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We got on the 10:15 bus for Alton on 15 May. The No.38 brought us to Selborne in 40 minutes. We got off on the B3006 road, and walked past the village café and the village hall. There were a number of thatched roof houses as described on Gilbert White’s book.
Gilbert White House with Oates Collections Dr Gilbert White’s house was on the B3006 road. We paid £10 each for the admission fees. At the Orientation Room, we were informed that Gilbert White House was the home for Revered Gilbert White and visitors can find his and his family’s memorabilia, and because of the later extension, the house acquired collections of documents of two very different explorers of the natural world: Captain Lawrence Oates who undertook the epic journey to the Antarctica with Captain Scott; and Frank Oates, the 19
th century explorer of the Africa and Americas.
After leaving the Orientation Room, we looked round the Bell’s library, Great & Little Parlours and the Old Kitchen. Gilbert White’s meticulous observation of birds and natural world made Selborne immortalized: there were collections of published books displayed in the
bookcases in the library. There were various types of cooking tools and equipment displayed in the Old Kitchen. It was interesting to learn that Gilbert found that blue colour would ward off flies and he painted blue on the wall in the kitchen.
We then went upstairs and looked round his bedroom, meeting room and study. There were wide variety genres of books, his sketches, observation notebooks which he recorded daily temperature, humidity, climate, and the direction of wind in the 18
th century, kept in the study.
Next, we went to see Frank Oates Gallery and Captain Lawrence Oates Gallery. It was interesting to learn how Frank Oates explored the inland of Africa and America’s Continents and what he discovered – ingenious people’s life, languages (most of which have become dead), natural history and their own cultures. We also found it interesting to see samples of exotic birds and rare species of animals and plants.
I knew a bit about Captain Lawrence Oates from Captain Scott’s expedition. He was a gallant man: he contributed not only Antarctic Expedition but also Boar War. Antarctic Continent was an unmapped area and it was
one of the coldest places in the world. I’ve read the Imperial Expeditions led by Captain Scott and Sir Shakleton and Captain Lawrence Oates were involved with many of their expeditions. Having modern equipment and balanced diet been introduced, Antarctic journey has not been as arduous as his time these days. We always remember those people’s endurance and sacrifice and appreciate their footsteps.
Afterwards, we want downstairs and then started exploring the garden. The garden was stunning: we admired colourful and scented flowers on the beds, lovely shrubs and trees, e.g. Great Oak, Yew Tree, Cedar of Lebanon. We walked on the grass land covered with buttercups and sat on the Conical Mount. This hut was built on a slightly higher ground and it could rotate 360 degree. We swirled the hut and looked out to woodland on the southwest and the house & garden on the northeast direction. We walked towards the mysterious looking statue, Hercules. Apparently, Gilbert While liked Greek Mythological statues. The Hercules Statue, was in fact, the fake one, but looked authentic when looking at it in the distance. There were wide variety styles of garden – Cutting Beds, Field Garden, Kitchen Garden
and Pond Garden. All the flowers, shrubs and trees and garden ornaments were well looked after they showed us a good picture of the 18
th century former garden.
We had lunch in the garden. It was lovely to see stunning country garden and lush country side whilst having lunch.
Selborne Common After having lunch, we left Gilbert White House and headed for Selborne Common. We found the National Trust sign of
‘Selborne Common’ on the B3006 road, and then walked to the starting point of ‘The Zig Zag Path’ We were informed that the Zig Zag path was designed by Gilbert While and his brother in 1793. We followed the Zig Zag Path and went up to the hill. The gravel path and hedges have been maintained by the National Trust. As walking uphill, we could overlook the Selborne village including Gilbert White’s House and see Hampshire countryside beyond. It was really beautiful. We followed on the trail on the grassland, woodland of Selborne Common. Some parts of the Common are grazing land and parts of the
path are used by horses. However, we didn’t see any farm animals on 15 May. There were several people walking on the common on that day. We could see a bird of prey flying about between top of trees – I managed to take a crucial photo of the bird of prey while we were at Selborne Common.
After that, we walked down to the village and visited the church. The church had Gilbert White’s grave and the champion yew tree.
We really enjoyed looking round Gilbert White & the Oates Collections, exploring on the Selborne Common and visiting the church on 15 May.
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