The initial (and still main) motivation was to have a hobbit's holiday - walking for pleasure in the farmlands and villages of the Shire. Initially, we thought we would be Frodo and Sam...but on second thought, it's not much fun to be them. I don't plan on going to Mordor (although we're stopping a night in Manchester at the end - long live the Industrial Revolution). Wouldn't one much rather prefer Merry and Pippin?
And so we begin with this invocation before we head off:
Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I goWe plan on posting our pictures and diary here - so stay tuned!
to heal my heart and drown my woe.
Rain may fall and wind may blow,
And many miles be still to go,
But under a tall tree I will lie,
And let the clouds go sailing by.