West Walk, Forest of Bere My favourite time of year is when summer turns to Autumn and you see a final burst of activity in the forests and woods around Hampshire, where leaves turn golden in the intermittent spotlights of sunlight, streaming through the trees and undergrowth. Park Wood, Forest of Bere As you walk…
Take three castles …
Over the last 12 months, I have had the good fortune to visit three castles – all with The Hound in tow – and they couldn’t have been more different. Take Southsea Castle, where in my mind’s eye, I can visualise a stressed and desolate King Henry VIII, standing proudly whilst watching his tried and tested flagship,…
Pawprint Series: Park Wood
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…
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…
Remember remember the fifth of November …
For me, Cowdray House in Midhurst, West Sussex, is one of this country’s most beautiful and desolate ruins. It seems such a elegant facade and from a distance, appears almost perfect, that it seems positively sinful to have let it go to rack and ruin. I guess, however, when you have a number of country estates…
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…
A place of serenity: LeDomaine Estate, Castile y Leon
Even if this Estate was not one of my clients, I would be drawn here. Every time I visit, my brain appears to reboot, my body seems to relax and I feel contentment in the very heart of my being. For LeDomaine (in the Castile y Leon region of Spain) is a former monastery dating back to…
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…
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