The Bulletin | October 2021

We’re now into the second monthof autumn and there’s nobettertime of the year than October to enjoy the changing colours ofthe season

Althoughour summer visitors like swallows and sandwich ternshavelong since flown, we may now be able to spot birds that have arrived in the UK from cooler climes. The sanderling can be seen along the seashorewhilstthe fieldfare andredwing, both members ofthe thrush family, come hereto feedbefore leavingin the spring

If youwouldlike to findout moreabout our autumn visitors, you canread the article by the ChristchurchHarbour Ornithological Groupon page S28

And as British summer time comes toan end,the clocks goback onHalloween this yearon Sunday 31st October. Best

6. Puzzzles

8. Competition

10. Arrthhur Coonnan Doyle

12. Bamburggh h Lighthhoouse e

16. Meedditeerrranean Cuisiinne e

S2. Venisoon, a Healthhy y Optiion

S6. Addiction

S10. Declutteer r Your Life e

S12. Wiinne of thhe Moonth h

S14. RNLI Muuddefoorrd d Lifeebboat Guild

S22. Traavvel: Maauuritiius

S28. CHOG Open New Bird d Hide

S32. Short t Stoorry y

52. Book Reviieew w

54. Short Stoorry y

Editor: Julie Smith

Tel:01425270100 or 07762 701271

Email: julie@themudefordmag.co.uk

www.themudefordmag.co.uk

Cover Photo Courtesyof John Clarke

Printed by Warwick Printing Co Ltd

Disclaimer: Whilst every carehas been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, thepublisher cannotacceptany liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errorsor omissions resultingfrom negligence, accidentorany other cause. The Bulletin does not officially endorseany advertising material included within this publication. No partof this publication may be produced,stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permissionof thepublisher.

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NotsoElementary

By SarahGreen

BorninEdinburgh in 1859,toIrish Catholicparents,ArthurConanDoyle wasanythingbutelementary.After studyingmedicineattheUniversity ofEdinburgh,wherehefirstbegan towriteshortstories,hetookup thepostofShip’ssurgeon,which eventuallyleadtohimsettinguphis ownmedicalpracticeinSouthsea, Portsmouth.Unfortunately,the practicewasnotinitiallyvery successful,sohestartedwriting fictionagaininbetweenappointments withpatients.

FamousforthecreationofSherlock Holmesandhisloyalassistant Watson,andafterwriting60stories featuringthesetwocharacters,he startedtogrowwearyofthefamous detectivesaying,‘Hetakesmymind frombetterthings”.Heputthisinto practicewhenHolmesfelltohis deathwhilstfightinghisarchenemy

ProfessorMoriarty.Thiswasmet withsuchhugedisapprovalfrom his readersthatDoylewasforcedto resurrectHolmesoncemore.

Followingthedeathofhisfirstwife Louisa,thedeathofhissonKingsley, thedeathofhisbrother,histwo brothersinlawsandtwonephews, Doylesunkintodepression.He begantoseeksolaceinspiritualism, andit’sattemptstofindproofof existencebeyondthegrave.This interestwassharedwithandleadto hisfriendshipwithHarryHoudinithe famousillusionistandescapologist.

In1917,ConanDoylegavehis firstpubliclectureonspiritualism, despitethe realisationthatthiswould mostlikelydamagehiscareer.His reputationsufferedanotherblow severalyearslaterwhenhewrotean articletryingtoprovetheexistenceof fairiesintheChristmas1920edition ofTheStrandnewspaperusinga photoofTheCottingleyFairies.

Doylespentmostofhislateryearsin theNewForestwherehepurchased acountry retreatinBignall Wood, Brook,nearBramshawandwherehe heldmanyofhisseances.Hediedof aheartattackattheageof71athis main residenceinCrowborough, West SussexbutwhentheCrowborough estatewassoldin1955,thebodyof DoyleandhissecondwifeJeanwere exhumedand reinterredatAllSaints, Minsteadwhereyoucanstillvisithis gravetoday.

AuthenticMediterraneanCuisinewithChefJosé thentic Mediterranean C isine with Chef José

e PadrónPepper TapaswithChorizo andFried Egg

Ingredients (for 6 people):

300gPadrónPeppers

6Eggs

200gChorizoSausage

Salt

Extra VirginOliveOil

1LoafofBread

Preparation:

Frythechorizoin alittleoilandcut intoslices.Setaside.

Frythewholepeppersinplentyof oilfor acoupleofminutes,withthe oilat amedium-hightemperature. (Becarefulthat,atthebeginning, oiljumpsout,soyoumightwantto coverthepan).Set aside.

