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Thread: It's time - My Elf sighting.

  1. #1

    It's time - My Elf sighting.

    Ok, I feel it's high time for my Elf sighting story. There is no punchline - I really saw what I believe was an Elf.

    I was driving back home late one Summer's night sometime in the 1980s. I had been out drinking with a group of friends, but I was the designated driver that night (we took it in turns to drive) so I had not touched a drop of alcohol all night.

    I'd dropped the last mate off at his home and was driving down a country road. I knew the road well and must have driven down there a thousand times (still do).

    It was pitch dark, middle of nowhere, early hours of the morning, with no other traffic, so headlights were on full beam. As I rounded a gentle(ish) bend this small figure was about to step into the road. I could clearly see it in the headlights as it's head snapped round with a surprised look in my direction. As I passed it, the figure stepped smartly backward up against a road-side Oak tree, and stood upright and rigid in an attempt to blend in with the tree.

    Needless to say I was as surprised as the Elf! And without thinking, I 'jammed the anchors' on, screeched to a stop, put the car in reverse, juddered back down the road, jumped out of the car and sprinted over to the Oak tree (I could sprint in those days). Annddd... nothing. Of course the Elf was long gone by this time. I called out 'Hello' a few times, but to no avail.
    Eventually, after searching the undergrowth a bit, I got back in the car and continued home.

    I believe have a vivid memory of it to this day. I'll described the figure:
    About 3.5 to 4 foot tall.
    NOT a child, as proportioned like an adult.
    Slim and delicate looking (gracile I believe is the word).
    Dressed head to toe in Beige (Yes Beige!) including some type of hat.

    So there you have it. I am thoroughly convinced and believe I saw an Elf.

    P.S. I have also seen a Fairy, but that's a different story...

    Anybody else had similar experiences?

  2. #2
    Master
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    One day too early I think...

  3. #3
    Sounds like you startled a small adult who naturally ran like heck to hide when they heard you screech to a halt and reverse. That sort of driving behaviour at night when on a country lane typically indicates nefarious intent, I'd suggest!

  4. #4
    I've seen a Riley Elf several times.

  5. #5
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jools View Post
    I've seen a Riley Elf several times.
    I've travelled in a Riley Elf many times. I've also seen the Lincoln Imp.
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  6. #6
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Griswold View Post
    I've travelled in a Riley Elf many times. I've also seen the Lincoln Imp.

    Are you sure it wasn't the Hillman Imp?
    F.T.F.A.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    Are you sure it wasn't the Hillman Imp?
    I learnt to drive in a Hillman Imp, talk about a tough start in life.

  8. #8
    Master unclealec's Avatar
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    Sorry, but someone has to say it - was he part of the National Elf Service?

  9. #9
    Master PhilipK's Avatar
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    Was it practising Elf Isolation?

  10. #10
    Grand Master Passenger's Avatar
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    Yep definitely seen the Lincoln imp a couple of times.
    The mrs and I had a peculiar experience in NZ, more of a deja vu or doppelgänger than a faerie encounter but it was odd...we were driving on the Forgotten Highway, a fairly sparsely inhabited region. It was late afternoon, when we passed a very large chap dressed in what appeared to be a boiler suit, walking alongside the road he was carrying what looked like a machete which we both thought was a bit odd but concluded he was a farm worker on his way home..about a quarter hour later so perhaps ten miles further down the road I swear we passed him again...same striking build, same boiler suit and yup machete!

    It wasn’t Halloween but perhaps someone was throwing a fancy dress Party. We didn’t pull over to ask him though. And for full disclosure no booze or substances had been ingested...spooky even Years later.
    Last edited by Passenger; 31st March 2020 at 14:32.

  11. #11
    Master
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    I've genuinely seen a UFO.

    Also had 2 ghost encounters... I think...

  12. #12
    Maybe if you'd called out 'Hello' in Elf he would have understood you better.

  13. #13
    VW Fastback
    And does anyone know the Elf for 'Hello'? Cos I don't.

  14. #14
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Sightings like this are kept on file at the Gnome Office.

  15. #15
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alpha4 View Post
    VW Fastback
    And does anyone know the Elf for 'Hello'? Cos I don't.
    Sindarin or Quenya?

  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by Alpha4 View Post
    VW Fastback
    And does anyone know the Elf for 'Hello'? Cos I don't.
    'Suilad'.

