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.
After the chickens became the dinner of foxes, the grass has grown back, and it’s about time we started a bit of gardening (no more excuses).
A few weeks ago, I also signed up for the Garden Waste Collection Service provided by Eastleigh Borough Council (£34 a year for weekly collection.)
It would be a perfect incentive for me to weed the garden (but I mostly can’t tell what’s weed and what’s not), as I want to feel that I make use of this service that I’ve paid for.
At Brambridge today, it’s very strange that the entrance was decorated by fake plants – almost all plants on display at the entrance were artificial. They didn’t look real.
Why? It’s a garden centre, but why does Brambridge feel the need to shame the nature with plastic replacements?
We walked along the Itchen Navigation after lunch. I simply love the sounds of water. With my low-tech Canon S95, I’ve recorded a few minutes of the scene.
From the south of Kiln lane, Itchen Navigation and the River Itchen flow side by side, with just a narrow bank separating the two channels.
(Forgive me about the poor colour in my recordings. It’s a low-tech equipment. I’ve already told you. I’ll try to learn video editing at some point. At the moment, video editing is beyond my ability.)
Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail: Brambridge Garden Centre from Chandler’s Ford Today on Vimeo.
Mothering Sunday walk: Brambridge Garden Centre; Itchen Navigation from Chandler’s Ford Today on Vimeo.
There were a few walkers, a serious runner who was unwilling to slow down, some bouncy dogs, young ladies walking and texting at the same time, and a cyclist. We all maintained harmony on this walk.
A little girl (about 5-6 years old) was balancing on the newly built wooden bridge, while her father was watching. Balancing on the narrow wooden bridge certainly was risky (a fall means your head hitting the rocks in the fast running water), and I had to walk away quickly as it was painful to watch.
(I muttered to myself “Only a father would allow this sort of stupid thing”, but then realised to my shame I might have just stereotyped all fathers under the sun.)
After lunch, while enjoying coffee with my son, who enjoyed a scoop of lovely Jude’s ice cream, we also met Willow, a 13-year-old owl from South Africa. Falconhigh is excellent in entertaining guests.
Useful links:
- Itchen Navigation walks: Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
- Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail (pdf)
- Otter Trail (pdf)
Related posts:
- Brambridge Walk
- Emu Escaped
- Santa’s Grotto at Brambridge Park – Christmas 2015
- Sunny Weekend in Chandler’s Ford
- Eastleigh Lions: Brambridge Park Santa’s Grotto 2014
- Christmas Surprise: Brambridge Park Garden Centre
- Review: Station Walks Book
- Chandler’s Ford Itchen Walk 2015
- Hocombe Mead Guided Walk
- Short Walk By Itchen
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Those sound effects came out well. We will make a film producer out of you yet. Pan slowly and in one direction only. Use the zoom if you have one. Don’t shoot while walking.
We are planning a walk from St Cross to Winchester tomorrow. There may be ice and frost. I will try to remember to take the camera.
Our son-in-law cooked mothering Sunday lunch. Spaghetti with prawns and watercress salad. It was very good and the wine supplied was excellent. The apple pie and drizzle cake afterwards came from a box.
I am sorry to relate that after lunch the girls loaded the dishwasher while we watched some rugby.
Mike,
I don’t have a video recorder. No zoom or other features. I simply use the basic ‘filming’ feature with my old and battered Canon S95. Vimeo allows 500MB weekly upload for free – about 2-3 minutes of recording.
I wouldn’t mind learning a new skill if I could get hold of a filming tool.
Janet,
Thanks so much for this article, love walking to Brambridge but can’t of late due to a dropped arch.
Wonderful to see it all again, especially with the sound !
Hi Beth,
Many thanks for your comment. The walk in Brambridge is a lovely one. The water is so powerful and I believe its sound has got an cleansing effect! We saw an egret and some minnow. Hope you’re able to enjoy the walk soon.
All my best wishes.
We, too saw an Egret on the St Cross to Winchester section today. I wonder if it is the same one or another. Not seen an egret on the Itchen before.
There are so many puddles on the gravelled pathway. I think I may write to the HCC and remind them that the Romans knew how to make roads and paths that drained hundreds of years BC. Why can’t HCC do likewise? There is a river on both sides of the path so ample drainage opportunities.
Please write about your walk today and show us some photos too.