Strange days off indeed... Sunday night, I drive over to Bournemouth to meet my kids before Tom Perry's funeral the next day. Whilst we sat outside admiring the beautiful evening a motorbike blows up setting the car behind it on fire. The next day I attend the funeral of my son's best friend, there must have been 500 people there most under the age of 26. There are no words to describe the out pouring of grief I felt and observed, as I sat in  the Priory, amidst the tears of a whole generation. I was going to hold a Sumbel ceremony using the mead horn to honour Tom's passing, but instead I left it to my son Jacob. I felt this was their time to be alone with friends, memories and thoughts.
The drive back to Weston was deeply beautiful as I just embraced the glory of the English countryside, and the gift that I was alive to see it.

The next morning Julie and I set off for Lyme Regis on the Jurassic coast. We arrived very early, as I always plan to leave for a journey at the crack of dawn, and decided to get some breakfast, we found a cute little cafe right on the seafront. Julie ordered poached eggs and me the crab chowder.... It was bloody expensive and absolutely horrible, I renamed my slop " Crab Chunda" because that is exactly what it looked like. We retired to find a space on the beach.
I took Ju's advice and avoided the soft white sand for the wet sand at the shoreline, this would keep us cooler as the temperatures soared, she was right but it was as hard as bloody concrete. We ventured into the sea, it was cold, bracing but utterly invigorating. I properly swam in the crashing wavers
 ( The first time in 12 years) then lay in the warm, warm sun until I was dry.

As lunch approached I wasn't filled with confidence about our prospects, after the trauma of breakfast I was a little weary, I need not have the small homemade pizzas we found down a side street were excellent, followed by a pint of prawns ,I was a happy camper once more. Jules got me some really nice Flip-Flops, but I had never been fond of the toe jamming post , hey I was at the beach.
We returned to our pitch, where I had a snooze, under our newly purchased umbrella and Julie went for another swim.

I woke maybe thirty minutes later and thought I would join Ju in the waves. Up and down I searched the shallows, then back again a little bit deeper ( Julie is a total mermaid and loves the water, especially the blue water that I could see further out)  The sea was packed with tourists and locals alike, there were a few bobbing heads even further out which I was sure one would be her, then wallop! I stubbed my middle toe on a jagged rock, if this had happened on dry land, I would of hit the deck and screamed like a banshee, but instead I gritted my teeth and hobbled my way back to the shallows and finally dropped on my towel.

Julie arrived back some time after and told me that she didn't go for a swim but decided to walk along the beach instead. I am at that funny stage in a relationship, where it is so good and wonderful that it seems to cause me anxiety to be without her for a few minutes, If I had only been patient and waited my foot would still be OK ...Odin had a little lesson for me, or my poor toe.

By 4pm we were done with the sun and headed out of town to a campsite where we could park the Bongo and stay the night. We got set up and we headed down to the shower block to wash off all the days sand... You know that shower, freezing cold or scolding hot, I chose ice water as it seemed more refreshing. As I hopped about washing myself as quick as possible, a huge hairy black spider dropped from the ceiling above right  at my feet. I kicked out with my foot sending the beast scurrying under the door and me stubbing my toe once more on the shower frame. By now it felt like a cartoony red throbbing toe, throb, throb, throb.

There was no way I could get any shoes on, so I resorted back to the toe jamming flip flops and we set out down an extremely steep hill to the pub at the bottom for our evening meal. My god this hill was steep adding extra jamming effect into the already toe jamming flops. Finally we made it to the pub and I could stuff my face with fish and chips... WHAT! No food on Tuesdays.

