Chandler's Ford Today

Nature

Walking with Llamas – By Doug Clews

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Although my experiences with llamas are in Western Australia, and indeed I write from Western Australia, it is my hope that the article is of general interest, and also that it may give a retiree or two, actual or potential, an idea for a pastime in retirement. I have put links to a few ‘local’ locations towards the end of the article.

My Introduction To Llamas

I retired from full-time employment in September 2000, and, as I am not a serious gardener, our ½ acre ‘bush block’ in the Hills east of Perth, in Western Australia, requires little attention apart from a bit of pruning and leaf raking to keep it tidy, so I was left wondering what on earth I was going to do with my time … [Read more…] about Walking with Llamas – By Doug Clews

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Highbridge Community Farm: Grow and Enjoy Fresh Local Produce

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Highbridge Community Farm had an open day last weekend, and we went there to find out a little about the project.

Last year the group shared with us their work and fresh vegetables at the Hiltingbury Extrav 2015.

Henry Russell, Highbridge Farm, offered a 1.7 acre field for this worthwhile project. The farm is located just north of Eastleigh and is near the River Itchen. [Read more…] about Highbridge Community Farm: Grow and Enjoy Fresh Local Produce

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Days Out: Coach on Fire Today but Chandler’s Ford Children were Safe

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I have just picked up my teenage son from Kings Road this evening as he returned from a trip to Brownsea Island this morning with Chandler’s Ford Cubs and Beavers.

It turned out to be an eventful day.

My son asked me if I had read the news during the day.

I didn’t. [Read more…] about Days Out: Coach on Fire Today but Chandler’s Ford Children were Safe

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The Historic Gardens of England: Hampshire

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Bury Court Barn, in Bentley near Farnham, was chosen for the launch of a new book called The Historic Gardens of England: Hampshire. Co-written by Timothy Mowl and Jane Whitaker this is the latest in a series of books by Timothy Mowl which look at the development of gardens within the context of an individual county.

In Hampshire there is an abundance of riches. [Read more…] about The Historic Gardens of England: Hampshire

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50 Things I Like about the Chandler’s Ford Area (Part 1)

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I celebrated my 50th birthday this week so thought I would see if I could find 50 things to like about the Chandler’s Ford area.

Here goes… [Read more…] about 50 Things I Like about the Chandler’s Ford Area (Part 1)

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Mothering Sunday: Brambridge Garden Centre and Itchen Walk

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On Mothering Sunday, we went to Brambridge Garden Centre for lunch, and later walked along the Itchen river.

It was also an excuse for me to buy some plants for the house, as I’m not an able gardener, and even cacti could die in my care.

A few years ago, we couldn’t do any gardening, as we kept 3 chickens, who turned the back garden into a muddy patch. [Read more…] about Mothering Sunday: Brambridge Garden Centre and Itchen Walk

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Winter – Ugliness and Beauty in Chandler’s Ford

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I must admit winter is not my favourite season, much as I enjoy Christmas. Aside from the cold and the storms, the nights draw in that much earlier which limits the evening walks my better half and I can enjoy with the dog.

We love walking Mabel along The Monarch’s Way and the bridleways around that area (though right now it would be more accurately called The Muddy Way). [Read more…] about Winter – Ugliness and Beauty in Chandler’s Ford

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News from Eastleigh parkrun

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There were extra opportunities for a parkrun over the Christmas period in Eastleigh.

As well as the standard Saturday morning events, runs were also organised for Christmas and New Year’s Day mornings. In addition, the New Year’s Day events in Winchester and Southampton started 90 minutes later.

This gave the truly dedicated a total of five parkruns in nine days.  I managed three of the five – so I must be semi-dedicated. [Read more…] about News from Eastleigh parkrun

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Agricultural Restaurant in Sri Lanka

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An important department of the University of Peradeniya is Agriculture. It teaches the management of all things agricultural and hosts a seed bank.

Its experimental plots, rather like allotments, are planted with crops with the aim of increasing production in natural ways. [Read more…] about Agricultural Restaurant in Sri Lanka

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Bats and Hallowe’en

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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

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Hidden Hampshire: The Monarch’s Way

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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

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Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Big Freeze in 1963 (Part 7)

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In the winter of 1963 we suffered the worst winter weather for many years.

Snow started falling on Boxing Day 1962, and snow covered the ground for over two months or more.

I was 15 when the coldest winter occurred.

We still rode to school on our bikes, on icy roads and still carried out duties as paperboys, delivering the newspapers. [Read more…] about Growing up in Chandler’s Ford: 1950s – 1960s: The Big Freeze in 1963 (Part 7)

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The Splendour of Chelsea Flower Show 2015

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I am lucky enough to have a friend who works for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), who got two free tickets to the show on Friday. So off to London I went, meeting up with my friend at Waterloo.

After a quick Tube journey to Sloane Square we emerged onto the busy London street and facing the station was a ticket tout offering Flower show tickets! [Read more…] about The Splendour of Chelsea Flower Show 2015

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Visit to Marwell Zoo and Animal Conservation

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Excitement for the grandchildren on the day of a visit to Marwell Zoo. Parents primed, grandparents had the tickets but it was raining stair rods. So we went to the Pub for lunch. As the bill was paid, the air cleared and the sun came out.

Many people have mixed feelings about zoos and I am one of them. There is nothing to beat the thrill of seeing a wild animal in its natural surroundings even if it is only a glimpse. [Read more…] about Visit to Marwell Zoo and Animal Conservation

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Delightful Hut Wood – Have You Been Yet?

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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?

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A Hero of Trees – Richard St. Barbe Baker

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One hundred years ago, on the battlefields of Flanders, lay a young officer of the Royal Horse Artillery. He was wounded, presumed dead.

Twice more during WWI he was wounded and recovered. He was awarded the Military Cross.

After the war he was able to pursue his dream and study forestry at Cambridge. [Read more…] about A Hero of Trees – Richard St. Barbe Baker

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Solar Eclipse and Charles Wesley

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Just after recent solar eclipse was over, the first verse of an Easter hymn by Charles Wesley came into my mind:

Love’s redeeming work is done;
Fought the fight, the battle won:
Lo, our Sun’s eclipse is o’er!
Lo, he sets in blood no more.

[Read more…] about Solar Eclipse and Charles Wesley

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A Dinosaurs’ Garden

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It was a crazy idea from the start. A mixture of the imagery of Vita Sackville West’s White Garden at Sissinghurst and watching Jurassic Park just once too often. Could I have a pre-historic garden like the ones where dinosaurs must have browsed?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Professor Challenger found a lost world, I would create my own lost world.
[Read more…] about A Dinosaurs’ Garden

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