Sleepy Folklore: Whitsun Ales, Oak Apples, Hay Meadows and Dreamy Snoozy Snuffly Sleep Talk. Remember the point is there is no point. Idle, ramble, sleep, snooze, dream. That's it.

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Ascension Day Customs, Beating The Bounds in Oxford, a Bit of Dunting in Northumberland, Old Man’s Beard and Onions and a bedtime story: King Conchobhar of Ulster and and King Arthur and Merlin too. Sleep, doze, dream. Nothing's more important than a good kip.

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Old May Day Customs, Fences, Fell Ponies, Sleepy chat, and a bedtime story.

Sleepy Folklore! Sleep through Tony Walker's meanderings and end up at the Shipping Forecast. This week we look at customs around May 13, 'Old May Day' (and thus the one we're sticking to). We look at the Screaming Skull of Burton Agnes Hall, Fences, Fell Ponies, and a look at a story from Elizabeth Garner's Lost & Found book. In amongst pointless, soporific chatter from the man with the dreariest voice in England (official).

If this doesn't bore you to sleep. nothing will.

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Here we narrate D.H. Lawrence's "The Man Who Loved Islands," where isolation becomes both a refuge and a prison. This gripping audiobook tells the story of Mr. Carthcart, a man who seeks solitude by purchasing a series of increasingly remote islands, each retreat further distancing him from the human connections he undervalues. But as he delves deeper into his self-imposed exile, Carthcart finds that nature's overpowering presence grows ever more formidable, threatening to erase any trace of his existence.

Well-known literary critic Margaret Drabble hails this narrative as one of the finest examples of English short stories, masterfully weaving allegory and literal narrative into a profound exploration of human isolation. This story delves deeply into the psyche of a man who is fundamentally incapable of forming real human connections or adapting to a shared existence.

With each island retreat, Carthcart's disconnect grows, turning each new haven into a more desolate and isolating place than the last. Perfect for those who are captivated by the complexities of solitude and the human condition, this audiobook offers a compelling narrative that captures the tragic consequences of a life lived at the margins of society. Listen and uncover the depth of Lawrence’s insight into the inevitable downfall that comes from fleeing the very essence of humanity: our need for each other.

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Step into the enchanting world of medieval Britain with our latest episode, where we unravel the mysteries surrounding one of its most iconic figures: Uther Pendragon, father of the legendary King Arthur. Join us as we journey through the annals of history and myth, drawing from the earliest accounts found in Nennius's "Historia Brittonum" and Geoffrey of Monmouth's "The History of The Kings of Britain."

In this captivating exploration, we delve into the tumultuous era of post-Roman Britain, where Uther Pendragon emerges as a formidable warrior in the struggle against the invading Anglo-Saxons.

Discover how Geoffrey of Monmouth weaves a tapestry of intrigue and magic in his portrayal of Uther Pendragon, a noble king whose reign sets the stage for the rise of Arthurian legend. From the fabled conception of King Arthur under the guidance of the enigmatic Merlin to the epic battles that shape the destiny of Britain, Uther Pendragon's story is a mesmerizing blend of history and magic.

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Halloween Special, in which we talk about the customs of Halloween, its history and fake news. Discussion with Sheila Thomas about foraging and what to do with the wild things you harvest. A bit more Alice in Wonderland and a reading of Goblin Market by Christina Rosetti.

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Struggling to sleep? Let me talk you into dozy snoozy sleep land. In this episode we talk about Apple Day and Trafalgar Day. We mention the Big Grey Man of Ben MacDui in the Cairngorms. I dote on Justin Hopper's book The Old Weird Albion and Danny Robin's Uncanny.. We have some more Alice in Wonderland as a bedtime story. Many aimless meandering conversation.

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Contains Old Michaelmas Day, dog-whipping, some Alice in Wonderland, Jabberwocky, a bit of Lud Heat, a discussion on artichokes, Charles Dickens's memories of his evil nurse and Captain Murderer, probably something about stone circles and a small appearance by Ruby and then Jasper.

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The final part of The Poisoned Rose.

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I talk extensively about the Abbots Bromley Horn dance and its origins lost deep in time, a bit about foraging, some recorded on location snippets from the Oxford Canal, the penultimate episode of the bedtime story The Poisoned Rose and a meditation on Tom Bombadil (sort of, it's a poem really). A long episode, ideal for you to snooze to.

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