You've got it.

What is Tolkien talking about?

He was talking about the Finnish language, which he taught himself in order to read the Kalevala.

(Either that or the Kalevala itself - it's not entirely clear from the reference that I found. But I think that it's the language.)

[ November 17, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]

It took you 4 full minutes to figure it out???
[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Yes, I was quicker with the Google button this time. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

OK, an easy one I am afraid, but here we go nevertheless.

What was the alternative name for the Inklings' watering hole?

The 'Eagle and Child' is also known as 'Bird and Baby', which I find particularly funny!! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Yes, it tickled me too Esty. You are, of course correct. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I saw in the paper recently that it was up for sale. I was sorely tempted to change my name to Barliman Butterbur and put in an offer. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Tolkien liked good plain English food. Which cooking did he detest?

French cuisine!

French cooking.

Ai ai, too late!
[img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[ November 21, 2003: Message edited by: Mariska Greenleaf ]

Both are correct, and Telchar was first - your turn!

During the time of our life we all meet women, some beautiful, intelligent, and wonderful - others charming, anmusing .... I could go on and on. Our dear professor once got in contact with a woman which he refered to with these words:
Who was he talking about?

I've been hunting for this one but haven't found it so far. Will you give us a clue, maybe which year or at least decade or something similarly helpful?

I'll hint you Esty [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Hint: US publication of the Hobbit (Paperback)

Christopher Tolkien and Humphrey Carpenter have tastefully blanked out the woman's name in my edition of the Letters. She was a representative of Ballantine Books, with whom he had a telephone conversation regarding the cover design for their paperback edition. I think his comments are amusing enough to be worth quoting in full: [ 8:40 PM November 27, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

They sure are Squatter...

And yes, her name is not known - please go on...

Right you are.

What was unusual about a copy of The Fifth Book of Thucydides belonging to Zillah Sherring?

Zillah Sherring bought the book at a second hand book store. Along with alot of different inscriptions Zillah found Tolkiens name, wrote him a letter (in 1965) - JRRT in return explained that the inscriptions were Gothic - or what he thought to be tohtic in 1910 when he bought the book.

Spot on.

When did JRRT begin writing LOTR? (Be as precise as you can, please)

He began writing 66 years ago this month, in December 1937. On the 19th, he wrote to one of the editorial staff at Allen & Unwin: That chapter was very likely written sometime in the three days preceding that date.

Very good Estelyn! the 'three days preciding' is because in a letter from december 16 he claims that he hasn't started writing a sequal to The Hobbit.

You can continue [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Of whom did Tolkien say,

He was referring to CS Lewis.

That's right, Mariska! I don't think we Tolkien fans realize quite how much we owe to Lewis - the whole passage reads: Your turn now...

Who is the professor talking about?

C.S.Lewia? [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

No, that's not the one I'm looking for... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

C.S. Williams, a writer, and friend of C.S. Lewis

That's right.

What did, according to the professor, provide a most admirable plea in defence of singing in one's bath?

An extract from the Old-English Exeter Book Gnomics that Christopher Tolkien had quoted in the letter to which he was replying. Sadly, my edition of the letters doesn't give the line, although perhaps it would suggest itself to one better read in medieval manuscripts. This little gem can be found in Letter #90 (24th November, 1944).

YEP!

Tavrobel and Kortirion in The Book of Lost Tales were both places that played a part in Tolkien's life. What are their real names, where are they and why was Tavrobel in particular significant to Tolkien?

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:45 AM December 15, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

It’s high time to answer this question – nice to have more leisure for the enjoyable details after the holidays! I will give the quotes from BoLT, taken from Christopher Tolkien’s comments on The Cottage of Lost Play: I can’t help but think that those must have been special times of his life and places that meant a lot to him to have him memorialise them in his mythology!

Exactly. Well quoted, Esty.

We all know, I presume, that Tolkien was born in South Africa, though he had few memories of his time there. Later in his life, there was another connection to that country. What was it?

Christopher Tolkien was stationed in South Africa with the R.A.F during the war, notably at Kroonstad and Standerton.

Righto, Squatter, and that's how chapters of the LotR in progress made their way to the land of JRRT's birth! Please continue...

Then continue I shall, hopefully without causing another hiatus.

What is the "insubstantial dream of an escapist"?