1. Probably Orkney. More specifically, the hotel at Woodwick House, Evie; or the Knap of Howar, the oldest house in northern Europe. (While not as well-equipped as Skara Brae, which came 600 years later, but it is still very cosy!)
Second place is shared between the Vale of Belvoir / the "High"* half of the Framland Hundred / Deanery, and Haddon Hall.
2. Pont (real name Graham Laidlaw) was a Punch cartoonist of the late 1930s and very early 1940s. His drawings are, simply, very funny; brilliantly observed, and full of detail. He did the "British Character" series, among others.
3. In 1993 and 94, I became very active in the Tolkien Society. jason_finch, the then-editor of Mathom (the smials' newsletter), wrote to me as organiser of Wellinghall (the now-defunct Birmingham smial), passing on an invitation to the 1994 Taruithorn banquet. I went, and much enjoyed myself, having briefly met some of the stalwarts (like kargicq, skordh and chainmailmaiden; and the rest is history.
4. It is a golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), an ornamental species. It was imported to Britain, as indeed all pheasant species were, from Asia, and has become naturalised (from feral birds) in small numbers. To see one stepping out of the undergrowth is quite an experience.
5. Playing? Taking three wickets for eight runs (for the Birmingham Actuarial Society, insurers v consultants). Watching? Possibly seeing David Gower and Ray Illingworth steering Leicestershire to victory in the John Player League in 1977. On TV? David Gower scoring 200 not out for England.
*This is a geographical description, rather than necessarily one of their worshipping style.
no subject
Second place is shared between the Vale of Belvoir / the "High"* half of the Framland Hundred / Deanery, and Haddon Hall.
2. Pont (real name Graham Laidlaw) was a Punch cartoonist of the late 1930s and very early 1940s. His drawings are, simply, very funny; brilliantly observed, and full of detail. He did the "British Character" series, among others.
3. In 1993 and 94, I became very active in the Tolkien Society.
4. It is a golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), an ornamental species. It was imported to Britain, as indeed all pheasant species were, from Asia, and has become naturalised (from feral birds) in small numbers. To see one stepping out of the undergrowth is quite an experience.
5. Playing? Taking three wickets for eight runs (for the Birmingham Actuarial Society, insurers v consultants). Watching? Possibly seeing David Gower and Ray Illingworth steering Leicestershire to victory in the John Player League in 1977. On TV? David Gower scoring 200 not out for England.
*This is a geographical description, rather than necessarily one of their worshipping style.