We asked a local who advised us to take the mile and a half country walk into Lyme Regis. I remember my bruised toe looking up at me and saying "Are you sure"
Never the less we set out on our mini expedition, this was one of the most trippy, rocky, wonky paths I have been on, my toe was killing me and I moaned like a bitch the whole time. Julie on the other hand enjoyed the beautiful evening, the flowers, the butterflies, the wondrous idyllic  river side cottages and old mills. But even she noticed the sign posts.... Lyme Regis 1 1/2 miles, we walked for twenty mins or so, another sign Lyme Regis 1 1/2 miles, another twenty minutes another sign, the same bloody distance to go. By this time, my toe throbbing seemed insignificant compared with the weeping red crack between my toes.

We finally made the town some hour and a half later and I got my Fish and Chips and the world seemed right again but there was no way I was walking the mile and a half home. So we got a taxi and you know what, I slept like a baby.

 The Wednesday plan was to check out Bridport as we had reliably heard from friends it was a cool place. Just as we arrived at our new destination A Creperie Cart blows up and set two cars on fire, parts of the town are cordoned off for safety... Up and til this point in my life I have seen maybe three things blow up, now five things in two days mmmmmm.

The nearest beach was West Bay so that is where we headed next, this is where the toe story takes on a whole new dimension. We find a nice parking space close to the beach, we cant actually see the sea as there is a huge sand dune in front of us. so on go the flip flops one more time and we head off. What we thought was a sand dune is actually a dune of roasting hot rice crispy size pebbles heaped in a mountainous pile between us and the cool crashing waves.
Julie starts to laugh as my feet sink into the pebbles and I loose my grip, finally ending up on my hands and knees, three steps forwards two sliding back

I was getting nowhere fast, I felt like I was in the French Foreign Legion crawling my way across the desert or the Dorset Coastline. I finally had a brain wave and stepped all fours onto my towel and used it like magic carpet to waddle my way to the beach. Obviously this would have been so much easier if I didn't have a smacked up toe.

Julie went for her usual swim and I lay back in the surprising comfy rice crispies, it was so bloody hot, I finally had to say "I am done, let's go home". Just as we got in,   I had back to back hour readings, it was like Odin knew, that's enough fun, time to be home there is work to be done.

What is going on in the World right now, It all seems to be falling apart, or falling into place I am not sure. The forces of Jotunheim are at play and the momentum of this could push us over the edge. Racial tensions in the US, Trump lining up to be president, terrorist attacks in France and military coups in Turkey, not to mention the state of politics in the UK. To cap it all my Father who is nearly eighty getting into a fight whilst in Spain, because a drunken local called him an "English Bastard"as the UK wants to leave the Euro zone, when I say fight, my father knocked him down with a back hander, split his lip and broke his nose
The police were called , My Dad told them what the man called him and the fact that " I only 'it him once and it wasn't a proper dig anyway". They decided not to arrest him and warned not to cause anymore trouble in the town. He is now back in the UK and I spoke with him and said.
"Dad he could of had a couple of mates, who could of come back and given you a right kicking"
It was at this point I realized , that was pretty much exactly what my Father wanted, to go out on his shield and take his place in Vallhala. He is one guy who doesn't do old age very well.
The conversation led back to the subject of all his mates being gone. I know now he has to find some joy in life, something to spark his interest. He probably needs a female companion to have new adventures with, that is tricky as my Dad only fancies "younger birds". So I will call on Freyja to send him one, just like the" Beguiling of Merlin" to give all for love once more, after all it is LOVE that makes it all the crap worth while.

Since the intervention of Freyja, I have re-balanced my medicine wheel, calling in both the male and female energies in each direction.  I  honoured the guidance of  the Goddess and was led to a holy wood, that I will not mention. When I arrived there it was not how I remembered, rubbish and crap everywhere, a group of homeless had set up camp there, old Tesco trolleys and the trees had graffiti  sprayed on them. It made me ashamed I was a two-legged, all the other species lived in harmony with the creation of nature. I promised the Goddess I would return and try and undo some of this abuse. As I left the wood, I came across an old man sitting on a bench, wearing a check shirt and dungarees. He smiled and said "Hello, I'm an Elf and a Yogi, I come hear every morning to do my stuff but the rest of the time I'm just a plumber...You understand don't you?"
I winked, knodded, blessed him and passed on my way. It was good to know that there were others who could see between the Worlds and understand the beauty of that.

