Youth Hostelling

Youth Hostelling has long been an interest of mine. I first joined YHA (E&W) when I was 12 and my parents gave me life membership as a Christmas present when I was 14. The first hostel I ever stayed at was Tanners Hatch, a hostel that is known around the world; a fact attested to by the colour drawing illustrated tribute to the hostel that I found in the Alice Springs Youth Hostel, NT, Australia, in 1984. I feel that my true spiritual home is Tanners Hatch and the poem below is my tribute to this 'refuge' which has a special place in my heart forever; my desire, as expressed in documents lodged with my will, is to have my ashes spread in the grounds of this hostel (preferably the rose beds), or nearby if the YHA will not permit the grounds.

TRUE SPIRIT

They say the beginning was in those woods,
Old lady out walking,
stopped, watched and started talking.
"Welcome, what are you doing?"

In reply, "Restoring, cup of tea ma'am?
The water's near boiling."
"Sure I'll not be intruding?"
"No, are you up from Dorking?"

"No, here I'm residing, these are my woods."
So off to tea pouring
they go and, on returning,
all they find is owl on wing.

So legend has birthing, and special charm
takes root in this building,
with its own lofty berthing
providing a night's bedding.

And then Graham was hosting; in those dark woods,
a refuge providing:
an especial Christmasing,
our dear warden was making.

Memories returning, what joyful days!
Old paths for the clearing,
New, dear friends for the making
And old songs for the singing.

Now heart ever reaching, my true spirit
always and ever yearning;
Tanners Hatch is its naming,
where I'll find my last resting.

An entry in the Alice Springs, Australia visitor's book

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