Showing posts with label Gandalf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gandalf. Show all posts

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Walk to Rivendell event, photo report

The weather for our event was fantastic on Saturday the 15th, it wasn't too hot, and it wasn't too cold - just perfect!

At 10am we met at the Pakuratahi Forks car-park, where the Pakuratahi Stream merges with the Hutt River, and where the Swing-bridge crosses it.

Kathy had brought all of the One Room Museum's costume collection with her, and made it available to the group.















Pretty much everyone took Kathy up on her generous offer, and although it took a little longer than planned to get into all our costumes, we eventually crossed the Swing-bridge at around 11:00am.

 








After gathering everyone together, we set off on our walk through the Kaitoke forest.











After a pleasant walk, we returned to the car-park to retrieve our picnics, and spread out the blankets on the lawn beside the filming locations of Rivendell.













 Once everyone was satiated, we had a good look around the Rivendell area itself, and took the opportunity to get some great photos of everyone, including the inevitable group photo, thanks to a helpful passerby.
















The after-picnic coffee & tea session was held by roughly half of the group, at Emily house, who left a little earlier in order to get the fresh cream and homemade ice-cream and cakes ready.

All in all, a great day, and a very successful picnic! I'm keen to repeat it next week - let me know your thoughts!

  - Jack

PS - if you're reading this on Facebook, and can't see the photos, you'll have to visit https://www.welly-moot.com/2018/12/walk-to-rivendell-event-photo-report.html


Monday, November 19, 2018

15 December 2018 - Picnic at Rivendell

Hi Welly-Moot crew, just a reminder about our upcoming picnic at Rivendell (aka Kaitoke) on Saturday 15 December.

The plans are:

  • Meet at the Kaitoke Forks Carpark (by the swing-bridge), at 10:00am
  • Adjust costumes (Hell yes! In costume through the rainforest!)
  • Kathy's bringing along costumes from the One Room Fan Museum too, so there will be plenty for everyone
  • At 10:15 or so, we cross the swing-bridge, and walk the main track. It'll take about 30-45 minutes, although possibly a bit longer depending on costume.
  • The end of the walk will get us to the Rivendell grassy lawn, where we unpack our picnics
  • After the picnic, all join for a Welly-moot group photo by the Archway.
  • Plus anything else we can think of on the day, or before. We're open to ideas, so drop us a line anytime!

Afterwards, if people have any energy left, Emily has invited us to her place for a cuppa, chill out and debrief! Details provided on the day.

We've prepared a poster (thanks Kay). Feel free to circulate it or post it anywhere someone might be keen.

See you Dec 15th - hopefully the weather gods and all the Ents and whoever will give us glorious weather! Cheers, Kathy


Saturday, October 13, 2018

Announcement! - Next Event: Walk to Rivendell - December 15, 2018

The Welly-moot, in association with The One Room Fan Museum, presents:

- Walk to Rivendell, 2018 -


We've got a fun event coming up for everyone - another visit to Rivendell in Upper Hut's Kaitoke Park. We haven't met there as a group since the official opening of the Elven Archway, courtesy of LOTR Tour operator Ted Guise. I personally haven't been there for over a year, and I feel like a good walk! Who will join us?

The archway

 Here's the plan:
  • Meet at the Kaitoke Forks Carpark (by the swing-bridge), at 10:00am
  • Adjust costumes (Hell yes! In costume through the rainforest!)
  • At 10:15 or so, we cross the swing-bridge, and walk the main track. It'll take about 30-45 minutes, although possibly a bit longer depending on costume.
  • The end of the walk will get us to the Rivendell grassy lawn, where we unpack our picnics
  • After the picnic, all join for a Welly-moot group photo by the Archway.
Plus anything else we can think of on the day, or before. We're open to ideas, so drop us a line anytime!


The final plans will be published here as the time comes closer, so check back here often. Please share on your social media as well - the more the merrier!

  - Jack

 In the meantime, here's a few photos from the original opening, to whet your appetites.



Fish-eye lenses are awesome

The event was well-attended!

