The Mudeford Mag | July 2021

The M Muuddefforrd Mag

6. Puzzzles

Short Story: GarfieldC Fletcher MovesOn S32

12. No Place Like Home

18. Recipe: Apriicot Tart t

20. Meedditeerrranean Cuisiinne e

22. Veteerrinary y Corner

24. Wine of thhe e Moonth h

S2. Russsell Coteess: In n the Garddeen

S4. Friiends of f Hursst Castlle

S6. Local Histtoory y

S10. Life e in Maallaayysiia

S12. St Beeees Lighthhouse

S14. RNLI Muuddefoorrd d Lifeebboat Guild d

S22. Rapids of Grief

S26. Poem: Desiiddeerata a

Welcometothe Mudeford Mag!

Summer is hereandoutdooreventsarenow abletogoahead,wejustneeda bitof sunshineto make it allperfect.

Really good newsthat MudefordArtsFestival is backandwill betakingplace on Mudeford Quay Greenon24/25th July andatthesame venuebut adifferentdateRNLI Mudeford

LifeboatGuild areholding aBlueLightDay on August1st when youwill getachanceto chat to the volunteersandprofessionals.

If youare afan of 60’smusic and youfancya boogie, youmay wanttobookticketsto see TheRevolvers who Iamsurewill be playing some favourites fromthateraon16th July at TheBarn,New Milton.

Whatever youdo,orwhereveryou go please stay safe.

S30. Book Reviieewws s

58. Short Stoorry y

64. Traavvel: Maallta a

72. All Saints s Newslleetttteer r

Best Wishes, Julie

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

Be it ever sohumblethereisnoplace likehome.

Backinmyyouth,when IflittedfromhousetohouseinLondon, Iwould sometimeswonderif Iwouldeversettle.Often, Iwouldfindmyselfina property,livingwithfourothers,havingthebiggestamountoffun,onlyto havemyhousematesupandleaveandtobe replaced,insomeinstances, withpeople Iwouldrathernotlivewith. Iwouldfindmyselfpackingmybags again,movingon.

Eveninthoseratherdrearycircumstances Idorecallthat Ikeptaninner lightburning,wherever Ilived, Iwoulddecoratemybedroomwithcandles andcushionsandfairylightsandeventhough Iwouldfindmyselfsnuggled inbedmostevenings,watchingTV,thoselittletoucheshelpedmemakeme feelbrighter.

Puttingprettylittletouchestoyourhome,touchesthatbringjoyintoyour life,iswhatit’sallabout.

Elizabeth X

AuthenticMediterraneanCuisinewithChefJosé thentic Mediterranean C isine with Chef José

Mackerel in Batter, Andalusian Style

Ingredients:

3CleanedMackerel

80gPlainFlour

2ClovesofGarlic

AlittlebitofParsley

MildOliveOil,forfrying

Preparation:

Separatethetwoloinsofmackerel andseason.

Cleanandfinelychopthegarlicand parsley.

Coatthemackerelloinswiththe choppedgarlicandparsley.

Heattheoliveoilin afryingpan.Coat eachloininflourandfryinpairsfor about 1minuteoneachside.

Drainonabsorbentpaperandserve. Servewithsomesaladorsome GrenadineMigas.

Mediterraneancuisinewithsoul,madewithlove,toteachandtransmittheGastronomic CultureofSpain.

Withsimple,fresh,aromatic,variedingredients,fullofflavourandsunshine. We make100% Spanishfoodtoenjoyandshare.

Enjoyour recipesandshareyourexperiences.

IfyoulikeSpanishfoodandwhatwedo,pleasesupportusby SUBSCRIBING.

Watch me prepare this and other meals on my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSpanishKitchen

eMail me: thespanishkitchen@outlook.com

AtPrioryweallknowthegriefthat comeswithlosing apet. Truly apart ofthefamily,theyleave aholeinour heartsandourlivesandatPriory,we understandthatjustlikethelossofa humanmemberofthefamily,everyone experiencesitanddealswithitin differentways.

Whenthetimecomestosaygoodbye, weoffer achoiceoflocations;one ofourconsulting roomsisavailable foranownertobewiththeirpetat theend,orwehavebeenusingour garden(pictured)as apeacefulplace tobidthemfarewell.Covid restrictions stillmeanthatthenumberofpeople whocanaccompany apetinsideis restrictedtoone,andthatPPEhas tobewornbutwehaveadapted throughoutthelast15monthsandhave managedeachsituationon acaseby casebasis.

We knowthatthinkingabouteuthanasia ishard,buttakingsometimetothink aboutit,discussitwithusandaskany questionsyoumayhave,isthebest preparationownerscanmake.By havinganideaofwhattoexpectanda planinplace,theuncertaintyistaken awayandownersgivethemselvesthe opportunitytospendqualitytimewith theirpetbeforetheappointment.