  17. #17
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Could have been a Dobby...

    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  18. #18
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    Are you sure it wasn't the Hillman Imp?
    Were they the ones with the engine in the back Bob? I seem to remember seeing one in Middleborough with what looked like a glass or perspex 'boot' displaying the engine - unless my memory is playing tricks with me!
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  19. #19
    Richard Dawkins may be interested.

  20. #20
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    Are you sure it wasn't the Hillman Imp?
    Quote Originally Posted by Griswold View Post
    Were they the ones with the engine in the back Bob? I seem to remember seeing one in Middleborough with what looked like a glass or perspex 'boot' displaying the engine - unless my memory is playing tricks with me!

    They were indeed rear engined Peter, and also rear wheel drive. We had a small fleet of Imps at Durham when I joined the Fire Service in 1975. We also had a Water Relay Unit, a big long van , that carried four of the Coventry Climax engines used in the Imps, that powered pumps for open water use. The Hydraulic Platform we had also had one mounted in a side locker for boosting incoming water up to the branch (squirter to you) in the cage. The engines were all aluminium and comparatively light, so four men could lift one off the WRU using fold out handles. Happy days!
    F.T.F.A.

  21. #21
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    They were indeed rear engined Peter, and also rear wheel drive. We had a small fleet of Imps at Durham when I joined the Fire Service in 1975. We also had a Water Relay Unit, a big long van , that carried four of the Coventry Climax engines used in the Imps, that powered pumps for open water use. The Hydraulic Platform we had also had one mounted in a side locker for boosting incoming water up to the branch (squirter to you) in the cage. The engines were all aluminium and comparatively light, so four men could lift one off the WRU using fold out handles. Happy days!
    Thanks Bob, good to know my memory wasn't playing tricks. I was driving an Austin A35 back then - couldn't afford any of those new fangled cars
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  22. #22
    Grand Master Andyg's Avatar
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    My grandmother went to her grave claiming to have seen a witch flying on her broomstick (complete with cat) one night in the Forest of Dean.

    My neighbour (ex RAF pilot and BA Captain) swears he saw more UFO’s than you could shake a stick out.

    The truth is out there.

    Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
    Friedrich Nietzsche


  23. #23
    Master
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    My late father reckoned he was in a minibus on his way to work when the driver stopped to pick up a hitch hiker who later turned out to be one of the Great Train Robbery gang who was on the run. This would have been somewhere in Somerset or Devon.

  24. #24
    Grand Master Carlton-Browne's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    They were indeed rear engined Peter, and also rear wheel drive. We had a small fleet of Imps at Durham when I joined the Fire Service in 1975. We also had a Water Relay Unit, a big long van , that carried four of the Coventry Climax engines used in the Imps, that powered pumps for open water use. The Hydraulic Platform we had also had one mounted in a side locker for boosting incoming water up to the branch (squirter to you) in the cage. The engines were all aluminium and comparatively light, so four men could lift one off the WRU using fold out handles. Happy days!
    Is that you, Banksy?

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hilman-im...p2047675.l2557
    In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.

  25. #25
    Master
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    Great story OP and I'm not going to cast aspersions, I have no doubt that the universe is very much stranger than we currently think.

    The great Mike Parkes was on the team who designed and engineered the Hilman Imp. Another excellent British car blighted with reliability problems.

  26. #26
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by magirus View Post
    Are you sure it wasn't the Hillman Imp?
    That was the one in the series : leprechaun in a suitcase :-)

    B

  27. #27
    Master
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    I saw a Horse Fly once.

  28. #28
    Grand Master magirus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne View Post

    Exact same pump!
    F.T.F.A.

  29. #29
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alpha4 View Post
    VW Fastback
    And does anyone know the Elf for 'Hello'? Cos I don't.
    Fairly sure if you watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy it will be mentioned somewhere.

    Better still call Orlando Bloom, he’ll know for sure. Fluent I’d imagine :-)

  30. #30
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Devonian View Post
    Fairly sure if you watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy it will be mentioned somewhere.

    Better still call Orlando Bloom, he’ll know for sure. Fluent I’d imagine :-)
    Given the choice I'd call Liv Tyler for lessons.

  31. #31
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    Once I saw a Scotsman get a round in. Hard to imagine but true.

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