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Stagecoach Messengers, Strongboxes and Safes

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Ensuring the safety and security of personal belongings on public transportation is one of the essential priorities of service providers. And the manner in which they do so has changed and evolved in the last couple hundred years as drastically as what the modes of transportation have. Interestingly, it can be inspiring to consider the faith that passengers on trains and stage coaches in the 19th century placed in their drivers and coaches. During this period, stagecoaches were a standard transportation element for the largest part of the population. And while there was a recognized risk of robbery, which dates as far back as the stagecoach itself, most passengers felt a sense of security. The stagecoach had a strongbox where important documents, valuables and cash were stored.

Generally, there was a hired shotgun messenger, or guard, who would oversee and protect the valuable shipments. The messenger would typically ride on the seat that was perched over the coach and would sit alongside the driver. The messenger would usually carry a double barrel shotgun, which was an effective deterrent for robbers. If there was no messenger apparent on the train this indicated to the potential thieves that there was no strongbox onboard, and this would typically curtail an interest in boarding and robbing the coach. A similar protection structure was true for trains, though by the time trains became a popular mode of transportation, safes were commonly in practice as part of their security options. However, even with the trains, there was typically a guard that was part of the protection and security features of the trip.

Chaucer’s Canterbury

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I took a fast trek along the Canterbury Way in England, it’s a short cut in a way, from Farnham to Canterbury. Actually, it known as the North Downs Way and then on to Dover. It’s a much shorter pilgrimage than the regular more popular Pilgram’s Way. I was concerned about language gaps and I’m more accustom to the creature comforts of Bed and Breakfast joints or as I planned in advance, a nice stay at Canterbury Hotel at the end of my trek.

This short cut is a nice alternative and a good reason to re-read Chaucer. Of course, Chaucer’s book follow the exploits of a group of pilgrims travelling from London to Canterbury by foot. But, I wanted to follow the trail from Farnham, because it’s known as the North Down Way and if I started at London, I would get all sloggy with city stuff, which I’d rather not do.

I’ve received three cautionary remarks from earlier pilgrims, pilgrims with experience. First, historically, I’ll still on a pilgrims route and it’s a very long-distance walk. There’s no infrastructure or any book references along the way, and by now you’d think there would be. Second, the terrain can be a bit repetitive, all day walking along a hillside, walking up, walking down, walking up, walking down, I think you get the drift. Lastly, the view seems to be similar and if you lodge, instead of camp, it can get quite expensive. If you don’t lodge, you’ll end up pretty soggy through out the trek. I hope to find some hostels along the route. The guide book I have, which is the latest one printed, does have maps and provides a good amount of information about where I can go to find facilities and points of interest along the way. With all that said, I’m on my way. See you in Canterbury.

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Lennon and Chester

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We decided to make our trip to England be a revisiting of John Lennon’s life as he grew up. We started with booking a room at a Chester Hotel. That’s where his sister, Julia Baird has fond memories of her and John spending time together. They would travel by train from Liverpool because Chester was for them, the best place to buy clothes. Then after clothes shopping they would have lunch at a place called ‘Browns’ and then take a walk down to the river.

We got to take a little tour Chester offers. We got to see where John Lennon got the inspiration of the song ‘Nowhere Man,’ and where the Beatles actually played their earliest shows. Plus, where John spent his wedding night. But, besides seeing all of where John went in Chester, we also checked out Chester’s other points of interest, like the Roman Walls, which were really cool, and the Chester Cathedral.

Then off to Liverpool, and our first stop was at Strawberry Fields. Strawberry Fields was a Salvation Army Children’s home which was not too far from where John Lennon home on Menlove Avenue was. While at Strawberry Fields, we heard stories about how he used to play in the trees behind the gates and how he would go with his Aunt Mimi to the annual fete. His Aunt would even take him to the garden parties every summer which were held on the grounds of Strawberry Field.

Still in Liverpool is Penny Lane. It’s a street in Liverpool where Paul McCartney and John would meet to catch a bus that took them into the center of the city. And finally, in Liverpool, we went to the birthplace of John Lennon. Maternity Hospital on Oxford Street. Born to Julia and Alfred Lennon who gave him the name John Winston Lennon named after his paternal grandfather and Winston Churchill.

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