After apethaspassed,thegriefand senseoflosscanbeoverwhelming. We areworkingwith alocalbusinesscalled MoggiesandMuttlieswhoofferpet

andcompanionanimalbereavement support. We areplanningtohavegroup supportsessionsatourHighcliffe surgeryoncethisispossiblebut,in themeantime,Caroloffersonetoone supportandhelp.Moreinformationcan befoundat:

www.moggiesandmuttlies.co.uk.

Ifyouthinkyouareapproachingthis timewithoneofyourpets,pleasegive us acalltostarttheconversationwitha memberofPriorystaffon 01202484466.

AgreatnewadditionhereatBonafidewines,webegan stockingLosIntocablesbasedon acustomer request.

We decidedtotrythewineandwewerenotdisappointed!

MaturedinBourbonbarrelsfor12monthsthisMalbecgives offaromasofsmoke,chocolateandcaramel.

Inthemouth,thenoseprovidesflavoursofvanillaandjam ofcooked redfruits,suchasblackberriesandplums.

ThiswineisperfectforBBQ’sandsmokedmeats.

Thewinecomesinat13.5%volsoisverymoreishbut manageableplus,as abonus,itdoesn’tleaveyouwitha soreheadthenextday.

Open 7days aweek

TuesdaytoSunday12pmto8pm Monday3pmto8pm

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!

Huurrst t Casttlle Ke

eyyhaaven

TheFriends of HurstCastlewas formed in1986toactas asupport grouptothishistoriclocal site,which now belongs to EnglishHeritage. Theday-to-dayrunning of thecastleisthe responsibilityofHurstMarine,while ourregular‘Monday Gang’ofvolunteers aims tocarry outsomeessentialmaintenanceas well as workingon projectsthat help to enhancethe visitor experience. We haveabout300 memberswho enjoy unlimited free accesstothe castleaspartoftheir membership.

OurWinterandSummer BBQsatthe castleare always popular andour Fish-n-ChipCruiseto Yarmouth,enjoyed on board Solent Rose as we cruisetotheNeedles (weatherpermitting),is always asuccess.Alsoweendeavour to havean evening’sentertainmentduringthe season,in theGarrisonTheatre, originally setupby the castlegarrisonand usedby ENSA duringWWII fromaround 1939.Asfaras we know it is the only suchtheatreinthe UK stillinuse today. TheTudorpartofthe castlereopened atthe beginningofJunebutsadly,for thetimebeing, theEastand West wingsremainclosed tothe publicforongoingrepairs by EnglishHeritage, includingrestorationworkonthe outerwalls.

Ifyouwould liketobecomea member of The‘Friends’,andbea part ofthehistory of HurstCastle, please emailour membership secretary, TriciaHayne (trjhayne@gmail.com),who would behappyto send youmoreinformationand amembership form.

ThePikemenandMusketeersvisitthecastle

TheFBPocketOrchestraentertainintheGarrisonTheatre

LOCALHISTORY

Major GeneralCharles BakerVC, aheroofthe Indian Mutiny

Ioften think Ishould exploreChristchurch Cemetery(Jumpers Road). Ikeepfindingfamous figureswhoareburiedthere,and my latest subjectisanother.Major-GeneralCharles George BakerVC(1830-1906) wasa heroofthe Indian Mutiny. Hediedin Southbourneaged75andis buriedinour cemetery.

Born in Bengal(British India)on8th December 1830 to Suffolkparents,youngBaker was returned to East Anglia forhiseducation.He servedinthe MerchantNavyand wassecond officeraboardthe‘Douro’whenit waswrecked on26th May1854. The23-year-oldBaker,and sevenothers,clamberedaboardanopenboat andheadedinthegeneraldirectionofHong Kong.Aneventfultrip,enlivened by escaping frompirates,saw them reachtheirdestination on3rdJuneafterajourneyof over 500milesand eightdays.

Bakerthenchanged course,joiningtheEast India Company’sBengal Army,thenbecoming Secondin Commandofthe Bengal MilitaryPolice Battalionin April1856. Theactionwhichsaw Bakerbecome aVCoccurredon27thSeptember 1858,duringthe Indian Mutiny, when his force

foughtrebels at Suhenjee.Baker &Co. were taskedwithdislodgingthe rebelsfrom avillage they were occupyingdespitethefactthey numbered over 1,000whilsthissmall attacking forcemusteredonlyaround120.

WhileBaker’s contingentformedupand assesseditsoptions,theenemy, emboldened by such feebleopponents,decided to abandon itspositionand attack.Baker,withhis3rdSikh Irregular Cavalryand1stBengal PoliceCavalry, decided attack wasthebest form ofdefenceand chargedthe rebel rankswhose rightbroke.The centre andleftstood andfacedthechargebut alsosoonturnedtail,thewholebeingpursued foraround twomiles.The rebelslost80-90men killedwithmanymorewounded.

