I have just gone through a period of losing things. At least I hope I have gone through it and will not lose any more essential and valuable objects. Some years ago odd socks would appear and no matter where I looked the partner for it never turned up. After hanging around in my sock drawer for a while I would throw the sock away.
The next day the other one would turn up. [Read more…] about Lost and Found
While waiting for a Planetarium show at the Winchester Science Centre with our grand-daughter, we decided to kill some time along the River Itchen.
We parked nearby the river at Itchen Stoke and were hoping to find some ducks for Lucy to feed with the remains of her packed lunch.
As it was, there were no ducks around and so [Read more…] about Swans and Cygnets on the River Itchen
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
It is not only gliders we see flying at the airfield at Santa Cilia in Spain.
Here are four other types of flight.
The Spanish army brought their helicopter for the troops to practise abseiling down from 50 feet up. [Read more…] about Not Only Gliders
Every four years the scout movement holds a World Jamboree attended by scouts from all over the world.
In 2007 – the centenary of scouting – the jamboree was held in Britain. To coincide with this, Hampshire County Scouts held a large camp at the New Forest Showground near Brockenhurst. [Read more…] about Remember World Scout Jamboree Hampshire 2007
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
Last weekend it was my privilege and pleasure to visit Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk for the annual conference and AGM of the Guild of Church Musicians, and particularly so as the Guild was making me one of several new honorary fellows (Hon. FGCM for short).
About 150 honorary fellowships have been awarded in the past 25 years or so, some to clergy (including Archbishop Desmond Tutu) [Read more…] about The Guild of Church Musicians
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
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?
Last summer, my friend from Ahmad Tea gave me two free tickets to visit Buckingham Palace on its preview day.
It was the day before the palace summer opening of the State Rooms. I took my son with me for such a privileged visit as VIPs for a day. Yes, I touched the grand staircase at Buckingham Palace designed by John Nash. That was a happy day. [Read more…] about St. George’s Day: Fascinating Dragons
You would not go to Nottingham for a holiday would you? It is said to be the murder capital of the UK. Cricket lovers go for test matches at Trent Bridge and there is the legend of Robin Hood.
We went to visit a friend and found a delightful haven at the Attenborough Nature Centre & Reserve. It is a mere 5 miles from the city centre. [Read more…] about Nottingham for a Holiday?
I had an adventure in London last week and somehow got lost.
I visited the Malaysian High Commission in Belgrave Square near Hyde Park Corner at 8am, and waited for the door to be opened. My purpose was to get my passport renewed.
I wasn’t the first visitor. A lady in her 60s travelled from Scotland through the night [Read more…] about Malaysian High Commission In London
I walked along Charing Cross Road in London last Monday.
I decided to look for 84 Charing Cross Road.
I had walked on this road so many times before, but this was the only time I took a photograph of No 84.
The booksellers Marks & Co. used to occupy this site. [Read more…] about 84 Charing Cross Road
On Saturday 12th April 2014 Chandler’s Ford born and bred Rowan Esther Catherine Cameron wed Robbie Stewart Weir at Weetwood Hall in Leeds. With names Cameron and Weir it was no surprise to see guests turning up in highland dress with kilts, black barathea jackets with silver buttons, sporrans and ghillies on the feet.
Modern political correctness meant that the sgian-dubh was not worn but [Read more…] about Wedding of Chandler’s Ford Girl
I’m pleased to tell you that Richard Stock completed the London Marathon in just over 4 hours yesterday.
This is a remarkable achievement for somebody who had never run a full marathon and indeed had never run over 20 miles!
Richard ran the marathon to raise money for Ovacome, in memory of my daughter, Dr. Lisa-Jayne Clark, [Read more…] about Richard Stock: Fundraising for Ovacome
I was in Winchester today with my mum and I noticed several signs advertising a Doctor Who event.
When mum asked if I wanted to go, I said no. This puzzled her, as she thought as a fan, I would want to go. I then explained to her what I call the three kinds of Whovians: [Read more…] about The Three Kinds of Whovians
Today I got back from my grandparents’ house where I stayed for a few days. I did lots of exciting things but the highlight was discovering the weird world of game shows.
You see, there was a time where channels like CBBC would show programs which can be enjoyed by younger and older children, such as The Sarah Jane Adventures (which is one of the best spin offs of Doctor Who ever). [Read more…] about Weird World of Game Shows
It was a surprise to meet Mark Miller at Chandler’s Ford train station on Monday.
Mark Miller is the Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership officer. He was selling coffee for commuters that morning.
Who said Chandler’s Ford is a place without soul? Look at Chandler’s Ford train station. [Read more…] about Friendly Touch At Chandler’s Ford Train Station
Just a few yards off The Circus in Bath is the Museum of East Asian Art in a beautiful Georgian house on Bennett Street.
The contents were collected by Brian McElney OBE, a British scholar of sinology who worked as a lawyer in Hong Kong. After retirement he tried to present his collection to other museums of Chinese art but eventually set this one up himself. [Read more…] about China In Bath
Where in Eastleigh do you need to jump over a stream so you can see an emu?
We went to Brambridge for a leisure walk this afternoon. We should have worn our wellies.
We walked along the path between the Itchen River and on the other side, [Read more…] about Brambridge Walk
