Who am I?

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don’t know where it goes
But it’s home to me and I walk alone
I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I’m the only one and I walk alone
I walk alone
My shadow’s the only thing that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
‘Til then I walk alone

words by Greenday from Boulevard of Broken Dreams

This is the story of my walks, my obsession with coffee, chocolate, nature and history. Somehow, thanks to my husband’s obsession with running, I have also, accidentally, become something of a running groupie and can often be found on the sidelines at races, shivering and clutching a camera. I have a curious mind, an inability to pass an untried footpath, and a knack for getting lost. Most of my walks are in Hampshire, where I live, but I’m not averse to a bit of tourism from time to time.  No matter how bad it gets, there are always little things to make me smile.

I am also an author of historic fiction, combining my love of history with some of the interesting things I’ve discovered on my walks. My first four novels, Plagued, Land Fit For Heroes, Seventh Daughter and A dish Best Served cold, are now available on Amazon as paperbacks or as Kindle downloads here. They are set in Southampton in the early years of the twentieth century. If you like the stories I tell here, you might like them.

59 thoughts on “Who am I?”

    1. I’m slowly working my way through the people I know of. Chances are I’m going to lose some people along the way because not everyone who reads comments.

  1. Hi, Marie! I just subscribed to your new blog, so I’m hoping to be a lot more faithful about commenting on and liking your posts now that I’ll get the email notifications when you post new ones. I really appreciate all your encouragement and advice–thanks to you, I’ve now backed up my blogs. It was EXTREMELY kind of you to try to keep others from sharing your painful experience with the blog hack. Thanks not only for your posts, but for showing the rest of us that these nasty events in life can indeed be overcome and that renewal follows and overcomes loss.

    1. Rebecca, thanks so much for following and for your kind words. I’m glad you’ve backed up your blog and I truly hope you never have to use those back ups in anger. It’s been a difficult few months but I think I’ve learned a lot from it. The new blog may not yet have as many followers as the old but it’s been interesting going back over my old posts deciding what to keep and what to discard. It’s shown me how much my world and my priorities have changed for sure.

  2. hello there, I liked your blog about hum hole. It brought back memories of my young life in the war years. as a young boy my friends and I would often play in hum hole but we called it “The Dump” because the American army would dump all kinds of rubbish there.

    1. Thank you for reading Brian. I was a post war baby and I don’t remember any plane parts there but I’m sure they existed. From my sister’s tales and those of my parents ive no doubt a lot of stuff that would now be quite sought after was dumped in those woods. I imagine when the bypass was built they had a big clear up but I do wonder what they did with it all.

    1. It was a traumatic time. Thankfully the people at LCN helped me with the salvage job and I’m slowly resurrecting the best of the old stuff. Thanks for dropping by 🙂

  3. I’m looking forward to reading about your walks. We seem to have some things in common. I’m not much of a history buff, but walking, coffee, chocolate, and nature are definitely high on my list of “likes” — especially coffee.

    1. Around these parts the history is everywhere so it’s kind of unavoidable and I do love a mystery to solve. As for the coffee, you won’t have to read for long to find about I’m a coffee freak!

  4. Love this story Marie. How wonderful to have found Dolly’s family and that the story lived on with them as well. Fascinating! He was a humble hero you certainly can be proud of.

    On another note, I am reading and trying to comment on your posts but WordPress is giving me problems. It logs me out or doesn’t recognize me when I try to comment…

    I’m sure it is on my end but just wanted to let you know I’m here 🙂

    1. Glad to see you Martha. I get the same problem from time to time with certain blogs. I guess these glitches are sent to try us. I was so pleased to find and meet with Dolly’s daughters and find out more of Pappy’s story. It makes me happy to think two families are now remembering him.

  5. Hi Marie this may be a long shot but do you recall looking for a Joseph Read during your treks around southampton
    Cheers Dave

  6. Hi Marie
    I want to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I first discovered it when looking online for some history behind a little area I had come across while visiting my partner in Southampton about three years ago, think it was Blechynden Terrace and was intrigued to find that I recognised several of the walks you had written about from my own wanderings, especially while I am geocaching. I have since moved to Southampton and quite often I will be walking somewhere and my head is full of snippets of history and trivia gleaned from reading each blog over the years. I have also been fascinated by your own memories of growing up locally and your family stories and like the way they are interspersed with more current ramblings, both literal and metaphorical.
    Thank you for the insight into my new hometown, and the photos that beautifully illustrate the area and your writing.