Baker’s forcelostoneman killedwitharound17 wounded,includingtheinappropriately-named George BellChicken,who wasanythingbut craven,and wasanother recipientoftheVCthat day. Baker waspraised forhis exploitswhich were‘deservingofthehighestencomium’(praise) and wasrecommended fortheVC alongwith Mr.Chicken, acivilian volunteer.Baker’s citation praisedhis ‘gallantconductontheoccasionofan attackonthe rebels at Suhenjee,near Peroo, on 27th September1858’.

Baker continuedservingwiththe Bengal MilitaryPoliceand by 1863hadbeenappointed Officiating DeputyInspector-Generalof Military PolicefortheDacca Circleof Bengalwhichis quiteamouthful.Hisnext entanglementwas servingintheSultan’s army intheBalkansduring theRusso-Turkish War(1877-78)whenthe Russianscapturedhim. TheSultanmadeBakera Major-Generaland‘LewaPasha’(ensign/banner generalorsomesuch).He went on to headup the Egyptian PoliceForce,continuing to work in Egyptian Securityuntilhis retirementin1895.

Afterretiring,BakermovedtoSouthbournewith hiswife, Charlotte, livingin Belle VueRoad.He diedon19th February1906.

By Stephen Roberts www.steveroberts.org.uk Twitter:@SRChristchurch

eMail:littleval@talktalk.net

Major GeneralCharles George BakerVC,late-1800s (fromthe collectionsoftheImperial WarMuseum)

Whetheryou arelooking todip your toebackinthewaterwith asailing around the UK, ashortercruise that’sclosetohome,orifyou arelookingtocruise further afield andstart exploringtheworld again, Fred.Olsen CruiseLines havetriedtomakeyournextcruiseaseasyaspossible foryou to find.

or 2022sailingstoday andyoucanenjoya FREEDrinks Package* or FREEOnBoardSpending money*

202 1S AI LINGS 2022SAILINGS

Iceland’sWhales, Waterfalls &Geysers

14thAugust 2021 |Borealis

9Nights |SailfromLiverpool from £1,299PP

FREEDRINKSORUPTO£125PP

Bolette’s Maiden Voyage

16thAugust2021 |Bolette

3Nights |SailfromDover from £499PP

ENJOYUPTO£50PP ONBOARDSPENDINGMONEY*

ScenicBritishIsles &SummerWildlife

19thAugust2021 |Bolette

5Nights |SailfromDover from £699PP

PP

NewYearEscapeToThe Canaries

4thJanuary2022 |Bolette

14 Nights |SailfromSouthampton from £1,699PP FREEDRINKSORUPTO£200PP

*

AncientAdriaticWith Venice

13thFebruary2022 |Bolette

19Nights |SailfromSouthampton from £2,199PP

FREEDRINKSORUPTO£250PP

ClassicNorwegianFjords

7thApril2022 |Bolette

*

7Nights |SailfromSouthampton from £999PP

FREEDRINKSORUPTO£100PP

*

AspectsofLifeinMalaysia

By Marianne Thatcher

In1980myfamilyand Ispent afewyears inMalaysia,livingin amixed Chineseand Indianneighbourhood.

Therewas aproblemwithpettytheft,so houseswithgardenswerefencedinwith widegatesforthecars.Whenthehouse ownerarrivedhomehewouldhonkhis hornandwaitfortheAmahtoopenthe gate.IftheAmahwasn’tfastenough,there wouldbemorehonking,soweknewwho arrivedhomewhen.Almosteveryonehad anAmah,usually awoman,whohelped aroundthehouse,withcooking,cleaning, gardeningandchildren.

Shoppingwasmadeeasierbyhawkers whocruised roundhousingestateswith theirwares.Thedumplingmanwould comearoundthecornersingingoutKwaiKwai.Hesolddelicioussteamed redbean andmungbeandumplingsandother goodies.Thegascannistersuppliedthe burnerunderthewokcontainingthe round bambootrays. Afriendlyyoungmanselling freshpork,wouldcall“Tzu-ok,wadjuwan” asheappeareddownour road.Tzu-ok meansporkinCantonese,andwadjuwan, wasMalaysianEnglishmeaningwhatdo youwant?

latefifties,theChinesewoman,wearinga t-shirtwithadvertisementonthefrontand back,anddarktrousers,wouldclimboff herHonda50andserveneighboursfresh fish,prawns,andvegetables.Therewere carrots,pakchoy,bittergourdandvarious leafyones Ididn’tknowthenameof, drapedoverthesideofhersidecart.

Shewasquicktoweightheproducewith herDai-singandnameanexorbitant price. ADai-singis atraditionalChinese measuringapparatus,consistingofa roundedwoodenbarwithmarkingsalong it,and aloopofstringsuspending around trayatoneendfortheproduce,andthe otherendanotherloopedstringwitha fittingforthebrassweights.

