Lost in the Woods - Halloween blog party 2012

Welcome to everyone who has popped over from Vanessa's blog for my contribution to the Halloween blog party this year, if you missed last years spooky story you will find it HERE

And now for my tale.......


When walking in the woods one should not stray from the path, 
for who knows what may be lurking behind the next fallen tree or bramble bush.
 Alice was just such a young woman, 
curious to know what new treasures may be hiding out of sight.


  She had been wandering for some time since leaving the path, 
and she knew it must be growing late in the afternoon by now, 
she certainly didn't with to be lost in here after dark....



Every way she turned she new paths appeared,
 she had no way of telling which would lead her out,
 and which would lead her deeper into the woods.


The trees seemed to change and take strange shapes,
 twisting and turning, creating living cages, 
waiting patiently for her to come closer, waiting for the opportune moment...



Alice stood still confused and frightened, not knowing where to go next, 
when from behind her there was the  sound of branches creaking as though straining to reach her.
 As she looked back over her shoulder she saw a huge old tree, 
twisted and overgrown with ivy.


As she looked upwards into the tree's canopy a voice began to speak,
 seeming to come from the heart of the trunk itself.
 "Do not be afraid child, you are far from home I dare say, 
you should not be wandering in here alone,
 there are many in here who have become resentful and cruel, 
they would find you to be a fine toy to play with."


"I will tell you the way out of here, listen to and remember my instructions carefully, 
and follow them exactly. 
There is a pathway behind me follow this until you find brother Toad, then......"
Alice listened carefully to the tree spirit's instructions,
 and after thanking it began following the path.


  After a time she looked down and at her feet was her guide, 
"you must be brother Toad" she whispered,
and she began to follow him as the tree had instructed, 
until she came upon the entrance to the deepest part of woods. 


 Here she was to go on alone, even Toad would not venture into here, 
it is told there are barrows in here where the Trow live, 
a bad place to be caught unawares.


"Follow the trails of toadstools", the tree had said, "they will lead you along a safe path"


Alice walked on through the woods, over mossy fallen logs and winding streams,
 the patches of toadstools always in sight of one another so that she never lost the trail.

    

She was getting very tired now, and the grassy hollows looked so invitingly soft,
 maybe she could stop for a brief nap before moving further. 
But she remembered just how late it was getting and carried on going.


  Past fairy rings she went, wondering if she would see sprites dancing if she came here after dark...


till she came upon a line of mushrooms leading right up to the gate of the abandoned millers home.


This was a place she had heard spoken of only in whispers
 as no one came to this part of the woods anymore, 
it is said the miller and his family just disappeared one night, no one knew their fate.


Alice entered into the old mill and looked around, it was dark in here,
 but her eyes soon adjusted to the gloom, and she saw that the building was bare.


The only signs of life being the birds who obviously roosted and nested here. 
Alice wondered about the stories about this place......


Some say the miller went crazy and led his family into the forest one night, 
others say the Trows came and took them, 
the only thing for certain was that the forest had claimed them in some way.


As she wandered around she found some stairs leading down to a lower floor in the mill 
and walked down them as she had been told.


It was lighter down here and she followed the light till she found a door leading to outside....


This was the door she must take into the rear grounds of the mill......


She walked to the rear of the garden, passing the standing stone in the center....



Till she came upon the entrance to the caves.
 Looking around she thought, "surely I can just follow the fields now till I reach a nearby road", 
but the tree's instructions were specific, and who knew what was hiding out here.


So down she descended into the caves beneath her......


Through a series of passageways and caverns
 following the path towards a distant source of dim light....


Finally she came upon what seemed like a door 
from where the light appeared to be just around the corner. 
Alice stepped through the doorway and turned to look down the passageway....


She found herself in a rocky gorge, and at the end could see daylight and water,
 she quickly hurried ahead. 
Blinking from the bright light she climbed up at the mouth of the gorge and looked out to sea....


She looked out at the setting sun and realised she knew this place, 
she wasn't far from home, and she had made it to safety before dark. 
Sitting watching the sun go down she vowed to be much more careful to keep her curiosity in check, 
and not go wandering off into dark hidden places,
 at least..... not until tomorrow......




36 comments:

  1. Wow what a great spooky tale. That fairy ring is magical! Thanks so much for having me, Happy Halloween!

    Please come party with me at my 2 different Halloween parties:

    http://idlebakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/the-witching-hour-halloween-2012.html

    http://kikiandthegypsy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/into-woods-halloween-2012.html

    See you soon :)

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  2. I loved following your tale through the woods and caves. Terrific photos and spooky atmosphere!!

    Angela
    http://www.whimsyways.blogspot.com

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  3. what a great story! the photos were wonderful. please come by my own party, I'm hosting a giveaway!

