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Over coffee this morning, we had reason to try to remember the name of a cafe in Milford on Sea. We now have two reference points for such information. Jackie favours the Google walk; my preference is this blog. This morning we had a race to find it. I won. It was Polly’s Pantry.
At Wilverley, on our way through the forest today, regular ditch maintenance was under way.
The forest pools and their reflections basked in sunshine,
as did ponies amid the bracken. These somnolent creatures perked up to pose for their pictures.
As we ascended the hill up to Nomansland, a lethargic pony occupied the middle of the road.
It took its own leisurely time in crossing to the other side.
The countryside is littered with obsolete, often derelict, iconic red telephone boxes. Apparently, when BT wish to decommission a phone box they must obtain a “No Objection” statement from the local District Council. According to Milford on Sea ‘Village Voice’ magazine for February/March 2017, one has been obtained for the structure on the Village Green. The periodical’s article says that “The Parish Council has applied to BT to adopt the box and is waiting to hear if this has been successful. The box could then be hired by local groups for displays, exhibitions, pop-up shops and other ventures on a monthly basis. If you have an idea about how best the kiosk can be utilised, let the Parish Council know!”.
Today we visited some of those within our vicinity.
At Pennington, one has been adapted as a cash machine. The telephone on one side of the box doesn’t work.
Book exchanges are popular. We spotted these at Fritham,
at Bramshaw,
and at Minstead Newtown.
That opposite ‘The Trusty Servant’ in Minstead itself has simply been disconnected.
Perhaps the most innovative conversion is the defibrillator at Nomansland.
On our way home we indulged ourselves in a late lunch at Holmesley Old station tea rooms, and very good it was too. My choice was steak and mushroom pie with tasty gravy, perfectly cooked carrots, cabbage, chips and peas. Jackie’s was a whopping jacket potato containing cheese and coleslaw served with plentiful salad. She drank coffee and I drank sparkling water. Later sustenance this evening was surplus to requirements.