Difference between revisions of "Tir Zephyrus - A Guide"

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Tir Zephyrus

The Road Goes Ever On

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

The Road has led us from Tir na Seilidhe to Tir Zephyrus – the Land of the West Wind. The effect of that nurturing phenomenon is almost instantly noticeable. In contrast to the bleakness of much of Tir na Seilidhe, Tir Zephyrus is a land of trees – and what trees! The warm west wind encourages lemons, oranges and olives all to flourish, scenting the air in the company of the characteristic apple trees of this continent.

The Road may go ever on and on, but in this sim there are a number of points of interest it does not reach. Stout boots, and effective wings would be useful here.

Crossroads and a Temple

I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.

Down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.

Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed by.

Almost immediately we are confronted with a choice of routes. The traveller in a hurry to complete the Cathedral Circular Walk will bear left, heading South for Limbo. North, to our right, stands “The Temple of the Arts”, with its Greek columns and Celtic knot details making a good eclectic mix. Fruit trees surround it, with an olive tree at the Northern end. Fallen apples lie around and make us think of Keats’ “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” If we walk to the olive tree, a great view down the fjord opens up.

Staff Learning Centre

We return to the junction, and turn right, heading North West. The large handsome structure before us is the Staff Learning Centre. I would tell you goes what on in here, but I’m sworn to secrecy.

Note the handy Hatchie stand at the top of the steps – great for Hatchie group photographs!

The interior of the building is attractive, with plenty of space for gatherings of IoW Staff, and an office The building is a solid, purposeful structure, despite some hollow sounds here and there. It is built on a scale to accommodate adult Wyrms. Have a good look round, but – don’t interrupt any meetings. Senior Dragons are best left undisturbed.

An Island

As I’m in a poetic mood, here’s some W.B. Yeats for you – The Lake Isle of Innisfree:

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;

There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart's core.

If we walk around the outside of the Staff Training Building, and look out to sea, we see a lovely little island with a temple-like structure on it. It put me straight in mind of the poem and looks a lovely restful spot. The little temple is surrounded by citrus and olive trees, and a sense of peace pervades the place. Lovely!

The Old Road

We are going to trace the route of a road that isn’t there now, but may have been once. It’s a pleasant detour in any event, and would form a handy route to Hedgetopia from the North. Back at the junction, turn to face South West and walk forward. You enter a little valley.

Pick your way through the best way you can, keeping near the valley floor. You are now in Tir na Nog, and if you press and follow the blue pillars, you will find your way to Hedgetopia. Wings may be handy at this point!

They shut the road through the woods

Seventy years ago.

Weather and rain have undone it again,

And now you would never know

There was once a road through the woods

Before they planted the trees.

It is underneath the coppice and heath,

And the thin anemones.

Only the keeper sees

That, where the ring-dove broods,

And the badgers roll at ease,

There was once a road through the woods.

Yet, if you enter the woods

Of a summer evening late,

When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools

Where the otter whistles his mate.

(They fear not men in the woods,

Because they see so few)

You will hear the beat of a horse's feet,

And the swish of a skirt in the dew,

Steadily cantering through

The misty solitudes,

As though they perfectly knew

The old lost road through the woods….

But there is no road through the woods.

There is evidence of plans to put a trail through this area, as blue marker poles attest, although not through the valley we have come through. We’ll discuss the poles more in the Tir na Nog Guide.

On the Road Again

This is a good diversion, worth making, but we need to return to Road eventually. Retrace your steps, turn to the South, and ride into Tir na Nog on the Cathedral Circular route.