Last Few Pics and Thoughts from Tolkien 2012.

[curiouswombat]

The last two talks I attended at Loughborough were 'Everything you need to know about the real Bag End' and 'Elves, Goblins, and other 'Fairy' things in The Hobbit: Tolkien's Victorian and Edwardian Inspiration'.

Apparently JRRT's aunt lived in a farm that really was known as Bag End - surrounded by farms and fields some of which had rather familiar names - as did a few of the nearby families... how very likely that someone creating stories for their own children would put familiar things like this into them to add that extra layer of amusement. Dimitra Fimi's talk was also very good - with lots of beautiful pictures - but I can't really produce a précis!

The closing ceremony was much as these things always are - and then Gill, Una, Andria and I made our way to the bar as we didn't want to say our goodbyes just yet - and who did we see but Inzilbeth with a few minutes to spare! So finally we got to chat for a few minutes and I got my copy of her book signed!

Under the cut are a few last pictures (one of which explains my choice of icon...)

Firstly - part of my ongoing dessert collection - here is the raspberry and white chocolate tart from dinner at Burleigh Court on Sunday evening.






Now - this is the sight I saw when I was in the Dealers' Hall on Monday morning getting my copy of the art catalogue before I did anything else...



Yes - that is two adult men, one of whom is wearing a sheepskin gilet, building the siege of Helm's Deep in Lego... there is even a small blonde figure on the ramparts already - I think it might even be LEGOlas, but I'm not sure!

This van was parked where Gill parked the car each day -





The owner was a Dutch specialist book seller - Gill bought a rather beautiful book from him on Sunday which she had been resisting all conference up until then, but her three worth advisors (why yes - that would be Una, Andria and I!) convinced her that it would be extremely useful to her in her academic studies next year.

Oh - almost forgot - this is a picture of the costume this young man and Gill made from scratch in about 3 hours; he is being Ulmo, Lord of the Waters...This was taken by another attendee -




Thanks to Gwydion M Williams




And finally... sitting in the bar at a Tolkien Convention I was reading the headlines for our local Manx news on my netbook. One headline was "Fellowship break world land speed record." I fell around laughing. I showed it to Gill. She fell around laughing.

Next morning I mentioned it to the two, male, delegates sitting next to us at breakfast. They looked puzzled, clearly wondering why I thought they might be interested in the local news from an island in the middle of the Irish Sea, and eventually asked polite questions about the story behind it.

I was surprised at their reaction. I actually tried again with a lady at the breakfast bar - she laughed.

I wonder if you, gentle reader, get the giggles or wonder what on earth I'm talking about?

Comments

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

LEGOlas? LOL
And yes, this reader, even though virtually ignorant of all things LotR, gets it.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

We actually tried it on a few other people too - all the females, including the girl on the till in the small shop on campus, all giggled - most of the guys looked puzzled... although a couple did, eventually, smile.

[spiced-wine.livejournal.com]

Oh, that van - and bookseller were at a Tolkien convention in Wales last year. Kev went to it with Rich', and filmed it. It's amazing. I did put the video up somewhere, but it was last June or July, I think.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

LOL!! Boys are so serious...!

I have enjoyed your posts - it sounds like you both had a fabulous time :)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I am used to tank art - but a whole van is a much bigger canvas! It certainly caught the eye.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

The females all went "Oh! Hobbits with go-faster stripes!" "Gandalf on a motorbike?" "Was that when they ran across Rohan?" and so on.

The, male, deputy chairman of the whole even said "Was that in Utah, or was it out in India somewhere?"

And yes - a good time was had by all!

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

It's always nice seeing grownups having fun, and being kids again, a little bit. I'm glad you had such a good time!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It was a real geek-fest. I enjoyed every minute, to be honest!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It was probably not most people's idea of a holiday - my office-mates looked slightly bemused at the idea - but I really enjoyed myself immensely!

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

Wonderful reports and photos. I'm so glad you both went and had a good time.

In all honesty, without the background of it being a LotR convention, I doubt I would have got the funniness of it. Because that's where you were, the connection was easily made.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

In all honesty, without the background of it being a LotR convention, I doubt I would have got the funniness of it.

To be honest, as I actually knew the background to the story, I wouldn't have got the giggles usually either - but it just amazed Gill and I that anyone's mind wouldn't go there under the circumstances!

(The fellowship in question is actually a bunch of mates who call themselves the Lonan Gentlemen's Fellowship, even though at least one is female!)

[ellynn-ithilwen.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this great report and photos! :)

[jay-of-lasgalen.livejournal.com]

Surely any Tolkien geek would get a Fellowship reference??

And how I'd love a LEGOlas, or a model of Helm's Deep!

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

I have really enjoyed your reports on the convention - thank you :D

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

Oh now I really wish I'd stayed at the hotel!

Lynn gave me the Aragorn out of that Lego set - I wonder why!

