Sunday, April 26, 2015

A. Conan Doyle's grave.

 June of 2014, I was in the UK with my youngest child.  Being a long time Sherlockian, I knew I wanted to visit the grave of Doyle.  Why?  First of all, I am a Sherlockian, and his stories have given me much pleausre in my life.  Also consider how many people have actually visited his grave?

So, we take off from Cardiff, Wales, and drove to Minstead, Somerset, England.  We were staying with Andy and Val Needs, and Andy loaned us a GPS travel unit.  We needed the unit because Minstead is not a big village or city.

We arrived in Minstead and I immediately noted that you see nothing posted about Doyle's grave.  So, we stopped at the local store and were given instructions.  Make a left at the pub, and there it is, All Saints Church.  The church is old, 800 years, and quite beautiful.

Once again, one has to hunt for directions to the grave.  My child found a pamflet in the church, and it gave Sherlockian instructions.  One has to find an oak tree, twice struck by lightening, at the far end of the grave yard. 

We did in fact find the grave under aforementioned oak tree, and a plain wooden bench is the only thing to make this grave stand out.

I will admit that I was very excited by the entire adventure.   I took my fotos, and I simply enjoyed the surroundings.  Doyle did not channel me, and nor did his wife, she is buried with him.  This is Doyle's second burial spot, and no, he never was buried standing up.

It was a great day, and it was Father's Day.  I got to spend with someone that I love very much, doing something that I love very much.  My child, Josalyn, helped make it a very special day in an absolutely quaint village.  Also, it was good beer at the pub.

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