Hello, dearest daydreamer. Welcome to the Isle of Neverwas and the Lost and Found Exchange.

This time of year can be a frenzy of activity, so much to see and do. It can be a challenge to find a minute of peace during this busy holiday season. Let’s press pause for a moment, spend a few heartbeats together, and share a story. Don’t forget, stories are always better with a mug of something warm and a sweet treat. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.

Today is the second day of Yule, and our focus is on restoration. You, my dearest daydreamer, have arrived at Castle Nod. King Otto and many of the islanders have gathered at the Castle to finish the preparations for the Yule feast.

Castle Nod is perched at the top of the hill. At the foot of the hillside is Chapel Oak and the Bluebell meadows. The Castle is surrounded on all sides by a dense and ancient woodland. During Yule, Castle Nod becomes a beacon on the hilltop, drawing people to it from the surrounding area. 

The oldest fairy folk on the Isle of Neverwas remember when the Castle was a ruin, its stone walls scattered across the hillside. When King Otto washed up on the wet, yellow sand of Bubble Beach, he found that he had no way to return home. He is an actual Viking, from back when Vikings were a thing. Otto had set sail more than 1000 years ago, passing through a storm, the sea was rough and violent, and it tossed him overboard. Otto is the only resident to have been transported forward through time. Nobody can explain how this happened. It took him a full week to recover from his journey through the Portal. The Viking needed a purpose; he needed a sense of belonging. Otto set to work rebuilding the Castle. Other folk from the island started to help the Viking.

The islanders affectionately call the Viking King Otto because he is the custodian of Castle Nod. It took Otto and the islanders 20 years to rebuild the Castle. Technically, Castle Nod isn’t finished; ten years later, Otto is still making improvements to the Castle and the surrounding gardens. The Castle has become an important centre of celebration and community on the island.

Over the last few days, the Castle has been a flurry of activity. Folks from all across the Isle of Neverwas have been arriving to help decorate the Castle. Garlands of ivy, holly, and mistletoe have been wrapped around the banister of the grand staircase, tied at various points with large red velvet ribbon. Light from the large chandelier in the centre of the entrance hall catches something that sparkles. On closer inspection, you can see that the garlands have tiny silver bells woven through them.

Doorways and mantelpieces have also been dressed with sprigs of evergreen and winter foliage that have been brought inside from the Castle gardens. Cinnamon sticks have been wrapped with slices of dried orange, held together with twine and ribbon to decorate the garlands, and hung from the tree. If you look closely, you will also notice that straw goats are used to decorate the garlands, centerpieces, and trees around the Castle. This is an old Norse tradition.

Traditions are important to the islanders. They know that magic lives inside these tiny rituals. Children learn how to make the straw goats at school and will bring them to Castle Nod during the feast or use them to decorate their own trees at home. One of the favourite activities of children living on the island is collecting pinecones. They take baskets into the ancient woodlands that surround the Castle and fill them until they are overflowing. It is a fun activity. On their return to the Castle, they are rewarded for their efforts with big cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows, slices of homemade apple pie, and shortbread biscuits.

You will find bowls of pinecones dotted around Castle Nod. Pinecones are part of an important Yule tradition. The islanders carefully select a pinecone, and they write their wish on a piece of paper, tucking it safely inside the needles. As Yule comes to an end, the island folks come together for a special bonfire. The islanders add their pinecones to the fire, their wishes being burned, the intention released into the air, twirling around in the smoke towards the stars.

Wreath-making is an art form on the island. Some of the designs are simple, a mix of evergreen foliage, with sprigs of holly and pinecones. Some wreath designs are more elaborate with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, ribbons, and tiny silver bells. You will find wreaths throughout the Castle during Yule; they are a symbol of continuity and protection. As the island folk make their wreaths, they are careful in their design, thoughtful with their selection of materials, and their intentions when crafting their wreath are to infuse it with warmth to add to the magic. Each wreath is as unique as the person who made it.

In the days leading up to the start of Yule, an oak tree was carefully selected by Stanley the Mountain Troll. The tree is chopped down, and the Yule log is prepared. King Otto observes this ancient tradition and spends 2 whole days carving runes and protection symbols into the log. On the winter solstice, the log was placed on the fire in the Great Hall. The mountain trolls take it in turns to watch the fire, ensuring it remains lit for the 12 days of Yule. A simmer pot hangs above the fire, containing orange, cinnamon, cloves, cranberries, allspice, and pine. The festive aromas drift through the Great Hall. Similar pots hang in fireplaces throughout the Castle.  

Observing these Yule traditions helps Otto to remember his friends and family from long ago. Yule is one of the times of year when he is able to feel more at home. Castle Nod is where the islanders chose to gather to celebrate Yule. We hope you can return tomorrow and join us for the Yule feast.

For my daydreamers, mischief-makers and restless souls welcome to the Ilse of Neverwas. You are home.

You can find the Isle of Neverwas podcast here