Wednesday 7 December 2011

The Road Through the Marsh

As we've travelled this road, especially during today, the land either side of this road has become wetter.  We've been travelling gently downhill, and these plains are low-lying and there are few farmsteads.  The land to the south has been turning into a wetland as we've travelled east through it.  It's such a contrast to the mountains which are visible on the horizon behind us.

The road is well made, though.  It's raised up, and is solidly made.  It'll be keeping our feet out of any marshland that may be laying in wait across the plains as we head to the town of Sparren Marsh.

We've met several traders on this journey.  Fortunately our fame has only short reach, and we seem to be back into normal anonymity.  There are quite a range of travellers here.  I thought this road was going to be the main freight-way from the mountains to Fornan Bay, but I was wrong.  The people taking this route are the smaller traders, most with just one small cart.  The heavier freight takes the road to the north, through a place called Glib Hallows, and avoids the marsh, and the really heavy stuff is shipped along the river.

This means that the traders we've bumped into aren't working for big trade companies, nor to tight deadlines.  Most have been really pleasant company.  I think we may have agreed to visit Dooley's tavern in Sparren Marsh during our stay.  And Langhan's Fry and Grill.  And Porkhaven, which seems to be a butcher who specialises in cooked meats, especially sausages.  We may also, foolishly, have agreed to pop into another dozen places when we get to Fornan Bay.

It's good to have made so many new friends on the journey.  Barr has enjoyed it so much that he's managed to cover the costs of our stay in the inn with his dice game.

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