Winterfell Harbor Gloaming

Winterfell Harbor Stone Guardian

Winterfell Harbor at sunset was calm and quiet in the darkening skies.  Waves were stirred by the winds in overhead.  It had been a odd week.  Rumbles under the harbor's seas had brought old stone ruins pushed up from the sea floor -  debris of storms long past.  Instead of the usual kelp and seaweed floating past, you could peek down and see a blue glow coming from plants no human eye had ever seen.  When I snagged one with a fishing line, it sparkled in the sunlight.  What was going on? Doors were opening and slamming on their own at night.  Even this morning, I tried to step thru the library door and was blocked from moving.  I reached out and touched....felt like a cold stone wall but nothing was there.  Down in the wine cellar, prized bottles had tumbled to the floor...so much for that Christmas wine!  Candles flickered without a window open.  I was blaming it on Lord Tiger and Tigger Cat.  Lord Tiger was the reason for my sunset stroll, he had disappeared from the Great Hall.  Tigger had curled up on his little couch as if hiding from the world - even with his head tucked under a cushion.  No cat meowed under a bush.  No bird chirped sleepily from a branch.  Tonight was peaceful, except for the missing kitty.  As my evening habit, I stopped to check on the stone guardians of my home - giving their stone towers a quiet pat of gratitude for their diligence.

Fog? Blue mists? Rolling over the manor?

Turning to wander the paths back to the manor, the wind changed directions. The first wisps of fog rose above the manor but it was strange.  Were these the blue mists that cover Winterfell?

Dark Clouds Gathering

I hurried for cover on the manor's porch as the clouds gathered. Rain slashed across the Harbor. Wind blasted the summer daisies in the garden.  I rushed to the conservatory to check the back gardens. 

Waters were rushing to the streams. The old stone bridge was still standing in the downpour. Waterfalls pouring on all sides of the manor contrasted with the thunder and lightening booms.

 

Last thing I saw before the storm blasted my view into darkness was the solitary heron out by the pond. I grabbed Tigger in my arms and huddled by library fireplace.  

The winds continued for what seemed forever.  I could hear the manor being buffeted again and again by the storm.  Trees limbs crashed into the windows.  Let's don't even think about the dining table which I could see thru the doorway!  At the height of the noise, I thought of the old abbey which had stood for centuries on this island.  It's chapel stood on the precipice near the house.  The abbey house itself had disappeared leaving stories of ancient priests in the chapel, ladies guarding the Harbor while their lords were gone, and the children who always left stories of little fairies in the trees and beautiful ladies who talked to them down on the fishing rocks.  As the current Lady of the Harbor, I knew my great-grandfather had torn down the abbey ruins and built the manor.  Now I wondered if I would be the last Anderton to live here on the Harbor.

 

Suddenly it was quiet.  As Tigger stirred in my arms, I realized I could see sunlight - grey with clouds but still the setting sun.  The manor was destroyed with only the library chimney and fireplace still standing.  Everything was wiped clean. I stepped hesitantly out onto what was now a rocky landing high above the sea waters. Tigger meowed and I heard an answering kitty.  That rogue kitty, Lord Tiger popped up from under a rock.  I gathered the two cats in my arms.  Seeing a cottage roof still standing across the bridge, I picked my way across the rocks and slid down the muddy hill for a dry place to spend the night.  Who knew what I would find in the morning?  What was the laughter coming from the ancient oak tree?  I was too tired to investigate. Sunday would be a better day.

Changes

Even in Caledon & Winterfell, the end of August brings changes - library collections, new builds, completing old ones, and stories that never end. Have finally come up with an idea for the Caledon SouthEnd building, which has been looking very lonely. Was just going to re-texture the outside and call it wonderful. However, my 'happy fingers' ended up deleting some of the interior textures! At least, I didn't blow the place up yet!

Old WallsFound some great exterior brick and plaster walls with charming windows - even flower boxes. Have decided to ask for custom interiors to match (don't you just hate it when you realize the windows aren't the same inside & out?). After much searching for period wallpaper that isn't under copyright, I had just about decided to go with plaster and paint. When out of the blue, I came up with an idea! Use my Clan Aberconwy tartan as wallpaper with the plaster or wood trim. Matching solid color walls as needed to hold vendors. The tartan would then carry the theme for the shop's name - Arcade.

New Walls Planning on three floors of tasteful shops and it looks like I will become a builder - will be easier to just build new walls and floors than to keep messing with the old originals.

Hopefully, Arcade will become a shopping destination for Caledon SouthEnd with Caliber, Laurel Crown, and other shops nearby. Now if I can only come up with something that is indispensable and turns into the ultimate impulse purchase! Hmmm, perhaps a Caledon tourist sovenier - tacky tea towels anyone?

Guess what? The building ended up looking like this! All mine!

Winterfall Harbor - Clan Aberconwy Comes Home!

Such excitement has been going in the past few days! Besides Caledon II Aberconway Estates, I have another home in the north in Winterfell. Due to unexpected events, I now am caretaker of Winterfell Harbor - my very own island sim. Here is a history of what happened:

Winterfell Harbor survived an earthquake and tidal wave which completely changed the landscape. Arising from the sea floor, the Harbor joined the main land mass of Winterfell Laudanum - while preserving the rocky outpost islands surrounding the safe harbor. I rushed over to the newly revealed rocks and hills to find the debris of past Celtic cultures. To my great shock, my own clan - Aberconwy - had left family runes and old brass shields from far away Wales. Tossed about the Harbor were giant boulders, stone columns, old Norman castle ruins, and magically - for how had they survived - a sacred grove of oaks. This land - this place of Celtic legends was connected by generations to me. A journal left in my charge from my maternal great-grandmother Mary Ann was suddenly clear. The journal's stories were not just fairy tales, but tales of a long ago clan whose daughters cared for the Winterfall Harbor and Aberconwy Glen. "Seek the daughters of the Clan Aberconwy for they shall protect the legends of the Harbor," so said the ending page of the journal. I have taken up my duties as Lady Protector of Winterfall Harbor and leader of Clan Abercnwy. My search has begun for my cousins, those daughters descended from the seven daughters of the Clan. For with their aid, Winterfell Harbor will come forth from the mists of time to share its Celtic lore and places. The Aberconwy Old Chapel and Manor has been placed on its foundation of old castle stones and vines. You are welcome to visit our Clan's spiritual home as we uncover the Celtic legends in the land and waters of Winterfell Harbor.

Please come over to visit - I'm still uncovering hidden stories and treasures each day in the harbor and glen. And I may be called upon to perform a seance soon. It seems Miss Robbiani's late husband has been channeling himself through Mr. Wil Beaumont. Miss Audrey is in a flutter! We have to find out who this "Pinky Poo" character is.

Eleanor Anderton,
Lady Protector of Winterfell Harbor
Lairdess of Clan Aberconwy