Stones, horses and angel wings

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1 November 2016

With our coffee finished and bearings confirmed, we left the church behind and set off through an old iron gate into the lane where I thought the ancient boundary stone should be. Research told me there was no boundary stone marked on the map here but the cryptic message and some Google Street View searching had turned up something that looked very much like one. Now all we had to do was find it. Continue reading Stones, horses and angel wings

A one handed clock, cygnets and a few trains

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21 July 2016

Monks Brook Meadows is connected to Monks Brook Playing Fields via a tunnel under Stoneham Way. It was an oasis of shade on our hot walk. We were slightly reluctant to leave it. The playing field is bordered by more trees and meadow but we walked through without stopping this time. There are only so many pictures of flowers even I am willing to take. The next part of our journey was not one I was looking forward to.  Continue reading A one handed clock, cygnets and a few trains

A floral tour of Monks Brook Meadows

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21 July 2016

The medical bods can’t seem to decide whether Commando is suffering from a stress fracture or a ligament issue. Either way the advice is rest, ice, elevation and two weeks off work. While he was at home finally doing what he was told, CJ and I decided to go for a walk. It was another hot, muggy morning so sticking close to water and shade was the order of the day.  Continue reading A floral tour of Monks Brook Meadows

an evening walk and a farewell party

Heading for Monks Brook Meadows
Heading for Monks Brook Meadows

26 June 2015

The bad week ended with a walk. Part of our farewell for the RCSM was a meal at Ham Farm. As the team wouldn’t be getting there until half past seven and it didn’t seem worth going home at five just to go out again, I decided to walk there from work. With my head still full of images of gunmen on Tunisian beaches, I left the office and set off. Originally Id planned to walk across Cobden Bridge towards the Navigation but it was a sultry evening, hot and thundery with a chance of rain so I thought it wasn’t the best of plans. Continue reading an evening walk and a farewell party

Weirs, alpacas, goats impersonating cows and stinging nettles

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21 April 2015

Even before I crossed the road I could see the green sign was still there and my heart sank a little. Even so, I crossed and peered uncertainly up the towpath. It loooked dry and firm but still I dithered. Last year there was a bad breach where the path looked to be in danger of being washed away altogether. If I went ahead I could come seriously unstuck and have to turn back. The cracked wall was testement to just how bad the flooding had been. The wier was flowing fast, but it wasn’t as high as I’ve seen it. In the end I decided to give it a try. Continue reading Weirs, alpacas, goats impersonating cows and stinging nettles

Monks Brook Meadows a really exciting find.

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19 April 2015

Our little group left Monks Brook through the gate and crossed the road at the roundabout. This is where I usually carry on along Wide Lane to Eastleigh but Bob turned to the right and began to walk towards the railway arch. There was a milestone beside a fence that I’d never noticed before, much like the one on the Main Road that I keep meaning to take a picture of and never quite get round to. Close by there was another gate between the modern housing complex called The Grange and the Fleming Arms Pub. Bob went through it and we followed. Continue reading Monks Brook Meadows a really exciting find.