Reader: The Hobbit. Chapter 18 “The Return Journey”

Summary Points

• Bilbo awoke, by himself, still on Ravenhill.
• He was found by a searcher, a Man, and apparently hadn’t been found earlier because he had his Ring on.
  • Gandalf certainly trusted in his ability to survive. He had been counted among the dead and the Man was on one last search for him.
  • The Man was clearly a strong healthy guy, he carried Bilbo, at speed, back down to the camp.

Reader: The Hobbit. Chapter 9 “Barrels Out Of Bond”

Summary Points

• Dwarves used the rule of majority when in doubt or situations of non-consensus.
• Dwarven tenacity could be worn down, especially when they had been starving for a while, in which case they would apply the better part of valour.

Reader: The Hobbit. Chapter 8 “Flies And Spiders”

Summary Points (an eventful chapter indeed!)

• Mirkwood was truly a scary, forbidding, creepy, gloomy place with huge trees and super dense foliage needing serious trimming above, while strange unknown critters nosed about in the undergrowth and thick leave piles. There were black squirrels abound too. Cobwebs seemed copious and super-strength industrial grade. Air quality was nothing to shout about either depressing even the Dwarves with its stuffy stillness.

Reader: The Hobbit. Chapter 7 “Queer Lodgings”

Summary Points

• The Eagles were truly wonderful to have on one’s side in a pinch, and they always delivered as promised.
• The most effective way to end Dwarven complaints was to mention deserving a cut of their treasure.

Reader: The Hobbit. Chapter 4 “Over Hill And Under Hill”

Summary Points

• After Rivendell, the journey across the Misties to get to the Wilderland on the side was a difficult itinerary to handle unless one has a deeply experienced guide in tow. It was full of winding twists and and deceptive pathways.

Reader: The Hobbit. Chapter 3 “A Short Rest”

Summary Points

• The encounter with the trolls put a definite damper on the Company’s spirits. No song or tale-weaving since.