Sailor's Return - East Chaldon, Dorset, UK
Posted by: Dragontree
N 50° 39.048 W 002° 17.890
30U E 549615 N 5611228
The Sailor's Return lies in rural Dorset near Lulworth Cove.
Waymark Code: WMDA9M
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/13/2011
Views: 2
Unusually the pub website has a distinct description of the sign:
visit link
'The Inn Sign
The sign shows the story behind the name of The Sailor's Return. Three brothers left the village to join the navy, but only one was accepted. The two returned home and their father converted his two cottages into an inn to provide them both with work. When the sailor returned after his time at sea it was to find his unfaithful wife with her lover, peering from behind the door of the wardrobe where he had hurriedly hidden himself.'
This story is effectively told through the sign and images of the lover in the wardrobe, man and wife arguing and his wares from the sea are portrayed; including a parrot in a cage, sack with his belongings and navy uniform. Through the window a glimpse of the open sea can be seen.
Interestingly the sign on the website is an older version which we have included in the gallery for posterity. Today's sign has worn lettering and a faded image, no doubt from the salty, sea air.