Finally,frytheeggs,ifyouwishyou cancutthemoutwith apastrycutter. Anotheroptionistofryquaileggs.

To Serve

Cutthebreadintoslices.Placetwo peppersoneachsliceandplacea friedeggand/ortwoslicesoffried chorizoontop.

ExperiencetheflavouroftheMediterranean,cuisinewithsoul,madewithlove,toteachandtransmitthe GastronomicCultureofSpain.

Withsimple,fresh,aromatic,variedingredients,fullofflavourandsunshine. We make100%Spanish foodtoenjoyandshare. We don’tsellanything,everythingonthischannelisfreeandauthentic.

Attheendofthisvideoyoucanfindthecomplete recipe.Enjoyour recipesandshareyourexperiences. IfyoulikeSpanishfoodandwhatwedo,pleasesupportusbySUBSCRIBING.

Watch me prepare this and other meals on my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9g CUOUqM

eMail me: thespanishkitchen@outlook.com

Youmaynotconsiderthatyouhave anaddictionbutifyouarebecoming concerned regarding acertainaspectof yourbehaviour,worriedthatitmaybebad foryourhealth,usingmoneyyoudonot haveortakinguptoomuchofyourtime, thenthisarticlemaybeworth reading! If itis ahabitualindulgencebeyondyour controlandnegativelyaffectingyourlife, thenitisanaddiction. Commonlyone thinksofalcohol,drugs,andgamblingbut wecanbecomeaddictedtoTV,internet, food,ourphonesandevenexercise.

Addictswillexperienceexcessive preoccupationintheiractivity.Theyoften findthemselvesspendingmuchmoretime ontheactivitythanatfirstintendedoften resultingindevastatingconsequenceson otheraspectsoftheirlifesuchasfinances, relationships,orjobs.Mostaddictshave experiencedmultiplefailedattemptsto quitorperhapsswappedoneaddictive behaviourforanother.Eventhosewho outwardlydenyanyconcerns regarding theirhabitofteninwardlyhave anagging discomfortthattheywouldinfactliketo changethingsiftheycould.

We areallvulnerabletoaddictionbecause atfirstengagingin anewactivitymay bringenjoyment,comfort,orexcitement butgraduallywewillfindwehaveto increasetheamountoftheactivityjust togetthesameamountofsatisfaction becausethepleasureaffectsfadesaswe becometoleranttotheactivity/drug. We thenfindweneedtoperformmoreand moreofour activitytogetlessandless buzzfromit.Eventuallywearedoing itno longerforpleasurebutonlyto avoidfeeling unpleasantwithdrawalsymptoms!

Alladdiction(andinfactallmentalhealth disorders)developsfromanenvironment

whereouressentialhumanneedsare notbeingmet.Theseneedsaresecurity, attention,autonomy,senseofachievement, senseofcommunity,status,privacy, emotionalconnectionandbeingchallenged togivelifemeaning.Peoplecommonly turntoaddictionaftermajorlifeeventsor lossessuchasbereavement, redundancy, disability,orbecominghomeless.

Mostoftheperceivedpleasuresof anaddictionareactuallyanillusion. Addictivebehaviourisanattemptto relieve distressingfeelingsofanger,anxiety, depression,loneliness,orboredometc thatareexperiencedwhenourneedsare notbeingmet.Itdoesnothoweverendup relievingthisdistressitendsupcausingit!

Thereisacommonpatternthatlies behindalladdictions‘theexpectation pathway.’Understandingwhatdrivesyour ownpersonaladdictivebehaviourisan importantpartofgettingitundercontrol. Dopamineisgeneratedwhenwecrave anaddictiveactivity,andthisdeceives usintoexpectingthatwewillachievethe satisfactionwewantifonlywedoenough ofit.However,weneverachievethislonged forhighlevelofsatisfaction,butwegoon expectingitsowe repeatedlydoitinvain. Inverysimpletermstoget ahandleonour addiction,weneedtoattendtoourunmet needsandlearntosetuptheexpectation thatNOTperformingtheaddictive behaviourwillbemorepleasurable.Easier saidthandone Iknow!

DrArmorel WoodMBACP,

Can agooddeclutter reallyhelpyouachieve ahappierormorecontent,life?

It’saquestion Iaskedmyselfwhen Ioffered adeclutteringserviceto abespokefewin2015.

