Extract from Sunday, 5th October, 1980:
In the White Hart I sat next to my woodman friend who told me that he is giving up woodcraft, but carrying on with the deer. He is very fond of the deer, and hates to see them hurt. His father was such a gentle man, he told me, that he would not kill a mouse, but caught them in a humane trap, put them in his pocket, and released them later. He has never tasted venison. Once, in the thirties, he bought half a fawn for 18d, and his father would not let him bring it into the house.
Extract from Sunday, 12th October, 1980:
Harris up the Creake ~ George and I walked from home through the Park, past the Cathedral and down to the river. We crossed over to follow Morton's Leam to Whittlesey.
George told me about a neighbour whose father was an hereditary peer.
"Ar," I said, "Loike me. I does it jus' loike my old dad did!"
In The Boat we met a delightful octogenarian, who told us that he had drunk Elgoods (which was perfect) there for fifty years.
"Have you lived in Whittlesey all your life?" asked George.
"No," replied the old man, "only so far!"
Extract from Sunday, 2nd November, 1980:
George up the Creake, but Harris and I were joined by M 2, who has taken to making appalling jokes:
Harris: "Why has that car in front got horses drawn on it?"
M 2: "Because it's a horse drawn vehicle!"
T
owards the end of the walk I discovered a strange plant in the hedgerow. L.H. said it was a variety of plum but since the berry was barely as large as a small pea I find this highly unlikely!
Harris ate one of the mini-plums ~ so far he is still alive (I think)
Harris points out that peas are not black, nor do they have nuts in them.
M 2 must be observant about peas!
Harris's black peas turned out to be the Common Buckthorn. This is not, in fact, common, although there were numerous specimens on the road from Elton to Nassington. It is also a powerful purgative ~ no doubt Harris will give us a report (and probably a very loud one!) in due course . . . . . .
