Selbourne Common

Despite the continued overcast dreary weather we had a good day out and about Selbourne Common.

Our first destination was was the Gilbert White Museum in the village. What a fabulous museum illustrating the life of the famous 18th century naturalist and all round good egg.

Quite fortuitously, a relative of Capt Oates, of the doomed Scott Antarctic expedition wanted a home for a whole collection of Oates memorabilia. So the house also became a home to this collection.

Frank and William Oates were two of the lesser known explorers of central Africa following in the footsteps of Livingstone and Stanley. They were the first to see Victoria Falls in full spate.

Unfortunately, on the way home, Frank died leaving William to bring home the vast treasure of their nature collections for which they were both honoured.

William was the father of Capt Lawrence Oates, whose immortal words… “I’m just going outside, I may be some time” still echo now.

The museum has extensive displays about Frank and Lawrence all of which were fascinating. There was a good cafe and excellent coffee to round off the visit. Gilbert White, like many, brewed his own beer. There was a good selection on sale. One called Zig Zag was procured. (6.2%)

After lunch we walked around Selbourne Common going up the aforementioned Zig Zags path, through colourful beech woods and ancient woodland “hangers”. It would have been spectacular had the sun shone and the sky blue.