Ineverycase,theperson Iwashelpingtodeclutterhadcometo acrossroadsintheirlife andsimplyput,wantedtofeelcalmer,clearer,brighter,moreatpeaceandyes,happier. Asweworkedthroughtheirbelongings,decidingwhatcouldstayandwhatcouldgo,we bothcametotheconclusionthatnoamountof‘stuff’whateverthat‘stuff’entailed,ever reallymadethemhappy.Intruth,theclutterwasnowholdingthembackand,insome cases,causingstressandanxietyasitwassimplyover-whelmingand theyfeltdauntedbythesheertaskaheadofthem.

Asourlivesbecomeevermorechallenging,moreand moreofusare lookingtofind breathingspace,bothphysicallyandmentallyandthat‘space’hastostartwithourown homes.Quiteoften,bytheactofdecluttering, asenseofcalmiscreated,allowingyouto thinkmoreclearlyandevenmakebetterlifedecisions.

Moreand morepeoplearechoosing, adecluttered/minimalistlife.Withtherightsupportto helpyouthroughtheprocess,itcantrulyhelpyoufindtheinnerharmonyyouseek.

Photo:AlexandraGorn~UnSplash

It’s time to put on your cowboy hat and immerse yourself in the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” with this amazing package that incorporates a few days at the Calgary Stampede, followed by a journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train through these magnificent Rockies and then a relaxing journey taking in the delights of Alaska aboard a cruise with Holland America Line.

YOURHOLIDAY INCLUDES

✓ Flights

✓ Transfers

✓ Hotels

✓ Tours

✓ Calgary Stampede

✓ GoldleafExperience

aboardRocky Mountaineer (Banffto Vancouver)

✓ AlaskaCruise

HollandAmerica

MS Koningsdam

✓ CanadianNational Parks Pass

Thismonth’swineselectionisthefantastic2019GarnachaNativa,Care.

We hadthepleasureofdiscoveringthiswineinLondon recently.

100%GrenachefromCarinena(nearZaragoza)inNorthEasternSpain

CAREis amanifestationoftheoldRomanwordforthe regionof Carinena,butalsothefactthatthesearethehandmadewinesofthe bodegas receivingextraspecialattentionandcare.Thistexturedvarietal redhasbeenaged 8monthsinoakbarrels.

Elegantandpowerful, abouquetofcacaoandcoffeebean,onthe palateveryrichupfront,blackfruitwithanamazingjuicyfinish.

Residualsugar3.7g /litre(whichisaround2ghigherthanmost)which makesthiswinesoappealing!

We arenowopentosellsuperbqualitywinebytheglass instorefromourtwoenomaticmachines!

WinetastingsmostFridays.Privatetastingsto request! Callformoredetails

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Ifyouhaveaconservatorywithapolycarbonateor glassroofyouwillknowhowcolditgetsinthe winterandhowboilinghotitisinthesummer.

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Thecompanycancompletethejobusuallywithin oneor2daysandsaveyoumorethan50%ofthe costofanewreplacementroof,plusitkeepsyour conservatorys lllookinglikeaconservatoryasit wasdesignedtolook.

Whateverthedesignofyourconservatorythe guaranteeisthatitwillbeusableeverydayand nightoftheyearwhatevertheweather.

MauritiusOpensUpforHolidays

With atwo-phaseopening,theIndian OceanparadiseofMauritiusisnow opentosun-seekersagain.The islandhasrankedamongthetop countriesintheworldforits response tothepandemic,thankstomeasures includingvaccinationpriorityfor tourismstaff,stringenttrainingin hygieneprotocols,temperaturechecks andothersafetyexpedientsforstaffon arrivalatworkeveryday,digitalcontact wherepossible,andrapidisolationof anysymptomaticguests.

Theislandwillbefullyaccessibleand opentoexplorationtofullyvaccinated travellerswith anegativePCRtest takenwithinthe72hoursprior toboarding.

TheBestThingstoSee &Doin Mauritius

It’snotallaboutloungingonthose famouspalm-fringedwhite-sand beaches(althoughnoonewillstopyou ifthat’swhatyouwanttodo!).

Mauritiuscanbetheunrivalledsetting foranactiveholiday,too,withthe greatoutdoorsbeckoningintheform ofdiving,snorkelling,swimming, kayaking,glass-bottomboattours, catamaransailingandstand-up paddleboard–thebeachesarealmost entirelyencircledbycoral reefsto discover,andthereare shipwrecksto happenupon,too.Don’tmiss apirogue orkayaktripthroughtheIled’Ambre’s protectedmangroveforests.

Otheractivepursuitsinthisoutdoor playgroundincludehikingthroughthe mountainsandNationalParks,cycling alongthecoasttakinginfishingvillages nestledinsmallcreeksandseeingthe arrivaloftheday’scatch,andskydiving overthis remarkablepatchwork ofdramaticmountains,waterfalls, sugarcanefields,lagoons, reefs andislets.

