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This account is fascinating for modern readers. These days, we are only too aware that nature has been badly affected by human activity and the focus today is heavily on conservation and helping species to survive. The subject of the article in particular – the Red Kite – was lost in England although a few colonies clung on in Wales.
This what Wikipedia says about the Red Kite:-
By the 20th century, the breeding population of red kites was down to a handful of pairs in South Wales, but recently a reintroduction programme has successfully brought red kites back to several areas in England and Scotland which include the area that this account describes.
The difference between the attitude of this writer in the late 1800s and our own attitudes today is stark:-
Section 1:
Living Memories
Introduction
Introducing the real life stories collected in the late 1800s
What was it like to travel by coach on a winter’s day? Come on the first stage of a journey from London to Stamford.
Driving a Mail Coach
Mail coaches were the high speed elite. What was it like to drive them?
Comparing rail and coach travel in 1888!
Things didn’t always go smoothly and this amusing incident took place on the Great North Road.
A recollection of life in London before taxi cabs, policemen and even electricity.
One of the many hazards that could be encountered was flood water. This is near St Neots.
The people who could afford to travel were educated in - among other things - Latin!
Yes, they were common in the early 1800s. They’d all gone by the 1880s. Attitudes were different then!
What did it cost to make a long distance coach journey?
Young gentlemen often fancied themselves as coachmen. Unlike today, you could often ‘have a go’ with the reins.
Two Short Videos
Although we have no films from the time, modern producers have imagined coach travel for us.
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Anecdotes written by people who actually travelled on the coaches
The coachmen, the inns, the coach proprietors - they’re all here. Come in and meet them
Britain’s roads were pretty impassable for most of our history. Coach travel was very difficult until they improved
Wheeled transport evolved over many years. Find out how coaches developed
Sources and information about how I came to create this website
Home Page of the Coaching Website