Two weeks ago, I went to the ancient cathedral city of Salisbury with my parents. Obviously this city has been at the centre of a major international incident for about a month now, but as a resident of Wiltshire’s neighbouring county who has visited Salisbury many times, I decided to visit the city to see what had happened. [Read more…] about Our Recent Trip to Salisbury (after Spy Attack)
travel
Sharing my Videos and Memories: by Syd Hutchinson from Chandler’s Ford
I have lived in Chandler’s Ford for over 30 years. I am retired now and realised when I pop my clogs, all my videos and photos would probably be deleted from the drives, so decided to share many of them on YouTube.
I created my own channel Syd Hutchinson, and have had nearly 120,000 viewings in the last 3 years. I re-edited some of our holiday videos from far-flung places and added them. It’s a shame many countries we have visited were many years ago when video quality was not so good, so many places are not included. Fast approaching 100 videos now ranging from wildlife to National Trust properties. I even have a video that was used on the Travel Channel. [Read more…] about Sharing my Videos and Memories: by Syd Hutchinson from Chandler’s Ford
Snow Brings Out the Best of People in Chandler’s Ford
Last Thursday, these people from Chandler’s Ford helped push a Bluestar 1 bus stuck in the snow in Chandler’s Ford.
The bus towards Southampton was at the Central Precinct stop.
Washington Muringayi happened to see this scene and filmed it. He shared the video on Facebook, and ITV has since shared this video and it has now been viewed nearly 30,000 times. [Read more…] about Snow Brings Out the Best of People in Chandler’s Ford
Proposed Improvements to M3 Junction 9
It’s been the bane of commuters for years – probably since the M3 was opened between Southampton and Winchester, if not longer. The bottleneck that can add half an hour to your journey north and south – trying to get between the M3 and the A34 at Junction 9.
Morning queues on the M3 can stretch back to the Twyford cutting and evening traffic on the A34 is often standstill from Three Maids Hill. I speak from experience here.
Well, all that is about to change. [Read more…] about Proposed Improvements to M3 Junction 9
A Ticket to Ride
We decided to travel by train from Kandy to Kadunnawa, equivalent to a trip from Southampton to Winchester, it takes about 30 minutes.
We have travelled by train in Sri Lanka before but always on the intercity express and always 1st class. This journey would be on a local train, just two stops. [Read more…] about A Ticket to Ride
A Christmas Eve Like No Other
A Little History
When the hillsides and jungles of Sri Lanka were being opened up to British planters of coffee in the middle of the 19th century, the planters were desperate for workers but the Sri Lankans, the Sinhala, were not interested in working for foreign colonialists. Why should they? They had their patch of paddy to tend, a coconut plantation and banana trees, they were self-sufficient and the British only needed them at the time of the coffee harvest. [Read more…] about A Christmas Eve Like No Other
Greetings from Sri Lanka 2017
Christmas Greetings from Kandy. Sri Lanka may be 80% Buddhist, but they do like the story of Baby Jesus. For many, religion is like belonging to a club, you can change or be a member of several. Why not enjoy the Poya days (full moon) at the Buddhist temple, Diwali at the Hindu and a few Carols at the Church? [Read more…] about Greetings from Sri Lanka 2017
Rev. Wilbert Awdry Bridge in Chandler’s Ford
Do you know there is a Rev. Wilbert Awdry Bridge in Chandler’s Ford?
The Rev. Wilbert Awdry (15 June 1911 – 21 March 1997) was an Anglican minister who created Thomas the Tank Engine (and other engines). In interviews he said his son Christopher (aged 3) had measles, so he came up with stories to amuse him. [Read more…] about Rev. Wilbert Awdry Bridge in Chandler’s Ford
Saved from Drowning
It is not on every holiday that you find yourself involved in the rescue of a drowning man.
Our son, who lives in Chandler’s Ford, was enjoying a holiday at Bonchurch on the Isle of Wight. Relaxing after day visiting nearby children’s attractions with his four-year-old daughter, he heard cries for help. From his flat overlooking the sea he could see a man in deep water out beyond the breakwater waving, calling for help and in distress. Already another man was swimming towards him with the life buoy which was provided nearby. [Read more…] about Saved from Drowning
Chinook
Every infantry man in a combat zone loves to hear a Chinook. Wop, wop, wop, you can hear the characteristic sound, you know what it is but you can’t see it. The twin rotor helicopter is coming in at 160 mph with 10 tons of stores and ammunition or re-enforcements. Once it lands, it will be there for 60 seconds, there will be no departure delays, no last calls for passengers, no check in queues. What isn’t taken off or loaded within the time is left where it is. [Read more…] about Chinook
The Flying Scotsman in Scotland
Following Janet’s post with Carl Maskelyne’s pictures of the “Flying Scotsman” locomotive, I thought I’d post this short video of it pulling a train out of Stirling the other day.
