The weather did not look at all promising yesterday (19th) so it was great to find that 8 members had boarded the X7 bus to Salisbury.  It’s a lovely ride and the bus wriggles its way through several attractive villages on route- Landford, Whiteparish and Alderbury to name but three.    Those of us who chose to travel on the top deck get a whole different aspect looking down on pretty gardens and enjoying wider vistas than is possible by car. 

Arriving in Salisbury we had twenty minutes spare before the Bournemouth bus pulled in beside us and we were off again, this time via Downton and Fordingbridge and on to Ringwood where we alighted at 11.30am in bright sunshine.  Being immediately outside the Old Meeting House we chose to have our refreshment there and were served in the old family box pews which still remained inside.   

The Meeting House was built in 1727 by a local group of Presbyterian dissenters known as non-conformists because they wished to worship God in their own puritanical way and not follow the C of E’s Articles of Religion as laid down in the book of Common Prayer.  The building has had little alteration since then and it’s architectural style reflects early Georgian taste in general and has plain walls and windows and galleries on three sides of the hall.

By the early 19th century the ministry seems to have changed to Unitarian but it closed as a Unitarian Chapel in about 1976.    With the help of grants and generous benefactors total restoration was enabled by 2011 and the building reopened to the public as a meeting place, museum and for many other functions - including weddings. 

Having had a good look around we decided to split and make our own perambulations around this quaint old (in parts) town for the next two hours and meet again for the journey back.  It was obvious that many had perused the local charity shops and several “bargains” were admired.   

And so it was back to Salisbury (passing Blashford Lakes) where many moons ago our bird-watching group would often meet.    The bus appeared to be dashing along the roads at quite a pace at times but that may have been illusional due to the hedgerows being so close to the road.    Back in Salisbury there was enough time for a quick visit to a store and then back on the X7 for the hour’s run to Totton through some heavy rain at one time.    I think that most of us reached home in the dry and all thanked Christine for an enjoyable day.    We’ll probably wait until early next year for another trip somewhere, but who knows, someone may come up with a bright idea before then and we’ll be all ears.

Ken.

Ps: Should anyone be interested, the old Debenhams store on the square in Salisbury is reopening early in November as a Bradbeers store.

 Subject: The wheels on the tourist bus go round and round!

A warm and sunny morning today as a group of our members met just after 9am for a day on the New Forest tour buses (one price for all three). 

Climbing aboard just outside LIDL and claiming the top open deck front seats we were soon off with our hair streaming behind us on the Green route on our way to Brockenhurst rail station where we changed to Blue with enough waiting time to allow us to use the essential loos on Platform 2.

This time we travelled in an anti-clockwise direction around the south-west corner of The Forest through the open heath towards Burley via Holmesley.    The on-board commentary warned us it was a magic place of witches and witchcraft and there certainly sounded to be a lot of screaming and other horrible noises as we reached the designated bus stop in the village - or, maybe, it was just a loud speaker from a nearby spooky shop advertising its wares.

Losing some passengers, but gaining others, (as we did at most stops) we were soon moving again by way of Holmesly campsite toward Bashley, through New Milton, to Barton-on-Sea and the vista of The Needles over on the IOWight.    Continuing then along the coastline to Milford-on-Sea before turning inland via Everton to Lymington which included a diversion into Shorefield Holiday Park.  It’s amazing how different the views and your perspectives are when seen from the top deck of a bus.

Alighting in the High st we had just enough time to dash to the St Barbe museum cafe for takeaway drinks (and the loos again) before clambering aboard another Green route bus, this time via the National Motor Museum before a halt in Beaulieu itself close by the palace.    Then it was up the hill to The Royal Oak and a turn right for another diversion to Exbury Gardens and back and onwards to Dibden Purlieu and Hythe.    Continuing our journey we travelled by Applemore  and Ipley passing Denny Wood to the right and Ferney Croft on the left before reaching Lyndhurst for a further change to the Red route.  The loos were working overtime again here!

This time we rattled back through Burley (still screams and ghostly sounds) and on to Burley Street and Ringwood with a few minutes stop there.  Wending its way out of the town and across the roundabout the bus trundled toward Fordingbridge passing Blashford lakes that we had visited several times over the years for bird-watching when we had a member who ran that group. 

