[Nurumaiel]

61 miles, almost to Buckleberry Ferry
Our walking has been slowed much by bad weather. 'Twas snow at first, the pleasant kind of fluffy flakes. But later things became quite miserable, for the snow turned into rain and the thunder and lightning didn't spare us in the least. It was fascinating to crouch under the tree branches and watch the flashes that lit up the land. It was slightly frightening, as well, bearing in mind that cloaked figure we met earlier.

Despite the fears that still linger over our heads, there's no lack of time to sit and observe all of nature. I've always appreciated the Shire for being almost untouched, as the habitants are quite close to the land and have done hardly anything to mar it. We see all varieties of birds... jays, nuthatches, and chickadees. During mealtimes, in particular breakfast, we'll sit back and close our eyes and listen to the different bird notes, trying to identify the singer by his notes, and then search him out. We caught sight of the jays and the chickadees, but couldn't find the raven that called loudly overhead.

We're only a few short miles from Crickhollow now, and then it will be time to bid farewell to the hobbits and continue on to Rivendell.