SIGHT-SEEING

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1931, Page 9

SIGHT-SEEING

DAY IN SOMERSET

Although the New Zealand cricket representatives are being kept on the move in meeting their match engagements, time is being found to accept much in the way of entertainment and sightseeing. Keports indicate that the tourists are being overloaded with hospitality, "but that experience is not by any means a new one for a team on tour. The experience in Somerset gives an indication of what is being done to add to tho enjoyment of the tour. When Gilligan's M.C.C. team was in New Zealand a memorable day was spent visiting tho caves at Waitomo. That visit had its sequel when the New Zealand cricketers visited Cheddar at the invitation of the proprietors of Cox's Cave. Leaving Bath, where they were engaged in their match with Somerset, the tourists, accompanied by Mr. H. D. Swan (M.C.C), who has charge of their arrangements in England, Wellard (the Somerset fast bowler), and Umpires Smith and Skelding, arrived on top of, the Mendip Hills to find "Smiling" Somerset in tearful mood. Unfortunately, the great scenic beauties of the Mendip country were denied the visitors, to some extent at least, as .their surroundings were wrapped in mist —and mystery. On reaching the famous Cheddar Goi-ge, however, conditions improved, and the cricketers were greatly impressed by the cliffs towering—one might almost say, glowering, so sunless was the sky—hundreds of feet above the roadway, threatening deduction to the motor-coach beneath them. Luncheon— tin informal affair—• was provided'in the Cliff Hotel, in the dining hall of which—set apart for the occasion—was a Cheddar cheese of enormous girth, which attracted considerable and somewhat damaging attention. Photographs in. the picturesque gardens followed, the Waterfall--probably the most photographed waterfall in the world—with its distant netting of majestic cliffs, forming tho most popular background for amateurs arid professionals alike. ; , A.visit was .then-paid to Cox's Cave, in w.hich, judging by tho remarks heard on all sides, the New Zealanders were keenly interested. The part which attracted most attention, perhaps, was tho Transformation Scene, whore pools of crystal water reflect miniature forests of stalactites depending from the roof, each pool revealing different aspects of the whole scene. The Marble Curtain, hanging in graceful folds from the roof of the cavo fifty feet above the head, excited much admiration, while the playing of tho first few bars of "John Peel" on a group of musical stalactites caused great surprise and no little amusement. Several flashlight photographs were taken as the party wandered from chamber to chamber. At about 3,30 p.m. a 7nove was made to Wookcy Hole, where Captain Hodgkinsoh kindly conducted tho visitors round the Cave, afterwards entertaining them to tea. Great fun was caused at Wookcy Holo by a member of the team who commandeered a "Stop Me and Buy One" ice-cream machine. Business did not seem to bo brisk, but had he autographed every brick he would have sold enough to build a house— judging by the attentions of the everpresent "hunters." A happy thought of Captain Hodgkinson's resulted in :i visit to the Kennels on "top o' Mendip," where a considerable time was spent in making friends with tho lovable creatures kennelled there. Bath was reached at about. 8 p.m., and so ended a day in "Smiling Somerset" which will long prove to bo a pleasant memory—Cheddar Cliffs, Cox's Cave, Wookcy Holo, and last, but not least,' the Mendip Foxhounds.