Oneofthemostdelightfulspotsis BlackRiverGorgesNationalParkwith its60kmoftrailswhereyoucanenjoy encounterswithendangerednative plantandanimalspeciesinclude theMauritianflyingfox,parakeet andcuckoo-shrike.Orhopaboarda catamarantotheIleauxCerfsoffthe eastcoast,forswimming,snorkelling, waterskiingand aseafoodbarbecue beneaththeswayingcoconutpalms.

Thisislandalsohas arichcultural heritage,havingbeenDutch,French andEnglishovertime,andwithMalays, Indian,Chinese,Madagascansand mainlandAfricansalladdingtothe population’sbeguilingmix.Make timetostrollaroundthecompelling MauritiancapitalPort-Louis,spottingits colourfulstreetartandtastingsomeof thewonderfulfood.

Epicentresoflocallife,theisland’s marketsarealso atreatforthesenses. There’salsoanarrayofcharming colonialmansions,lushgardens(of whichthePamplemoussesGardensare thebestknown)andbeguilingtemples totakein.

MyAugustEscapes!

InAugust IcruisedonCelebrity

SilhouettearoundtheBritishIslesfor 8nightsfromSouthampton,itwasso goodtobebackon acruiseshipagain! Ialsohad abreaktotheAlgarvefrom BournemouthAirportfor 5nights.It wasgreattogetawayatlastanditalso means Ihavefirst-handexperienceof allthecurrenttravel requirementsfor cruiseandflyingtoEurope.

To bookyourholidayinMauritiusfor laterthisyearorintonext,oranyother travelplans,getintouchwithme todayandtakeadvantageofexclusive benefitsincludingfullfinancial protectionand a24-hourdutyoffice readytoassistyoubefore,duringand afteryourstay.

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JAMESBOND:NOTIME TO DIE(12ATBC)

CHARLESMICHAELDUKE:Three YearsOnSat16Oct:

MATINEE(1993)35mmPresentation(PG) Inassociationwith‘DirtInTheGate Movies’ 90scomedyfromthedirectorof“Gremlins”. Asmall-time lmpromoter(JohnGoodman) releases akitschyhorror lmduringthe CubanMissileCrisis.

PAULZERDIN:Hands Free

LAWRENCE:AFTERARABIA(12A)

SWINGUNLIMITEDBIG BAND

Yourgarden,Your way

We’reafamilyrun business andour aimis to deliveranexceptionalpersonalexperience forallourcustomers. Thereare nohardsales here, just friendly andhelpfulstaff. We providetheultimate servicerightfromthe initialdesign,groundwork's,installation, electrics, andevena paintingservice. We have an extensive rangeofbuildings in allstyles,sizesandbudgets to suit everyone's needs.

Next yearmayseem alongway off,butwith demandcurrentlyoutstrippingsupply,nowis thetimetothinkahead. Withlead timeshaving increased significantlydue to covid19, if you order your buildingnow,bythetimeyou feel those firstraysofspringsunshine, you'll have agarden roominplace readytogo. Ifyouwouldliketoknowmoreabouthow youcan transformhow youliveoutdoors,visit us foralittleinspirationor call us forafree brochuretosee what youcancreate.

Ourlarge showsiteissituatedat StewartsGarden Centre, Lyndhurst Road,ChristchurchBH234SA

BIRD WATCHING

By ValerieKelly

August/Septemberhasbeenbusywith migrationandotherexcitingthings. Thehighlightbeingtheopeningof theCHOG(ChristchurchHarbour

OrnithologicalGroup)BirdHideat HengistburyHead, afewhundred yardsfromthe VisitorsCentre.

stillwelcometojointheteam,please contactCHOGthroughthewebsite: www.chog.org.uk

Thisbustleofactivitywasfollowed by ashortwalkorganisedbyNick Whitehouse,where60speciesofbirds wereidentifiedbymembers.Following thewalkpeopleassembledaroundthe entrancetothenewbirdhidewhich wasopenedbytheChairmanofCHOG ChrisChapleo.Chriscuttheyellow ribbonafterthankingthemanypeople involvedingettingthisendeavouroff theground.Afterthishistoricmoment, peoplewereinvitedintothehidewhere hopefullycountlessofinteresting specieswillbe recordedinthefuture.