Ahootersoundannouncedtheapproach ofthefishandveglady.Probablyinher

Aringingbellconfirmedthebreadand noodleman’sarrival.Hesoldsmallloaves ofwhitebreadinplasticbags,aswellas littlecakes,tastelesspowderybiscuits,and lotsofdifferentkindsofdriednoodleswith tinyspiceandsaucebagsinthepackets. Onedaywementionedthatwehadbrown breadinEngland.Hiseyeslitup;“Canlah” hesaid,“Ibringnextweek.”Indeedhedid bringbrownbreadnexttime. We boughta packetandwhenweopenedit,thecolour wasmottled,itwasthesamewhitebread withbrownfoodcolouring,half-mixed-in!

©Marianne Thatcher

RNLIMUDEFORDLIFEBOATGUILD

BLUELIGHTDAYAUGUST1ST2021MUDEFORDGREEN

YOURCHANCETO TALKTOTHEVOLUNTEERSANDPROFESSIONALS

Ambulance:NewMiltonCommunityFirstResponse Team -attend999callstoprovidebasiclifesupportcareuntilthearrivaloftheemergencyambulance.

ChristchurchSailingClub -overlookingtheRiversStourand Avon,andadjacenttoChristchurchtown quay.

CivilAirSupport -operate afleetofprivately-ownedaircraftandsupplyairsupporttothecommunity wherealternativesarenotavailable.

DorsetSearch &Rescue -provide avoluntaryserviceofferingsupporttoDorsetPoliceandotheremergencyservicespredominatelywithmissingpersons,majorincidentsandscenesofcrime.

Dorset &SomersetAirAmbulance -provideanairand road-deliveredcriticalcarecapability. Operationalcostsareover£5million ayearandtheapproximatecostpermissionis£3,000.

Dorset &Wiltshire Fire& RescueService -Christchurchisoneof50firestationswithintheservice, andiscrewedbybothwholetimeandon-callfirefighters.

GirlGuides -Withmorethan4500members,GirlguidingDorsetgivesgirlsandyoungwomen aspace wheretheycanbethemselves,havethebestexperiencesandlearnlifelongessentialskills.

HighcliffeSailingClub -Ideallyplaced forbothharbourandseasailing,HighcliffeSailingClubispassionateaboutpromotingandfacilitatingtheenjoymentofdinghysailing,kayaking,paddleboardingand windsurfingforthewholecommunity.

HMCoastguard -HMCoastguardSouthbournearevolunteersoncall24hours aday365daysofthe yeartocarryoutsearches,water rescues,helicopterlandingsitesecurity,andcliff rescues,assistingfire, lifeboat,ambulanceandpoliceservices.

MudefordSea Scouts -are aRNrecognisedseascoutgroupfor 6to18yearoldsbasedinMudeford andwith afleetofpowerboats,sailingdinghiesandkayaksattheHengistburyHeadoutdooractivity centre.

Maritime VolunteerService –isanationalmaritimetrainingorganizationthatpromoteslearningin maritimeskills,andsupportstheboatingcommunity,thelocalcouncil,andemergencyservices,insafety, securityandenvironmentalconservationbyproviding apresenceonthewater.

NationalCoastwatchInstitution(NCI) -Watchkeepersprovide avitallinkwithalltheemergencyserviceswhenanyonegetsintotrouble,whetheronthewaterortheshoreline. TrainedvolunteersalertHM Coastguardanddirecttheappropriate rescueservicestothecasualty.

Police:ChristchurchNeighbourhoodPolice Team -workwithyoungpeoplearoundanysafeguarding, anti-socialbehaviourandneighbourhoodissues.

RAYNET -isanemergencycommunicationsserviceprovidedvoluntarilybyradioamateursusingamateurradiofrequencies,providing aback-upcommunicationfacilityinanemergency.

RedCross –localvolunteersaretrainedtoworkalongsidetheemergencyservicesincludingat rest centresandduringsevereweatherorfollowingfireorfloodevacuation.

RNLI –savinglivesatseafor200years.

Samaritans -Everysevenseconds,Samaritans respondsto acallforhelp.Thereisnopressurenor judgement.Samaritansisheretotakeyourcalls24hours aday,365days eachyear.Callfreeon116 123.

SERVWessexBloodBikes -deliverblood,platelets,urgentmedicalsamplesandequipmenttotheNHS locally.Theyalso resupplyHIOWAirAmbulancewithbloodandplasmaandoffer ahumanmilkcollectionserviceformums.

Shoresports -operatesfromMudefordQuay.Learn tosail,windsurf,kayakorstand-up-paddleboard (SUP)withfriendly,qualifiedinstructors,join atrainingcourseorsimplyhireequipment.

UniversityHospitalsDorset –comprisingRoyalBournemouth,PooleandChristchurchhospitals.

WaterSearch &Rescue Team -isavoluntarysearch &rescueteamthatworks24/7365days ayear; oneofaverylimitednumberofspecialistteams;externaltoPolice,Fireand Ambulanceservices,that hasoperational responsibilityacrosstheUK.

Desiderata

GOPLACIDLY amidthenoiseandthehaste,and rememberwhatpeacethere maybeinsilence.Asfaraspossible,withoutsurrender,beongood termswithallpersons.

