Showing posts with label New Forest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Forest. Show all posts

18 May 2012

Trusty Servant

On my recent trip to Minstead in the New Forest I came across The Trusty Servant inn. I know this 'creature' is the emblem of Winchester College and read on a plaque next to the pub a 16th century saying believed to have originated from Winchester College in the days when pupils at the college had personal servants

"A trusty servants portrait you would see
This emblematic figure well survey
The porkers snout not nice in diet shows
The padlock shut no secret he'll disclose
Patient the Ass his masters wrath will bear
Swiftness in his errand the stags feet declare
Loaded is left hand apt to labour saith
The vest his neatness; the open hand his faith;
Girt with his sword, his shield upon his arm,
Himself and master he'll protect from harm"


17 May 2012

New Forest

OK, so this isn't Winchester, but the New Forest is a short drive away from city life here and last weekend I went to Minstead in the New Forest. I love the way the ponies (and cows) just do their thing! Wander here, go down this road, stop here to eat some grass, just roaming free!