P. G. Wodehouse in Lyme Regis Part 1

 

Lyme Regis circa 1860 (from the Lyme Regis Museum)

In his 1906 novel Love Among The Chickens, P.G. Wodehouse introduces us to young author Jeremy Garnet in London, England. Suffering from writer's block, Jeremy allows his friend Stanley Ukridge to talk him into partnering him in his latest business venture. Soon he's riding a train with Ukridge and his new wife, where he notices a beautiful young lady reading his latest novel. But before he can get to know her, they arrive at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis. 

The two men, along with Ukridge's new wife, move into a farm on a hill overlooking the sea, where Ukridge plans on operating a chicken farm. If Jeremy hadn't been bored and blocked, he never would have agreed to help out. After all, none of them know anything about raising chickens.  

 

Still, Ukridge believes they can make a go of it. Buoyed by boundless enthusiasm, he's convinced local merchants and suppliers to lend him goods and services on credit. Certainly his wife firmly believes that Ukridge can do anything.

Things quickly get out of control as they take possession of their first delivery of chickens. The chickens fight with each other or run away. At least while chasing one chicken, Jeremy meets up with the girl from the train. 

He makes a good impression on her father. He believes he's in love with her. But later, Ukridge thoughtlessly insults her father, and Jeremy isn't allowed to see her any more.

 

 

Perhaps Ukridge should have learned a little more about chickens before embarking on his business venture. Perhaps he should have bothered himself with little details, such as how many chickens he wanted per breed. And maybe, just maybe, he should have insisted that he get many more hens than roosters, instead of the other way around.

Believe it or not, roosters are adept at fighting, but not well suited to laying eggs. Still, Jeremy's gotten away from London. He can take walks along the hill and try to write. And he can think about the girl he loves, and what he can do to get back in her father's good graces.

I didn't notice many farms gracing the hilltops of Lyme Regis during our visit six years ago. But the town had its own allure and beauty. I can imagine Jeremy sitting on a bench, gazing out to see, dreaming of the girl he'd like to marry, and working on his next novel.

Dragon Dave