Today I returned, I said prayers and hung a runic helm on one of the trees, a helm for these occupants to be respectful or clear out and leave this grove in peace. It felt good to be back on the land doing medicine to heal the woods and fields. It has been a while, with all the distractions of energy attacks and so on.
Once I had finished my simple ritual, Merlin appeared to me and told me to return to the place he had taken me six years ago. I wont go over that again but it is in my book. Anyway this place he mentioned was a bridge on the Brue river at the edge of town, this bridge was sacred in ancient times as it was the gateway to Avalon, now it just supports the traffic that by-passes the town.
I need to retrieve a reed from the river ( the reed is Ngetel in the Ogham , it is for clearing away bad energy and spells, so this seemed appropriate ) In the pass the six years, the banks had become really overgrown and I struggled to find a place to get down to the water. The natural plants that grow along river banks have gone wild this Summer with the constant rain, sun ,rain ,sun, rain ,sun and now the bank was a jungle of thistles, stingers, cow-parsley and some sort of huge grass, which the cows seem to love but unfortunately gives them really runny shit that was sprayed everywhere.

Eventually I found a spot where I could just about see a place that was clear, my target was a good five foot jump down and involved me hoping what I was leaping onto was solid ground. Merlin had led me hear and just as before no matter what the outcome I must do what he said.
I Jumped , landed one foot on solid bank the other on spongy grass but relatively dry. I Then struggled along the bank until I could finally reach across with my Algiz stick and grab a reed. Perfect! mission complete  but how the Hell do I get back up. The bank was slippery and dense with stinging nettles, I just regarded all the stings as the price to pay for the magical reed. Above me an audience of curious cows had gathered and watched  the silly two-legged scramble back up the bank.
Back on the bank above, I had my prize but more than that I felt alive in the magic once more.

So, since I have been back in the UK I have been under constant psychic attack, pretty much all from female energies. I have been having visions on what to do and it seems Odin wants me to make peace. Today was the day when I would hand out my spiritual olive branch, but at each of the allocated spots, where I was to do my medicine something was wrong, children playing, someone camping, the path blocked by a fallen tree.
I have walked my entire sacred path of Avalon and was nearly at the end, when I met a nice couple on the Tor, who had a blanket laid out selling pictures. The Guy, mid 40's long blonde hair, asked about my shaman stick and told me he channeled the Star Masters. I gave him the explanation of my Algiz stick and explained that I was a medicine man. He then asked if he could bless me and I agreed. He fell into a semi-trance, spoke in tongues, clapped his hands and then said "Bless you" and bowed his head. I gifted him one of the runes from around my neck, and as they sat beside the spirit waterfall the rune laguz was appropriate.
I didn't feel any different but his intent seemed Holy, we parted and I was on my way. One last place had not been tried for my peace ceremony, then it dawned on me like a bolt of lightning. I was not to make peace with certain women but to make my peace with all women. Freyja, Frigga, Gullveig, Sigge, Nanna, Idunna, Sif, Saga, Rind, Ran and Urd, Verdandi and Skald. I must embrace women and ask for forgiveness and I know exactly where I am to do that.
In doing so, I hope it will bring to an end my endless conflicts. To have the relationship like I have with Julie who is my (Creddilad, the wife of Gwynn ap Nudd, The Summer Queen). To allow peace and harmony to reign once more. I have a very masculine energy that needs to be a sanctuary for those who need healing, just as the Mother Frigga hold us in a nurturing carress, my my hand be the strong ,firm grip of support and protection.

