Just as traffic gets back to normal after this weekend’s motorway closure, we have more roadworks to cope with. This time it’s more local, but the good news is that, like Radio Luxembourg, they only come out at night. [Read more…] about Another road closure ahead
Road Closure Ahead
There is likely to be severe traffic disruption this weekend when the M27 is closed between Junction 3 (M271) and Junction 4 (M3). The closure is in both directions and will be in place from 10:00 pm on Friday 28th September to 5:00 am on Monday 1st October. It is the first of three weekend closures over the next twelve months to allow the Romsey Road bridge to be replaced. [Read more…] about Road Closure Ahead
Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear and Other Mondegreens
You probably know a few mondegreens, even if you didn’t know they had a name. It’s when the words of a song or poem are misheard to give a different meaning. The word comes from 17th-century ballad “The Bonnie Earl o’ Moray”:
Ye Highlands and ye Lowlands,
Oh, where hae ye been?
They hae slain the Earl o’ Moray,
And Lady Mondegreen [Read more…] about Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear and Other Mondegreens
Days Out – Fort Nelson
Where can you see a dolphin near Portsmouth?
Well, I suppose “looking out to sea” is a possibility, but Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill is more likely. The handles on a cannon barrel are also called dolphins – because of their resemblance to swimming dolphins arching out of the water.
Eastleigh parkrun 400
If you were near Fleming Park last Saturday morning (21st April) you might have seen a number of tutu-clad people – both male and female – heading to or from Dragonfly Park. What was going on? Was it a flash-mob performance of Swan Lake? A group of half-hearted entrants to a drag-queen competition? Take-your-ballet-dancer to work day?
The reason was far more exciting than those possibilities. It was the occasion of the 400th Eastleigh parkrun, and the event organisers thought that a tutu-wearing event would be a good way to celebrate. [Read more…] about Eastleigh parkrun 400
Places Leisure Community Celebration Day
Places Leisure (the new leisure centre at Fleming Park) held a Community Celebration Day yesterday (17 February). “You’re an active sporty type of person,” the editor told me. “Go down and see what is there.”
I tried to protest that a bit of running each week doesn’t necessarily define an active sports type of person, but actually was quite looking forward to the chance to go and have a look round the facilities. [Read more…] about Places Leisure Community Celebration Day
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
Christmas wrapping
It’s that time of year again – Christmas present wrapping. Some people are able to easily create perfectly wrapped presents, with paper held tightly against the gift and tied with pretty ribbons and bows. I’m not. I rely on numerous strips of sticky tape to hold the wrapping together and stop loose edges coming away. It has been suggested that I don’t need to bother with a ‘from’ label on the gifts I give – it’s obvious from the way its been wrapped that it’s from me. [Read more…] about Christmas wrapping
The Nativity Experience, 18th and 19th November
When did you last experience the Christmas Nativity story? No, not hear the story, experience it.
We’re probably all familiar with the story: Mary and Joseph, Donkeys, Bethlehem, “no room at the inn”, manger, shepherds, angels, and all. But what does it all mean and – more pertinently – why is it still important and relevant 2000 years later?
This year, Eastleigh Baptist Church will be seeking to answer this question with the Nativity Experience on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November – planned to coincide with and complement the Christmas light switch-on in the town centre. [Read more…] about The Nativity Experience, 18th and 19th November
parkrun 101 – a run (or walk) in the park
A few years ago someone told me that a group of people meet in Fleming Park every Saturday morning to run 5 km. My first thought was “why would they do that?”, swiftly followed by an assumption that it was a training run for a local running club, and wouldn’t be open to non-runners like me.
That’s before I discovered parkrun. I ran my first parkrun – after over 25 years of not running – in March 2015 and since then have been back 100 times – pretty much every week. I think it’s safe to say I’m hooked. [Read more…] about parkrun 101 – a run (or walk) in the park
World Blood Donor Day
I often drive along Hursley Road on a Friday evening and it seems that almost every week the Give Blood vehicles are parked outside St Boniface church – a blood donor session is underway.
Today (14 June) is World Blood Donor Day, so I thought I would write a little a bit what happens when you give blood – and highlight some of the improvements that have been made over the thirty-plus years that I’ve been a blood donor. [Read more…] about World Blood Donor Day
General Election 2017
So, in two weeks time – and three years earlier than we expected – we have a general election to look forward to. Some people may have reacted to this news with “a chance to get rid of the current government”; others with “a chance to give the government a greater mandate”. But for many it is possibly “here we go again”. [Read more…] about General Election 2017
A Walk in the Park
We’re at the time of year when the evenings are light enough for a short walk after work or after dinner. But where to go? Somewhere that’s not too far away, doesn’t need a map to navigate around, and is more interesting than wandering round a housing estate.
How about Fleming Park?
Fleming Park? Really?
To many people, Fleming Park is synonymous with the sports centre; it’s where you go to swim, play badminton or squash [Read more…] about A Walk in the Park
Hampshire World Music Festival 2017
After the success of last year’s event, Hampshire Music Festival are running their World Music Festival again on Sunday 14th May. The event consists of a number of workshops to experience drumming from around the world. It is open to the public and suitable for all ages (from seven years old) and abilities. [Read more…] about Hampshire World Music Festival 2017
Thornden Community Wind Band and The Spitfires in Concert
In my review of the Thornden Community Wind Band’s Christmas concert, I mentioned that their next concert would be with the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (The Spitfires). Ruby Barefoot commented that he would add the date to his diary. Well, Ruby, I hope you managed to get tickets because this was a concert not to be missed. [Read more…] about Thornden Community Wind Band and The Spitfires in Concert
The Great Book Vs. Screen Debate
For a variation on the common “kindle vs. book” debate, I’m turning my attention to church hymn singing. Some churches now use large screens rather than traditional hymn books – but is either better than the other? [Read more…] about The Great Book Vs. Screen Debate
West End Theatre in our own Backyard
I went to see a West End theatre production recently. But I didn’t have to travel to London or pay a small fortune for my ticket; it was at Thornden Hall and the ticket was only £15.
This was one of the National Theatre Live productions – live theatre beamed to cinemas around the country. [Read more…] about West End Theatre in our own Backyard
Review: Treasure Island by Thornden School
I’m not total philistine; I have read some of the classic novels. However, Treasure Island is on the list of the many that I haven’t. So I was doubly excited to go to see Thornden’s Schools’ production of Treasure Island on Friday (10 February). Partly to top up my “blagger’s guide to the classics”, but mainly for the chance to see another of the school’s productions. [Read more…] about Review: Treasure Island by Thornden School
Customer Satisfaction Surveys
Quite often (I would go far as to say too often) when you go shopping – either physically or online – you are asked to complete a customer satisfaction survey: “Please rate our service on a scale of 1 to 5” [Read more…] about Customer Satisfaction Surveys
How Do You Solve Problems?
Last weekend the zip on my jacket got stuck and I spent several unsuccessful minutes trying to release it. Eventually, my partner grew frustrated at my display of ineptitude and took the garment from me – well, she is a mum, therefore well qualified and experienced at solving all clothing malfunctions and failures.
No, she couldn’t free the zip either. After a few minutes she gave up and went to do something more interesting and useful (and there are lots of things that are more interesting and useful than freeing a stuck zip). [Read more…] about How Do You Solve Problems?