We can all enjoy Christmas. It is not necessary to focus on baby Jesus and the traditional story of shepherds and three wise men.
Last Christmas was spent in Sri Lanka, a country with only 10% Christians but where the Buddhists (70%), Hindu and Muslim all joined in the celebrations.
We had to dress as Santa and his helper [Read more…] about What Does Christmas Mean For Non-Christians?
On one of my educational cruises we had three or four PE students with us to help conduct deck games when we were at sea.
On this day we were sitting in the shade enjoying a cold drink after visiting the pyramids: beside me one of the students a young lad of about nineteen, starting speaking. He didn’t realise he was expressing his thoughts aloud and his voice was filled with awe. [Read more…] about Travel Journal: Whereto next?
Whilst visiting London on business a few weeks ago I made the time to wander down to the Tower of London to have a look at the poppy artwork installation, which has received quite a bit of positive commentary.
My visit was at the end of October so the artwork wasn’t complete but a substantial portion of it was done as you may see from the few pictures that I took. [Read more…] about The Poppies At The Tower Of London
In the last post, Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes shared her passion with writing. She has taken us into her Fairy Kingdom.
Allison writes on her websites, Fairytales with Bite and This World and Others.
Today, Allison shares with us her publishing journey, and gives us some publishing tips. [Read more…] about Interview Chandler’s Ford Writer Allison Symes: Part 2
I have had the pleasure of interviewing Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes.
Allison Symes loves reading and writing fairytales.
Novels are her first love, though she also flirts with short stories, occasionally has a fling with poems and now writes radio scripts.
[Read more…] about Interview Chandler’s Ford Writer Allison Symes
After Nick John’s post about the Hutments I made enquiries from a friend, Robbie Sprague, who was born and bred in Chandler’s Ford. He wrote to me as follows:
By Andy Milner
First – a bit about the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST).
The charity was formed in 1978 and has two tall ships (Lord Nelson and Tenacious) that have been specially adapted so that anyone over 16 can crew.
The crew is made up equally of able-bodied and disabled people – some who have never sailed in their lives before. [Read more…] about Atlantic Crossing With Jubilee Sailing Trust
I wonder if I could throw this topic out there in the hope that those people who have lived (or whose families have lived) in the Chandler’s Ford area for more than half a century may be able to contribute.
I was born in the 1950’s and my parents were at the time living in a development called The Hutments. [Read more…] about Do You Remember The Hutments?
Would you like to encourage your teenage children to read over the half-term holiday?
The fantasy books for Young Adults by Chandler’s Ford writer Richard Hardie are now available in Chandler’s Ford Library and Southampton Civic Center Library, on the Teen / Young Adult shelves.
The two books are: Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords. [Read more…] about Fantasy Books by Richard Hardie: Now in Chandler’s Ford Library
Have you had to learn new things because of your children or grandchildren?
Horses have never featured much in my life. Not since, as a boy, I was put on one and sent off onto the beach at Cleethorpes. The horse ambled into the middle of a tidal puddle and sat down. I fell off into the cold water and the horse ran away. [Read more…] about Learning From Children – Horse Play
Dave Boswell runs a small, successful French Baguette business in Chandler’s Ford.
The French Baguette Connection Ltd. at the Central Precinct of Chandler’s Ford is an inspiring story.
Dave Boswell established the French Baguette Connection in 2000. His shop at the Central Precinct only opens from 1pm to 3pm to the public. [Read more…] about Example of French Baguette Connection To Inspire You
I nearly forgot it was Mid-Autumn Festival yesterday (8th of September) – on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.
I learned as a child that the moon on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month was the brightest. Scientifically I now know it may not be the truth.
Mid-Autumn Festival is my favourite festival of all Chinese festivals. The fullness of the moon reflects [Read more…] about Mid-Autumn Moon, Love, And Myths
In 543 BC a group of sailors, traders, adventures and probably an assortment of ruffians arrived in Sri Lanka after sailing down the east coast of India from the region of Kolkata. They established a kingdom in Anuradhapura, which lasted 1400 years. [Read more…] about Ancient Vedda Tribe Becoming Extinct
I normally do not write about current emotive news on this site, but the story of Ashya King is so compelling that I feel I have a duty to share what I know about the children cancer ward at Southampton General Hospital.
Twelve years ago, my son was treated at Piam Brown Ward, children’s oncology and haematology centre for the Wessex region, based at Southampton General Hospital. This was the same ward that had also treated Ashya King, [Read more…] about Life In Children Cancer Ward At Southampton General Hospital
µWhat do sick people do in Sri Lanka? Anyone can see a doctor free of charge.
If they go to the hospital, they will be seen. Any required medication is provided free. Repeat medications can be obtained from the hospital.
There is no general practice as we know it and some rural patients [Read more…] about Traditional And Modern Medicine in Sri Lanka
Yesterday my son and I went to see Mr and Mrs Brown again, at Eastleigh Museum.
In 1938, Mr & Mrs Brown lived in Eastleigh with their son Arthur, who was an apprentice at Eastleigh Rail Works. Mr Brown was an engine driver, who earned about £5 a week. [Read more…] about Mr & Mrs Brown At Eastleigh Museum
By Brian Pike
I’m a self-taught environmental sand painter & sand artist living in Chandler’s Ford.
Over the past 40 years I have used recycled and found materials to create a series of unique, permanent environmentally friendly craft-works away from my main occupation as an accountant and group financial controller.
Following my retirement, [Read more…] about Sandpainting – A Craft Inspired By A King!
Everyone who stays in Sri Lanka has to have an extension to their visa at some time and the visa run to the government office in Colombo is one of those things that ex-pats have to do. ^
The train leaves Kandy at dawn before the sun colours the land. [Read more…] about Dawn Train Down The Mountain To Colombo
I haven’t seen my son for 5 days as he had been ‘borrowed’ by my neighbours. Unfortunately he is coming home tomorrow.
My friend and neighbour borrowed my son for a week to the Isle of Wight, so that my single child and her single child could have fun together camping and playing with their family dogs. [Read more…] about My Isle Of Wight Summer Staycation
In the Was Camelot Really In Chandler’s Ford? post, Chandler’s Ford published writer Richard Hardie told us about his new book.
Richard Hardie’s book Trouble With Swords, the second in his fantasy adventure series, has just been published. [Read more…] about Published: Trouble with Swords by Richard Hardie