So, since I have been back in the UK I have been under constant psychic attack, pretty much all from female energies. I have been having visions on what to do and it seems Odin wants me to make peace. Today was the day when I would hand out my spiritual olive branch, but at each of the allocated spots, where I was to do my medicine something was wrong, children playing, someone camping, the path blocked by a fallen tree.
I have walked my entire sacred path of Avalon and was nearly at the end, when I met a nice couple on the Tor, who had a blanket laid out selling pictures. The Guy, mid 40's long blonde hair, asked about my shaman stick and told me he channeled the Star Masters. I gave him the explanation of my Algiz stick and explained that I was a medicine man. He then asked if he could bless me and I agreed. He fell into a semi-trance, spoke in tongues, clapped his hands and then said "Bless you" and bowed his head. I gifted him one of the runes from around my neck, and as they sat beside the spirit waterfall the rune laguz was appropriate.
I didn't feel any different but his intent seemed Holy, we parted and I was on my way. One last place had not been tried for my peace ceremony, then it dawned on me like a bolt of lightning. I was not to make peace with certain women but to make my peace with all women. Freyja, Frigga, Gullveig, Sigge, Nanna, Idunna, Sif, Saga, Rind, Ran and Urd, Verdandi and Skald. I must embrace women and ask for forgiveness and I know exactly where I am to do that.
In doing so, I hope it will bring to an end my endless conflicts. To have the relationship like I have with Julie who is my (Creddilad, the wife of Gwynn ap Nudd, The Summer Queen). To allow peace and harmony to reign once more. I have a very masculine energy that needs to be a sanctuary for those who need healing, just as the Mother Frigga hold us in a nurturing carress, my my hand be the strong ,firm grip of support and protection.

Every day minor problems get us down, trivial rubbish that clutters our lives. then out of the blue someone loses a loved one, a parent passes over and it puts your life into perspective. this takes time and we become accustomed to our role in the world changing and we take on the mantle of those who came before us.
This I have learned to deal with. but when my Kids call me in tears and tell me that one of their best friends has died whilst on a trip to Sri Lanka, a lad I have known since he was four years old. This young life blown out before his twenty fourth birthday. As a parent myself, I can just imagine the heart wrenching grief his whole family are going through.
This is the real reality check, that how sweet and brief life truly is. What a precious, fragile gift the Gods have given us that must never been taken for granted. My son and his friends are in a state of shock, the glorious life they lived growing up on the South coast has been rocked. The first of their friends has passed on and at Tom Perry's funeral their will be a out pouring of love of all those who got to share his life.
As we all walk this journey, we will lose friends and family. my Father tells me all his mates are dead, he is the last of his "Crew". Tom Perry was the first of his crew and we will all take our place in the line of Orlog. So I say to my Son, " Sing your friends song loud, we will all meet again in Valhalla"

I haven't blogged in a while, that is because I have been immersing myself in the magic and medicine of the land and great revelations have come to me. All this new knowledge has come up since I found the boundaries of my "Scared Enclosure". Within this area huge events took place in the past, whose ghosts still echo through the lives of those who live now.
Firstly we have the story of Arthur, Avalon and Camelot, if we forget about the legend and just focus on how those events changed the world view of that time.
Arthur the Servant of Christ defeated the Saxon horde and overcame the power of Wotan.
Jump forward 300 years and vitually the same events happen around another legendary king,
Alfred the Great deafeated the great viking army and converts their leader to Christianity and overcomes the power of Odin.
There are many theories about where these events took place, spiritually I have visioned and seen with my own eyes, they all lie in the west country of England.
Guthrum the Viking King was beaten at the battle of Edington ( this is the Edington  that lies between Glastonbury and Brent Knoll.) Alfred then gets the Viking King to sign the treaty of Wedmore,( Just outside Glastonbury) and the England we now know was born.
Now where does my own particular path come into all this history, in both of the above events the Gods  of the Heathen are over powered and subdued...BUT NOT GONE... This sleeping dragon lies dormant in the land . Now I and others are to wake this energy once more. Not so we can rise above any other path, but to show the holiness of the pagan way. A path where the we and the Gods are in total balance with nature.
Feel the Dragon rise, not just in the land but in your own ancestral soul.