We soon reached the town where we deposited and collected other passengers and then it was over the beautiful Avon river and onward and upward to cross the cattle grid by The Fighting Cocks pub at Godshill and onto The Forest proper.    Back across heathland, with a quick stop at Sandy Balls holiday complex, we reached the highest point of the Forest at Gravel Pit Hill and then followed Roger Penny Way to Brook and Cadnam in the direction of Totton.  Reaching Bartley we turned right down Bourne road past “the tin church” eventually turning left at the railway station and into Ashurst.  Here we alighted and changed to the No 6 bus route for Totton.  Funnily enough, due to the breezes experienced on the top deck of these open buses, most of us came home with different hairstyles from when we started!

Although there was little time to explore the towns and villages on our way our object was to complete all three forest routes which we accomplished.    It was more than made up with the varied panoramas afforded us throughout the day and a great experience for 8 members.  One more thing off our bucket lists.

Thanks to Christine for her idea and for co-ordinating the timetables to enable us to do it.

Ken 

 The bus pass group arrived in Salisbury today after an hour travelling along the A36 , with diversions to service some villages on both sides, but not many other people requiring it today. 

First stop refreshment so popped into M&S cafe for a short break before ambling off to the cathedral.  Once inside we found descriptions and a film describing its origin and how it came to be built on that site following a transfer from its first site now known as Old Sarum.  Moving on to see one of the cathedral treasures, being the oldest working clock in the world, before marvelling at the beautifully designed font which, though constantly filling and emptying, it maintained a serene surface that reflected the roof of the nave like a mirror.

Moving on round there were centuries-old regimental flags displayed from the walls before we reached the modern Magna Carta 13 metres long, designed by Cornelia Parker CBE, and stitched and embroidered by a variety of over 200 people including lawyers, Jarvis Cocker, more than 40 prisoners and even Baroness Lawrence, mother to murdered Stephen Lawrence, who chose to sew the words “justice”, “denial” and “delay”.    The embroidery in some areas was so fine that we marvelled once more at its intricacies.

Continuing our steps there was so much to see including massive pipes (there are about 3,200 in total - some hidden- that produce the sound from the organ, apparently the largest in the country.

Next, to the cafe/restaurant for a spot of lunch before diving off to the Chapter House wherein was Salisbury’s original version of the Magna Carta itself, signed by King John on the 15th June, 1215 thus making today its 808th birthday!  How’s that for a coincidence?

It’s amazing to find that many of the concessions conceded by the King are still enshrined in our laws and thinking today

Time then to stroll back through the city in good time to catch the return bus.  We were all agreed that it was an interesting day and so much cooler than being out in the sun.

Well done, Christine, for sorting it all out for us.

Ken. 

 Subject: The wheels on the bus go round and round………

An overcast sky as we climbed aboard the X5 bus from Southampton to Gosport today but we didn’t let that dampen our spirits as we chattered along the way.  And a long way it was, but a lot to see and admire en route.    Firstly crossing the Itchen bridge with its views of the local shipping (always better from the height of a bus than down in a car).  Then out through Lowford and Burseldon to reach the Hamble river and Swanwick boatyard where scores of boats were being repaired and prepared for the summer season.  Onwards through Sarisbury and Warsash and past Titchfield Abbey to Fareham and a change of driver.

We continued the journey through Stubbington, along the coastline of Lee-on-the-Solent and also of Stokes Bay before our arrival at our destination in Gosport just as the rain started.  Nonplussed, we admired the Spinnaker Tower just across the harbour entrance before heading into the town to seek shelter and sustenance. 

A welcome bacon toastie and a cup of tea in a cafe and, as the sun had reappeared, we were ready to look around town for an hour or so before boarding the bus for the return journey.      A little more sun would have helped as we couldn’t take the lovely walk along the Esplanade but an interesting day nonetheless.

We’ll arrange another trip in a month or two.    Any ideas,anyone?

Chris and Ken

 A damp and chilly morning today didn’t dissuade 8 of us to clamber aboard the Blue Star No6 bus for a trip to Lymington. 

It was quite a meandering route taking us into areas new to several of us.  Also, unfortunately, because of the recent bad weather the windows were badly obscured with mud splashes and raindrops and gave a good impression of travelling through a London fog.    A good bit of chat helped to pass the time until past Lyndhurst when the sun decided to put it’s hat on and come out to play and give us a bit more vision to enjoy the scenery. 

Arrived at our destination and trotted off to the St Barbe Museum which has a very welcoming cafe and we all settled down to some refreshment.    Strangely enough, although we ordered individually we had all chosen a drink and a toasted tea cake.

