Tag Archives: Earth and Oak

‘Constable Country’ Walk – Manningtree Circular

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Earthoak

I swapped the rain and hills of the previous Saturday for blue skies and fields this weekend. The route this time: Manningtree Circular. The walk would take in the historic village of Dedham and the River Stour. The area is … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

What Hobbits Knew All Along: Walking Barefoot is Good For You

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Earthoak

I came across an interesting piece of health research this week and of course couldn’t help but make the connection with the rather peculiar behaviour unique to hobbits. We are told in The Hobbit that they:

Posted in Tolkien | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

St Mary’s Quad

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Earthoak

This is St Mary’s college in St Andrews, dedicated for centuries to the study of divinity. This picture was taken from inside the old library, named after Professor James Gregory, the renowned 17th century mathematician and astronomer. The latticed windows have a … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Nature | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

At the Summit of Ben Nevis

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Earthoak

The morning of the hike dawned – we looked apprehensively out at the sky, would the weather be kind to us? A thick white cloud clung to upper end of Ben Nevis, but it looked clearer than it did the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mysterious Cities of Gold Episode Recap: Ep 2, Part2 – New Foes and New Friendships

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Earthoak

This post continues with an analysis of episode 2.  I previously discussed the way in which this episode makes a strong foundational contribution to the Secondary World via history and enchantment. But we also see foundations being laid for key relationships … Continue reading →

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Mysterious Cities of Gold Episode Recap: History, Enchantment and Tolkien

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Earthoak

We arrive at Episode 2 – the long voyage across the Atlantic officially begins.  These early episodes journeying across the ocean are integral to the story.  As often happens with long stories, people tend to overlook the early episodes/chapters: sometimes they … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Mysterious Cities of Gold, Tolkien | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Foreboding

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Earthoak

As evening descends – swirling, tempestuous skies, and the dark ruins of a mediaeval castle.  I took these pictures in Fife, Scotland, where all the elements seem to warn and lament a deep and ancient history.  What do you hear from the … Continue reading →

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Mysterious Cities of Gold Episode Recap: Mendoza’s Masterclass in Persuasion

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Earthoak

Episode 1 Recap: Part 3…The Contract: The last post left off just as the ‘blue-caped man’ introduces himself to the grief-stricken Esteban.  The conversation between the orphan and the dubious-seeming Mendoza is, I think, the most critical scene in the entire series. … Continue reading →

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