By Welsh Myers Farm, I had a tricky encounter with a herd of mixed cattle. The public footpath led across their field. They were a little panicked and raced two or three times from one corner of their enclosure to the next. I was so happy to reach the far gate and get out of there. They clustered by it with apparent disappointment.
"I told you we should have trampled him earlier!" muttered Buttercup.
My womenfolk and I spent a couple of hours in nearby Uppingham - a small town famous for its public school. In England, a public school is essentially a school for the children of the rich so its really a private school - not open to the public at all. The fee for a boarder is currently £40,000 a year or $55,000 (US). The school is the alma mater of Stephen Fry, Rowan Atkinson and Boris Karloff . Surprisingly, it has not spawned a single prime minister in it its five hundred year history.
We found the place to be quite lovely with little shops and quaint cottages. We enjoyed an excellent lunch in "The Crown" on The High Street. Lovely Mediterranean food that arrived within ten minutes and pleasant, attentive service too.
In the evening I prepared a simple meal of Lincolnshire sausages from the local butcher, chips (US-french fries), baked beans and fried eggs, followed by scrumptious brownies made by the butcher's wife.
Beforehand, I went on another "Geograph" photo expedition with Clint's assistance, gathering a bunch of map squares in the local area that I had not yet captured. This involved another visit to the Rolleston Hall country estate where I had to open and close four gates. This is most unusual on a public road in England. Confusingly, "public" in this sense does not mean a private road but one maintained by the state.
Lovely little Phoebe indeed! Such genuine contentment and happiness in that smile and look of hers.
ReplyDeleteUppingham looks a nice place to explore. If Stephen Fry or Rowan Atkinson were Prime Minister instead of your current one, I wonder how different things would have turned out.
Ha-ha! That is a good point. Johnson has been such a disaster. By the way, I have admired Mrs Merkel from afar. She has had a steady handle on the tiller for so many years. Seeing her go is like the end of an era.
DeleteI like the look of Uppingham, very pretty. I hope those posh natives were friendly to a non-public school person?
ReplyDeleteThe name Skeffington reminded me of an old Bette Davis film with a character of that name. You know I got my makeup inspiration from her as Baby Jane.
Phoebe's expression in that photo is priceless. Such a cutie.
What a lovely comment JayCee! Or maybe it's a bunch of comments knitted together. I find that it is easy to deal with public school types. Just shove em up against a wall and threaten them with mortal injury.
DeleteI had forgotten but when visiting a derelict but habitated castle in the north of England, we had to open and close a couple of gates. Fortunately on the single lane road we did not encounter another car so no reversing for a mile.
ReplyDeleteYour cows must be different to ours. Cows are no threat unless their young are immediately threatened. Bulls are another matter. Be afraid.
Your public private school thing is as misleading as our conservative Liberal Party.
Uppingham looks delightful as it is bathed in bright sunlight, and so does the rapidly growing Phoebe.
Nice comment Andrew. Thanks. Normally I walk through cow fields and they just stand there grazing - no problem. I suspect that fields in south eastern Australia are rather bigger than ours?
DeleteTrouble with cowas again.
ReplyDeleteI worked with someone who'd been to Uppingham school. He got a new MGB GT for his 18th birthday. He taught me the filthiest limerick I know.
There once was a young man of Uppingham
Who stood on the bridge at Buckingham
It wasn't the ----censored----
Of the ----censored----
But the ----censored----
Too much censorship for my liking. I didn't realise you were so bashful!
DeleteI am wondering if Phoebe's luggage required a trailer of its own. She looks so happy there, surrounded by her colorful toys. Is she teething yet?
ReplyDeleteI've never, ever understood the British custom of sending young boys (and I guess girls, sometimes) off to boarding school. It just seems so very cruel and cold and unnatural. It does appear to be great fodder for future literary work, though.
In any generation the number of boys and girls sent to posh public schools in Britain is and was only around 1%. It is funny and exasperating that that 1% receive more airtime than the 99% of ordinary children who attend normal state schools.
DeleteI figured that it wasn't a huge percentage of the population but I had no idea it was that small.
DeletePerhaps you should carry a salt block with you. Cows love them.
ReplyDeleteHelpful advice Ed. Next time I go walking I will carry a sack filled with salt blocks.
DeleteThe number $55000 really pops out at me. What are these people thinking? They hide the real world from their children.
ReplyDeleteThat money could and should go into improving state education in my opinion.
DeletePhoebe looks like a very happy baby! Glad you got some good service after waiting so long at the other restaurant.
ReplyDeleteYes. It was a splendid contrast Margaret... and Phoebe remains an absolutely delightful baby.
DeleteLovely photos YP, and once again you've captured the essence of England at it's very best. Uppingham looks picturesque, and I particularly like the cottage in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you've been blessed with sunshine on your travels.
Pleased to see the latest photo of the gorgeous Phoebe.
Oh dear YP - you really must learn to stay away from cows!
Perhaps it is my new aftershave that drives the cows crazy - "Bull Fever".
DeleteUppingham looks rather a charming place. The harvester must have been very happy.
ReplyDeleteUppingham is a delightful little town and I guess the public school has helped to make it prosperous.
DeleteCould Comedian not be another name for Prime minister YP?
ReplyDeleteAll Johnson needs is half a ping pong ball on a length of elastic and painted bright red. Move over Coco the Clown, BoJo's here.
DeleteI wonder why the public school is not called a private school. Start saving your pounds, grandpa. Phoebe looks like a very bright girl who will need to attend a private public school.
ReplyDeletePS That last picture was so sad that it brought a tear to my eye. The poor child needs a toy or two.
Yes she is deprived of toys. I am hoping she will be sponsored by a rich American who has plenty of money to spare. Then we can fill her toybox.
DeleteSweet photo of Phoebe. $55,000 is mind-boggling for those of us who grew up going to public school in Canada - which means almost everyone - and getting a good education there.
ReplyDeleteAttending a good state school gives kids a better, more rounded education in my opinion.
DeleteI was trying to get some photos of cows a few years ago. I had no idea cows could run so fast. Apparently the trick is to photograph dairy cows. They're much more docile. Beef cows are more skittish, probably because of their short life span:)
ReplyDeletePhoebe is so sweet.
Even dairy cows can panic. There were a few calves amongst them.
Delete