An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY 103 On the 23rd we held a combined Garden Party with Hampstead Antiquarian Society, Besant, Haweis, and ,others there, and I showed my curios and the "wall.'' Having heard that there was a perfectly genuine Crusader's suit of armour to be seen near Southwick, I rode down on the 30th by Cobham, Guildford, to Horsham, and so by Southwater, Partridge Green, and Steyning to the Norman Church at Shoreham and Southwick, but the Crusader's chain-mail suit turned out to be modern, so I trained back to Guildford and then rode up the High Street hill fast, carrying a heavy bag, and went on by Merrow and Leatherhead to Carshalton. Early in August my wife and Kitty went on a visit to the Bax's at Seaton, in South Devon. On the 3rd August J -B.R. came back from Italy, and we had very full details from him as to the passage of Hannibal through the Alps. A long lonely ride was that on the 7th by Edgware Bury, lost way, and got into a grass road which ended in locked gates, over which a friendly tramp helped me and my machine. Next week rail to Alton and Selbonrne with J.B.L. but next day railed back for it was too hot for words. On the 19th I rode with M.M.R., to my old sisters, but it was oppressively hot so we dawdled b::i.ck, the next day lunched at Stanmore, and had tea at Hale, but it was too hot for me to ride home, so I took a trap, M.M.R. coming home very well on her bike. On the 26th and 27th I had a short stay at P.B.F.'s at Tasburgh, and on the 29th lunched with them at Canon Hinde Howell's at Drayton, (over 90), rode then on to T.B.L. at Horsford. On the 28th went with him to a garden party " The Lord's Day, a great snob." " The Rev. Wilson a very nice parson," so says my diary. On the 31st rode to Forncett to see some one off. Afternoon with Miss M. on to Stratton, and then myself on to Diss. Then on the 1st September I rode by Eye (a fine Church and curious Guild House), by cross-roads to Debenham a very interesting village with a lot of carving, and fine fireplace in the inn. Rode with a Mr. Fiske of Coddenham to Stoneham Aspall, and Crowfield (when