Speakyourtruthquietlyandclearly;andlistentoothers,eventothedulland theignorant;theytoohavetheirstory.

Avoidloudandaggressivepersons;theyarevexatioustothespirit.Ifyou compareyourselfwithothers,youmaybecomevainorbitter,foralwaysthere willbegreaterandlesserpersonsthanyourself.

Enjoyyourachievementsaswellasyourplans.Keepinterestedinyourown career,howeverhumble;itis arealpossessioninthechanging fortunesoftime.

Exercisecautioninyourbusinessaffairs,fortheworldisfulloftrickery.Butlet thisnotblindyoutowhatvirtuethereis;manypersonsstriveforhighideals, andeverywherelifeisfullofheroism.

Beyourself.Especiallydonotfeignaffection.Neitherbecynicalaboutlove; forinthefaceofallaridityanddisenchantment,itisasperennialasthegrass.

Takekindlythecounseloftheyears,gracefullysurrenderingthe thingsofyouth.

Nurturestrengthofspirittoshieldyouinsuddenmisfortune.Butdonot distressyourselfwithdarkimaginings.Manyfearsarebornof fatigueandloneliness.

Beyond awholesomediscipline,begentlewithyourself. Youare achildofthe universenolessthanthetreesandthestars;youhave arighttobehere.

Andwhetherornotitiscleartoyou,nodoubttheuniverseisunfoldingasit should.ThereforebeatpeacewithGod,whateveryouconceiveHimtobe. Andwhateveryourlaborsandaspirations,inthenoisyconfusionoflife,keep peaceinyoursoul.Withallitssham,drudgeryandbrokendreams,itisstilla beautifulworld.Becheerful.Strivetobehappy.

ByMaxEhrmann ©1927

BookReview

TheMarlowMurderClubbyRobertThorogood£8.99

FromthewriterofBBC1’sDeathinParadisecomesthefirstin anewcrime seriesfeaturing77yearoldsuper-sleuthJudithPotts.Oneevening,while outswimmingintheThames,Judithwitnesses abrutalmurder.Thelocal policedon’tbelieveherstory,soshedecidestoinvestigateforherself,and issoonjoinedinherquestbySuzie, asalt-of-the-earthdog-walker,and Becks,theprimandproperwifeofthelocal Vicar. Together,theyarethe MarlowMurderClub.Whenanotherbodyturnsup,they realisetheyhave areal-lifeserialkillerontheirhands.Andthepuzzletheysetouttosolve hasbecome atrapfromwhichtheymightneverescape...Anideal readfor anyonewhoenjoyedRichardOsman’sThursdayMurderClub.

Aroundthe Worldin80PlantsbyJonathanDrori£20

Aninspirationalandbeautifullyillustratedbookthattellsthestoriesof 80plantsfromaroundtheglobe,bringingtolifethescienceofplantsby revealinghowtheirworldsareintricatelyentwinedwithourownhistory, cultureandfolklore. Acompanionvolumetohispreviouslypublished Aroundthe Worldin80 Trees,wecometolearnthatsomeplantshavea troublingpast,whileothershaveignitedhumancreativityorenabledwhole civilizationstoflourish. With acolourfulcastofcharactersallbroughttolife byillustratorLucilleClerc,thisis abotanicaljourneyofbeautyandbrilliance.

Maria’sIslandby VictoriaHislop£10.99 Suitablefor8-12yearolds

RevisittheCretanvillageofPlakaandthetiny,desertedislandof Spinalonga,Greece’sformerlepercolony,inachildren’sstorytoldtousby MariaPetrakis,oneofthechildrenintheoriginalversionofTheIsland.She tellsusoftheancientandmisunderstooddiseaseofleprosy,exploringboth theshameandthetreatmentofthosewhowereperceivedtobedifferent fromtheirlocalcommunity.GillSmith’sfull-colourillustrationswilltransport young readerstothetimelessandbeautifulGreeklandscapeofCrete.

Hello!I’mKirstyfrom BH6BooksandHome,anindependent bookshopandlifestylestorein SouthbourneGrove. We sellnewbooks,cards,jigsaws,giftsandhome-waresfromourshopand althoughwe’resmall,weprideourselveson aconstantlychangingstockthat reflectsthebestin publishing,carddesign,homeandgiftware. We alsotakeordersforbooks,CDs,DVDsandvinyl, withmostordersarrivingwithin24-48hours.

Whynotgetintouchon 01202418403,email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk or finduson socialmedia @bh6booksandhome

Garfield CFletcherMovesOn

By ColinSeager

After ashortillnessLucyFletcherdiedwithin sixmonthsoftheirmoveto amodesttwobedroombungalowonDorset’sJurassic coast.Thegardenwasmanageableand theoutlookstunning.Allinall,ithadbeena perfect resultofthedecisiontodownsize.

Thesecondbedroom,usedasGarfield’s study,waslargeenoughtocontainallhis samplesandconvertedeasilyto abedroom fortheirsonCallum,whocamefor aweek fromAustraliatoattendhismother’sfuneral.

