A Slice of Life
Bill Lites
Bill Lites
Our Trip To The UK Part 4
By Bill Lites
There seemed to be a Pub close to most everywhere we stayed, and Whitmoor Farm was no exception. Just down the road a short distance, was “The Nobody Inn” where many of the locals took their meals and a pint or two after work. The food was always good, but the servings were larger than what is normally served in the U.S. Even when DiVoran and I would share, there was still food left over, and we didn’t have anywhere to keep it over night.
We headed west to the Cornwall area, intending to visit the home of Dame Daphne du Maurier in Kilmarth, where she lived and wrote many of her now famous books. But, we ended up at the now famous Jamaica Inn and Museum, in the middle of the Bodmin Moor. We had afternoon tea at the inn, while browsing the many posters and memorabilia they have collected, related to the famous Cornwall coastal area. The Jamaica Inn, was originally established in 1750 as a Coaching House and staging post for changing horses during stagecoach runs over the moor. The inn is known for being the base for smugglers in the past, and has also gained notoriety, for allegedly, being one of the most haunted places in Great Britain. It is also known as the setting for du Maurier’s novel by the same name, which was published in 1936.
As you may know, du Maurier was known for her romantic suspense novels, such as Jamaica Inn, My Cousin Rachel, and The House on the Strand. After we finished our tea, we visited the “Smugglers Museum” adjacent to the Inn. The museum’s focus is its collection of smuggling artifacts that depicts the history of the Jamaica Inn and the inn’s role in the smuggling trade over the years. The museum has also recreated a room that du Maurier used to do some of her writing, using various items owned by her, including her writing desk and typewriter. This was all especially interesting for DiVoran, as du Maurier was, at one time, one of her favorite authors, and told me all about how her novels were filled with lots of smugglers and intrigue. As an example, in her novel, Jamaica Inn, the plot follows a group of murderous wreckers who run ships aground, kill the sailors and steal their loot.
As we headed north, we stopped near the city of Bristol, and enjoyed the Dunan Guesthouse, where Sandra Devereux showed us a wonderful time and another wonderful typical English breakfast. Then it was on north to the city of Hereford, located in Herefordshire, on the Wye River, to visit their cathedral and the surrounding area. Hereford is another of the many, what in England is called a cathedral city, and is dominated by its beautiful 12th century Hereford Cathedral and many other city buildings and structures from that same time period.
The name “Hereford” is said to come from the Anglo Saxon “here”, meaning an army or formation of soldiers, and the word “ford”, a place for crossing a river. The Wye Bridge is said to be the first bridge built to span the Wye River and dates back to the 12th century. Hereford is rich with history, and even claims to be the birthplace of Nell Gwyn, the 17th century actress and mistress of King Charles II of England.
While visiting the city of Hereford and the Cathedral, we enjoyed all the comforts of another English B & B. This time it was at the Webton Court Farmhouse, run by Mr. & Mrs. Andrews, who made DiVoran and me feel right at home, with a bountiful home cooked dinner, fit for a king and his queen. What a wonderful time that was!
—–To Be Continued—–
Old Things R New 