It might come as no particular surprise to discover that Park Wood on the old London Road in Waterlooville was once part of the ancient Forest of Bere that covered most of southern England. Nurtured today by a group of friendly and committed volunteers under the overall purview of The Woodlands Trust, Park Wood is a small…
Category: UK
Pawprint series: West Walk
As anyone will know if you live on the South Coast – most of the open spaces and wooded parts we have left today to explore were once part of the ancient Forest of Bere. In fact I think everywhere I have recently walked with The Hound has been a part of it – even…
Singular Statues: the KinderTransport
I don’t know about you, but I often walk around London without taking clear note of my surroundings – intent only on reaching my destination. It’s when I arrive early somewhere for a meeting (30 minutes in this instance) that I feel I have the time to look around – and when visiting Liverpool Street…
Lego-fan-tastic: The Art of the Brick
As soon as I saw the word LEGO, I knew I would be hooked but this Art of the Brick exhibit has taken me a little by surprise. I didn’t expect the subtlety, the complexity or the emotional impact of some of the artworks created by these little plastic bricks. Based at London’s Old Truman Brewery…
Surrey’s Secret Beach: Frensham Great Pond
The Hound can hardly believe it – we are at Frensham Great Pond and there’s sand and water – a sight he’d only previously associated with West Wittering Beach. Yes, he was in his element for in the summer months I am told, Frensham Great Pond offers a beach environment for the people of landlocked…
Pawprint Series: Little Frensham Pond
I came across Frensham Little Pond when I was visiting Watts Gallery recently in Surrey. I mentioned it in passing to The Hound and of course, he immediately wanted to visit – well water, trees, undergrowth, other dogs – what’s not to love for a friendly doggie? Both Frensham Little Pond and its sister, Frensham Great…
Queen Victoria’s Holiday Home
I have long wanted to visit Osborne House, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s Tuscan styled holiday home on the Isle of Wight so it was with great pleasure that I finally fulfilled this ambition. The House itself is in a beautiful position, with views across landscaped gardens down to a distant sea. The shame of…
Watts Gallery – a little Surrey Gem
I keep seeing signs for Watts Gallery fly past me as I drive along the A3 motorway up to London – so this Sunday, I took the turning and went to see what’s what (sorry – just couldn’t help myself!). Joking aside, I am so glad I did as this is in fact an Artists’ Village although…
Glorious Shanklin Chine
I’m focussing on the Isle of Wight at the moment and another magical childhood memory – visiting the mysterious and exotic Shanklin Chime! The formation of the Chine (a local word of Saxon origin for a deep narrow ravine), has taken place over 10,000 years and the stream running through it would originally have flowed into…
Shanklin Revisited
My happiest childhood memories are of the Isle of Wight and a small seaside village – Shanklin. It’s been a while since I last visited and I was hoping against hope that it would appear the same. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. We used to stay at a beachside hotel called Shoreside which I adored – we…
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