Fatherandsonmayhaveshared anameand featuresbuttherethesimilarityended.Callum alwayshadsomewhereelsetobe, aGeronimo man,whilstGarfield’sdefaultwas,“hangona mo:”perfectfor aqualityassurancemanager andanamateurpalaeontologist.

Garfieldcollectedmorethanfossils.Thefiling cabinetsofhismindwerefilledtooverflowing withvastarraysofdata:theobscurerthe better.Ifhisworkinglifehadbeenspentinthe hallsofacademiaratherthanmanufacturing, hewouldhavebecomeanacclaimed polymath.

Aquietmanbynaturebut,toLucy’s embarrassment,sometimesunableto suppressaninadvertent revelationfromhis rangeofknowledge. Tweakinghimabout theoccasionwhentheywereholidayingin Francebecameoneoftheirrunningjokes.

Saying“Purple”wasenoughtosendtheminto paroxysmsofgiggles.

They’dshared atablewith acoupleona TGVfromParisto Avignonand,asyoudo, talkedtogetheraboutthisandthat.Whilstthe FletchersweretravellingtotourRomansites inthearea,theirtemporarytablecompanions wereenroutetojoinsomeorganisedbutterfly walks.BeforelongGarfielddelivereda conversation-stopperwhenheaskedifthey knewthat,onaverage,thePurpleEmperor matesforthreehours,forty-twoseconds.The restofthejourneywasspentwatchingthe countrysideflashbyin aGallicblur.

AcoupleofdaysafterCallum returnedhome, Garfieldsatalonecontemplatingthemournful, silentemptinessahead.Itcrossedhismind thatheshouldconsidergoingbacktolive neartohisancestralhomeinScotland.But heknewfromtheir recentconversationsthat Lucyhadwantedhimtocontinuedoingwhat he’dalwaysdone.“Beyourself,mydarling, enjoyyourfuture. Iwillmissyou,”wereher lastwords.

Hecouldcook,allhisfaculties remainedsharp and,asfarashewasconcerned,helivedin themostfavouredplaceintheworld,ableto spendsomeofhis retirementwalkinginMary Anning’sfootsteps.StayingwhereLucyhad spentherlastdayswouldbethebestplace tobe;toembedthemultitudeofjoyfultimes they’dshared.

Fordecadesshehadkept adiary,rarely missing aday.Hehadneveraskedher aboutitscontents,letalone readit.Now thatawaitedhim, readytoensurethatno memoriescouldbeerased.

Thedaywasfine,thesunin anearcloudless sky.Herecalledshowing ayoungCallum asimplewaytoliftthespiritswhenfeeling down. Waitinguntillateafternoon,hewent intothegarden,unfurledthehosepipeand turnedhisbacktothesun.After afew secondsastheraysfilteredthroughthejets,a minidouble-rainbowbegantoemerge. Perfect:justwhatheneeded.Lifewouldnever bethesame,butheknewthatevenonhis own,somehappinesscouldstillbefound.

CREATIVE PAVING

Tel: 01425278408

Mob: 07785798760

Email: scott@creativepaving.co.uk

Web: creativepaving.co.uk

THEOLDBLOSSOM ROAD

ShortStory by Mark Laming

Lastweek Iwaswatching acartoon withmygrandsonYork.Thesilver robotwiththeexpressionlessmetal faceandswingingarmswasbreaking downthedoor,rippingitswayinto thehouse.Insidethelivingroom,the rabbitdressedintrousersandshirt washidingandshiveringwithfear.

Yorkgrippedmyarmand Itold himnottosqueezesohard,buthe wasreallyscaredandedgedcloser tomehidinghiseyes withoneofthe cushions.

Heheldthehandsetatarm’s length,clickedandoncame aball game.TheNewYorkYankeeswere playingtheDetroitTigers butIcould sensehewasn’tinterested.So off he wenttoseekouthisGrandmainthe kitchen. Iheard himsay‘Whatarewe goingtodonow?’

OnhearingYork’squestionmy minddriftedbacktowhen Iwas ayoungmanandto afriendwho deliveredourmail.Joewas acheery sortof afellow,tallandslimwitha toothysmile.Healwayshad agood wordtosayabouteveryoneinour sleepytown.Whenwewenttowar hisfavouriteexpressionwas,‘What arewegoingto donow?MailmanJoe alwayssaidthiswhenthe bulletswere flyingoverour heads.

Theday Igotmy draftnotice,itwas Joewhodeliveredthedreadedletter. He’dworkedoutthat Ihadalsobeen calledup.Hesaidhe’dgot hispapers andwouldseemeoutthere.Heleft mesittingontheveranda,rockingin Ma’soldchairwithmymindspinning. IwatchedJoeheadingbacktotown

ontheOldBlossomRoaduntilhe wasoutofsight. Iwassoscaredand didn’twanttoleavemyfamily;this wasallsounfair.Mylifewas fineout hereinWestVirginia.

