Tuesday 17 April 2012

Southward Ho!

 

Here are a couple of pictures of my study room table. This Thursday coming, I will be perambulating the southern fringes of Norfolk alongside my esteemed colleague, Mr. Many Coats. Although I am often perfectly happy to go on an unplanned Ramble, on this occasion I felt compelled to do some research and gather together some vital antiquarian equipment, which you will observe if you enlarge the photographs (click on images to do this). Our main 'target' will be the outstanding Norman parish church at South Lopham. Neither of us has visited here before, so this is a real treat for us both.

Since late February I have been much preoccupied with events surrounding the death of two close family members, and I very much look forward to this opportunity to venture forth into tranquil surroundings with a fellow Antiquarian. My nephew, Tristram, informs me that this desire of mine is what is now commonly known in the vernacular, as, "to recharge one's batteries". 

Huzzah!

~ Munro Tweeder-Harris, Esq. C.O.G. ~

14 comments:

  1. 'English Medieval Graffiti' - now that is a book I might have to read. Are you taking an air-gun, or do Webley make pipe tobacco these days?

    I have a friend (no names) who is a distinguished stained-glass artist, and he always takes an air-pistol with him on holiday. He wanders around old churches, admiring the glass, but before he leaves the area, he goes back at night and outs out a couple of lights with the pistol.

    He leaves it a couple of weeks before writing to the Diocese to offer his services, and - hey presto - they usually take him up on his restoration offer.

    It pays for his holiday, but I cannot condone the practice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am the proud owner of a webley mark II service air rifle Tom dating to the 1930s but it won't be coming with me and my good friend Munro.

    Instead i shall be bringing a vast supply of egg and tomato sarnies laced with pepper. Also a huge flask (not of the twist and pour variety) and we will be sharing Tunnocks tea cakes and some much needed laughter. Indeed I plan to laugh so much that I snort tea through my nose, which if done correctly should be the cause of even more hilarity!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mr. Many Coats' egg and tomato sandwiches are a thing of wonder. I do so hope that they will be tied up in greaseproof paper!

    ~ Munro Tweeder-Harris, Esq. ~

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was favouring tin foil Munro because it's pleasing to the touch and I have a ready supply. That said sandwiches wrapped neatly in greeseproof paper and then expertly inserted into a Tupperware lunch box do have a certain charm. I thought I had it sorted, but now I'm not so certain. This is most perplexing. I might have to contrive a list of pros and cons

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The devil's in the detail Mr. Many Coats - even down to the Society statute requiring gentlemen members to wear over-sized off-white Y-fronts when Rambling. Huzzah!

      Delete
    2. Stop Press:

      I have decided that instead of egg and tomato, I will be eating chicken sandwiches wrapped neatly in over-sized off-white Y-fronts.

      My thinking is simple - Once the said sarnies are consumed I can insert the Y-fronts into my trousers. It's not for nothing that we Ragged Ramblers are famed for thinking outside the lunchbox!

      Delete
    3. This is quite a good comment, because it works on three levels.

      Firstly, the use of the phrase, 'thinking outside the lunchbox' is a reference to the commonly used 'thinking outside the box', meaning to think creatively, just as Mr Many Coats has done this day.

      Secondly the phrase and more especially the use of 'lunchbox' rather than just 'box' also links to Mr Many Coats and Munro's discussion on sandwiches and how they should and shouldn't be stored and/or carried on a Ragged Ramble.

      Finally the term 'lunch box' is used in modern slang to denote a mans genital area and thus fits perfectly with the discussion of the wearing of Y-fronts.

      Well done Ragged Ramblers. Very witty.

      Delete
    4. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    5. If wit were s••t you Ragged Ramblers would be up to your elbows in it!

      Delete
    6. Mother and I were up to our elbows in it once, but only because father forgot to pay the water rates.

      More tea anyone?

      Delete
    7. Dear Anon,

      Hmm, the second time you've left that comment... Well, if that's the best you've got I suggest that you're scarcely qualified to act as an arbiter of wit. I can entirely understand your wish to remain anonymous.

      ~ Munro Tweeder-Harris, Esq. ~

      Delete
    8. Why would wit ever be soot? Young people today.....

      Delete
  5. Well darn me, by all the old saints of France, if that isn't a map on the table... huzzah.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I believe that it is a map of Munro's front room Bumper and not of the wider world. Legend has it that he had it drawn after he sent his maid servant to the cellar for some shag and she got lost, never to return. They say at low tide you can still hear her screams for help.

    Tragic really.

    ReplyDelete