Another who caught the Winding charm

Just had confirmation that Hillhousehold completed the Winding Charm in Dunster at the end of May. Here are their comments, .

My first cache of this sort,found with the family whilst on holiday, struggled with the GPS on my Android phone, but found all the clues eventually. Great fun.

Short concise and straight to the point which I love, no photo's as yet but may come through in time.This one is from the Last Queen portfolio.

The other big news is that the forth secret walk is on it's way, and I shall be placing the 'keys' in the boxes at the end of  the three current walks on the  17th September. This is the start of Somerset Art Week,  but more about that in time, have patience, have patience!!

What are Story Walks?

I wrote this below for the Exmoor Magazines blog and felt it should be here also. The core ideals of Toy Ahoy (my toy shop) come from the place where children often reside - their imagination, that land of play and as an adult it seems to be a place we never frequent or at least very rarely. 

Whilst writing the storywalks I was determined to be creative in a manner I have not done before, to work in a new medium. In order to do this I felt I should draw upon my childhood somehow and also apply 'new tech' to traditional storytelling.

Many years ago my Mum said to me after seeing my teacher, that 'I always was a bit of a day dreamer.' I was only nine at the time but remember this vividly still.

Today I know my colours have not changed, and I am still in part the day dreamer but feel it is the part of me which hasn't been sanitised or educated away. the last bit of my childhood that is the fresh bow in the mind.

So here it is, the blog for Exmoor Magazine, hope it makes sense and draws a few more into the coven!

Story Walks – Tales from the Combe, are free site specific stories that you can download into your smart phone or sat nav. Each chapter of the story is linked to the location and with clever use of the GPS you are guided along, not sure where it will end or what will happen. The stories are all different, site specific, and ask you to interact with the tale as you journey.

Chris Jelley of Toy Ahoy Minehead has made these three stories, all of which are free to download and walk, and all take place in stunning locations in West Somerset.

‘I created them for my family originally (and myself!) but thought perhaps others would like to enjoy them too, so I timidly offered them to my regular customers who I thought might be interested. This went really well so the next natural step was Somerset Art Week this autumn which would connect to a different audience entirely.’

In preparation for SAW a web page followed (www.tinyurl.com/storywalks) which would answer those FAQ’s and put all the correct links together. I needed to make it as easy as possible for people to do the walks and not let the tech get in the way of the tale.

At the end of each walk is a hidden book for you to make your mark and prove that you have done it. They are great as you get to read what others have written after their experience. There is also a blog http://storywalks.blogspot.com/ (which is here!) where there are photos and testimonials from those who have recently done the walks.

So in a nut shell
Three walks, three locations, three journeys.
Site specific story walks in west Somerset,
Download app and walk into your smart phone,
Travel to the location
Read out loud to friends and family
Let the story unravel the secret path
Become part of the tale
Sign the hidden log
Spread the word
Suitable for all ages

Walking the walk

This entry was made just the other day and thought it should be shared, I especially like the photo they took.

We left Woolacombe and had a lovely drive across Exmoor towards the start point. We decided to attempt this one first as it looked a little shorter and boy were we right! We all really enjoyed the walk through the valley and found the story whilst caching a novel idea. I can definitely see the potential of Whereigo although it must take quite a lot of effort to set up. Thanks for bringing us to this lovely location - we really enjoyed our day out. We took a few photos too so I will upload those when I can.

tell tales

Some stories cling to you and the more you try to shake them the more they seem to rut in, like a song that pesters you relentlessly throughout the day.

Other stories I believe are the making of us, they are the foundations stones and the food of our early years. In a time before our own memories and speech we are fed folk stories and fairy tales at bed times. The last thoughts of the day are of heroes vanquishing dragons, and the wolf becoming undone. These in time become our very substance and moral tableau, the ground from which we have evolved into adults.

Personally I like a tale that has the texture of salted leather and enjoy the darker brush stokes of stories. Perhaps this comes from  Jack and the Beanstalk (giant killer and thief)  or Red Riding Hood (she knew, I know she knew,  I am sure she knew, didn't she?) Or the tale where the witch spins the golden fleece for the imprisoned princess, and her hands turn black with spindle grease (a tale of broken hearts and broken promises where there is honour in just the word.) All these tales have dark hearts and confusing morals, I think the only true moral of a fairy tale is that not all tales have morals!

In my mind folk tales and stories are there to challenge you, to hide behind half truths and fractured memories. They are shallow and foolish, beguiling and tragic,  subversive, evocative, under estimated and over looked but mostly they are haunting, and they haunt me gladly.

So there is a competition from illustrator Jackie Morris  She has released a challenge, prompted by questioning children as to what lies within the little bottle that adorns her. Jackie has set a competition which we have decide to pick up the gauntlet and also pass it on...

So what do I believe is captured in the bottle?  

Grease for the cold spring in her leg iron, for without it the joint would stutter and seize, sending hot humours to her heart, which could crack asunder like splint glass in a trice ,and then where would we be?

For a peek into the creative world  of Jackie Morris and her studio do take a look at Drawing A line in Time. Here you will find details, where you too, can enter her delightful competition. Also books by Jackie and other intriguing artists can be found in Number Seven Dulverton.