With acoolOctober breezethat seemedtobecallingmyname, Istaredatthepapersthatwere takingmetowarandconsideredthe likelihoodthat Imaynot becoming back.The newsonVietnamwas frighteningwithsomanylostlives already.I’dbeendreadingreceiving thedraftinstructionsas Iknewmylife wastochangeforever.Oursoldiers wouldbefightingagainstanenemy werarelysaw,in ajunglewecouldn’t masterandfor acausewebarely understood.

Theday Ileft, hundredsofyoung mensaidgoodbyetoparents,family andlovers.Somehadevenmarried inthoseshortfewmonthsasthedate grewcloser.Wefeltimportantas hugecrowdsatthestationcheered.It seemedlikemostoftheyoungmenin mytownwereonthattrain m n, includ

mailmanJoe.Ourarmyhaircuts anduniformstransformedour appearanceaswebecamethebrave soldiersbeingsentoverseas.

Iwasbeingtransportedtoa countrythatI’donlygiven acursory glancetoontheschoolglobe. Companionshipbetweenusmenwas intensewithmoralesethightocome outofthisconflictalive.Intruthwe weresoscaredandyoucouldsmell thefearintheair. Ikepttellingmyself that Iwasgoingtosurvivewhatever theythrewatme.

Ondisembarking we joined thousandsofothertroops,vehicles andtheweaponrywehopedwould endthehostilities.Itwasn’t long beforewe wereindoctrinatedwiththe instrumentsofdeathanddestruction aswemovedintothe horrorsofthe junglebattlefield.Weenduredthe coldaswellasthemassiveheatinthe summer.Allthetime Ikeptthinking thatmydreamswouldstill be here tomorrow,but Imaynotbe!

Ourtroopwasbasedinthemiddle ofVietCongterritoryandwechanged fromcaringyoungmenintocold bloodedkillers. On oneparticularday weappearedtobegainingground. Therewerebodiesallaroundthe clearingandthestenchstungmy nostrils.Thentomyamazementitall went quiet.

IturnedtolookatJoe,then machinegunfirerangout.Joewas nevertoreturnhome.

wantedtoforgetthisconflict.It becamecleartheywereashamedof theeventsthathadoccurred.Apart fromourfamiliesandlovedones, therewerenoofficialwelcoming ceremoniesforourplatoon.No buntingorcheeringcrowds,only shatteredsoldierslongingtoget home.

So,wartimememoriesstaywith you.Thecompanionsyoulost,the thingstheysaidyoutreasure.You growolderbutyouneverforget.

IoftenthinkofJoebut Ipreferto rememberthehappiertimeswhenwe playedcardsanddrankgingerbeer. Lateintotheafternoonwetalked sweetheartsandcars.Theworldwas oursforthetaking,orsowethought. IstillseeJoe’skindfaceandfeel theempathywesharedasourlives changedforever.

Fortunatelysincethose darkdays ofwar,lifehasbeenkindtome,and with awonderfulwifebymysidewe areenjoyingourretirement.Welivein thehouse Iinherited frommyparents andourchildrenhaveflownthenest.

Mostearlyevenings Iliketosit

ontheverandarockinginMa’schair staringoverthefieldsasthe birds swoopoverthebanksoftheOhio River. Ilistentothe humofthecars andtrucksontheOldBlossomRoad thatwasonce atrackandsmileas IpictureJoewavingmadlyashe approachesthehouse.

Forthoseofuswhosurvivedthe ordeal,wereturnedtotheUSnot asheroes,butasdownheartedlost souls.Itappearedthegovernment

InmymindJoeisalwaysjust aroundthecornerontheOldBlossom Road.

ChooseMaltaforyournextluxuryouting

Formanydestinations,having300 daysofsunshineperyearwouldbe thestarattractionyetinMaltaitmerely setsthesceneforthegemsthatyou’ll findthere. Aculturalheritagedating back7,000years, adiningscene recognisedwithfiveMichelinstarsand aclutchofopulenthotelsforvisitorsto savourwhilsttheever-presentMaltese sunshinewarmstheirskin.

Gastronomy

TraditionalMaltesefoodis basedaroundtheseasonsand bearsinfluencesfromacrossthe Mediterranean.Thelocalingredients grownacrossthecountryhavehelped todevelop avibrantgastronomy scenethatdrawsonthetraditionsof Mediterranean,AfricanandArabic culinarystylesto reallystandoutfrom thecrowd.Thisseasonalapproachto cookingisembodiedinthenewwave offarmtotablediningthattheisland isenjoying,spearheadedby agroup ofyoungfarmersthatarerevisitingold techniquesandproducingtraditional vegetables.

In2021,twonew restaurantshavebeen awardedthecovetedMichelinstar, briningMalta’stotaltofive.Bahiaand ION –TheHarbour,joinDeMonidon, NoniandUnderGrainasMalta’selite culinaryinstitutions.

