Saturday 28 May 2016

Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition

Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:


Q1. Silverdale

Q2. Brief Encounter


The initial clues seem to place us at the Tewitfield Marina, at the northern end of the 'Lancaster Canal'. I found some references sources which claim that the canal has a 41 mile section with no locks. The gothic house is probably 'Leighton Hall', (originally c 13th century but rebuilt in the gothic style c 1763), which looks to be in the right location for the hints given. From the photographs I saw of it, it appears to be a most beautiful place and holds many fine treasures within its walls. The hall is associated with the Gillow family and Gillow & co were furniture manufacturers.

Travelling two miles to the west of Leighton Hall, would bring us to the settlement of Silverdale which is where, according to some of his biographies,  a brewer called 'Henry Boddington' (born c 1813) retired. Cans of Boddy's draught have a picture of two bees on them. The author who holidayed in the village, is probably 'Elizabeth Gaskell' (born c 1810) and she published a gritty kitchen sink drama novel called 'Ruth'  (c 1853), which featured characters called Thurston Benson, Henry Bellingham and Ruth.

Three miles south east of Silverdale would bring us to 'Warton Rectory', which was built c 14th century. The photograph on the English Heritage web site, shows only the ruins of the  medieval hall are left standing there.

The film mentioned by the puzzle author is probably 'Brief Encounter' (c 1945) starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson and the great British director David Lean, directed this adaptation of the famous playwright, Noel Coward's play, 'Still Life'. The Eastender had to look up what a 'Bath Bun' was and it seems to be a type of bread roll which may have a whole sugar cube embedded in it, first appearing c 1763 (They didn't know much about nutrition back in those days and thought that it was ok to eat stuff like this, the author Jane Austen according to some sources, wrote  about disordering  her stomach with Bath Buns). Some of the railway platform scenes in the movie, were shot at Carnforth station.

N.B. Due to the number of people who normally write poison pen letters in green ink posting on his page, the Eastender has moved to moderated comments but if you have a non abusive comment or quip relating to the puzzle and its solution, he will endeavour to publish it.


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