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adventure

The Itchen Navigation Allbrook to Brambridge

January 8, 2022 By Steve Allen 5 Comments

Nature photo by Steve Allen

By Steve Allen and Derek Johnson

We have been walking this part of the navigation for many years and in our opinion this 30-minute stroll has capture the river and canal in it entirety.

After making your way to Twyford Road and finding the track down to the canal you turn left, which takes you down past properties on the left bank, which dip their toes into the water edge. Look out for the signs of the kingfisher as they look for food. These bird are very elusive so you must have a keen eye to catch them perched on branches as they fish. Or you may see the distinctive turquoise rear as they fly past you at great speed.

Nature photo by Steve Allen
Nature photo by Steve Allen

The view opens out on the right. At this stage, just pause a while to see if you can watch many spices of birds going about their daily life. Some say a small blot on the landscape is Nuttall Construction but I feel this gives a sense of what the canal was used for in years gone by.

Passing under the railway bridge you emerge to meadow land on the right. High on the first pylon it has been known to see up to seven cormorants surveying their territory. In the meadows deer and geese can be seen grazing.

Cormorant image by winterseitler via Pixabay
Cormorant image by winterseitler via Pixabay

After crossing the road, stop a while to look at the lock, check the depth by looking at the ledge on the other bank. At this time the water is high above and we encounter flooding as we progress. As we wonder through the canopy of trees, just be aware of the river and watch for ripples on the waters edge, as this is a sure sign of the water vole as she make her way through the reed beds to her riverbank home.

New growth is starting to show along the edges of the canal; new life is about to begin.

On the left the meadow land opens out in the foreground; the reeds are growing. If you just stand awhile you may hear the distinctive sound of the reed warblers as he tries to encourage a mate to his domain. He loves to climb up the reeds to have a look at you before he flies away. Most odd.

View from the Brambridge walk
View from the Brambridge walk

Depending upon the rainfall, the canal can be clear as crystal. ThIs is a good time to watch the water surface as life is in great abundance on or below the surface.

Many a time I have stopped for a while to take in the peace and tranquility of the canal with its changing moods. Once you are up by the sliuce gates you will see the canal and river side by side, both trying to race one another as they make their through the Itchen Valley.

 Nature image by Steve Allen

Lurking in the deep waters is a predator the river barracuda the pike – we have named her Jaws and have seen her in action taking a grayling or two. The heron and egret find this stretch of the river good hunting grounds. As we cross a wooden footbridge we come to the end of our stroll at Brambridge garden centre on the right. We can be found sitting outside under the canopy having a pot of tea and medium cappuccino and a nice ice buns.

THIS IS THE LIFE – ENJOY ONE OF GOD’S PIECE OF HEAVEN.

Brambridge Itchen walk nature

Brambridge walk (Image by Janet)
Brambridge walk (Image by Janet)

By Steve Allen and Derek Johnson

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Tags: adventure, days out, Eastleigh, family, health, Itchen, leisure, memories, travel, walking

My Adventure in Wales – Zip World Velocity 2

June 29, 2021 By Andy Vining 7 Comments

A zip wire adventure in Wales - Andy Vining.

I’m sharing the video of my adventure in Wales recently.

I went up there to stay in a farm cottage for a week with my wife and daughter. My wife Val has Parkinson’s disease so it was a good change of scenery for her for a few days and it was the Thursday of our Holiday that we ventured out to Zip World.

A zip wire adventure in Wales - Andy Vining.
A zip wire adventure in Wales – Andy Vining.

I had booked in the date and time some day before so we arrived and I got my wife settled into the very nice restaurant there and the staff said they would look after her while I went on my adventure. [Read more…] about My Adventure in Wales – Zip World Velocity 2

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Tags: adventure, days out, family, leisure, travel

What Do You See Around You?

April 12, 2020 By Ray Fishman 5 Comments

In the country

Have you been out taking your daily exercise during the current lockdown? Maybe walking around your local area a touch more than usual?

Have you realised that you have taken just a little bit more of your precious time on these local walks too? No need to rush. After all you have got all day every day for the next few weeks!

The weather has been very conducive too.

Blue Skies
Blue Skies

Did you think to look that bit closer than usual at some of the things you would normally not even notice? Maybe you were just rushing from A to B. before. Probably driving! [Read more…] about What Do You See Around You?

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Tags: adventure, Chandler's Ford, Covid-19, days out, education, nature, Otterbourne, walking

Sri Lankan Bombings

May 2, 2019 By Mike Sedgwick Leave a Comment

I have visited Sri Lanka over 15 times now, living there for several months every year for the last 10 years. Early visits were during the civil war and there were inconveniences such as roadblocks, curfews and limitations on travel.

On one occasion my friends arranged an escort to the airport. There were no problems with me giving lectures at the University and to audiences containing Sinhala and Tamils. [Read more…] about Sri Lankan Bombings

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Tags: adventure, culture, education, history, news, Sri Lanka, storytelling, travel

A Grand Day Out to London from Chandler’s Ford

January 5, 2019 By Janet Williams 15 Comments

Yesterday morning I took the 7.14 train from Chandler’s Ford to London Waterloo. The return ticket (including London Underground all zones) cost £90.

