LOOKING FOR THE KING author David C. Downing is in England doing research for a...

LOOKING FOR THE KING author David C. Downing is in England doing research for a sequel to his Inklings novel. This week he visited Wayland's Smithy, an ancient barrow in the Berkshire Downs that Tolkien visited often in his lifetime, sometimes taking his whole family along. This ancient tomb is the legendary home of Wayland, a Germanic god famed for his metalcraft. Visit the Berkshire Downs on foggy day and see if this site doesn't make you think of the Barrow Downs. But keep an eye out for the treacherous Barrow Wight! (not pictured here. The Barrow Wight doesn't need a windbreaker.)