The last stragglers on the path


Four heroes, ready for battle

The professor himself, and Lord Elrond

Where there's a picnic, there'll always be hobbits

Using Legolas' White Knives as picnic cutlery? Sure, why not!

Looks like meat's back on the menu. We don't want to exclude anyone. Baby-food anyone?

Alex on the bridge with Gandalf. She did pass.





Thursday, June 4, 2015

Welly-moot #4.3 report ("Gandalf")

Welly-moot 4.3 meeting was held last Sunday, 31 May at Embassy Theatre.

We started with Jack’s greeting and updates with some projects as usual. There were some exciting updates for the members. We promise that we will post them here on the Welly-moot site as soon as we are able to announce it officially. It won’t be too long so keep your eyes out for it.


Next, we took a moment to remember Andrew Lesnie, who passed away at the end of April. As fans of Sir Peter Jackson’s movies, especially ‘Hobbit’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’, we all know of Andrew’s contribution and passion for movies. You will be remembered, Andrew.

[Picture] Andrew Lesnie (1956–2015)

--

The theme of the day was “Gandalf” – What are your favourite passages in Tolkien's writings that describe Gandalf's wisdom, humour, and personality?

The most popular and famous one was this one:
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us”
Alex shared her memory with Ian McKellen and her story why she came to New Zealand. She is not the only one to choose this quote, some other Welly-mooters from overseas have been inspired by this phrase also, and that is why they are in Wellington now.


There are some phrases from Gandalf are applied in our world as well. The phrase which Gandalf says to Denethor, Steward Gondor, when Denethor refuses to listen to Gandalf's advice on ruling the city. Denethor says "the rule of Gondor [...] is mine and no other man’s, unless the king should come again". Gandalf responds with:

"Unless the king should come again? Well, my lord Steward, it is your task to keep some kingdom still against that event, which few now look to see. In that task you shall have all the aid that you are pleased to ask for. But I will say this: the rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?"
Gandalf is alone amongst the five wizards (or at least amongst the three we know) that he tries to own nothing, and rule nothing, and have no house of his own. Middle-earth is his terrain, and he keeps his eye on the larger picture.


Then there's the phrase from Gandalf to Frodo:

Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends."
This applies our world as well. No one has the right to make judgement for any lives to live or die.


Jack pointed a slightly different character of Gandalf in the book The Unfinished Tales. Gandalf appears to have known all along about Saruman's visits the the Shire, and about his secret addiction to the Halfling's weed. At the Great Council meeting held in 2851, Gandalf appears to have smoked for the first time in front of the council, and defended its use a a way to clear his mind. He recommends it to Saruman (actually knowing full well that he already uses it). Jack's quote isn't a quote as such, but a description of Gandalf's last response to Saruman, as the meeting come to an end:

Gandalf did not laugh again; and he did not answer, but looking keenly at Saruman he drew on his pipe and sent out a great ring of smoke with many smaller rings that followed it. Then he put up his hand, as if to grasp them, and they vanished. With that he got up and left Saruman without another word; but Saruman stood for some time silent, and his face was dark with doubt and displeasure.
Subtle as a brick, is our Gandalf.


As we all know that the common idea or image of Gandalf is ‘father’ figure. When Gandalf is saying good-bye to Hobbits, he says:

You must settle its affairs yourselves; that is what you have been trained for. My time is over: it is no longer my task to set things to rights, nor to help folk to do so. And as for you, my dear friends, you will need no help. You are grown up now. I have no longer any fear at all for any of you.

Here it goes. Not only people but Hobbits, Dwarves, and even Elves rely on him. Gandalf has such heavy responsibility (or burden) on his shoulder in the Middle Earth.


Gandalf is one of the most important and centre characters in Middle Earth. We think because of these characters we are enchanted by the stories of Tolkien’s.

