26 October 2014
On a whim I decided to descend the Forty Steps to Western Esplande, leaving the medieval town. At street level the height of The walls and towers can be truly appreciated. Behind, the tower of WestQuay echoes them. Looking up, I see the machicolations where stones or boiling oil could be dropped on would be invaders and ivy leaved toadflax has made a home between the stones. Continue reading Southampton’s medieval walls, Western Esplanade to Friars Gate
26 October 2014
For my Sunday walk I decided to revisit an old friend, the medieval Southampton walls. They’re a backdrop to the city centre and one most of the people of Southampton walk past every day without really noticing them. I’ve been guilty of the same myself in my time. When I was working in the city centre I often spent my lunch hour wandering around them but it’s been a while. I’ve missed them. Continue reading Walking the Southampton walls
It’s been a tough job slowly looking through the posts from my, now defunct, Fatgirlslimblog, deciding what to keep and what to discard. It feels a little like spring cleaning with a big pile of junk and a smaller pile of things to keep. Sometimes it’s hard to decide which pile to put things in. The following post is one I knew was a keeper from the outset though. Continue reading A cat mystery – first published on 30 July 2012
22 – 25 October 2014
There was a definite chill in the air when I set off on Wednesday morning. Not quite a frost but a hairs breadth from it. The sky was bright and clear though so I didn’t mind the walk to work. Vivid autumn leaves were using the blue as a backdrop, something to make me smile as I plodded along. Peering over Cobden Bridge the boatyard was perfectly reflected in the still water making a pretty picture. Continue reading Handbags and glad rags
July 2012 was coming to a end and, along with it, my time at Mad House. So far I’d had three interviews for two jobs but I’d still not been offered one. My nerves were stretched tighter than an over tightened guitar string and the prospect of unemployment loomed.
Continue reading Celebration time – first published 20 july 2012
21 October 2014
It was an inauspicious start to Tuesday. Hurricane Gonzalo was creating havoc outside when I got up, wind, rain, leaves blowing about the garden and lots of noise. Unfortunately I had my driving theory test booked so, much as I wanted to, I couldn’t just sit in my pyjamas drinking cocoa all morning. As ever, I left with plenty of time to spare but, when I got out on the road, it looked like a car park. Normally I’d have walked but, with the weather, that didn’t seem like much of a plan unless I wanted to be blown off the Big Bridge so I waited for the bus. And waited…. Continue reading A testing day
After my brief windmill visit on Sunday I thought it would be interesting to look back at my previous visits back in 2013 and share a little of the history of the place. It’s certainly beautiful and a little spooky. Continue reading Spooky tales of Bursledon Windmill – First published 10 March and 3 September 2013
19 October 2014
A local news item determined my Sunday walk this week. The report was about the Bursledon Windmill and the work being done to refurbish it. This is the only working windmill in Hampshire so, historically, it’s of great importance. The original wooden mill was built in 1766 and the bicentennial of the current mill is next month. The hope is that the work will be finished by then and the sails will be turning. This would be nice because I’ve never seen the sails turning before. Continue reading The windmills of my mind
Walking is my passion. Sometimes my walks are quite short like the walks to and from work, sometimes they’re longer. In my time I’ve walked two Moonwalk marathons and, in training, I’ve walked the full 26.2 miles several times. One of the bug bears of long distance walkers is blisters and, back in July 2012 I shared some of my tips for avoiding them. These days Commando calls me his blister technician because I’ve helped him avoid a few in his marathon running career. I don’t pretend to be an expert but if you’re looking for ways to avoid sore feet, the following may help. Now if only I’d listened to my own advice on Saturday! Continue reading Blisters on the sloes of her feet – first published 19 july 2012
18 October 2014
The colder damper weather is here to stay now I think and the big jumpers, scarves and hats have been dragged out of cupboards for the walks to and from work. On Saturday I decided it was time to dust off my trusty old Skechers boots to keep my toes warm too. In hindsight, I should have thought it through a little better but it was five o’clock in the morning and I wasn’t exactly awake. Continue reading These boots are made for walking…maybe