a tale of Two Brothers and some lemons by quietpurplehaze

a tale of Two Brothers and some lemons

In 1790, a cargo ship, the Two Brothers, travelling from Malaga to London, was wrecked off the Sussex coast at Birling Gap.

All the crew and 800 chests of lemons were saved. The tide carried the 'lost' lemons to shore where they were collected by local residents and sold for 2 shillings the hundred.

Some were used to make lemonade, lemon tarts and cakes.

I found this little story in the NT exhibition when Ray and I visited Birling Gap. I admit that for this post, the story came before the photo. Imagine the joy of the folk who found the lemons.

These lemons were on sale in Winchester Market. The stallholder, noticing me taking an unsolicited shot, told me it cost £1 so, tongue in cheek, I asked him for a portrait and he said 'they' might find him - and that was the end of that.
Interesting tale - hope you didn't pay up!
April 6th, 2016  
@dide

No - think he was just making a point! I did buy vine tomatoes, and some fennel. Maybe another day I'll get his portrait!!!
April 6th, 2016  
Love the history lesson that came with these lemons!
April 6th, 2016  
@Weezilou

Oh dear, my ex-teacher's hat is showing!!!! I just loved that little tale....
April 6th, 2016  
How interesting! I wonder who 'they' are......some Polish henchmen? immigration? Those bowls on the market for a £1 are always good value. And there's another thing we have in common....I'm an ex teacher too! Did you teach in the Hampshire area?
April 6th, 2016  
Two very interesting stories Hazel, I got told by a market trader I was not allowed to take shots in the market, asked her why the reply it infringed her civil liberty, I just smiled took the shot and walked away, lol:)
April 6th, 2016  
Nice - enjoyed the story!
April 6th, 2016  
@Cherrill

Yes, I was a 'second career' teacher, Cherrill, started as a volunteer tutor in adult lit, FE college Eastleigh, did various training and finished by supporting dyslexic students at Soton Uni - sadly health problems got in my way but I enjoyed it while it lasted. And you?
April 6th, 2016  
How extraordinary Hazel.....I began my teaching in Surrey then moved to Hampshire when I married. Middle schools in Southampton and Bitterne park, then a secondary school in Hedge End doing art and working with pupils with special needs. I also gave up for health reasons. Eventually started my second career as a private gardener, so enjoyable but little money! Had to stop that after 10 years for physical reasons!! Now I'm on my 3rd career working as a probate genealogist for an heir hunting firm, now in my 8th year and should really be retired! lol :-)
April 6th, 2016  
Great capture and an interesting lemon story . I love these little snippets of history
April 6th, 2016  
@Cherrill

Well you know the saying about the size of the world! I learnt to swim (in my 30s) at evening classes at Wildern School which I guess was where you taught. An excellent tutor who got all of us hitherto nervous ladies swimming! For health reasons I was told not to work (unless I had to) - so for once I'm still doing what I was told!
April 6th, 2016  
Yes Wildern...I used to live within walking distance of there. Now it seems like another life! I have a new man and a new home in Suffolk where I've been for 16 years. Happiest I've ever been and I wish you well.
April 6th, 2016  
Sam
When life gives you lemons.............
April 6th, 2016  
Good story. I seem to see a lot of teachers / former teachers on here. I was a teacher too until the twins.
April 6th, 2016  
Bep
Enjoyed reading your story. Looking forward to seeing a portrait of the stallholder.
April 6th, 2016  
@gijsje

Bep, I'm really not too sure of success on that one!
April 6th, 2016  
Bep
@tracys
You're right, lots of teachers and former teachers on here, but also librarians and former librarians...
April 6th, 2016  
@tracys @gijsje Maybe because we like putting up displays!! :-)
April 6th, 2016  
a lovely story and great capture!
April 6th, 2016  
Great shot and story
April 6th, 2016  
Lovely capture and a happy story
April 6th, 2016  
Intriguing story Hazel......I love lemon flavoured things!
April 6th, 2016  
Lovely and also intriguing story?
April 6th, 2016  
Cool picture.
April 7th, 2016  
Great story! They look like healthy lemons too. How great it was that they new about scurvy then.
April 7th, 2016  
Lovely lemons to make homemade lemonade.
April 7th, 2016  
cool capture of the lemons, love the story
April 7th, 2016  
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