Thehidehasviewsoverthe restricted areaofthenursery.Largebirdfeeders havebeenputinplacesoanyonewith aninterestcansitquietlytowatch birdsdivinginandouttotakefood. Thehutcanbeaccessedbyanyone, betweenthehoursof 9amand 4pm howeverthisissubjecttovolunteers beingabletoopenandlockthedoor. Gratefulthanksgotoallwhohave offeredtohelpandtoBCPwhohave kindlyagreedtoopenandclosethe hidethreedays aweek. Volunteersare

Migrationhasbeensteadywithbirds returningtotheirwinteringgrounds inAfrica;theirlongjourneybriefly observedbylocalbirders.Therehas alsobeentheexcitementof aregular visitortotheharbouroverthelastfew weeks.AnOspreyhasbeen recorded almostdailyinandaroundtheharbour. Itispossiblethattheremaybetwo individuals,oneofwhichhasbeen trackedtakingitsfishbacktoits favouritefeedingtreejustnorthofthe AvonCauseway.

Osprey by Scott Usher

OpeningofNew Hide by David Taylor

Anotherbeautifulsightistheyellow wagtailwhichhasbeenplentifulinour areaonHengistburyHeadandStanpit Marsh.

Interestinl986.Thesaltmarshisdiverse withcreeks,saltpans,mudflats, reed beds,freshwatermarshareas,gravel estuarinebanksandsandyscrub.There areover300speciesofplantsand313 birdspecies recordedeitherbreeding orpassingthroughduringspringand autumnmigration.Themarshcreatesa havenforwildlifesupportinginvertebrate fauna,(butterflies,dragonfliesand creepycrawlies). We aresoluckyto havethisuniqueareaofferingscenic viewsandsomuchmoretoenhanceour wellbeing.

CHOGmembers reportallsightings viatheCHOGwebsite,soanupdated recordiskept.Knowingtheplace namesonStanpit(Stanpeta)helps locatesightingsonthe65hectare site.Birdersoften refertotheseareas namedonthemapwhen recording observations.Themarshwas designatedas aLocalNatureReserve inl964and aSiteofSpecialScientific

Anyonewishingformoreinformation aboutCHOGortojoin,pleaselookon theCHOGwebsite. CHOG.org.uk

YellowWagtail by Alan Hyden

Welcome to Nayberle

Localfriendlyhelpasandwhen youneedit.

Do yourememberthedayswhen youhadthatonespecialneighbourwho wasalways lookingout foryouand yourlovedones?Doyou rememberwhennothing wastoo muchtrouble forthemandtheywerealwaysmorethanhappytohelp youwhenever andwithwhatever youneeded? Ifyoustillhave thishowspecialthisisnowadays,butif youdon’t howwould youliketohavethisbackagain?

Nayberleis exactlythis, we areneighbourlyandwillcomeandhelpandsupport youin yourhomewithwhatever youneedandwheneveryouneedit,nothingis toomuch trouble forour Nayberle helpers.

We canarrangeforone of our Nayberlehelpers to comeandhelp youfromaslittleas 30minutesup to full24hoursperdayliveincare.PleasecallAlison fora freesupport assessmenton 07918984482 oremail alison@Nayberle.com sheis readyand eagerto speak to youaboutwhatbenefitsthereare to having aNayberlehelperin yourlife.

Comeandjoinus

Areyou agoodneighbour?Could youbeNayberle to peoplewhouseourservice?Are you caringand feelgoodwhen youhavegoneabove andbeyond to help others?Ifyouhave said yestoall of thesethen wewouldlove to meetyou!

As aNayberle carerorhelper youwillbecome avitalpersoninthelives of ourserviceusers makingsurethattheyhavealltheirneedsmetandin return foryouroutstanding work we will reward youwith averycompetitivesalarywith aguaranteedminimumhourcontract (subject to passingourcriteria), excellenttrainingand ateamaround youthatwillbeas supportiveandashelpfulas youare to ourserviceusers.

Nayberleis alocalservice to helplocalpeoplewithmakingtherunning of theirday to day businesseasier.Weneedkindandcaringpeoplewho want to makeadifferenceinpeople’s livesandbethebest of thebest.

If thissoundslikeyouthenpleasedonothesitatetocontactAlison: Tel:07918984482oremail:alison@nayberle.co.uk sheis waitingand very eagertotalk to you!

GOINGGREEN

By ColinSeager

Throughthehazemultiplepairsofnostrils morphedintofaces,babblingtheirconcernfor Lance.Elliekneltbesidehim.

‘Dad,dad,areyou OK? Youshouldn’thave starteditonyourown. We’llcallanambulance.’

‘Noneed,justshaken.Lostmyfooting reaching toohigh. Iwantedtogetitdonebeforewestarted. I’llbealright.’

