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.

The first of many (hopefully)

 

Just had an email through with the first 'geocachers' doing two of my walks in the same day! I've not had feed back yet but hope they had a good time. I will include any images and comments on the site when appropriate.

But thought it would be good to put these pictures up of the church door at Stoke Pero. A beautiful place which is Anglo Saxon in age, and has great barrel vaulted ceiling. It's the highest parish church on the moor and overlooks the valley where 'the last queen' story walk resides.

Nobody knows what these words say, so if you do then you should get in touch. I am sure it's something like keep quiet, or please close the door it's drafty on the moor! The door is actually quite dark and tricky to see but the photos really show the carvings pretty well.

It is definitely worth a stop by if you are doing the last queen walk.

Faery brew and The Heather Drink

I found this bottle at the end of 'The Last Queen' walk in Horner woods. At first I thought, oh there's some litter, I'll take it home and put it in the recycling rather than leave it here spoiling a beautiful spot. But then I noticed it was not that new, the glass looks hand made and the words sandblasted onto the glass were unique.

This is no bottle discarded into the hedge by louts this is a piece of art placed in this special place. The engraving says 'A woodland house in a row of three' does anyone know what it is and why it was there?

I do know that I am not the first artist to do a trail in this place and am intrigued to find those who have trod the path before and pick their brains.

I thought I might brew some special beer (when I've given it a proper clean!!) ready for another walk. It does remind me of a story I used to tell around schools and festivals called The Heather Drink. It was based on a Scottish legend about the Picts who were early medieval people living in the highlands and brewed a drink from the purple heather.

It was said to taste like nothing on earth and anyone who tasted just a drop would become free hearted, fearless and fair. It's one of those great stories that has it's feet on some good historical truths and blends them with true storytelling guile. Ask me and I shall be happy to share it with you, and in return you could share your heather drink with me.