--

All in all, a good meeting, and a terrific discussion. We're looking forward to the next one!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Gandalf! - Theme for Welly-moot #4.3, May 31st at the Embassy

Greetings, Welly-mooters. On May 31st, at 2:00pm, we will meet at the Embassy Cinema in Wellington. Spread the word, and get ready! Our topic for the next Welly-moot is:

GANDALF
Gandalf, © John Howe (*)

Who doesn't wish for a helpful wizard to call on now and then for advice on life's choices and help in dealing with trolls? Granted, Tolkien's wizard had a penchant for steering friends into uncomfortable and downright dangerous situations and sometimes leaving them to figure things out for themselves. He chose his companions well, though, knowing they were each up to whatever might come.

What are your favourite passages in Tolkien's writings that describe Gandalf's wisdom, humour, and personality? Have any of his words and deeds written of by the Professor influenced you in any way so that you did, in fact, have a wizard by your side? Is there still a place for the wandering wizard in our modern life? Bring your favourite quotes and scenes, art pieces and mementoes of Gandalf the Grey and the White.

When evening in the Shire was grey
his footsteps on the Hill were heard;
before the dawn he went away
on journey long without a word.

From Wilderland to Western shore,
from northern waste to southern hill,
through dragon-lair and hidden door
and darkling woods he walked at will.

With Dwarf and Hobbit, Elves and Men,
with mortal and immortal folk,
with bird on bough and beast in den,
in their own secret tongues he spoke.

A deadly sword, a healing hand,
a back that bent beneath its load;
a trumpet-voice, a burning brand,
a weary pilgrim on the road.

A lord of wisdom throned he sat,
swift in anger, quick to laugh;
an old man in a battered hat
who leaned upon a thorny staff.

He stood upon the bridge alone
and Fire and Shadow both defied;
his staff was broken on the stone,
in Khazad-dûm his wisdom died.

    - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Ah, but that it did not, Frodo!

  -Kris

--
Also at the meeting, we will discuss a few other items - notably we will talk about the "One Last 'One Last Time' Time" event that was previously hinted at, as well as a few other Tolkien related projects in the works behind the scenes. We may not be in a position to reveal everything online afterwards, so if you want to be in-the-know, you'll have to attend the moot!

  - Jack


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(*) The Gandalf illustration is © John Howe, and used with permission from the artist. If you haven't been to his website yet, it's time you did! John Howe was intimately involved in the shaping of Peter Jackson' s Middle-earth, and looking through his Galleries, it's easy to see how much of that was kept intact in the movies.



Saturday, January 10, 2015

Welly-moot Event - Hobbit Costume Trail

A small group of Welly-mooters had a great day today - we managed to start and complete the Wellington Hobbit Costume Trail. Originally we thought we could do it in a few hours, that proved to be more like 5 hours instead, mostly because we were pretty relaxed about life in general.

Daniel, Jack, Cinnamon, Sarah, Alex, and Alistair posing in front of a display at Te Papa.

The day started at 11:00am, in front of the Wellington Railway Station. From there we walked to the Rydges Hotel, for Thorin's costume.Rather than walking you through the whole day (should have joined us!), I'll let the photos tell the story.


Thorin at the Rydges Hotel

Gloin at the Ibis Hotel

Bilbo at the Kircaldie & Stains shopping complex

Bilbo's Mithril coat

Dwalin at the James Cook Hotel

Gandalf at the Intercontinental Hotel

Gandalf's staff, with some secret marks

Tauriel at the iSite Information Centre

Balin at the Westplaza Hotel

Legolas at Wharewaka Boathouse

Azog at Te Papa Museum

Elf Lieutenant at Te Papa Museum

Elf Soldier at Te Papa Museum

Radagast at the Museum Hotel

Radagast's got two mismatched shoes

Oin at the CQ Hotel

Oin's warm knitted gloves

Bombur at the Embassy Cinema

Bifur at the Embassy Cinema

Bofur at the Embassy Cinema

Bard at the Copthorne Oriental Hotel

Kili (& scale Kili) at the Airport

Fili at the Airport

Gandalf on an eagle at the Airport

Gollum at the Airport

Smaug at the Airport

Dori at the Roxy Cinema

Nori at the Roxy Cinema

Ori at the Roxy Cinema

Weapons on the wall at the Roxy Cinema

Dale Market Flags at the Roxy Cinema