Tolkien Events 2007 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-20-2007, 03:19 PM

Well, it's official now - I'm coming to Oxonmoot! And I'm bringing another Downer - but I'll let her tell (and keep you all in suspense a bit longer). We'll also be seeing the LotR musical in London a few days before the event.

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-21-2007, 05:58 AM

Shall we plan an official Downs meeting at Oxonmoot? It would be nice to get us all together! I haven't found an official programme yet, but it seems that Friday evening would be a good opportunity, if no official activities are planned for then. Will all be in Oxford by then? Otherwise, please suggest alternatives.

Hookbill the Goomba · 08-21-2007, 06:13 AM

A grand idea Estelyn!
I myself should be in Oxford from around 3 o'clock depending on the trains (or if my older brother does decide to take me after all).
Could someone of better Oxfordian knowledge tell us if the Bird n' Baby is anywhere near Lady Margret Hall and if that would be a suitable meeting place. Although, I expect it will be pretty crowded on an Oxonmoot weekend.

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-21-2007, 06:17 AM

According to the website, Lady Margaret Hall is located "a little out of the city centre". That probably means a rather long walk to get to the B&B. As I have no idea what the campus is like, I don't know where we could meet - if the weather is good, outside would work, but who knows that in this rainy summer?!

edit: I checked out the LMH website, and it says it's a 15 minute walk to the city centre.

Mithalwen · 08-21-2007, 06:29 AM

I was rather younger and fitter in my Oxford days but it is a perfectly easy walk from LMH to the Bird and Baby - I used to have the occasional lecture at Norham Gardens. Obviously not as close as Somervile but ...

I haven't booked yet - I haven't decided if I am staying up yet and if so whether for 1 or 2 nights. But don't let that stop you... it took me hours to pluck up the courage to introduce myself to Dave and Lal so it would take well beyond Friday night to meet people I know less...

I always prefered the Lamb and Flag but I believe it has been tarted up now

it used to be very Inspector Morse...

Bêthberry · 08-21-2007, 08:01 AM

Why not meet under Tolkien's pinus nigra in the Botanical Gardens? It's just off High Street by the river, which would provide a meandering walk to Lady Margaret Hall.

As I recall, even with a bad knee, most of Oxford was quite walkable, even from the cemetary to High Street. That includes the B&B, the Lamb, and the Mitre.

If only there weren't those protestors at Heathrow complaining about all the polluting air travellers! And only if such air fair were more reasonable.

I suppose I could set up a paypal account and ask for donations for the travel costs. I recall burrahobbit doing that. Think it would work for me? Will Downers help me make my way East?

Lalwendë · 08-23-2007, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

A grand idea Estelyn!
I myself should be in Oxford from around 3 o'clock depending on the trains (or if my older brother does decide to take me after all).
Could someone of better Oxfordian knowledge tell us if the Bird n' Baby is anywhere near Lady Margret Hall and if that would be a suitable meeting place. Although, I expect it will be pretty crowded on an Oxonmoot weekend.

You'd be surprised. We met up with Alan from the TS in there last year on the Friday and it was lovely and quiet! Though the landlord had renamed all his (delicious) pub grub to things like Saruman Stew etc.

Hookbill the Goomba · 08-24-2007, 04:36 AM

Hurrah! I just got my Oxonmoot progress Report through the post! The whole weekend looks like it'll be a whole lot of fun!

Also, I was surprised to find my name in the book! Hadnot expected that. Especially as it went along with my 'Hookbill' pseudonym.

I know I could have thought of something a little more Tolkien related, but I went with that just in case any Downers were there and would have no idea who I was.

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-28-2007, 02:31 AM

My progress report just arrived in the mail this morning! Guinevere's and my name are not yet on the list - I guess we registered after printing. I didn't see narfforc's name either, but since he said he's coming, I assume he registered later as well. I know better than to expect Lal and davem, due to ... circumstances.

And I'm happy to know at least a few people on the list from the German Tolkien Society. Among others, Anke Eissmann will be there, and I'm sure she'll bring her folio and some artwork for those interested.

Now that it's out, I can tell you one of the main motivations for my coming - the Cambridge Society's performances! I saw two members at the German Tolkien Seminar this spring, and they told me that they were planning to do both "Lord of the Goons" and the LotR reading. As I have fond memories of both performances from Birmingham in 2005, that was a real incentive! After several days of lectures about Tolkien and his works, I found it refreshing (in Tolkien's own sense of the word) to hear the words of the story itself, and the dramatic reading moved me to tears (no mean feat!). And the parody had me and the rest of the audience in stitches.

The weekend's going to be great! As registration doesn't start till 5:30 pm, Friday afternoon does sound like the best time for an informal meeting of Downers. We could try for the B&B (Eagle and Child); should it actually be too full, we can go elsewhere from there. We'll try to get into Oxford around 3 pm, then allowing for a bit of walking, should be at the pub a bit later. I have no idea what train times will be like, but it'll work out, I'm sure.

It might be a good idea to exchange mobile phone numbers by PM...

narfforc · 08-29-2007, 12:18 AM

I will be there, and in the bar at opening time quaffing Ork-brew.

Guinevere · 08-29-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

I know better than to expect Lal and davem, due to ... circumstances.

