY9iLV.jpg). Nog led me on a fruitful raid of Helsinki’s various bookshops, and I had the opportunity to sample various specialties of traditional Finnish cuisine, from sautéd reindeer to espresso vodka with tar schnaps (which tasted way better than it sounds!), accompanied by the restaurant’s homemade ale. Time flew, and all too soon the day came when I, too, had to take flight again on a Lufthansa crane so we could all go about our everyday lives again.

Special mention has to go to Nog, whose fabled cooking has in no way lessened (you should see his collection of international cookbooks!). I really enjoyed our conversations over breakfast and in the evening when the day was done, they were always interesting and engaging. (Also we watched the first two Alien films on TV, and Nog fell asleep during the first and I during the second; no offense to Ridley Scott and James Cameron!) Also to Legate who handled all the preliminary organising to make it all happen! Last not least to Mrs Pitch who took care of everything at home while I was away. <3

In short, it was a wonderful time spent in the company of wonderful people, and I hope we can meet again on whatever turf without taking another 12 years!

(Clockwise inward from the left: Pitchwife, Thinlomien, Legate of Amon Lanc, Nogrod, A Little Green, the Werechicklet)

https://i.imgur.com/ln8qE8jl.jpg

[Galadriel55]

It's great to see all of you! It's been a while since any moots were to be had, and it's so fun to see the pictures! I feel like besides Greenie's long hair, none of you have changed. :D The Werechicklet looks a lot bigger too now. ^.^