Tuesday, July 3, 2012

There And Back Again

I feel sure I walked in Middle Earth this weekend?
North Wales. Land of mountains, lakes, rock, greenest moss, twisted oak, foxglove edged. Where giants and dragons sleep and dream of  Elders, Princes, Queens and gold.  
 Where idyllic mountain streams and waterfalls burst through beautiful breathtaking valleys.
 Hmmm...did I glimpse an elf out of the corner of my eye just then? 
Or Tom Bombadil behind the wall?
In unexpected places, it seems that hobbits had left their mark.


"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold"  
 ~ JRR Tolkien

We followed the path up into the mountains into stillness. Just the distant sound of water falling against ancient stone. No sound of cars or noise of the modern world. A gold more precious than the metal kind.

Higher, until, I could no longer use my camera as the rain and wind blew. 
No burden of magic ring did I carry, but at certain times it did feel a little like we were climbing Mount Doom not Mount Snowdon. ;-) High up in the clouds at the summit, icy rain stung skin, but a hot chocolate reward before the climb back down was much enjoyed.  
~*~

North Wales is filled with legend and myth. It's not surprising really that I felt I was in JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth.

Oh and... sssssh!....I think I found a dragon!? 
There it was, washed up on the beach among the drift wood waiting to be found.
A dragon wizard's staff? 

And.... I also found
this strange wooden magic ring.


Who knows, they  may unlock a secret doorway into a mountain? But that I'm afraid we may never know as I brought them home with me to my shire. 

27 comments:

  1. What a glorious find, a dragon indeed. Only in the land of the dragon would you find such bones risen to the surface.

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  2. Beautiful post...the photos and text so magickal. I am sure you were being watched by all manner of Fae. How lucky to live in places of Tolkien inspiration.

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  3. Gorgeous photographs! They are so enchanting, and definitely the land of Tolkien's stories. I love the photo of the lake, it just looks unreal, the way the light is shining off of it. Stunning!

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  4. I would have brought them home too. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I am afraid we were lazy and took the train up and down. Karen X

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  5. Simply magical! How fortunate of you to be able to see such beauty! Inspiring and breathtaking!

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  6. "On the day of the dead, when the year too dies, must the youngest open the oldest hills, through the door of the birds, where the breeze breaks..."

    A magical key, how wonderful! And I agree, silence and peace is a rare treasure. I yearn, and YEARN for quiet and stillness.

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  7. Beautiful... this is the land of my ancestors, I feel ancient memories rising in me when I see these misty ridges. I love the dragon staff and wooden ring. Maybe they will unlock things for you at YOUR shire.

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  8. Karen as always you have a magical way with words. My family come from Wales but i have not been there since a child, i love the gifts you found and was releived you took them to admire, earth offerings i'm sure. Have you ever thought about writing?

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  9. Absolutely stunning. I would feel I was in Middle Earth as well. Love, love the garden gates and the wood/bone dragon ring.

    Now I can't wait for the hobbit movie to come out! :)

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  10. What a fabulous place and such beautiful photos and prose. I felt I'd been there with you.

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  11. Breathtakingly beautiful post Karen.....
    Just lovely!
    I felt we were visiting with you!
    Maria x

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  12. Lovely photographs and writing. Alan Garner's elves (very different, though from a similar source from Tolkien's) lived in North Wales.

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  13. What a magical place, I feel very inspired after seeing these pictures.......The mountain water shots are blissful and I really love the carved gates as well, in fact I love it all......

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  14. Amazingly beautiful place, and yes, I'm sure that is Middle Earth. How inspiring!
    Gorgeous photos, Karen. xx

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  15. Gorgeous photos, I was in North Wales a few weeks ago on my mini honeymoon, it is such a wild and stunning place.

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  16. Fantastic magical pictures Karen, thanks for sharing

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  17. Gorgeous images, I could feel myself getting lost in them. Beautiful finds too.

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  18. Its years since we've been to Snowdonia but it all looks so familiar, all the swathing mists and tumbling crags... did you go up Cadair Idris too? And the Dysynni valley is beautiful...
    It is definately Tolkien country though isn't it!
    Wonderful Dragon roots, what treasure indeed!

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  19. I love this post - how special to find the ring and the dragon looks like he has been a noble defender, a fabulous find.

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  20. I loved this post, the images are glorious! Your blog is only one that I can tolerate with music, good choices, lovely!

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  21. Thank you for this beautiful magic trip!
    Kind regards
    Gabi

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  22. Thank you for this timely post. Just a couple of days ago I took a trip down memory lane with some of my favourite photos of North Wales, where I lived for several months. It is a singularly beautiful and magical place; photos have often helped me to describe what I couldn't quite find the words for.

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  23. What a magical journey. Great pictures !!!
    Have a wonderful day.

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  24. Wonderful pics. I've been walking and driving in the Highlands recently and feeling very Lord of the Ringsy too - happy days!

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    Replies
    1. ...and I love the LOTR-themed music too - thanks!

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  25. Karen,
    What a wonderful post. Thank you for this tour through this magic like place.
    Here on the Canadian prairies it is extremely hot, and arrid right now, and I felt my heart and spirit refreshed fro seeing your pictures. What lovely finds!
    Brenda

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  26. Looks a little like the place I've just returned from! I've been to the isle of Skye and you would have LOVED the 'Fairy Glen'! It really was straight out of fairyland and hard to believe it was all natural! I hope to upload pics soon, once I've sorted out my computer woes!
    The twisted wood were fantastic. Did you resist temptation? I'm not sure if I would, they'd have to accompany me home! :)
    Jess xx

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