Hobbit moments

Day 366 - At Journey’s End

So here we are, at the end of the journey to “An Unexpected Journey”. The journey that started on December 14, 2011, with the intention of marking every single day for a full year until the movie was released has reached its destination. Today, I saw “The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey” for the first time.

I will not give away any spoilers, for those readers who are only a few hours from their first viewing, apart from saying one thing - Pay no attention to the reviewers, if you love JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit you will love this movie.

It feels rather strange to be at journey’s end, strange and wonderful at the same time. Having seen the movie brings its own elation, but also the anticipation, this year of waiting and discovering and uncovering has been such a delight that I don’t really want it to end. Its been 366 days. 517 posts. 52 pages full of moments….and its been great.

I have to say thank you to you. Yes, you, reading this right now, each and every one of you who has read, followed, subscribed, listened, downloaded, liked, reblogged, retweeted and messaged - thank you to each and every one of you, you’ve made this year so very memorable. The most unique and Tolkien-soaked year I’ve had. I’ve made new friends, had new experiences, some hobbit-sized adventures….and perhaps I’m not even the same as I was because of it.

So, the end of the journey….but is it the end of the road? Well Bilbo does say that the road goes ever on and on, and the end of one journey is merely the beginning of another. Day 366 of this year is also day 1 of another - because today is 1 year to the day that “The Hobbit : The Desolation Of Smaug” will be released. Shall we do it all again next year? Yes, I rather think we might…..

Here we are at the end of year 1 and so tomorrow will be Day 1, year 2. Another year of Hobbit Moments. Same Hobbit, same sort of posts, but with a whole new look coming very, very soon! Not only that, but another couple of sites too! Keep on following Hobbit Moments and all details will be revealed very soon…and in the meantime, go and enjoy seeing The Hobbit tonight, or tomorrow, or whenever you’re going to see it (or re-see it!). It won’t disappoint, I promise you. Its been worth the wait.

Read more... 13th December

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Bullroarer Took’s picture in Bag End

Have a look... 13th December

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Day 365 - Snow surprise

Well the snow certainly hadn’t appeared on any forecasts before it appeared outside my door, which left me rather surprised!

Only a light dusting, no more than half an inch, and yet it was plenty enough to transform everywhere it had touched. Remnants of garden plants, fences, trees, grasses and even derelict spider webs were all refocussed and seen anew through a white filter of unexpected beauty.

(This post was sat in my drafts last night and I was unable to publish, due to Tumblr’s downtime. Sad to miss the appropriate day, but posted all the same.)

Have a look... 13th December

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Day 364 - Jack Frost claims his kingdom

A clear and starlit night, the sort that makes me think of Cuiviénen, saw Jack Frost creeping in around the edges, slowly starting his dance. Each place his dancing feet fell upon bore his touch and by the morning he had claimed his kingdom.

Jack Frost rules the day and seems set to maintain his invasion for a few days. All is crunchy white and penetrating cold.

Have a look... 11th December

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Day 363 - Ancestral highways

Its far too easy for us folk to fall into the fallacy of thinking we’re the only ones who are making use of the land, who have a right to be on the land. The truth of it is there are creatures who have been on the land as long, if not longer, than us….

Snaking through the fallow field there is a little pathway. Its certainly not been made by people, its too small and meanders too much. Its certainly being used, otherwise it would disappear quickly. From the pond at the bottom of the field it snakes up the slope, crosses the lane and disappears into the woods. Whatever is using it is clearly small enough to fit under that tree root at the top of way into the woods.

A badger pathway? Perhaps. It certainly seems most likely, but sadly I could see no tracks in the sandy soil. If it is its more than likely that they’ve used that path for many, many years. Badgers are a part of the land, they live in the same places they have for generations, treading the same routes as their ancestors.

Whichever animal it is, there’s a comfort and pleasure in the light revealing the hidden track. We’d do well to remember that we’re not alone.

As for those ancestral highways and being a part of the land, well, I believe that folk musician extraordinaire Chris Wood summed that up very beautifully in his rendition of Frank Mansell’s poem “The Cottagers Reply”. Do please play it!

Have a look... 10th December

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Its TV spot #12! A few new shots in here, lots of Richard Armitage looking mean and moody.

Up to 12 spots now and only a few days to go….I wonder if the plan has always been to go to 13 spots? It’d be a nice touch.

Watch... 10th December

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Well isn’t this turning into quite the musical day!

The Doubleclicks are really rather looking forward to seeing The Hobbit, in fact they think its the greatest Christmas gift of all….

Be warned, this song has serious ear worm tendencies.

Watch... 10th December

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Its Monday morning Hobbit wake up time!

Come on, get up, wake up and lets do it Hobbit style, with this remix of Misty Mountains Cold by Brazilian brother DJ’s, Ruback.

Trance your way awake this morning and start Hobbit movie week off right!

Watch... 10th December

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http://soundcloud.com/rubackmusic/the-hobbit

Day 362 - Sunset over the fields

Its very difficult not to take photos during sunset, as the sun sets earlier and earlier each day as we get so close to yuletide now. Still, with winter sunsets adding sudden beauty to dull scenes of bleak winter, I’m more than happy to stand and watch the changing colours of light.

Have a look... 9th December

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Day 361 - Sunset in the woods

When the winter sun dips low in the woods, the result is a handful of minutes of incredible beauty as all is painted into glowing light and deepest shadow.

Have a look... 8th December

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Hobbit TV Spot #11!

Is it possible that Gollum can actually be even better in The Hobbit? This is the first time I’ve believed it in this TV spot centred around Riddles in the dark.

I do think he might be judging me at the end for being so late in posting this though…..

Watch... 8th December

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Day 360 - around the corner

Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate,

And though we pass them by today,

Tomorrow we may come this way

And take the hidden paths that run

Towards the Moon or to the Sun.

Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,

Let them go! Let them go!

Sand and stone and pool and dell,

Fare you well! Fare you well!

(The Lord of the Rings, page 90)

A path I passed by today….and as I thought that perhaps I’ll walk that way tomorrow, the hobbits walking song came to mind and I couldn’t do anything but smile at the rightness of it all.

Have a look... 7th December

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