Overview:
Gordon Stables, a Scottish physician and author, embarked on a grand adventure across England and into Scotland in 1886. His unique mode of travel was a custom-built caravan he named “Wanderer,” equipped with all the comforts of home. “Wanderer” was towed by two horses, Cornflower and Pea-blossom, adding an extra layer of character to the journey. Through a series of humorous and insightful chapters, Stables details his experiences: the trials of finding suitable horses, the challenges of caravan life, encounters with people from all walks of life, and the incredible beauty of the English and Scottish landscapes. The reader is treated to a glimpse into the rural life of the time, with vibrant descriptions of country villages, bustling markets, and the everyday lives of common folk.
While the journey itself provides the core of the narrative, Stables also reflects on a variety of topics, including the importance of health, the joy of a simple life, the charm of rural England and Scotland, and the virtues of his companions: his faithful Newfoundland, Hurricane Bob, and his West Australian cockatoo, Polly. He also shares stories of his encounters with gipsies and tramps, offering a unique perspective on their lives.
Key Findings:
- The beauty and diversity of the English and Scottish landscapes are captured in vivid detail.
- The challenges of traveling by caravan, especially in hilly terrain, are highlighted, providing a unique perspective on a less-common mode of travel.
- The author’s views on health, temperance, and the simple life are woven into the narrative, offering a glimpse into his personal philosophy.
- The importance of human kindness and hospitality are emphasized throughout the story.
Learning:
- The reader will gain a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty of England and Scotland, particularly the countryside and the wild landscapes of the Highlands.
- The narrative offers insight into the challenges and rewards of traveling by caravan, a less-common mode of travel than today.
- Stables’ personal philosophy on health and a simpler way of life, coupled with his unique journey, provides food for thought on the pursuit of a balanced life.
- The reader will gain a greater understanding of the diverse characters and social landscapes of the 19th century, including encounters with gipsies, tramps, miners, and country folk.
Historical Context:
The book was written in 1886, a time of significant social and technological change in England and Scotland. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, with its accompanying social upheaval and changes to the countryside. Railways were becoming increasingly prevalent, but Stables’ journey highlights the romantic allure of a slower, more traditional mode of travel. The book also reflects the Victorian era’s fascination with nature and the simpler life, providing a glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of the time.
Facts:
- The “Wanderer” was built in Bristol by the Bristol Waggon Company, known for building Pullman cars.
- The caravan was built from seasoned wood, making it light yet strong.
- The caravan was 20 feet long, 11 feet tall, and 6 feet wide inside.
- The “Wanderer” was designed for ease of movement, featuring powerful springs and brakes similar to those used on tram-cars.
- The interior of the “Wanderer” was designed for comfort, featuring a sofa that converts into a bed, a table with a bookcase, a cheffoniere with a mirror, a small harmonium, a violin, and a Persian rug.
- The “Wanderer” featured a Rippingille cooking range, allowing for cooking inside or outside the caravan.
- Stables was a physician and hygienist who believed in the importance of plain living for good health.
- The “Wanderer” was originally designed for one horse but eventually required two horses, Cornflower and Pea-blossom, to handle the terrain.
- The book details the author’s encounters with real gipsies and tramps, including those who sell trinkets, “cadge,” and those who live a more honest life on the road.
- Stables describes a “man with an iron mask” who is a regular sight on the road in northern England, likely a stonebreaker.
- The author describes the “ugly” worn by women cutting thistles in Northumberland, a sunshade that protected their noses and jaws.
- Stables mentions the “beef-fairs” held in Botley, Hampshire, where men were required to drink their beer to the bottom and where one man was actually hanged for failing to pay a fine.
- The author recounts the story of a Scottish retriever who swallowed a wedding cake invitation.
- The book mentions the great battle of Edgehill fought in 1642, and the battle of Flodden Field fought in 1513.
- Stables describes the Battle of the Standard fought in 1138, where the Scottish army was defeated, and a legend associated with Saint Cuthbert, whose body is said to have sailed down the Tweed in a stone coffin.
- The author visits the ruins of King John’s Palace near Welbeck Forest, Nottinghamshire, and shares anecdotes about the eccentric Duke of Portland, including his unusual way of dealing with a displeasing architectural design.
- The book mentions the Shamble Oak in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, which is said to be 1700 years old.
- The story describes the great irrigation canal that carries drainage from Mansfield to flood meadows on the Duke of Portland’s estate.
- Stables mentions the Duke of Portland’s underground stables, riding school, and ballroom in Welbeck.
- The book details the author’s experiences in the coal-mining districts of England, highlighting the challenging social conditions and the impact of industrialization.
Statistics:
- The “Wanderer” weighed 30 hundredweight when empty and under 2 tons when loaded.
- The author states that Abingdon Gaol was built at a cost of 36,000 pounds.
