At the moment I'm researching lots of information about the New Forest during WW2. I've been finding out loads of fascinating facts but had to stop and laugh when I read about a New Forest cream tea which went very wrong during World War Two.
Apparently, during WW2 it was still possible to enjoy the delights of a thigh-expanding cream tea - despite wartime restrictions. I presume if you had access to a cow, a field for grain and flour and a few strawberries growing in the veggie patch you were pretty much self sufficient for cream tea production in the New Forest during WW2.
There were literally thousands of wartime personnel living on the New Forest during WW2, not only British but also Canadian, American, Portuguese, and many more nationalities. Some were providing labour to build the many airfields which were springing up all over the New Forest, like the Irish and Pakistani workers.
Whoever they were, at this time of austerity, everyone would jump a the chance of a fat scone, dollop of cream, all topped with a generous spoonful of homemade jam.
Close to Picket Post, where the Ocknell campsite is today, was an old cottage which was being run as Dick Turpin's tearoom. You would step into the cottage through the front door and be straight into the front parlour, where tables and chairs were set out for you to enjoy your very welcome cup of tea.
Because it was the New Forest, and like my cottage is today, New Forest ponies would have been free to wander around during WW2. At Dick Turpin cottage, an old gelding (castrated), New Forest pony loved to stand with his head through the front door of the cottage, snoozing on his legs, or watching the cream teas being consumed with gusto.
At certain times of the year on the New Forest stallions are put out Their only job is to be really male and impregnate all the mares they can find. Even today this happens and most stallions are only intent on fulfilling this job. Although this was during WW2, even now they thunder about the New Forest, like kids on an asbo, and heaven help you if you get in their way when they've spotted a future conquest.
Well, the old geldings rump was sticking out at the front of the cottage and the local stallion spotted it. All other male New Forest ponies aren't tolerated by the stallions at this time. I have seen them forlornly standing at a distance from their regular herd of mares and last years foals, waiting for the time when the macho posturing has finished and they can again be allowed back into the herd.
Spotting this old male rump sticking out from the cottage door, the stallion saw it as a threat and immediately bit down hard!
Jonnie, the old gelding, awoke with a start and leapt forward! Of course forward was the front parlour where scones, cream, tea, and jam were being consumed with gusto. Jonnie piled into the cottage knocking over tables, people and teapots - tea went flying and jam and cream flew through the air.
Bedlam ensued, but Jonnie was still in a state of shock - his rump was punctured by a nasty row of knashers and he was very frightened.
He did a massive wee.
Well wouldn't you? Anyone who has been near a pony or horse when it does a wee knows that this isn't just a pint of golden nectar - it's gallons of the stuff and seems to go on forever.
So, amongst the debris of a tearoom which had suffered the equivalent of a nuclear attack, from what must have looked like a monster sized New Forest pony in such a small cottage, there then came flooding. Flooding from a hot pungent outdoor smelling source - Jonnies bladder.
Jonnie was calmed down and eventually stopped the flow of warm, pungent froth. Mops were brought out, tables set back up and cream and jam wiped from the walls and probably picked out of hair.
When all was back to normal one person was heard to say in a very British way - Does this happen often?
The owner of Dick Turpin tearoom could honestly say No! (and mutter thank God to themselves).
It must have really been a great tale to relive back at camp - for all those lucky enough not to have tried to experience a New Forest cream tea during WW2. I suppose it would be called getting up close to nature - no wonder they say today cream teas could be bad for you?
This is just one of my New Forest Tales which I have included on my unique travel guide. My guide is about living in the New Forest but should also be helpful if you are thinking of visiting the New Forest National Park in the UK.
I've found out an awful lot about the part that the New Forest played in the successful outcome of WW2 for the Allies. You can find out more if you want to at My New Forest Life travel Guide.
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