Ideally I should have taken the 6.06 train, but I wasn’t feeling safe to get to the station so early by myself. Recently I’ve heard of news about people being mugged in Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford, so was a bit more concerned. I considered driving to the station, buying tickets from the machine near the platform, but …. what if someone jumped out from nowhere and I was on my own? I also considered driving to Southampton Airport Parkway but parking would have cost £15 per day. [Read more…] about A Grand Day Out to London from Chandler’s Ford

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Tags: adventure, culture, days out, education, London, travel

Party

December 30, 2018 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

It is the season of parties, not to be left out, we are arranging one. Is it any different in Sri Lanka?

Invitations –

Sri Lankans do not seem to plan their diaries too far ahead nor do they always respond to invites but they turn up on the dot. There is no angst about who to invite and there is no angst about who should come. If you have friends staying, you take them along. [Read more…] about Party

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Tags: adventure, Christmas, Sri Lanka, tradition, travel, writing

Sailing into Christmas with the Jubilee Sailing

December 20, 2018 By Andy Milner 1 Comment

Christmas is a busy time of year for most charities and the Jubilee Sailing trust (JST) is no exception.

Having enjoyed a lovely day at the Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Christmas Market, we also attended the Romsey Christmas Market and most recently the Winchester Christmas Market in the stunning setting of Cathedral Close. [Read more…] about Sailing into Christmas with the Jubilee Sailing

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Tags: adventure, charity, Christmas, community, Eastleigh, education, event, fundraising, good neighbours, how-to, JST, memory, Southampton, storytelling, travel, Winchester

A Ticket to Ride

January 8, 2018 By Mike Sedgwick 2 Comments

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

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Tags: adventure, culture, Sri Lanka, tradition, travel, writing

A Christmas Eve Like No Other

December 26, 2017 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

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

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Tags: adventure, Christmas, Sri Lanka, tradition, travel, writing

Greetings from Sri Lanka 2017

December 24, 2017 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

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

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Tags: adventure, Christmas, Sri Lanka, tradition, travel, writing

Chinook

July 4, 2017 By Mike Sedgwick 4 Comments

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

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Tags: adventure, gliding, Hampshire, hobby, how-to, social, storytelling, travel

Exclusive – Chandler’s Ford man found in Pyrenees

May 21, 2017 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

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

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Tags: adventure, gliding, hobby, nature, social, storytelling, travel

Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway – Part 2: Martin Kyrle interview

March 31, 2017 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

Feature Image Part 2 of MK Interview

My post last week was the first part of my interview with Martin Kryle, former local Liberal Democrat councillor and published author. His book Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway, edited by Barbara Large , is now out.

Reviews are crucial for all writers and one for this book reads:- [Read more…] about Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway – Part 2: Martin Kyrle interview

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Tags: adventure, advice, publishing, writers, writing

The Trans-Siberian Railway: Martin Kyrle and Michael Roberts

March 24, 2017 By Allison Symes 6 Comments

Martin Kyrle, one of the authors of Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway, is best known locally as a former Liberal Democrat Councillor. He served on the Chandler’s Ford committee for 50 years. He wrote his new book based on notes he kept as he travelled and long term friend, Michael Roberts, took the photographs. [Read more…] about The Trans-Siberian Railway: Martin Kyrle and Michael Roberts

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Tags: adventure, advice, books, writing

Ex-Pats Lives; Where is Home?

January 24, 2017 By Mike Sedgwick Leave a Comment

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?

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Tags: adventure, culture, family, Sri Lanka, travel, writing

A Staircase for Sale

January 3, 2017 By Gopi Chandroth 13 Comments

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

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Experiments with Spirituality

December 30, 2016 By Gopi Chandroth 2 Comments

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

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Give a Girl Some Graphite

December 28, 2016 By Mike Sedgwick Leave a Comment

For a pre-Christmas treat I took my wife on a special trip. She dressed beautifully in mainly white with her large sunhat and a pair of gold lame shoes. I like to give a girl a good time and I had heard of this place up in the hills near Kurunegalla in the centre of Sri Lanka. Not many girls get a chance to visit there.

We drove up a narrow lane through an attractive area of jungle to a small settlement with a couple of bungalows and installations of mining equipment. [Read more…] about Give a Girl Some Graphite

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Tags: adventure, humour, science, Sri Lanka, storytelling, travel

Room 235

December 22, 2016 By Gopi Chandroth 7 Comments

What is special about this card key that occupies a prominent place in my museum of memories? The story may amuse you, but to me it is just one episode from a long list reinforcing my lifelong suspicion that I am the unsuspecting protagonist in a never-ending series of candid camera.

I was in South Tyneside College to attend a course on high voltage electric propulsion, in connection with an investigation. I had rung ahead to a nice hotel located by the sea and asked for a room with a sea view, but when I checked in, was told that all the rooms with sea views were taken. Nothing new there; I rarely got a hotel room with a view. [Read more…] about Room 235

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Trip of a Lifetime – My Antarctic Trip

December 2, 2016 By Roger Clark 2 Comments

I have just returned from a trip of a lifetime – a visit to an Emperor Penguin colony on the frozen Weddell Sea within the Antarctica Continent.

Yes it was a bit of a hike to get there. It took me a couple of days to travel to the gathering point in Punta Arenas, Chile. [Read more…] about Trip of a Lifetime – My Antarctic Trip

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Tags: adventure, bereavement, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, education, fundraising, health, inspiration, memory, ovarian cancer, storytelling, travel
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