ThenewlyawardedMichelinstarred restaurantinMalta,ION –TheHarbour, boastssomeofthefinestviewson theisland,lookingoutoverTheGrand Harbourfromits rooftopsettingatop InialaHarbourHousein Valletta.

Ifyouhave apassionforwine,the newWine Trailis amust,especially giventhatyoucannotbuyMaltese wineintheUK.Thetrailhighlights thefinestvineyardsacrossMaltaand neighbouringGozo,thatareopen tovisitorsandwelcomeyouinfora tasteoftheircreations.Headintothe undergroundwinevaultsatMonte Kristo,tourthestunningestateof Ta’ BettaorstopoffattheArchipelago’s smallestvineyard, Tal-Massar,onGozo

Newelegantaccommodations

Thehotlyanticipatedluxuryhotel,Iniala HarbourHouseisnowopen,boasting viewsacrosstheGrandHarbour.

Theboutiquepropertyoffersjust23 uniquelydesigned rooms,suites,and residences, afavouritebeingtheGrand ResidenceWithCourtyard&Plunge Poolwhichgrantsviewsacrossthe harbourfromitsthreespectacular balconiesandfeaturesbold, characterfuldécor.

HyattRegencyMalta

Blendingmodernfeatureswitha realappreciationforthehistorythat surroundsit,HyattRegencyMalta occupies aspotintheheartofvibrant St.Julian’s,just ashortstrollfromthe pristinebeachatStGeorge’sBay. Whetheryou’rerelaxinginthe rooftop poolbathedinthatfamousMaltese sunshine,indulgingin aspatreatment inthewellnesscentre,orsittingback in asteambath,Finnishsaunaorice fountain,you’llfeelpamperedduring yourtimehere.

MaltaMarriottHotelandSpa

MaltaMarriottHotel &Spain picturesqueBalluta,St.Julian’shas anenviablelocationjustmetresfrom BallutaBeach.Thehotelunderwenta €30million renovationandnowfeatures luxurioussuiteswithexpansiveliving areas,spaqualitywhirlpoolbaths, wetbarsandprivateterracessetfor outdoordining.

BookyourluxurystayinMaltaby contactingmeandtakeadvantage ofexclusivebenefitsincludingfull financialprotectionand a24-hour dutyofficereadytoassistyoubefore, duringandafteryourstay.

T: 01202375150 /07929626156

E: sally.pullen@travelcounsellors.com

W: www.travelcounsellors.com/sally.pullen

TheSecret Garden @TheOakInn isnowopen!

Comeandenjoyourlovelyenclosedgarden,whynottryacocktail andsampleournewhanging kebabsfromourSummermenu

WHAT’SONINJULY

DISCOWITHSTEVEMERRELL –SATURDAY 3JULY7PM

CARIBBEANNIGHT –FRIDAY 30 JULY

Livemusicfrom Mr Eversley–soundsfromthe Caribbean Bookyourtablenowfor aCaribbeanexperience, see websiteformenu

WHAT’SON@THE OAKINN

■ Mondays

MEETUPMONDAYS

Areyounew to thearea? Meetingfriends?On your own? Comealongon Monday’s from11am forcoffee andcakeorif youprefer, teaand toastedtea-cakes.

■ Tuesdays

NEWMUM’SMEETUP

Areyou anewmum? Whynotmeetupandget to know othermumsfrom12-3pm,enjoya drinkand/or abitetoeat in ourlovely,enclosedgardenorindoors.

GAMESAFTERNOON –3pm

Dominoes,Cardgames,Pucket,Cribbage, chess,Rummikuborbring your owngame.

■ Wednesdays

WINEWEDNESDAYS Buy 2largeglassesand receive the rest ofthebottlefree!

■ Thursdays

OVER60’sCLUB Receive20%off your total food bill

BINGO –3pm Eyesdown forournewafternoonof bingo,everyonewelcome.

QUIZNIGHT –ourpopularquiznightisbackevery Thursday, lotsofprizes to be won,it is afunnight, book yourtablenow, 8pmstart.

■ Fridays

FISH NCHIPFRIDAYS Orderourdeliciousfishn chips to eatinortakeawayforonly£7.50!

■ Saturdays

GROUPRESTSPOT/PUB LUNCH

Areyoupartofa cycling group,walking,golforother club? Call induringorafteryour exerciseandenjoy aburgerand apintfor£12.50(standardlagerorale) (applies togroupspre-bookingonly)

■ Sundays

JOIN US FOR ASUNDAY ROAST

Choiceofhalf aroastchicken, roastporkand roast sirloinofbeefserved12pm -6pm

ACOUSTICSUNDAYS

AcousticsingereverySundayat3pm inthesecret garden

MEATDRAW everySundayat2pm,don’t miss outon yourchancetowinmeatvouchersfrom Meadowbrookbutchers.Ticketsonsale throughoutthe week.

WEARESHOWINGEUROS2021

Alldatesandinformation canbe foundontheoakinnburton.com