Why not? (

have I missed something?) I was looking forward to meeting them!

Guinevere · 08-22-2007, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

Well, it's official now - I'm coming to Oxonmoot! And I'm bringing another Downer - but I'll let her tell (and keep you all in suspense a bit longer). We'll also be seeing the LotR musical in London a few days before the event.

Now I have booked the flight I can tell you that it's me who is coming to the Oxonmoot (for the first time) with Esty!
I am very much looking forward to it and to meeting other Downers. (But a bit scared, too! My spoken English is no way as good as my written

and since I have shamefully neglected the Downs of late perhaps nobody will remember me anyway...)

Bethberry, I sure would love to meet you too! But the journey is really rather disproportionate...

08-20-2007, 03:19 PM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Well, it's official now - I'm coming to Oxonmoot! And I'm bringing another Downer - but I'll let her tell (and keep you all in suspense a bit longer). We'll also be seeing the LotR musical in London a few days before the event. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-21-2007, 05:58 AM	#2
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Shall we plan an official Downs meeting at Oxonmoot? It would be nice to get us all together! I haven't found an official programme yet, but it seems that Friday evening would be a good opportunity, if no official activities are planned for then. Will all be in Oxford by then? Otherwise, please suggest alternatives. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-21-2007, 06:13 AM	#3
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	A grand idea Estelyn! I myself should be in Oxford from around 3 o'clock depending on the trains (or if my older brother does decide to take me after all). Could someone of better Oxfordian knowledge tell us if the Bird n' Baby is anywhere near Lady Margret Hall and if that would be a suitable meeting place. Although, I expect it will be pretty crowded on an Oxonmoot weekend. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

08-21-2007, 06:17 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	According to the website, Lady Margaret Hall is located "a little out of the city centre". That probably means a rather long walk to get to the B&B. As I have no idea what the campus is like, I don't know where we could meet - if the weather is good, outside would work, but who knows that in this rainy summer?! edit: I checked out the LMH website, and it says it's a 15 minute walk to the city centre. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-21-2007, 06:29 AM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	I was rather younger and fitter in my Oxford days but it is a perfectly easy walk from LMH to the Bird and Baby - I used to have the occasional lecture at Norham Gardens. Obviously not as close as Somervile but ... I haven't booked yet - I haven't decided if I am staying up yet and if so whether for 1 or 2 nights. But don't let that stop you... it took me hours to pluck up the courage to introduce myself to Dave and Lal so it would take well beyond Friday night to meet people I know less... I always prefered the Lamb and Flag but I believe it has been tarted up now it used to be very Inspector Morse... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-21-2007, 08:01 AM	#6
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Why not meet under Tolkien's pinus nigra in the Botanical Gardens? It's just off High Street by the river, which would provide a meandering walk to Lady Margaret Hall. As I recall, even with a bad knee, most of Oxford was quite walkable, even from the cemetary to High Street. That includes the B&B, the Lamb, and the Mitre. If only there weren't those protestors at Heathrow complaining about all the polluting air travellers! And only if such air fair were more reasonable. I suppose I could set up a paypal account and ask for donations for the travel costs. I recall burrahobbit doing that. Think it would work for me? Will Downers help me make my way East? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

08-24-2007, 04:36 AM	#8
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	Hurrah! I just got my Oxonmoot progress Report through the post! The whole weekend looks like it'll be a whole lot of fun! Also, I was surprised to find my name in the book! Hadnot expected that. Especially as it went along with my 'Hookbill' pseudonym. I know I could have thought of something a little more Tolkien related, but I went with that just in case any Downers were there and would have no idea who I was. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

08-28-2007, 02:31 AM	#9
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	My progress report just arrived in the mail this morning! Guinevere's and my name are not yet on the list - I guess we registered after printing. I didn't see narfforc's name either, but since he said he's coming, I assume he registered later as well. I know better than to expect Lal and davem, due to ... circumstances. And I'm happy to know at least a few people on the list from the German Tolkien Society. Among others, Anke Eissmann will be there, and I'm sure she'll bring her folio and some artwork for those interested. Now that it's out, I can tell you one of the main motivations for my coming - the Cambridge Society's performances! I saw two members at the German Tolkien Seminar this spring, and they told me that they were planning to do both "Lord of the Goons" and the LotR reading. As I have fond memories of both performances from Birmingham in 2005, that was a real incentive! After several days of lectures about Tolkien and his works, I found it refreshing (in Tolkien's own sense of the word) to hear the words of the story itself, and the dramatic reading moved me to tears (no mean feat!). And the parody had me and the rest of the audience in stitches. The weekend's going to be great! As registration doesn't start till 5:30 pm, Friday afternoon does sound like the best time for an informal meeting of Downers. We could try for the B&B (Eagle and Child); should it actually be too full, we can go elsewhere from there. We'll try to get into Oxford around 3 pm, then allowing for a bit of walking, should be at the pub a bit later. I have no idea what train times will be like, but it'll work out, I'm sure. It might be a good idea to exchange mobile phone numbers by PM... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-29-2007, 12:18 AM	#10
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	Oxonmoot without The Narfforc.......never! I will be there, and in the bar at opening time quaffing Ork-brew. __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.