    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It’s so nice to know someone is reading and enjoying my writing and maybe finding out a few interesting facts. I’m not really sure why I feel so compelled to write and sometimes I wonder if it is all a waste of time that might better be spent walking or knitting. Comments like yours make me realise it is worthwhile. I hope you enjoy exploring your new home as much as I have enjoyed walking these streets and footpaths over the years. The geocaching is always something I’ve been intrigued by because I love a treasure hunt. I probably should look into it further.

      1. Hi Marie,
        I miss reading your blog very much and really hope too that you are well and have just given up the writing voluntarily although that would be sad for your readers. Maybe you have opened a new one in which case could you point me in the right direction?
        Wishing you well,
        Helen

        1. Hi Helen. I have been researching and writing a book about my grandfather during WW1. It has taken up so much of my time I have neglected the blog. Plus there has not been as much walking as I’d have liked during lockdown. All the interesting places are full of idiots at the moment. I promise I will try to get back to it soon and will post more about the book as and when it takes shape. Glad to know someone missed me

  7. I have just subscribed to our blog having just read your pieces on the titanic. Brilliant. My paternal family are all from Northam originally and several offshoots of the family lived in both broadlands road and Kent road and I was brought up in Bevois town.

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed my Titanic pieces. I still have a lot of crew houses to find but I’ve been training for the Clarendon Marathon so have had to put the project on hold. Hopefully I will e working on the Northam crew next,

  8. Hello I don’t remember how I got to your blog but I’m happy I found it. I’m now looking for the posting you wrote about walking behind Southampton airport. That walk was one of my favorites
    I was just a kid back then and the path was well used. The old farmhouse was still standing or leaning back then. I heard it was Tudor,but I don’t know for sure. My grandmother was friends with the couple at Chickenhall Farm. I was fascinated with that place.Never got to see inside but I remember the stables still had horse tack hanging on the walls. Last time I was there it was all gone
    Thinking about it and the days of way back then saddens me. I am feeling very homesick tonight. I grew up in Bishopstoke before it was made modern an ugly. I can’t bring my self to visit it again. I loved the water medow’s and walked there many many times. I too was chased by a cow ,my friend Norma was with me that time and she laughed so much that she wet herself.The last time I was there the pathway was fenced and I couldn’t take my daughter into the medow to see the Marsh Marigolds. My grandmother had me help her pick cowslips in those medows and she would make wine with them. Anyway I must stop rambling on. Nanny is long gone and I’m 71.I’ll never forget the long walks with my collie and fox terrier ,they walked with me many miles even right up to Winchester a few times.We took a bus ride back home. My little mutt dogs are waiting for their bedtime snack then a walk up the wooden hill.
    good night from Jackie in California.

  9. I was fascinated by your Titanic material, from Bitterne Park. It is excellent. I am born and bred BP, and know so many of the houses, from walking to and from school, and friends’ houses. I’d love to use some of your information, in some work I am doing, on Bitterne Park history, if that is OK?

  10. Hi Marie, (Great name, my daughter is called Marie….after Marie Osmond, she hates me…:’D). I came across your blog when I googled W.Hodges and he was mentioned in your Titanic post. I can’t find anything about him at all in any records which is a shame. I am a Hodges by marriage only (and an ex but kept the name for practical reasons). It does seem like no one has missed this poor chap but I keep looking. I love your blog cos I also love Coffee and Chocolate and History etc. Don’t go on many walks, although I did love a trek through the New Forest when my son took me out there a couple of months ago. We’re meant to be going out again soon so I’m looking forward to that with his partner and my Granddaughter..(who happens to be turning 3 today..:)). It doesn’t look like you’ve posted in a while but I hope you continue soon. I want to blog but don’t really know where to start. Your inspiration could get me started. Hope you’re well.

    1. Hi sorry for the delay in replying. I always feel so sad when I find the Titanic crew who don’t seem to be missed or remembered. I have been busy writing something a bit longer than a blog, based on some family research, which I why I haven’t been blogging lately. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed reading and I promise to try to get back to it when I can.

