[HPforGrownups]The Burrow

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 84143

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboy_mn at y...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, John and Peg <notjustone at y...>
> wrote:
> > Does anyone know where The Burrow may be? In book 2 she starts to
> touch on it but I still cannot figure that out.
> > 
> > John & Peg
> 
> bboy_mn:
> 
> Well, we don't know for sure because the book doesn't give us enough
> information, and JKRowling has only hinted at it's location; she has
> never directly confirmed it. The hint was that the name Ottery St
> Catchpole was inspired by Ottery St Mary.
> 
> It is beleived to be in Devon which is in the southwest of England.


Geoff:
I have been mulling over this renewed thread about The Burrow and 
feel, that there appear to be some anomalies in JKR's description of 
the place, especially in relation to its location.

The favoured position for many people is in the area of Ottery 
St.Mary. This lies on the river Otter just east of Exeter. The Otter 
flows into the sea at Budleigh Salterton, 5 miles east of Exmouth. 
Several names in the area – Venn Ottery, Otterton and Upottery – 
reflect the river connection. Some of you may have picked up from my 
postings that I now live in West Somerset. From my place to Ottery 
St.Mary is about 50 miles. By coincidence, three weeks ago, my wife 
and I were in the Exeter area checking out a possible centre for a 
Church youth weekend and decided to have a couple of nights down 
there, staying in Sidmouth and in Exeter respectively. While there, I 
chanced to drive through Ottery St.Mary and would agree that the 
country round there could certainly match the description of The 
Burrow – mark you, so would a lot of the UK!

Now, let's consider some facts. Ottery St.Mary is about 9-10 miles 
east of Exeter and thus a direct journey to London about 165 miles or 
so. (Exeter is 173 by rail from Paddington). 

The first problem is in COS when they get up at cock-crow and dash 
around before leaving and then find things have been forgotten. "They 
had almost reached the motorway when Ginny shrieked that she'd left 
her diary
" If they are heading for the motorway, this is probably 
Junction 29 on the M5 which is 8-9 miles away; a long way to turn 
back for a diary. But further, what are they doing heading for the 
M5? Are they planning M5 and then M4 into London which is a long way 
round and adds about 25 miles to the direct route. Consider the 
likelihood of rush hour holdups around Bristol which are common and 
our 11.00 departure looks in danger already. The logical way from the 
Ottery St.Mary area (and I am continuing to follow the theory that 
Ottery St.Catchpole is nearby) would be to pick up the A30 near 
Honiton, then A303/M3 into London. I, although living quite a bit 
further north, avoid the M5 and use A358/A303/M3 when going into 
London.

Secondly, the Muggle taxis in GOF. It is being suggested that they 
have ordered these to go from The Burrow to Kings Cross, about 165 
miles. To get a taxi from my village into Taunton, which is about 30 
miles, recently cost a friend £42.00 (about USD 60). So three taxis 
into London from East Devon would be in the stratosphere financially. 
We know that the Weasleys are far from well-off; Harry is always 
embarrassed by the fact he has more  money and Ron always complains 
about being poor so who's picking up the tab? Surely not the 
Ministry - they do not seem to consider Harry under threat as he was 
in POA.

I believe that Jo Rowling had connections with Devon but the various 
things I have outlined above raise questions in my mind. Possibly 
they are items in the plot line which haven't been thought through 
completely as not being vital to the main story line.

Finally, and a digression. I wonder whether the definition of "city" 
in the US and Canada is different to the UK. One poster refers to 
Sidmouth and Torquay as cities; I'm sure the inhabitants would 
greatly appreciate that. The only cities in Devon are Exeter and 
Plymouth - Exeter is considered to be the regional capital of the 
South-west – other places would be labelled towns, villages or 
possibly hamlets.

Geoff