Chandler's Ford Today

chippy minton

Fungus Forage at IVCP

By Leave a Comment

Itchen Valley Country Park held a Fungus Foraging event this week.  I saw the advertisement for the event at about the same time as I saw this news story  and thought I would go along to make sure I knew what I was eating.

BBC News article about an alleged fungus poisoning in Australia

The forage was led by John Wright, who is an expert on all things mycological.  Anyone who watched the original series of River Cottage may remember him from that.  He was very interesting and entertaining, and gave a lot of insights into the recognition of different fungi, and their life patterns.  There are over 15,000 different species of fungi in the UK – that compares to about 3,500 plants. [Read more…] about Fungus Forage at IVCP

Tags: , , ,

Winchester Mass Cycle 2023

By 2 Comments

Prologue

Last weekend (30th September) saw the seventh annual Mass Cycle in Winchester.  It was organised by Cycle Winchester, a community group that campaigns to make Winchester better by bike.  And, let’s be honest, Winchester is currently not particularly cycle-friendly.

Mass Ride bicycle
Mass Ride bicycle

This was most definitely NOT a protest demonstration.  There was no laying down of bikes to block the roads; there was no padlocking of cyclists to bollards.  The purposes were to promote the joy of cycling, to provide a safe opportunity for less-proficient cyclists to brave the centre of Winchester, and to show the city and county councils how many people might switch to bicycles if only the infrastructure were there. [Read more…] about Winchester Mass Cycle 2023

Tags: , , , ,

Local newspaper report from different times

By Leave a Comment

While visiting a museum in New Zealand earlier this year, I came across this reproduction of a local newspaper report from 1925.  It is such a wittily written report, I thought it deserved a wider audience.  Who knew that once upon a time local newspapers were worth reading? [Read more…] about Local newspaper report from different times

Tags: ,

River Hamble Country Park

By 3 Comments

Despite having lived in the area for over 50 years between us, Mrs Chippy and I had never been to River Hamble Country Park until we took part in a running even there earlier this month.

The run took us on a delightful route through woods and alongside the river (and up a few hills), and this was enough to whet our appetite for a return visit for some less strenuous exercise.  So, this was the venue for today’s Bank Holiday walk.  And the park lived up to our expectations. [Read more…] about River Hamble Country Park

Tags: , , ,

Easter Challenge

By 3 Comments

As you may know, I like a challenge (at least I do when it is attainable).  I particularly enjoy the Treasure-Hunt challenges that add variety to an outdoor activity – or just a reason for an outdoor activity.  So when this one came up on a friend’s social media news feed, I had to give it a go.  The original challenge was to find these on a run, but I see no reason why it shouldn’t be a walk or a cycle ride – I myself did it on a cycle ride, over the course of about seven miles.

Find, and photograph, each of the following Easter-related items:

  1. Cross
  2. Daffodil
  3. Rabbit
  4. Chocolate Egg
  5. Church
  6. Rock
  7. Donkey
  8. Thorns
  9. Nails
  10. Something Purple

[Read more…] about Easter Challenge

Tags: , ,

What’s in a (road) name?

By 10 Comments

Following my recent discovery of Lordswood Lane and Chilworth Drove – bridleways that used to be more important routes – I had a look at a map and found that there are more of these than you might think.  Or more than I thought.

For example, White Lane runs from Twyford in the vague direction of St Catherine’s Hill, and  Silkstead Lane and Shepherd’s Lane can be found near Compton and Otterbourne.  Even the pathways that lead through Boyatt Wood may follow routes that predate the houses.  The footbridge over the railway at the end of Archers Road may even be a legacy of an access route that is older than the railway.

[Read more…] about What’s in a (road) name?