‘Letmehelpyouup,youshouldhavewaited. We’vegot apoleweusetohookthebuntingover thehigherbranches. Youdidn’thavetoclimbit.’

‘Don’tfussdarling,I’lltake abreather, don’twant tomissmyfirstAppleDay.Givemeafewminutes.’

‘Areyousure,shall IcallMum?’

‘No,no,don’tworry her.We’llseeherlaterfor thecelebrationmeal. IpromiseI’llbeOK.Giveme yourhand.’

ElliepulledLancetohisfeetonlyforhimtofall backsuckinghisteethwithpain.

‘Nogood, Ican’tputanyweightonmyankle.’

‘StaythereDad. We’llgethelp.’

EventuallyAppleDaywentahead.Lance’s misfortunedidn’tput astoptothetraditional incantationsandsingingintheorchardtocelebrate andraiseawarenessofthevarietyanddiversityof thenaturalworld.

Angiepickedhimupfromhospitalandthe firstthingshesaidwas,‘trustyoudarling,thank goodnessitwasn’tanyworse.ButLancedear, you’restillmyhero,evenif abitdaft.Whydidn’t yougethelpbeforeyou starteddecoratingthe tree?’

‘Idunno, Iwassokeentodomybit,youknow me. IwantedtoshowElliehowmuchwesupport herandthelocalGoingGreenGroup.’

‘Sheknowsthat.Initiallyshedid aguilttripjob onus,butshewasright,it’suptoallofustomake

adifference.Lookwhatwe’vedonealready.You didn’tneedtoclimbupthattreetoproveit.When didyoulastdothat?

Lancestoppedtoadjustthecrutches.

‘You’rerightAngie. We changedtheRange Rover,goneelectric,becomevegetarians,nomore long-haulholidaysandnow,withyourone-inone-outpolicy,ifweneednew clothes,wegoto acharityshop.Plus,we’veturnedthegardeninto awild-flowermeadowandhaven’tboughtbottled waterformonths.’

‘Don’tforgetwealsosupportthe Woodland TrustandtheWildlife Trust.’

‘Notbadeh?AllthankstoElliesettingan exampletousoldies.’

AngiehelpedLanceintotheNissanLeaf.

‘Yousureyou stillwanttogototheevening celebrations,wouldn’tyourather rest,it’sbeen quite adayforyou?’

‘Youbet, Iwouldn’tmissit,particularlythe apple-pie.Let’shope Iget asliceof theoneyou made.Everyonewassohelpful. Iwanttoshow themhowdeterminedwearetoflytheflag.I’ll havetositoutthedancing,that’llpleaseEllie,I usuallyembarrasshersomething rotten.’

Strappedin,LanceturnedtoAngie.

‘Iforgottotellyou;theGroupwillbepleased that Iwenttohospital.’

‘Why,whatdoyoumean?’

‘Thesurgeonaskedmehowcome Ifelloutofan appletreeatmyage.’

‘Whatdidyousay?’

‘Itoldhimaboutthegroup,that Iwasdecorating thetree,howtreescanhave amajor rolein establishing alowcarbonfuture,abouttheneedto safeguardourlivingplanet…’

‘Hemusthavebeenboredoutofhisskull;you dogoonsometimes.’

‘Quitethecontrarymydarling.Doyouknow whathesaid?’

‘No.’

‘Hesaid,heunderstoodandwhilsthe repaired myankle, Ihelpedto repairtheweboflife.What’s morehesaidhe’dthinkaboutjoiningthegroup, goodnews,eh?’

Angiepressedthestarter,‘perhaps,let’swait andsee. Isupposeifhedidatleastnextyearhe’d beonhandtostopyoubeing asillybugger.’

EARWAX Removal Service

BookReview

TheCatWhoSavedBooksbySosukeNatsukawa£9.99

NatsukiBooksis atinysecond-handbookshopontheedgeoftown.Inside, toweringshelves reachtheceiling,everyonecrammedfullofwonderful books.RintaroNatsukilovedthisspacethathisgrandfatherhadcreatedand spentmanyhappyhours readingwhateverhelikedintheshop.Itwasthe perfect refugefor aboy whotendedtobesomethingof arecluse. Butafterthedeathofhisgrandfather,Rintaro isdevastatedandalone.It seemshewillhavetoclosetheshop.Then, atalkingtabbycatcalled Tiger appearsandasksRintaroforhelp.Grandpausedtosayitallthetime: bookshavetremendouspower,buthowwillthepowerofbookshelpthis oddcoupleontheirmagicaladventures?SosukeNatsukawa’sinternational bestselleris aheart-warmingstoryforadultsaboutfindingcourage,caring forothersandthetremendouspowerofbooks.