  11. COTTON, Mr Alfred
    35
    Engineering Crew
    Substitute Crew Southampton
    Trimmer

    Home Titanic Victims Mr Alfred Cotton
    Contents
    My great great grandfather
    Alfred Cotton was born in Fawley, Hampshire, England on 15 June 1876.
    He was the son of William Cotton (b. 1842), a builder and carpenter, and Fanny Ward (b. 1833), both natives of Hampshire who had married in Southampton in 1875. Alfred was apparently their only child; the family appeared on the 1891 census living at Newtown, Fawley, Hampshire and Alfred, aged 14, had already left school and was working as a general labourer. His mother died in 1893 and his father was remarried several years later to Mary Frances Smith (b. 1870) of the same locale.
    Alfred himself was married in 1900 to Alice Andrews (b. 1881) who was born near Lymington. Alfred would be absent from the 1901 census when Alice was listed as living at Lower Pennington, Milford, Hampshire, the home address of her parents Charles and Harriett Andrews.
    Alfred and Alice went on to have two sons: William (1902-1979) and Charles (1905-1962). Again absent from the 1911 census, Alfred wife and sons were listed at Dibden Purlieu, Hythe, Hampshire and Alice was described as a laundry worker, employing her sister Florence.
    Cotton was taken onto Titanic as a substitute after several crewmembers reported late for departure. His engagement, alongside that of fellow trimmer Robert Steel, was so hurried that no details of their address or previous ship was recorded. As a trimmer Cotton could expect to earn monthly wages of £5, 10s.
    Alfred Cotton died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.
    His wife Alice remained a widow for a decade before remarrying in 1922 to Lewis Bishop. She died in Hampshire in 1968.

  12. Great to find this blog. My family are waiting for the Southampton Archives to open back up/get solid confirmation, but I am potentially the great great grand daughter of Olive (Bessie) Ward who you mention. If you happen to know of anymore on her (or her other children, Leslie, born in the workhouse, and potentially my great grandfather Albert) beyond what is available on Ancestry.com please could you get in touch? Equally if you have a contact for a living Sparkman that would be willing to chat that would be amazing.
    Best Wishes,
    Niamh

    1. Sadly I don’t have any more information. It might be worth posting something on the Facebook group Southampton Heritage Photos. They have thousands of members and it is possible someone might know more.

  13. When I was little, circa 1956, my grandfather would show me the red squirrels in the upper Winter Gardens in Bournemouth, so they were just about still there mid 1950s, I think. Nice website, thanks.

    1. Thank you. I have some very vague memories of red squirrels from my childhood in the 60’s. At least I think I do.

  14. Having come to Southampton only a few years ago, your blogs have been a great source of inspiration for urban walks. And home working for the past year, local walks have been more important than ever to my wellbeing and health. I love the way you weave local history into your descriptions of places. It’s really helped me experience the place where I live more richly and often I go on to research something you’ve mentioned in more detail. Thank you so much Marie.

    1. I’m so glad you have been inspired by my walks. I’ve been stuck inside quite a lot recently but I’m looking forward to getting back out more soon.

  15. Hi Marie,
    I’ve just found your ‘The final Titanic tales from Portswood part two’ blog and with reference to William Murdoch you write “On 2 September 1907 William married Ada in St Denys Church Southampton. By 23 September he had to return to sea on the Adriatic and left his new wife living at a guesthouse, Oakfield, in Manor Farm Road.”

    It’s very plausible that’s right but I’d be very grateful if you can point me to the source of this information.

    Oakfield was run by Captain William James Hannah and his wife (see 1901 census) and they are the witnesses on William and Ada’s marriage certificate. Captain Hannah was Assistant Marine Superintendent for White Star at Southampton.

      1. Hi Marie,
        Thanks for the link. I’m having difficulty finding it there, but I’ll keep on looking.

        Regarding William and Ada Murdoch’s home at 94 Belmont Road, I too have seen it stated that it was renumbered to 116, but if you align the street directories for 1912/3 and 1931/2 it comes out as 118.

        1912/3 1931/2
        90 Webb, Edward George 114 Webb, Mrs
        92 Willis, William Charles 116 Thomas, Thomas Charles
        94 Murdoch, William 118 Burton, Mrs
        96 – 120 Moody, William
        98 Orman, John Thomas 122 Orman, Mrs

        Best wishes.

  16. Hi Marie,

    My Name is Rick Ashworth and I lived in Southampton from 1961 to 1971. Thanks for this blog, it has brought back many memories. In fact, I was 7 in 1961 and in those days I waked everywhere. We lived in Swaythling, where my dad had a greengrocers shop. In the early days we lived over the shop. Later on, we moved to Bitterne Park, but we still kept the shop. I often had a long walk between the two through Riverside Park….at night!

    Southampton certainly has changed. Of course, to me, I liked it as it was. I would spend hours walking around the Old Wall, visiting the Wool House Museum and God’s House museum. The Docks were in full swing. We overlooked the docks from our house in Athelstan Road.