It’s a fine beast and my video clip, though a bit amateurish, builds the expectation nicely, giving brief glimpses of smoke in the trees, before it bursts into view in all its splendour. [Read more…] about The Flying Scotsman in Scotland
Exclusive – Chandler’s Ford man found in Pyrenees
José Ascaso had been riding his chestnut mare most of the day and was beginning to feel tired. Together, they had made good progress deep into the Pyrenean valley alongside Rio Ara. His plan was to spend the night in Broto, a small mountain town, and ride on into Ordesa Gorge the next day. The valley had become steep and narrow with the mountains rising to 6000 feet on both sides. He hoped to spot the Lammergeier, it is known to fly in the gorge. It is a large vulture with a wingspan of almost 3 metres and weighing up to 7 Kg. It feeds on bone after the other vultures have taken the flesh of dead animals. [Read more…] about Exclusive – Chandler’s Ford man found in Pyrenees
From Weymouth to Chandler’s Ford
Geoff and Vicki are travelling to all 2,563 railway stations in Great Britain. So far they have visited 459 stations, including Chandler’s Ford station (see the video at the end of this post).
All The Stations is a project to travel to ALL the national railway stations in Britain in just three months, and to create an online documentary film about the journey. [Read more…] about From Weymouth to Chandler’s Ford
Ruins, what to Do with ’em?
The United Kingdom is a fusion of four old countries that have fought wars together and with others. It has had kings, princes, invaders, usurpers, pretenders, bishops, priests and parliamentarians who have fought among themselves. Going back into archaeological time and pre-history and even in legend there have been conflicts of people and ideas of which we know little. No wonder that the country is littered with old castles, battlefields, abbeys, forts and earthworks. [Read more…] about Ruins, what to Do with ’em?
Ex-Pats Lives; Where is Home?
Out in Sri Lanka there is an interesting group of people, the ex-pats. These people have decided to make their lives on the tropical island for a number of reasons. None of them is quite sure where home is, here, there, or somewhere else. Perhaps home is a different concept for them, home is where they happen to be today. Here are the stories of some of them. [Read more…] about Ex-Pats Lives; Where is Home?
New Footbridge: Chandler’s Ford to Valley Park
The new Footbridge at the level crossing by Sutherlands Way in Chandler’s Ford has now opened to the public.
I walked on the footbridge yesterday with my son and marvelled at the beauty of this architecture. The footbridge was open to the public last Friday.
(My son insisted this event in Chandler’s Ford was more important than what happened in the USA on that day.) [Read more…] about New Footbridge: Chandler’s Ford to Valley Park
What has happened to the trees by Monks Brook in Valley Park?
Who could tell me what has happened to the trees by Monks Brook in Valley Park?
In our walk yesterday afternoon we saw many trees had been cut down. [Read more…] about What has happened to the trees by Monks Brook in Valley Park?
New Footbridge at the Level Crossing by Sutherlands Way in Chandler’s Ford
Have you seen the new footbridge at the level crossing by Sutherlands Way in Chandler’s Ford yet?
You can’t use it just yet, but it looks like this:
(Update 24 Jan 2017: you can now walk on the bridge: New Footbridge: Chandler’s Ford to Valley Park) [Read more…] about New Footbridge at the Level Crossing by Sutherlands Way in Chandler’s Ford
A Staircase for Sale
The house of my childhood has been demolished. I am told that the staircase, complete, is for sale. It is solid teak, of excellent quality, impervious to termites. Someone said that one of us should buy it.
Buy a staircase? The million times I ran up and down those stairs, chased by my brothers and sisters, running up to complain to father, running down for dinner. If I buy that staircase, with its brass fixtures and its knurled banisters, will I hear father coming down in his wooden clogs? See the emerald green of his eyes? Will my mother give me refuge from the persecuting siblings? Will I hear the gentle shuffle of her feet? [Read more…] about A Staircase for Sale
Experiments with Spirituality
My first son was born in Delhi in 1987. Two months after his birth, like Prince Siddhartha Gautama of Lumbini, I kissed my sleeping wife and son and travelled to Rishikesh, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. I didn’t know then that I would return there 22 years later. But that is another story, to be written when I have the mental fortitude to narrate it.
For now, let me tell you about my spiritual quest and how unlike Prince Siddhartha, I failed to become the Buddha or the enlightened. [Read more…] about Experiments with Spirituality