Index, AHistoryofthebyDennisDuncan(ourprice£16)

Thisisthesecretworldoftheindex:anunsungbutextraordinaryeveryday tool,withanillustriousbutlittle-knownpast.Chartingitscuriouspathfrom themonasteriesanduniversitiesofthirteenth-centuryEuropetoSilicon Valley inthetwenty-first,DennisDuncan revealshowtheindexhassavedheretics fromthestake,keptpoliticiansfromhighofficeandmadeusallintothe readerswearetoday.

We followitthroughGermanprintshopsandEnlightenmentcoffeehouses, novelists’living roomsanduniversitylaboratories,encounteringemperors andpopes,philosophersandprimeministers,poets,librariansand -of course -indexersalongtheway.Mostofusgivelittlethoughttothebackof thebook -it’sjustwhereyougotolookthingsup.Buthere,hidinginplain sight,isanunlikely realmofambitionandobsession,sparringandpoliticking, pleasureandplay.HerewemightfindButchers,tobeavoided,orCowsthat sh-teFire,orevencatchCalvininhischamberwith aNonne.

TheChristmasaurusandtheNaughtyListby TomFletcher (ourprice£9.99)published14thOctober.Ages7-11

TheChristmasaurusisbackin anew festiveadventurefrombestselling author TomFletcher.YouknowabouttheNaughtyandNiceList,right? Santa’stop-secrettrackerthatheALWAYScheckstwice? Well,thisyear, theChristmasaurusison amissiontotrackdownchildrenwhohavefound themselvesontheNaughtyListtohelpthemputwrongstorights,naughty tonice.Thisis astory aboutmischievouskidslearningtheerroroftheir ways,butit’salsoaboutsharingthetruespiritofChristmasand realisingthat sometimesthingsaren’tquiteastheyfirstappear.

At BH6BooksandHome wesellnewbooks,cards,jigsaws,giftsandhome-waresandalthough we’resmall,weprideourselveson aconstantlychangingstockthat reflectsthebestinpublishing, carddesign,homeandgiftware. We also takeordersforbooks,CDs,DVDsandvinyl,withmost ordersarrivingwithin24-48hours.

Whynotgetintouchon 01202418403,email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk findusonsocial media @bh6booksandhome orpickup aChristmasCatalogueinstore.

EmptySeatsand Hearts

ShortStory By MarkLaming

Alexignoredtheir stares,heardthe unkind remarksand continued to readhis newspaper.Therewere somanyempty seats onthe Londonundergroundtrainwhich was unusual fortherush hour.Thecrowds were there, theonlydifference todaywasnobody was choosing to sit by the manwho wassitting next to him. Andwho couldblamethem,the smell wasterrible.It wasenoughtoturnthe strongeststomach.However,themantheywere avoiding certainly wasn’t bothering Alex. He watchedas fellow travellers went togreat lengths to avoidthe stretchofseatsthey occupied.Theypreferred to become wedged betweenotherpassengersbustling forabetter position. Theirclothes becamecrumpledas theyrubbedagainst eachother.Heobserved theirscrewedupfaces as weakmeaningless apologies were made

andsoon forgotten. Thentherewerepeople hangingon to thehard blackball attached toa taughtspringthathung fromthe ceiling -the traveller’s steadying tool.Surely grasping thatdirty thingwiththe millionstickyfingerprints harbouringgermsmust have beenfar worsethan sitting by themannext to Alex.Hewasannoyed nobodyappeared to feel anycompassion forthis manwho wasclearlygoingthrough abadtime. Insteadtheirsilentdeclaration rangoutloud astheygawped at his clothes,frayedtrousers patchedupcrudely with asafetypinholdingajustaboutzipper together,Aleatherbelt engrainedwith remnants ofbluepaintheldupthe trousersthatweretoo large forhim.Heworean oldfadeddenimjacket thathungonhissmall bonyframe.Theonce whiteteeshirtwith food stains wasnow ruffled thin cottonbeyond anyone’s laundering

skills.Hisscuffed grubby trainers were obviously onceexpensivedesigner footwear.Surelythe garmentshe wore must have beenonesthecharityshopthrewout. Thisman’s thinsad hollowfacerockedfrom side to sidewiththe motionofthetrain. The shavenhead revealed scarsfromhiseveryday battlesprobablyfrom leaninginto bins to extractfoodandanything ofuse to him.

