how-to

Chocolate and Beetroot Brownies

September 12, 2014 By chippy minton 6 Comments

Have you ever tried chocolate and beetroot brownies? If not, you should – they are delicious. They’re fairly easy to bake. Here’s the recipe, based on my first attempt. I’ve made them a few times since and am now a bit more proficient.

You will need (apologies that the quantities are in continental measurements that no one over the age of 30 understands. Actually, that’s not true. People over the age of 30 do understand them, we just choose not to): [Read more…] about Chocolate and Beetroot Brownies

Tags: community, hobby, how-to

Shower Science

September 8, 2014 By chippy minton 11 Comments

It’s surprising what scientific principles are illustrated when taking a shower. Here are three that I have observed recently:

Do you remember those 1980s showers that were fed (via the hot water cylinder) from the cold water cistern in the roof? The cold water storage tank was only a few feet above the shower, so there was insufficient water pressure to give a decent flow at the shower. [Read more…] about Shower Science

Tags: education, how-to, science, viewpoint

Self-Employment In Sri Lanka

June 29, 2014 By Mike Sedgwick 4 Comments

While in Sri Lanka, quite by chance we came across a party of ex-pats calling themselves the ‘Discovery’ group. They meet once a month and go off to explore a hidden part of Sri Lanka. Hidden to tourists and even most Sri Lankans that is.

Today a convoy of 6 vehicles left Kandy for the south and we soon turned off the main road to an un-named village in the jungle.

Tags: Chandler's Ford, crafts, culture, education, history, how-to, Sri Lanka, storytelling, travel

How Often Have You Used a £50 Note?

June 17, 2014 By chippy minton 6 Comments

How often have you used a £50 note?

My guess is “not very often”. In fact, I’ve got one at home at the moment, and am not too sure what to do with it. The only time I’ve used them was an occasion when I needed to pay a cash deposit, and £50 notes was the easiest way to carry it.

My mother visited the UK recently and she [Read more…] about How Often Have You Used a £50 Note?

Tags: culture, education, history, hobby, how-to, memory, storytelling

Gliding Holiday Costs

May 16, 2014 By Mike Sedgwick 7 Comments

I promised to give a breakdown of the costs of my holiday flying a glider.

The glider is a Duo Discus, 2 seater and near the top of the range in terms of performance.

I travelled down alone but came back together with my co-pilot and the glider in its trailer. [Read more…] about Gliding Holiday Costs

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

Soaring The Pyrenees

May 9, 2014 By Mike Sedgwick 9 Comments

A clear blue sky with not a cloud is sight suggested a difficult day of soaring. Thermals are usually under clouds and if there are no clouds, are there any thermals and where are they?

Thermals are large bubbles of warmer air which rise from the ground. If you have ever watched a lava lamp you have an idea of how they work. Unlike a lava lamp you cannot see the bubble. [Read more…] about Soaring The Pyrenees

Tags: adventure, gliding, hobby, how-to, nature, science, social, storytelling, travel, wildlife

Sharing The Sky With The Vultures

May 8, 2014 By Mike Sedgwick 5 Comments

After a six-hour drive through France and Northern Spain beneath low cloud and many showers of rain, I passed Pamplona and the weather changed. The cloud broke up and the sun shone from a blue sky. The weather improved over the next 50 miles to Santa Cilia.

Met with my colleagues who sadly had not been able to fly as the wind was blowing at 27 knots [Read more…] about Sharing The Sky With The Vultures

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

Holiday – No Holiday?

April 24, 2014 By Mike Sedgwick 5 Comments

Holiday – No Holiday? That is the question.

All set to go gliding in the Pyrenees from a small airfield called Santa Cilia. We stay in the village in a typical stone Pyrenean house run by a wonderful lady called Toya. She looks after all the glider pilots and many pilgrims who are walking the trail to Santiago de Compostella. [Read more…] about Holiday – No Holiday?

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

Cycling: Eastleigh – Chandler’s Ford

March 31, 2014 By chippy minton 5 Comments

We took this cycle route from Eastleigh to Chandler’s Ford last Saturday.

From the centre of Eastleigh, cycle through the Pirelli Estate. Head for Tommy Green Walk, this brings you out onto Dew Lane. Cycle along Dew Lane a short way, then cut into the newest bit of the development (Tinning Road?)* to take you to Passfield Avenue, opposite the leisure centre (Fleming Park). [Read more…] about Cycling: Eastleigh – Chandler’s Ford

Tags: Chandler's Ford, community, cycling, Eastleigh, health, hobby, how-to, local interest

Selling Glider

February 23, 2014 By Mike Sedgwick 5 Comments

Last week I sold my beautiful glider and feel sad about it. Now I have to find another one. Gliders are owned by syndicates of 2-12 people to share the expense. There are 3 of us and we decided we would like a dual seater rather than this single seat Ventus 2cT. We are currently negotiating for one.

It is not like selling a second hand car because there are no defects that can be hidden. [Read more…] about Selling Glider

Tags: adventure, hobby, how-to, local interest, nature, social, travel, Winchester

Neil Duddridge: The Man Behind Chandler’s Ford Today (With Huskies)

February 9, 2014 By Janet Williams 9 Comments

Chandler’s Ford Today is the product of passionate people from Chandler’s Ford.

I’m inspired and challenged by many of you.

Web designer Neil Duddridge from the company SO53 came to my rescue last summer. He took over the site and [Read more…] about Neil Duddridge: The Man Behind Chandler’s Ford Today (With Huskies)

Tags: adventure, blogging, Chandler's Ford, community, dog, good neighbours, how-to, interview, local interest, pets

Is Chandler’s Ford A Jaguar? Meet Roger Clark.

February 6, 2014 By Janet Williams 16 Comments

This Chandler’s Ford community website has just had a facelift. As the creator, I am thrilled.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from Roger Clark, Trustee of Hiltingbury Community Centre:

“Wonder why though [Read more…] about Is Chandler’s Ford A Jaguar? Meet Roger Clark.

Tags: arts and crafts, blogging, campaign, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, community, event, good neighbours, history, hobby, how-to, interview, local interest, nature, photography, social, The Hilt, Winchester

The Picture Framing Shop: A Real Aladdin’s Cave

January 8, 2014 By Janet Williams 3 Comments

In my last post, I highlighted the magical Picture Framing Shop in Chandler’s Ford. My reader Ruby echoed my view and she described the shop as a real Aladdin’s cave.

This is a fitting description in praise of The Picture Framing Shop in Chandler’s Ford.
[Read more…] about The Picture Framing Shop: A Real Aladdin’s Cave

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, crafts, good neighbours, Hiltingbury Road, how-to, local businesses, local interest, pets

The Magical Picture Framing Shop in Chandler’s Ford

January 7, 2014 By Janet Williams 9 Comments

My son and I walked for 35 minutes to get to The Picture Framing Shop in Chandler’s Ford last week.

The walk in the cold weather was worth it as we bought everything we needed for my son’s major art project for a mask.

The young and energetic owner [Read more…] about The Magical Picture Framing Shop in Chandler’s Ford

Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, crafts, good neighbours, Hiltingbury Road, how-to, local businesses, local interest

The Art Of Bell Ringing

December 22, 2013 By chippy minton 2 Comments

One of the traditional sounds of Christmas is that of church bells.

I’m not sure why it is a traditional sound of Christmas, as church bells are rung through the year – most Sundays, as well as other celebratory events such as weddings and christenings.

But as you hear the peal of bells drifting [Read more…] about The Art Of Bell Ringing