The alcoholic process might not have been thought of as alcoholic in earlier times. Or to put it another way, the making of bulk alcoholic drinks -- beer, cider, wine -- might have been not primarily for getting drunk. It is well known that water will kill you but beer won't, and it's nutritious too. Only the 'fortified' drinks -- sherry, whisky, etc. -- are solely for purposes other than the mere quenching of thirst/hunger.

Jools wrote: Hence tags like 'the water of life' that are applied to several spirits don't necessarily mean human life.

The reference to 'water of life' suggests a medicinal connection. Is there something about such water (or in such water) that makes it of interest to specialist alcohol-makers?

The location of certain wells and (mineral?) springs was linked to economics hence pubs like churches are on or near water sources but there are different types of water, sometimes called 'sweet' or 'bitter'. What chemical might be present in 'sacred springs' that would make all the difference. It may turn out that bad water is the key.

The pub from where Tony Robinson, walking through history, admired the view over the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset was The Square and Compass. It sits on top of a hill, not a favoured location you'd think from a customer's viewpoint, but the Masonic name suggests the pub was originally for surveying purposes. It is a little over a mile away from St Aldhelm's Chapel, an important beacon point on the headland for ships approaching Poole.

Pubs called The Square and Compass aren't numerous. One of the best-known used to be at Whitley Bay on St Mary's (or should that be St Helen's) Island

Was the Isle of Purbeck once an island too?

The Square and Compass (in Worth Matravers) is displaying what looks like a fine display of Operative Mason's work in their front garden. Understandable, as Purbeck limestone and marble were extensively worked nearby.

I'm not sure how this Square and Compass pub near Harrogate got its name.

Boreades wrote:The Square and Compass (in Worth Matravers) is displaying what looks like a fine display of Operative Mason's work in their front garden. Understandable, as Purbeck limestone and marble were extensively worked nearby.

You're right to point out the area's famous for its stone. I looked at a geological map of Purbeck and it's quite odd, even geologists are puzzled because the hardwearing Portland stone has been eroded 20 or 30 metres below sea level. Would this be due to earlier quarrying?

On the south-eastern side of the 'isle' is Durlston Bay with an apparently natural arch



The prominent headland called Handfast Point is, according to the geological map, chalk rather than Portland or Purbeck stone. Chalk is supposed to erode rather rapidly, the only evidence of erosion seems to be St Lucas' Leap, the gap left by the collapse of an arch.

Just to place the facts on record, I was the first person in the known universe to point out that Durdle Dor is art and not nature.

Mick Harper wrote: Just to place the facts on record, I was the first person in the known universe to point out that Durdle Dor is art and not nature.

Seems like a lot of effort for a work of art though. Maybe artifice is more apposite than art. Perhaps a 'door' which is a recognisable symbol had a practical (territorial?) function.

Ajai wrote:

Mick Harper wrote: Just to place the facts on record, I was the first person in the known universe to point out that Durdle Dor is art and not nature.

Seems like a lot of effort for a work of art though. Maybe artifice is more apposite than art. Perhaps a 'door' which is a recognisable symbol had a practical (territorial?) function.

That sounds interesting... Durdle Dor = Firm, enduring door/gateway .... Can you say a bit more?

The Durdle bit is said to derive from thirl meaning to bore or drill. The 'door' is clearly a landmark rather than an obstruction, the arch certainly stands out from all angles.

Thurlestone in Devon, on the other side of the bay from Burgh Island, has nothing remarkable apart from a fine All Saints Church and its thirled stone



Durdle is durable because it's an (oddly?) isolated outcrop of Portland Stone. The formation may be natural, it's hard to say in such a sculpted landscape. I'm not the first to see its likeness to a large animal drinking, perhaps unintended though it is also a reminder that large animals were driven over the cliffs here as elsewhere (the rocks have names such as The Bull, The Cow, The Blind Cow).

Thurlestone Hotel cum village pub is on the south-west coastal path and has a Rock Pool Bistro for al fresco dining, the same set up as Burgh Island Hotel though on a less grandiose scale.

In keeping with the Pub Crawl motif, the animal drinking may be more benign, signalling a place where drovers can water their animals (and themselves). Pub signs are often more legible than the name, and presumably older.