Thenthetraincame toa suddenstopin atunnel, resultingin alongwait. Silencehungheavy as everyone listened to the announcement, anoisy scratchysoundwithan apologyaboutanincidentfurtheruptheline. Anextratenminutesdelaywas to be expected. Theair wasfullofsighs, longdrawnouttutsas travellerschecked watchesandloosenedtiesas theheatincreased.With thenoisyenginenow silencedthecarriageno longerthrobbedunder their feet.Thesound was replacedwithpeople

moaningaboutthe poorserviceonLondon Underground.Theheat sawpassengersopenthe littleslattedwindows. Thisbroughtinstaleair, thesmellofthetunnel thatwasquiteoverpowering.

Thestinkyairincreased and Alex observed peoplenowshuttingthe windows.Thenewcrisis; the revoltingsmellfrom outsidehad overtaken anyinterestthetravellers hadinthepassenger next to Alex.Suddenly therewas aworseodour to avoidthanhim. Someoneevencame overand askedifthey couldclose the vent above hishead.

ling to gethimhome to thefamily.

Everyone onthattube trainmusthavewonderedjustwhyAlexhad remainedseatednextto thisman fortheentirety ofthejourney.He showednosignsofbeing killedoffordidthey thinkhe’d undergonean operation to remove his senseofsmell?Butthen again,whyshouldn’t he sitnext to hisbrother Stevenwhoheloved dearly? They were travel-

Onthattrainjourneyobservingthe cold-hearted people Alex toldhimself thatthey knewnothing about Stevenwho’d foughtinAfghanistan andcameback abroken man. Withshellshock andunable to come to termswithkillingother humanbeings,hewent to pieces. Whenhe returned to the UKand wasdischarged fromthearmy he refused counsellingandnever madethejourneyback home.Hesimplydisappeared courtinghis cold dark depression. Alex’s family were distraughtas theymadeenquirieson Steven’s whereabouts,to no avail. They continued searchnot kn ifhe wasdeador alive. Thenon one wonderfulmorning, acall came

London. Andnow Alex wasbringinghim home.Itwasgoing to be adifficulttime and thefamily wouldhave to bepatientand give him space. They’d allagreed not tocomplicate and overcrowdhishomecomingwith toomuch love andaffection. The mainthing washewas safeandeveryone was relievedhe’d been found. Sittingnext to Steven onthattrain Alex felt soproudofhis brother. Mostofthepassengers hadleftthecarriage, takingtheiremptyhearts withthemandleaving theseatswherethe two brotherssatquietlyalone withtheirthoughts.

through to sayhe wassafe andliving ina hostel

Thereisashortageofrental propertyin thisarea!

We arereceivingmanycallsandemailenquiries everyday, especiallyforpropertiesin Mudeford &WestChristchurch.

Most tenantsare lookingfor long term rentals,anythingfrom12months to 10 years,andon averageour tenantsin3-bedroomhousesstaya littleover8 years.

Renting apropertyoutcangiveagoodincome, certainlymorethanputting moneyinthebankand,theasset isthere,itdoesn’tgo away until yousellit.

Areyouin aposition to become alandlord,have you inherited aproperty,doyouhave moneyinthebank earningpitifulinterest?

In early2009 Iwasapproached by achap looking to investin abuy-to-letproperty; at thetimehewas looking to investc£230,000.

We satdowntogetherandshortlisted5 propertiesfrom localagents’details,hethen wentawayto make appointments to view theseproperties. Ithenaccompaniedhim onall 5viewingstogivemyinputas to what eachproperty would returnas farasrental income.Duringthatdaywe settledon1 house;anextended 3bedroomsemi offof CometWay in Mudefordpriced at £230,000.

Overthenext weeksthenegotiations culminatedinanagreementtobuythehouse at £220,000andabout 5weekslaterhehad thekeys. Therewasnomortgage required to buy,themoneycamefromaninheritance.

May2009,purchased for:£220,000 Rent received2009 –2021c£143,335

SaleagreedApril2021 £347,500 Obviouslytherehave been costs –c£18,000 Sowhatdothesefiguresshow?

Theyshowthatthe ownerhas returned approximately £125,000(rentless costs)on hisoriginalinvestment–about50%andhe nowhasan assetworth£127,500more thanhepaid forit, an overall “profit” of c£252,500, –114%!

Idon’tknowwhathedid with theincome but,ifhesaveditforhis retirement,that combinedwiththesaleproceeds couldmean thathenow hasalmost£500,000 available

Wall Street movie(1987)GordonGekko: “Idon’tthrow dartsataboard. Ibet onsurethings. Read Sun-tzu, TheArt of War. Everybattleiswonbefore itis everfought.”

jeremy.clarke@belvoirlettings.com