Bored with the Rings, Challenge of the Two Towers (An EPZ Production)

In a land far away (some called it middle earth others call it Wales) a group of EPZ stalwarts faced what was to be their toughest test yet, The Challenge of the Two Towers.

It started one dark and misty Sunday morning just a few short days ago. The quest (nice word isn't it) as we have come to know it would take us to heights we had never imagined. We would see and experience many things some of which I share with you, others are too horrible to mention.

We arrived at camp fully prepared or so we thought. We stood in awe at the foot of the first tower, Raglan Castle a name that will haunt us for the rest of our lives. As the light grew stronger (not really) we prepared to move off. The journey or quest (there, I mentioned it again) as it came to be known had commenced.

Before going further you need to know about our group, a motley bunch of hobbits, dwarfs and evil doers if ever you saw them. They are pictured below.

We wandered the castle grounds constantly on the lookout for Orcs but were not able to capture the images we so desperately sought. We didn't have time to waste and the sky was getting ever darker. Those with courage and faith took to the steps of the Tower. How brave they looked as they climbed ever higher. We had been warned there were many steps, possibly thousands and those who had remained behind felt a twinge of sadness as there friends fell from view

.It was hours before they returned but we were glad to see them. Now we could go for coffee. The story goes a bit a limp here but bear with me it will pick up again later. During our coffee break it was apparent that we had not all come prepared. Some had no coffee. When faced with such a life and death situation you turn to friends for help. Some in our group gave freely but others not so. I myself was forced to beg on the streets of Raglan for a cup of water.

Of those remaining only four managed to reach the top of the second tower. By this time the wind and rain had set about us with some strength. It was time to take shelter. We raced for cover in the castle chapel. As we entered this scared and beautiful place we were greeted by the site of a stained glass window the likes of which had never been seen before, its colour and definition beyond imagination. Some in the group thought it old but I knew the truth. This was a Nicola Woodcock or was it Wooduck or Woodgate I knew it to be so and wanted everyone else to know. So I told them over and over again until I made myself even more unpopular than before.

This was indeed a special place and as we waited for the storm to pass we washed our chattels in a special chattel washing place (You had to be there to understand this bit) then realising that we had not taken an afternoon break. We headed for the coffee shop at Helms Deep near the Fangorn Forest just left of the Caverns of Isengard, 500 yards from the Pass of Caradhras. After a time of story telling and putting the world to right it was time to head for home and Middle Earth. This quest was over ( just when you thought I couldn't squeeze another one in) Where next for this band of well worn travellers, Talybont Anyone ?