    Now I live in Tasmania and will probably never make it back. In many ways, I don’t want to because it has changed so much…but I the same time, I’m curious to know how it’s changed. I recognise it from Google Maps, of course, but when you zoom in, lots of things have changed. It’s certainly changed from the working port I knew, it seems more leisure oriented these days.

    Keep up the good work. If you want to know anything about life in the 60’s in Southampton, please get in touch. I mainly know Bitterne, Swaythling, and the city, but I did get around a bit!

    Cheers and good luck.

    Rick

    1. Thank you for your memories Rick. My Mother lived up in the flower roads (carnation Road) in the 30’s and 40’s and then moved to Bitterne, which is where I still live. A lot has changed, even in my lifetime and it is still changing. All in all, I think many of the changes are for the better, especially the end of the slums in Northam, where my Father in Law was brought up. My Dad’s brother went to Australia after the war as a £10 pom, and, like you, my cousins are very interested in all the changes to the town they remember as children.

  17. Hello Marie, I would like to share one of your posts on our page, translating it correctly into Italian but I can not find any email address to ask for permission. Can you please provide it to me? Thank you! Davide

      1. Thanks, very kind by you, anyway we would like to find a way to thank you for your very useful post. Of course for now we added credits and a couple of direct links to your blog and post.

  18. Dear Marie, I thought of you during lockdown and wondered if you would be blogging as I’d really enjoyed reading about interesting bits of Southampton prior to March 2020. I bought a subscription to OS online to try and find new local paths, finally realised where Marlhill Copse is! Although we’ve lived on the Flower Estate for 20 years there were many new paths we found. And red herrings (like North Stoneham, although the new estate is good and have you seen the YMCA coffee spot there?) I am enjoying reading your reflections on lockdown. I am also married to a Common park runner (and volunteer) and worked with Rob at SW school so there are a few links. Your blog is very much appreciated. Thank you. Mary Williams

    1. So glad you’ve been enjoying the posts. I’ve been working on some other writing projects recently but back to blogging for a while now. Oddly, the walk I’ve planned for tomorrow is Marhill Copse and last week’s long walk was the flower estate. My mum grew up there, Carnation Road. I will have to check out the new North Stoneham estate soon, it was unfinished last time I was there.If you see me at parkrun you will have to come up and say hello.

  19. Hi Marie,
    I have just tumbled across your blogs, mainly because I was looking for info about Southsea – in particular St Judes Church – during the Blitz. I was so fascinated to read the story you told of the curate saving the roof of the church. I wonder how you know that story? I think the curate may have been a chap called Hawkins/Hawkens who was a lodger in my grandmother’s house during his curacy and before his ordination as a priest later in 1941. Does that fit with what you know of him? Can you fill me in any more?
    Keep writing – it’s so interesting. Thank you.
    Jenny

    1. Hi Jenny. I’m glad you enjoyed my post about St Jude’s. Sadly, I wrote it so long ago I’m not sure of where all the information came from. I think the blitz information was from an article in the Portsmouth News, although a cursory search this morning hasn’t turned it up. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more.

  20. im wondering of some where along the lines we are related as my grandparents came from the same area and were also called white . you never know . they lived in chapel

    1. It’s possible. My Grandfather’s parents lived on Stanford Street, but then moved to Hillside Avenue Bitterne Park. I haven’t stumbled on any Lanes in my family tree, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

  21. ## Comment SPAM Protection: Website Guardian marked this comment as “Pending Moderation”. Reason: Human SPAM filter found “reading your blog” in “comment_content” ##
    A thank you from Australia, Marie. I very much enjoyed reading your blog and will try to find your books. Best Regards

  22. Read your fascinating account of Titanic victims in the St Deny’s and Bevois Valley areas of the city. My family moved to Bevois Valley area in early 1900s. I have a few photos of Dukes Road before it was demolished and would love to know if any of the Titanic victims houses are shown in the photos. Problem is, no house numbers are clear enough to be seen. You might be interested in using photo for your records.

  23. Glad I’ve refound you, and am going straight to Amazon to follow your author page there. Sounds like I missed a lot of shenanigans in the cyberorld (had to take quite a while away from writing for very different reasons, and hope I’m back to stay for a long while myself),

    Your historical posts are so interesting, looking forward to digging in, and good luck with all your books!

  24. Hi, I came across this page whilst looking for documentation about my family. You have several pictures of their graves on here in the name of Hickman.

    I can offer you more information on this family to settle your intrigue as Hugo was my Grandfather.

    Feel free to email me via harrisonutv@gmail.com

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