Yah Boo Sucks to the Walking Group Part I of III

Bolton's Bench in the New Forest

Before I crack on about discrimination I must fulfill my duty to explain a little bit about Bolton's Bench.

This is a well known beauty spot near the town of Lyndhurst at the very heart and geographical centre of the New Forest here in the South of England.

The "bench" or "benches" as it is furnished with today are at the summit of a small gently sloped hillock and are placed like sentinels around an ancient ewe tree. The tree is further protected from vandalism and free range grazing animals by a square of very strong fencing. From the top visitors can look back into Lyndhurst and across the forest towards Southampton and Beaulieu. The site was given its name in commemoration of the Duke of Bolton (1630-1699) who was the "Master Keeper of the Forest". The site's seasonal claim to fame is when this region is blanketed in snow. Photo journalists flock here like migrant and vulturous avian species to photograph children of all ages tobogganing, skiing or sledging down its bucolic slopes.

Why Bolton's Bench?

My wife, Heather, was strolling through various social media platforms and found a group inviting walkers of all abilities to meet at Bolton's Bench at 1030 on Saturday 19th March 2022. Via a couple of messages between Heather and the organizer it was confirmed that we would be welcome to join in.

Great! The weather forecast was good. We were looking forward to meeting new people and seeing a part of the forest we did not know very well.

Getting ready for the walk

While I was sorting out our boots and putting a small backpack of drinks and snacks the following message dialogue ensued:

Our hopes had been dashed of enjoying a perfect spring morning walk all because Heather has a dislocated jaw which she has tolerated the pain from with fantastic patience and fortitude. As one of our friends commented "That's odd, last time I walked I was on my feet".

The organizer could have quite easily responded with:

"That is a shame and I am sorry to hear about your jaw. Come along for the walk anyway and when your jaw is better join the pub lunches after when you can".

Or "Feel free to join us all for a drink after the walk anyway".

But no, the organizer slammed the door shut against someone who might just be a bit different to themselves.

"I hate prejudice, discrimination and snobbishness of any kind - it always reflects on the person judging and not the person being judged" (Gordon Brown 1951 - British Prime Minister 2007-2010)

Yah boo sucks then to the walking group

We heeded those words from Gordon Brown and both did say "Yah boo sucks". An English expression to say you have no sympathy with anyone. It has been described as "An offensive English slang phrase". Gosh, that must be from a long time ago. From before the opening lines from "Four Weddings and A Funeral" were screened in 1994 when Richard Curtis's extensive use of the "F" word in the opening scene seemed to make its use more widely acceptable. To the Rubicon tipping point where instead of just thinking the word we now mouth it quietly to ourselves, say it in hushed tones or in the scenario of extreme pain and frustration shout it so everyone in the street can hear it.

We put our thoughts and words into immediate action, finished packing the car and drove to Lyndhurst. We accidentally found a marvelous book fair where we bought some books and met some very interesting people. Had a walk around Bolton's Bench. Helped visitors take group photographs and talked to a few people enjoying this part of the forest. And the ultimate bonus; found a small French style cafe where we were both able to enjoy a lunch.

So, "Yah boo sucks to the walking group". We wish you all no ill will, that the sun and winds are forever on your backs and hope that your powers of discrimination helped you to find a decent pub with suitable food for your post walk lunch.

Look out for "Yah boo sucks to the walking group PtII of III.