Tags: , ,

Twyford Pumping Station Open Days

By Leave a Comment

Twyford Waterworks, in Hazeley Road, was an Edwardian steam pumping station built to extract water from underground boreholes.  Water is still pumped from those same boreholes today – though now using electrical power, and in a non-publicly accessible area of the site.  The rest of the site, however, is a scheduled ancient monument under the care of the Twyford Waterworks Trust.  During the summer months they hold regular open days to allow the public a fascinating glimpse into this section of our industrial history. [Read more…] about Twyford Pumping Station Open Days

Tags: , ,

Magical Mystery Tour

By 5 Comments

One of the joys of cycling is the ability it gives to explore an area in more detail than by car, but more quickly than by walking.  On a bicycle, you travel at a pace fast enough to make progress, yet slow enough to stop and look at anything interesting along the way.

Cycling
Photo Credit: Damin@Krauss, via Flickr

When I go for a bike ride, I usually have a destination in mind, but am more than happy to venture off-piste if an interesting-looking path crops up.  Even more exciting if I don’t consult a map, and so have no idea where I am going – a proper mystery tour.  After all, isn’t it more rewarding to travel than to arrive, and doesn’t every path lead somewhere? Even if “somewhere” turns out to be unknown and/or where you don’t want to be and/or back where you started. [Read more…] about Magical Mystery Tour

Tags: , , ,

Nativity Experience returns – 19 to 24 November

By 2 Comments

After a two-year break caused by the Covid pandemic, Eastleigh Baptist Church’s much-loved interactive Nativity Experience is back.  Bigger and better than before –with an additional and exciting attraction.

The body of the church will be transformed to take visitors on a journey through different stages of the Christmas story.   The layout has been inspired by the ancient tradition of a labyrinth that takes a person on a contemplative and reflective spiritual journey.  The maze at the top of Winchester’s St Catherine’s Hill was possibly an example. [Read more…] about Nativity Experience returns – 19 to 24 November

Tags: , , ,

Has anyone seen my wheelie-bin?

By 10 Comments

I’ve lost my wheelie-bin.  As I write that sentence, I realise how ludicrous it sounds.  I often misplace my spectacles, and occasionally drop keys and small coins down the back of the sofa.  But a 240-litre grey wheelie bin?  That’s going take some concealment.  Though I do know someone who hunts for lost bridges, so I suppose if you can lose a bridge, you can lose pretty much anything.  Surely the people crossing a non-existent river bridge would notice their feet getting wet. [Read more…] about Has anyone seen my wheelie-bin?

Tags: , ,

Restart A Heart at Eastleigh parkrun, 15th October

By 1 Comment

This Saturday 15 October the Restart A Heart charity will be running a bystander CPR training event at Eastleigh parkrun from 8.30am.  By giving up a few minutes of your time, you can learn how to give someone who has collapsed the best chance of survival.

When someone has a cardiac arrest, performing immediate CPR can help double their chance of survival in some cases.

The team of trainers will be on site before, during and after the parkrun, outside the Blackbird Café at Pavilion on the Park, Fleming Park.
[Read more…] about Restart A Heart at Eastleigh parkrun, 15th October

Tags: , ,

parkrun – it can be a walk in the park

By 3 Comments

Despite its name, parkrun isn’t about running.  It’s about social interaction and community.  In fact, it could be described as a community event masquerading as a sports event.  I’ve written before about how participants are welcome to run, jog, walk or volunteer and that every form of participation is equally valuable and equally welcomed.

parkrun turns 18 this month, and to mark its birthday it is running the parkwalk at parkrun campaign to celebrate the value of walking.  For each of the five Saturdays participants will be encouraged to walk and chat their way around the course.  There will even be dedicated “parkwalkers” who will be more than happy to walk with you. [Read more…] about parkrun – it can be a walk in the park

Tags: , , , ,

Ringing to commemerate Queen Elizabeth II

By 4 Comments

On sombre occasions – such as Remembrance Sunday and funerals – church bells re rung “half-muffled”.  This means putting a leather cap – a bit like a small knee pad – over one side of the clapper to deaden the sound.  You get a loud “bong” from one side of the bell, followed by a softer rumble from the other. [Read more…] about Ringing to commemerate Queen Elizabeth II

Tags:

Living without a kitchen

By 2 Comments

The Chippy household has been without a kitchen this week.  Don’t worry, no disaster had occurred. This is a planned kitchenless experience; we are having a new kitchen fitted.