- A man walking 1000 miles in a shorter time than Weston was promised 1000 pounds and a free public house by brewers if he succeeded.
- A 20-pound pike caught in Askern Lake had a roach and two copper coins in its stomach.
- The author mentions an 81-ton gun that was fired alongside a slow horse.
- The “Wanderer” was estimated to travel at a speed of 4 knots per hour.
- The author describes a man who was walking 1000 miles to break Weston’s record.
- A farmer near Woolhampton was said to be able to swallow the rind of bacon.
- Stables notes that three crops of hay are taken from each meadow on the Duke of Portland’s estate.
- The author mentions a “stout old” farmer who could bend a 200-year-old elm to the ground.
- Stables describes a 1,700-year-old Shamble Oak in Sherwood Forest that could accommodate 12 strides around its circumference.
- The author mentions a 1000-year-old oak in Bilhaghe, Sherwood Forest, that has been “battered” by tempests.
- Stables recounts that one thousand five hundred couples were married by a priest at Lamberton, Scotland.
- The author describes a 1000-foot deep ravine near Slochmuichk in the Grampians.
- The “Wanderer” was almost tipped over when a horse in a dogcart shied and backed into its pole end.
- The author’s coachman gained 1.5 pounds in weight on the tour, while the valet gained 3 pounds and the author gained 5 pounds.
Terms:
- Bivouac: A temporary encampment.
- Braeland: A moorland or heath.
- Can: Skill.
- Canny: Wise, cautious, shrewd.
- Cots: Cottages.
- Cuckold: A man whose wife is unfaithful.
- Dolee far niente: The sweet nothing to do.
- Faddel: Father.
- Fencibles: Local militia.
- Flitting: Moving.
- Forgathered: Met.
- Fosse: An ancient Roman road.
- Garge: George.
- Glen: A valley, usually narrow and wooded.
- Haughs: Meadowland by a river.
- Hostelry: Inn.
- Kilt: A traditional Scottish garment.
- Loaning: A lane.
- Loth: Reluctant.
- Moorland: A large, open area of uncultivated land.
- Muddel: Mother.
- Pibroch: A traditional Scottish tune played on the bagpipes.
- Polonie: A sausage.
- Rantle tree: The mountain ash.
- Rive: To tear.
- Scaur: A steep rocky slope.
- Shieling: A small hut or cottage.
- Skirl: The sound of the bagpipes.
- Slough of Despond: A state of despair or hopelessness.
- Spate: A sudden flood.
- Strathspey: A lively Scottish dance.
- Tender: A vehicle that accompanies another, often a smaller vehicle that can navigate rougher terrain.
- Tryst: A gathering or fair.
- Tulzie: A fight or battle.
- Wimpling: Winding.
Examples:
- The story of the philosophers who struggled to put a horse collar on. This highlights the authors’ humor and his self-deprecating attitude towards his own horse knowledge.
- The encounter with the “gruff” landlord at Thatcham, who refused to stable the “wan” horse. This illustrates the humorous and sometimes challenging encounters the author has with people on the road.
- The description of the “stout old” farmer who could bend a 200-year-old elm to the ground. This demonstrates the author’s fascination with nature and his attention to detail.
- The tale of the Scottish retriever who swallowed a wedding cake invitation. This provides a humorous anecdote about the quirks of pet behavior.
- The author’s description of his encounter with the “man with an iron mask,” a stonebreaker. This highlights the diversity of characters the author encounters on the road.
- The description of the “thistle lassies” in Northumberland, who wore sunshades and had their jaws tied up to protect themselves from the sun. This exemplifies the author’s fascination with unique local customs and his playful use of language.
- The incident where the “Wanderer” was almost tipped over when a horse in a dogcart backed into its pole end. This highlights the potential dangers of caravan travel and the author’s sense of humor about the situation.
- The story of the “beef-fairs” in Botley, where men were required to drink their beer to the bottom and where one man was hanged for failing to pay a fine. This provides a glimpse into the historical and social aspects of rural life in England.
- The author’s description of the children in Musselburgh who played with dead eels and cod heads. This provides a humorous and insightful observation about the simple joys of childhood.
- The author’s encounter with the “miner’s sprite” at Chryston, Scotland. This exemplifies the author’s fascination with the people he encounters on his journey and the mystery surrounding them.
Conclusion:
Gordon Stables’ “The Cruise of the Land-Yacht Wanderer” is a delightful journey through the English and Scottish countryside in 1886. The book captures the beauty and variety of the landscapes, offering a unique perspective on travel by caravan and the people who inhabit these rural areas. Through his humorous anecdotes and observations, Stables shares his love for nature, his belief in the virtues of a simpler life, and the importance of human kindness. This charming travelogue will appeal to readers who enjoy travel literature, historical accounts, and a glimpse into the quirks of everyday life in the 19th century.