Entering the museum we saw exhibits of very local history which were clearly displayed and interesting to see and read about.  Moving into the second half of the museum the current temporary exhibition was displayed entitled “Wood engraving of the past 100 years”.    It explained how illustrations were made for books, posters and pamphlets,etc, prior to the photograph.  A drawing was made which was then traced over and transferred onto blocks of wood.    Engraving tools then cut or gouged into the wood following the lines of the drawing.  On completion, the face of the wood was covered in black ink, paper placed over it and the whole thing passed through a press thus providing the monochrome picture.    Ingenious!

There were about 50 or 60 framed pictures for us to admire many of which almost looked like photographs themselves.    A lot of the examples had been lent to St Barbe by the Ashmolian Museum but there were also quite a few which were privately owned and loaned for the duration of the exhibition.    Many of the engravings were quite intricate and one had to wonder at the number of hours that had been put into them. 

Coming out into bright sunshine we separated for an hour or so to do our own thing before catching the mid-afternoon bus for the return journey to Totton.    Luckily, this time,  the windows were sparkling clean and gave us the benefit of seeing The Forest in the best way possible.  All agreed it was a most pleasant day out. 

Not sure when the next trip will be nor where.    If anyone has ideas of possible venues for consideration  please let Christine or me know.    We intend to visit Gunwharf Quays later in the year once the work on the causeway into Southampton is completed.    At the moment we can’t guarantee arriving in the city in time to catch the connection to Portsmouth early enough to make it worthwhile.

Another success.    Ken. 

 By 10.15 this morning eight of us had come together at Bargate to await the bus to take us to Bishops Waltham.   Waving bus passes we gleefully boarded the X10 which soon whisked us off to BW, via Bitterne and Durley, arriving there just before 11.00am.

It was decided to visit the Palace ruins first and struck out for the entrance I had used previously due to the nearest entrance being closed for repair work only to find that the reverse situation had occurred so we had to trot back 100 yards or so.

Anyway, once inside the grounds we were suitably impressed by what had remained standing following 900 years or so since it was first built to accommodate the Bishops of Winchester.   It was truly amazing to think how tall and strong were the walls having been constructed mostly with flint stone.

Working our way around the site we saw the areas where the bakery and brew house had operated.  We moved on to what had been a church and crypt before coming to the Great Hall  remains.    Quite a lot of windows and walls were still standing and one could easily imagine how it may have looked back in the days when King Henry Vlll was a visitor and had been entertained there.

Time then for a shady rest as a relief from the hot sun before making our way back to the village/town(?) looking for refreshments.    It was still decorated for the Jubilee celebrations so there was a lot of patriotic colours to be seen in bunting across the Main Street, flower beds, other containers - of which there were many - and shop windows.   Even the ironmonger’s shop had a window full of washing up bowls in the National colours!    The knitters and crocheters  of the area had also been busy and many a lamppost and other street furniture had been given little woolly hats and other coverings: 
at least Totton had a few flags to celebrate. 
Walking to the top of the High Street we discovered a Tudor building which housed The Anvil cafe where we were welcomed and were found a table for 8 in the shade in the courtyard.    Orders were taken,  sustenance provided and consumed and we spent about an hour there chatting, laughing and reminiscing about days gone by - elder people do that, you know.   

Making our way back we had hoped to call into the “House of Magic” but found the emporium closed and so meandered towards the return bus stop.    We had a pretty cheerful bus driver and she drove at a cracking pace back to Southampton.   She only picked up two other passengers so having us 8 on board probably made the journey worthwhile.   We were back at Bargate by 3.30 pm and all agreed we’d had an informative and pleasant day.

Thanks to those who joined us and we hope to do something else soon.   If anyone has any ideas of an interesting destination accessible by bus we’re all ears to know and to try it out.   Wherever it is, good companionship is the ultimate mantra.

Chris & Ken

Just a reminder that this Tuesday the 10th of May the Bus Pass group are off to Salisbury to see the Flower Festival at Salisbury Cathedral. We are booked into the cathedral for 12.15pm. s We are travelling on the 10.27am X7 which leaves from outside Lidl’s in Totton. (leaves West Quay, Southampton at 10.05) Some of us will be getting on at various stops along the Salisbury Road so give us a friendly cheer when we get on in case we don’t recognise you in your masks. The entry fee to the flower festival is £13 which I have paid for so bring your purses and your cameras. If you haven’t signed up and want to come then just be on that bus and we will sort out the extra entry fees when we get there. Everybody is welcome to join us. The weather forecast for the day is sunny with some cloud and most importantly no rain See you Tuesday Chris