This gave me an excuse to revert to my scouting days (of which there were few) and bring the camp kitchen into use.  It’s been great fun.  It’s like camping but without the discomfort of having to sleep in a tent. [Read more…] about Living without a kitchen

Tags: , , , ,

Not the film review slot

By 1 Comment

I watched the 2019 David Copperfield film recently, having bought the DVD because it was on offer in Tesco.  It highlighted, or so the trailers had had me believe, the humour of Dickens’ work.  Yes, there is humour in Dickens, it’s not all over-long descriptions and no pictures.

David Copperfield poster or DVD image

The cast looked promising (Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi, Paul Whitehouse) and it was directed by Armando Iannucci.  What could possibly go wrong? [Read more…] about Not the film review slot

Tags: , ,

Favourite Places

By 2 Comments

On a recent trip through the Midlands recently, I managed to slip in a long-promised visit to Burton Dassett Country Park, just of the M40 between Banbury and Warwick.

This was a popular venue for family outings when I was a child, but I’ve not been there for about 50 years.  It is still as wonderful as I remember.  The hills aren’t particularly high or steep – nothing is in that area – but on a clear day they give fantastic views in all directions.

Burton Dassett

[Read more…] about Favourite Places

Tags: , , ,

Spring is here, spring is here. Life is skittles and life is Beer

By 4 Comments

The spring is sprung, the grass is riz

I wonder where the birdy is

The bird is on the wing

Don’t be absurd

Everyone knows the wing is on the bird

We’ve been in meteorological spring since the beginning of the month and today, 20th March, is pretty close to non-meteorological spring (which probably has a better name).  And the weekend’s weather has also been spring-like too, for the first time this year.

What better time to visit Hillier Gardens at Ampfield and see the flowers starting to emerge from their winter’s sleep.

Here are a few photos from today’s wander.  I’m not a botanist so some of my descriptions may be a little haphazard.  Sorry, Wellie. [Read more…] about Spring is here, spring is here. Life is skittles and life is Beer

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reducing Waste – local zero-waste shops

By 3 Comments

Has it ever crossed your mind that a lot of waste is not needed?  Well, obviously it’s not needed; that’s why it’s waste!  I don’t mean that. What I mean is that it wasn’t really needed in the first place.

Take tea for example.  Loose or bags.  It comes in a carton, but when we get it home from the supermarket, we pour it into a caddy and throw the carton away.  It’s served its purpose; it is of no more use to us.  It doesn’t even have cards for us to collect any more.

Or liquid soap – and other cleaning products.  When empty, we replace with a new bottle, and throw the old one away.  OK, we’re careful to put it in the recycling bin, but that still uses energy.  And you can’t recycle the trigger mechanism.

Wouldn’t it be so much better if we could just refill our tea caddies and soap dispensers, and cut out the unnecessary packaging? [Read more…] about Reducing Waste – local zero-waste shops

Tags: , , ,

parkrun rewards for persistence

By Leave a Comment

Almost 7 years since my first parkrun (though parkrun was suspended for 70 weeks of that time), I have recently completed my 250th parkrun.  That’s 250 Saturdays, plus a few Christmas Days and New Year’s Days, that I’ve got up early enough to run 5km at 09:00 am.

unofficial 250 parkrun tee shirt
Chippy models his home-made celebratory shirt before his 250th parkrun

That’s some persistence – and a milestone.  But a milestone that is easy to achieve.  All you have to do is keep going back. [Read more…] about parkrun rewards for persistence

Tags: , , , ,

Updates to the Highway Code

By 2 Comments

The latest version of The Highway Code is being published tomorrow (29 January).  There are (depending on which report you read), 8 new rules and 49 updated rules – but some of these updates are to clarify wording and/or where one underlying principle affects more than one rule.

highway code updates

Of course, much of the Highway Code is a guide rather than prescriptive.  However, to paraphrase the opening paragraph of the first Highway Code: “although breaking any of these rules is not in itself an offence, it will make it so hot for you that you won’t know the difference.” [Read more…] about Updates to the Highway Code

Tags: , , ,