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  4. Wow, what a spooky journey (and that tree with all the entwined growth on the side? Just amazing!)

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  5. What beautiful images. Love the spooky adventure.

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  6. Oooo following Alice was spooky but gorgeous.

    Thank you! :-)

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  7. Girls named Alice seemed destined for adventures don't they? Bu I must say, if I were there, I'd be following right along--that forest IS magic.

    Thank you for the story-and I'm so glad Alice made it back!!

    xoxox

    BOO FROM ROO

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  8. Oh I just know that Alice will not stay safe for long.

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  9. If I came across a red mushroom like that, I'd have to pick it - not eat it - just pick it... :-) Happy Halloween!

    http://www.moonlyf.com/2012/10/a-fanciful-twist-5th-annual-halloween.html

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  10. Oh yes, I most overwhelmingly agree, you have a great place and opportunity for those great photo's. Perfect for storytelling. Outstanding job.

    Debbie
    http://theothersideofdeb.blogspot.com

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  11. I see you've put your forest to good use. i love all the spookiness. Very spooky indeed. I love all the photo's. They would make a great book. Thank you for sharing...Please visit me:

    momentsinaneye.blogspot.com

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  12. LOVED this spooky post Mel! Oh that music. What a journey to take me away from this rainy day here in Vancouver. I loved this to bits. Thanks!!! *smiles* Norma, x
    p.s. Did you ever receive the brooch that I sent to you? I sure hope so! :)

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  13. Wise and ancient trees are just gorgeous sights, aren't they?! How lucky for Alice that she had one to help her through the wild and scary woods!

    Love those toadstools....magical!

    Thanks for having me :)
    Cameron
    Paint Myself Pretty

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  14. Such a great combination of sight sound, Eerie and yet Fun! Cheers!

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  15. I had to come back. My "other half" (and not the feline one) asked me if I knew what music you were playing. He seems quite taken with it.
    If you could let me know what it is I would appreciate it.

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  16. Great story, and combined with the images and music, it was absolutely magical.

    Happy Halloween!

    Victoria from Brushstrokes

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  17. What a great spooky story! Glad she made it back!

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  18. I just know I saw a fairy or two near that fairy ring! Such delight!

    Do stop by my place and meet my SpoOky haunted girl!

    http://queencreative.com

    Happy hauntings
    QueenCreative

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  19. A truly spooky and magical story.

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  20. Oh my!! She is so lucky she made it out safe.

    I am still jawdropped at that glorious forest, toadstools and all.

    And the ghostly building!!

    Totally up my alley!! Love it!! Thank you for sharing it and all the marvelous photos!!


    Thank you so much for being a part of this extra magical season!!

    ♥ Vanessa

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  21. Oooo! This was a very spooky tale...loved every part of it and the mushroom path and the toad. Good thing Alice followed the directions and didn't stray off the path. Very special story!
    Happy to meet you too! Loved all of the spooky photos.
    Teresa in California
    http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/

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  22. Ah! Yes! I remember Marvelous Mad Madam Mel from 'The Sword and the Stone' animated movie...she was a riot! It definitely got my brain cells thinking!
    Teresa in California

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  23. WHAT SUPERBLY AWESOME PHOTOS!!! Where are they all taken? WONDERFULLY SUSPENSEFUL!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
    Please come meet my coven :)
    http://piecesoffatesusan.blogspot.com/2012/10/halloween-party-2012-hosted-by-fanciful.html

    Brightest Blessings, and Happy All Hallows Eve!
    Susan

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  24. What a magical story! Thank you for sharing it and all your fabulous photos.
    I hope you will come and visit my blog party. I am offering a special giveaway.
    Happy Halloween,
    Sylvia
    http://www.anaboocreationsbysylvia.blogspot.com

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  25. Amazing!! I thoroughly enjoyed my visit!
    Hugs,
    Anne
    www.alittlefurinthepaint.blogspot.com

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  26. Now following, as well!
    Hugs,
    Anne
    www.alittlefurinthepaint.blogspot.com

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  27. What a grand adventure with Alice today. I love those trees. They were incredible. I will look forward to our next adventure with Alice.
    Thank you for the Wonderful party. I had a spooktacular good time. I would love for you to drop in to Wonderland for a Ghostly tale and a few Halloween treats. See ya there
    xoxoxox
    Wishes and Whimsy
    Wendy from Wonderland
    http://candydelane.typepad.com/curiosities/

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  28. These pictures are so cool! I just love the spooky cave. You're quite a brave one aren't you? Love the story!

    Happy Halloween!

    www.broomsticksandlace.blogspot.com

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  29. what a beautiful post. Just found your blog, love it. And how you have added your story to the photos

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  32. What beautiful images. Love the spooky adventure
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  33. Terrific photos and spooky atmosphere!! Love the adventure
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