Farynshire: County of Many Lands

If the commercialisation of Christmas is not your thing, and you want to avoid the Christmas markets, crowded streets, and heaving shops, you could spend Christmas in the Crystal Caves of Eassen Eira.

Eassen Eira is a large cave system under the Lower Peaks in Wild Wolvern Mey. It is, without doubt, one of Farynshire’s greatest natural treasures. The caves and tunnels have been formed over millennia by the rush and tumble of the rivers. During the Thaw Rush in Spring water rushes through the caves, bursting out of the hills and cliffs to create astonishing waterfalls, geysers and jets.

During the winter months the water freezes, and Eassen Eira becomes a magical wonderland. The ice is what gives Eassen Eira its more well-known name: the Crystal Caves. For a few weeks in the depths of winter, glittering ice shapes and sculptures fill the caves, of which the Christmas Cave is the largest (latest measurements suggest it is twice the size of Rookpot Cathedral).

The nearest village is Lower Pallow, six miles from the entrance to the Christmas Cave. No one is exactly sure how it started, but at some point the villagers of Lower Pallow decided to bring lights to the caves filled with ice. The only transport they could use to get through the deep snow were skis and sleds. And that is still how the lights are taken from Lower Pallow to the Christmas Cave. The villagers strung the lights, lanterns and candles around the ice formations. There are amazing photographs in Rookpot Museum of the some of the early pioneer decorators. The photographs are black and white, but you can see their old clothing, sleds, and the elaborate and creative ways they use the lights in the Cave; you have to imagine the colour, and the warmth and joy the illuminations must have brought to the bleak, cold darkness of winter.

The tradition continues. And these days it is not just lights (and modern generators) that the villagers haul across the snowfields, and up the mountain slopes, on skis and sleds.

The Christmas Cave is decorated by the villagers of Lower Pallow (and anyone else who wants to join in). Paper chains, miles of multi-coloured tinsel, baubles, homemade decorations, and whatever ornaments the villagers can get to the Cave, adorn the ice shapes and the walls. A Christmas tree is a locally chosen fir tree., carefully excavated so that it can be returned to the forest after Twelfth Night. Holly, ivy, mistletoe, winter roses, ginger, cinnamon pomegranate and cranberries are gathered in the Cave, and decorations for the tree are made from the natural materials in the Cave on Decoration Day (usually December 22^nd).

Villagers are happy to show visitors around Eassen Eira, and it is worth taking one of these informal tours to fully appreciate the splendour of the Crystal Caves. Then return to the Christmas Cave to sit in one of the overstuffed armchairs (yes, armchairs are transported by sled) around the braziers carefully situated a prudent distance from the most elaborate ice formations. And, while you snuggle into the cushions and under the rugs, you are more than welcome to have a hot chocolate, or a spiced cider, and maybe other festive treats such as mince pies, sugar mice, and fat, rum-soaked fruitcake.

From Boxing Day until Twelfth Night, there are gift and book swaps under the Christmas Tree, and more hot chocolate and spiced cider. And then Christmas in the Crystal Caves is over.

Until next year.