To start our Sunday morning, we were invited to David and Sarah's for coffee and to see their home in Colebrooke. It is only a couple of miles (as the crow flies) from Sandra and Ray in Yeoford. But by the roads ... that's a different story! This is a unique house that can only be described as a dream. It is the old post office that came up for sale as a private residence. The rooms are so distinguishable by what their original purpose had been. David and Sarah have done a marvelous remodel of the kitchen and other rooms. They said one of the quirks that they had to adjust to was people walking up to their door to use the postal drop. Yes, it is still in the wall of the exterior of the house and is in full official use!
Each postal box is marked with the Sovereign who was on the throne when it was established. David and Sarah's box is one of the oldest being a Queen Victoria Era, 1837 to 1901. It is so marked with the VR and Crown for Victoria (Victoria Regina).
The back garden is lovely. They have been working on getting it lush from the concrete that it was when they purchased the property. Great job! England this year decided to promote May as "No Mow Month" to allow the bees and insects to do their thing uninterrupted by not mowing the grass for these 30 days. Sarah decided to "no mow" most of the back garden ... with the moist air of the English Isle, the ground growth, grass, flowers, and all, is really quick and constant! David has his "Old Gin Shed" here in the garden. Full of empty cans and bottles of all brands of beers, ales and lagers that he has enjoyed to the fullest ... none are duplicated!
Some additional pictures of the back garden and rear of the house & shed.
Across the street is one of the iconic red telephone booths. In the era of cell phones, most of these booths are now non-functional. This one has been converted to a free library. It seems to have quite a few books and a selection for all!
We had a fantastic time at David and Sarah's and thank them so much. Back to Yeoford to prepare for Ray's Birthday Celebration at The Duck Pub. We decided to walk the village 10 to 15 minute road walk following the lane from Owls Retreat to The Duck.
The family all gathered for Ray's birthday ... children, grandchildren and great grandchildren!
Ray & Sandra
Daughters Sarah (David) & Jane (Andy)
Jessica, Oliver and Emily - grands from David & Sarah
Zoe and Sam - grands from Jane & Andy
Olive, Fleur and Gigi - great grands from Jessica and Jack
Teddy - great grand from Emily and Jake
Ray with Jane and Andy
Zoe, Sandra, Becca and Emily (and ending with Teddy)
Jack holding Fleur, Olive, Jessica with Gigi and Sarah
Jake, Ollie and Sam
David and Mary Anne
Teddy
Gigi
Fleur
Olive
Monday the 15th was a travel day with some interesting stops along the way. We started the out at Darts Farm & Cafe for breakfast. It was a great place to have great food. The shop is full of all things ... just fun to browse around!
Now on the road to The New Forest on our way to The Isle of Wight. It is one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pastureland, heathland and forest in Southern England. It was proclaimed a royal forest by William the Conqueror --- that was a LONG time-ago, like in 1079!
It is the home of the New Forest Commoners, whose ancient rights of common pasture are still recognized, exercised and enforced. In the 18th century, the New Forest became a source of timber for the Royal Navy. It remains a habitat for many rare birds and mammals.
We visited The New Forest Heritage Centre where there is a wealth of history and information, such as stated above. Forest laws were enacted to preserve the New Forest as a location for royal deer hunting, and interference with the king's deer and its forage was punished. The inhabitants of the area (commoners) had pre-existing rights of common: to turn horses and cattle (but only rarely sheep) out into the Forest to graze (common pasture), to gather fuel wood, to cut peat for fuel, to dig clay, and to turn out pigs between September and November to eat fallen acorns and beechnuts.
An example of a "Commoner" this this model of Harry Burt in the Centre. Very interesting!
Exhibit showing the free-roaming horses that can be seen The New Forest.
The land layout of the 220 square mile New Forest in Hampshire England.
We had a terrific time going through the displays at the Centre and looking around the gift shop. I couldn't resist taking a picture of this sign in front of the cafe explaining how to order coffee .... so nice of the English!
We enjoyed taking in so much of the countryside while driving to our evening accommodations in Lymington. With time ticking away, it was time for our afternoon coffee and cake! Pulling into the quaint village of Wimborne we found The Cafe on the Square that had a delightful selection of cakes and sweets plus that caffeine kick of an "Americano" coffee!
Now fully satisfied we continued our road trip day and arrived in Lymington at the Monkey Brewhouse Bed and Breakfast. What a fun place to spend two nights. These unique finds seem to be the norm for Sandra and Ray ... we love ever spot that they find! The cozy 18th century brewpub is relaxed and welcoming. They are proud to have their very own micro-brewery! The Monkey Brewhouse is Lymington’s very own micro-brewery – housed in a beautiful oak framed extension attached to the pub. Owner and Brewer, Will can often be seen creating new masterpieces in his 5-barrel brewery. With 12 brews to date there are fresh from the taps pale ales, IPAs, classic English bitters, porters and lagers.
Another wonderful day in England 2023! The full album with additional pictures (especially of the great grand children) can be found by clicking this link.
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