Spring in Chandler’s Ford always reminds me of why we chose to move here – it’s so pretty! Dropping my children off when they were at Thornden always meant a detour along Nichol Road to see the blossom trees. [Read more…] about Spring has Sprung!
wildlife
Hocombe Mead Survey: Your Help Needed
Update 20 March 2017:
We have been awarded £28k from @veoliaenvtrust for improvements to Hocombe Mead Local Nature Reserve #ChandlersFord https://t.co/K8gtzhEBDk
— Eastleigh Borough (@EastleighBC) March 15, 2017
In Praise of Royal Victoria and Itchen Valley Country Parks
A few weeks ago, faced with a small clutch of younglings (and two grandparents) to entertain, we visited two of our local county parks – Hampshire County Council’s Royal Victoria and Eastleigh Borough Council’s Itchen Valley.
These proved to be outstanding choices. I’ve visited both parks before, but being accompanied by such a range of ages helped me to appreciate what marvellous leisure assets these places are. [Read more…] about In Praise of Royal Victoria and Itchen Valley Country Parks
My Favourite Short Walk – Itchen Navigation from Bishopstoke to Allbrook
One of my favourite short local walks is the stretch of the Itchen Navigation from Bishopstoke to Allbrook.
It is a rural idyll, yet never more than a few hundred yards from the built-up area and/or railway yard. [Read more…] about My Favourite Short Walk – Itchen Navigation from Bishopstoke to Allbrook
How Do You Get to Hiltingbury Lakes (without Getting Lost)?
It was a rather strange day today.
We went for a walk to Hiltingbury Lakes in the afternoon, and somehow got lost. (It meant we couldn’t find the lakes; or, the lakes simply disappeared!) [Read more…] about How Do You Get to Hiltingbury Lakes (without Getting Lost)?
Bats and Hallowe’en
Having a quiet evening and sitting with the door and windows open listening to the rain hammer down and waiting for the next flash of lightning. In flew a bat, large, about 40cm wingspan.
It did half a dozen circuits of the room and then found its way out. It reminded us that it is Hallowe’en back home. [Read more…] about Bats and Hallowe’en
Hidden Hampshire: The Monarch’s Way
Some of the fringe benefits of owning and walking a dog include getting to discover some beautiful areas of Hampshire. Some of these are on our doorstep in Chandler’s Ford. One of those is The Monarch’s Way, which is a short drive away, and takes you into some glorious countryside.
This post shares some of my thoughts on the walking and wildlife found in and around The Monarch’s Way. [Read more…] about Hidden Hampshire: The Monarch’s Way
Delightful Hut Wood – Have You Been Yet?
Hut Wood is one of those delightful bits of countryside that is just on our doorstep, yet few people seem to know about.
Well, there is an excuse – it’s managed by the Forestry Commission, but even their website doesn’t admit to its existence.
The wood lies to the west of the road from Asda in Eastleigh to Chilworth, just before the bridge over the M27 link road. [Read more…] about Delightful Hut Wood – Have You Been Yet?
Forced Landing
Our gliding flights in the Pyrenees were going well. A friendly rivalry arose with the two pilots of another glider and we were determined to outdo one another.
Today was my turn as pilot in command of our 2 seater, Whisky Bravo. The tug plane took us from Santa Cilia airfield on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees towards the local hill where there was some rising air. [Read more…] about Forced Landing
Butterflies in February
Butterflies in February? Poor things will be caught in the next frost. But not if they are in a hothouse.
For the next week or so there is a magnificent display of butterflies in the Glasshouse at the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Wisley.
[Read more…] about Butterflies in February
Days Out: Blashford Lakes
For my latest suggestion of places to go for a day out I’m going to turn to what I call the New Forest’s best kept secret – mainly because I’d never heard of it until a couple of years ago.
Blashford Lakes, near Ringwood, is a set of former gravel quarries that have been flooded and turned into a nature reserve. It is run by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. [Read more…] about Days Out: Blashford Lakes
The Hiltingbury Woodpecker
Photoblog:
What I appreciate about Hiltingbury is the beautiful wildlife and especially the comical Greater Spotted Woodpecker, who visits several times a day. [Read more…] about The Hiltingbury Woodpecker
Letters to Steve Brine MP: Chandler’s Ford Cares About Climate Change
Last weekend, I spoke at the Fairtrade event at St. Martin in the Wood Church about why we are passionate about tackling climate change. We also want to urge our politicians to act, to create a better, safer world.
We are collecting signatures from Chandler’s Ford to give to Steve Brine MP. We are raising our voices for the things we love. [Read more…] about Letters to Steve Brine MP: Chandler’s Ford Cares About Climate Change
Learning From Children – Horse Play
Have you had to learn new things because of your children or grandchildren?
Horses have never featured much in my life. Not since, as a boy, I was put on one and sent off onto the beach at Cleethorpes. The horse ambled into the middle of a tidal puddle and sat down. I fell off into the cold water and the horse ran away. [Read more…] about Learning From Children – Horse Play
Neighbourhood Killer And Child
Off Vancouver Island last Monday, we saw a Killer Whale with baby. It went on to take a seal – this type of Orca is a mammal (rather than fish) eating one. Baby seals and dolphins are its main food.
Oddly enough an adult seal on seeing an Orca will take to land. Baby seals [Read more…] about Neighbourhood Killer And Child
Squirrel In Hiltingbury
Photoblog:
I took this picture in our back garden this afternoon in Hiltingbury.
Mealworms & Cockroaches
My husband entered the house with a tub of mealworms and a tub of 6 cockroaches. I nearly phoned a solicitor.
We have a lizard (a blue-tongued skink) and she eats strange food.
When the pet shop in Eastleigh ran out of locusts last week, my husband bought mealworms and cockroaches instead. [Read more…] about Mealworms & Cockroaches
Mealworm and Mash
“What’s for dinner?”
“Your favourite tonight; mealworm and mash.”
“Did you get those nice mealworms from Waitrose?”
“Better than that; these are our first crop of home-grown from the shoebox in the garage.” [Read more…] about Mealworm and Mash
Eastleigh FC: Football, Family And Photography
I have two grandchildren who both play for Eastleigh Junior teams. Josh is 12 and he plays for the U13; Cole is 9 and he plays for the U10.
I live in Chandler’s Ford and I have been associated with Eastleigh Football Club (first team) for the past 6 years. I take photographs on match days which are then posted on the Eastleigh Football Club website and are used in the match day programmes. [Read more…] about Eastleigh FC: Football, Family And Photography
Swans and Cygnets on the River Itchen
While waiting for a Planetarium show at the Winchester Science Centre with our grand-daughter, we decided to kill some time along the River Itchen.
We parked nearby the river at Itchen Stoke and were hoping to find some ducks for Lucy to feed with the remains of her packed lunch.
As it was, there were no ducks around and so [Read more…] about Swans and Cygnets on the River Itchen