Yes we just about managed to meet at the end. It was a bit like that with lots of people though as we kept thinking there was still plenty of time and then suddenly there wasn't!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

My pleasure - some of the re-enactment stuff reminded me of some of the pictures you have posted.

[shirebound]

Oh my, that white chocolate tart looks totally delicious.

Apparently JRRT's aunt lived in a farm that really was known as Bag End. I didn't know that!! How awesome.

[estelcontar1.livejournal.com]

I met the van and its owner back in 2009 in Moreton-in-Marsh. He had a stall at the Tolkien Exhibition that used to take place there at Redsdale Hall. I bought a couple of books and some bookmarks from him. I got to talk to him because he was part a group of people who had diner together at The Redesdale, and then spent the rest of the evening at the Bell Inn pub. He's a very nice guy and quite a character, and the van is a wonder, isn't it?

Tolkien's aunt, Jane Neave, was a very intelligent woman who led a fascinating life. If you're interested in her life, her experimental farming experience and the influence both had on Tolkien's work, I think you would enjoy reading Andrew H. Morton and John Hayes' Tolkien's Gedling: the birth of a legend. It's a very interesting book.

Loved the pictures as usual. It was great to see that van again.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Surely any Tolkien geek would get a Fellowship reference??

That was exactly what we thought...

The Helm's Deep kit is going to be on general release I gather - but a pre-release one was part of the auction... or something like that!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

My pleasure!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It was a rather good pudding... Actually the staff were all really nice to us, as well.

I wonder why!

Hmm... no, no idea!

And it was fun just bumping into each other now and again anyway.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It was an excellent dessert!

Estelcontar, further down the comments thread, gives the name of a book all about Tolkien's aunt Jane and her farm.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It is a rather memorable van! And he did have some very good books.

It was actually Andrew Morton who gave the talk about Bag End - I would think the book would be very interesting. I have almost finished Inzilbeth's now - perhaps next I might think of it..

[kathyh]

Legolas is brilliant and I *love* the van.

Many thanks for sharing your Tolkien weekend :)

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

I love it when adults can immerse themselves in fantasy.
:)
I've enjoyed your pictures very much and that dessert...
*dies and goes to raspberry white chocolate heaven*
:D

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

I laughed at the Fellowship thing. Clearly I fail as a man, or something? ;)

You know those cartoon-style skidmarks on the ground from things like 'Roadrunner', that are on fire because someone ran past so quickly? I'm imagining the map of Middle Earth with a burning trail stretching from Rivendell to Henneth Annûn...

[gillo]

One man did laugh. He admitted he found sport boring. I think all the other men heard "speed record" much more loudly than "fellowship"! We found it quite entertaining, asking people what their reaction was.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Loved the photos. I guess that Aragorn, legolas and Gimli would have made the M-e news headlines!

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

How much do I love Lego Helm's Deep? Hee!

LOL to both your icon and your news story (& the reactions-- almost funnier IMO) So glad you guys had a good time.

And thanks for the visual on "gillet"; I've seen the term but didn't know exactly what item of clothing it was referring to!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

LEGOlas definitely seems to be keeping those two happy, anyway...

Sharing was my pleasure.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

We were all deeply immersed at different levels for the whole weekend!

I do appreciate a good dessert - sadly it shows.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Oh I like that visual image! Fail as a man? No - just shows you've got a quick brain I think!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

They probably were moving fast enough... :)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Lego Helm's Deep was certainly keeping those two boys happy - I think it is going to be available for sale very soon - this was a pre-release one that had been donated for the charity auction.

LEGOlas is rather fun!

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Love the van, and the broken speed record as well.

My friend Chickie gave me the Shelob lego set which has Sam, Frodo, Gollum, Shelog and the Ring. It's wonderful (and fun).

- Erulisse (one L)

[dalmeny]

Thanks for the con report and the photos. I've enjoyed them.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

The van is a thing of beauty. LotR Lego is even more fun than all the pirate ships D-d had when she was young, I think!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

My pleasure - it was an excellent way to spend 5 days.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I get the "Fellowship" headline connection, of course! *points to icon*

What fun to be able to just sit and put together a Lego LOTR project! Kudos to folks still in close acquaintance with their inner child. :)

Glad you finally ran across Inzilbeth. Hope you enjoyed the book!

[bojojoti.livejournal.com]

How funny to have a Fellowship headline while at a Tolkien convention!

Sounds like a very pleasurable time had by all.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

We were just amazed that, under the circumstances, some people didn't get it!

They were really enjoying the Lego build - although S2C used to enjoy helping D-d with all her Lego pirate ships...

I am well into chapter 3 of the book now - and it is both very readable and very informative - as you know, of course.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It amused many of us, for sure. The whole convention was a great time, I really enjoyed the whole event. Although I felt a bit of an imposter amongst so many people who knew everything JRRT had ever written more or less off by heart!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Oh, I should say that I like your default userpic, BTW :-)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It is, of course self-portrait.... :~)