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Computer Know How! When someone says Google, you think of the search engine… yes? Well Google also offer hundreds of other services and software solutions which are usually free for home use.
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irst off, Google Chrome is generally rated the best browser due to its speed, security and its overall user friendly interface.
One brilliant feature is that if you login with your Google account anywhere in the world, providing you are using Google Chrome you can synchronize your bookmarks, passwords, browsing history etc. with that machine. If you create bookmarks or folders they will again be synchronized back to your PC at home. You can also do this with your mobile phone running the Google Chrome app.
Another favourite is Picasa. This is a great photo viewing/editing experience from Google that lets you view and edit photos and also upload directly out of the program to selected social networking sites. Gmail is an email system that Google have created, similar to Hotmail or Yahoo. However Gmail includes certain features that makes it superior to the others. One useful tool allows you to actually archive mail to clear up your mailbox, without actually deleting them. Additionally Gmail offers a simple interface which allows you to compose emails whilst keeping an eye on your inbox. A great advantage about using an email account such as Gmail, that isn’t attached to your broadband provider, is that if you ever change providers the email that all your contacts know will stay the same, so you won’t have to email them all notifying them of your email change. Google Drive, is a replacement to Dropbox that works just as well. If you are already using Dropbox then there’s no real need to change over unless you want to. However one bonus with Google Drive is that you can use an online system called GoogleDocs which allows you to sync and edit your documents without an office suite. Let’s say for example you login on a PC abroad that doesn’t hold an office suite, login to GoogleDocs and bingo, you can now view and edit your documents. Don’t forget that you can always contact Hypersonic for free impartial advice. Just give them a call for hardware and software support, tuition, web design, data retrieval, commercial and home networking, all with an efficient and friendly service. Call Wayne or Lewis at Hypersonic IT 01489 582666. Email:wayne@hypersonic.co.uk
Taps, tubs and now kitchens
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f your family bathroom needed renewing or an upgrade then the place to go was Taps and Tubs in Park Gate and now that same quality of service and care is available for your kitchen.
which are already receiving excellent reviews. We also offer internet price-matching on all kitchen appliances we stock when clients use our full design and installation service.
Now if your kitchen needs a fantastic and fresh new look, but you don’t have the time or the inspiration to start, then drop into Taps and Tubs where you can browse around their showroom and discuss your design requirements with the knowledgeable staff.
“Many people are rightly concerned about finding trustworthy and skilled tradesmen but we supply everything needed and we install it too, if required. No job is too big or small, we undertake both residential and commercial work, from a simple tap fitting or right up to a total redesign.”
They told The Informer, “Through popular demand we have introduced competitivelypriced cutting-edge German-built kitchens,
As a family-run bathroom showroom Taps and Tubs have been established for over 8 years in Park Gate but have 28 years’ experience in
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plumbing and bathroom installations, they admit much of that success is down to the fantastic support they get from the community. “The sheer number of recommendations and repeat business we receive means that our industry knowledge combined with our planning and attention to detail has been rewarded and our installation business and collaborations with local trades-people has enabled the business to go from strength to strength.” For more information please visit the Taps and Tubs website at www.tapsandtubs.co.uk.
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There is something rather childish and rewarding about occasionally going out and getting all muddy and dirty. So with heavy boots on and jeans tucked into socks, I headed off to Hundred Acres on the outskirts of Wickham and realised this was also a great place to take the kids on an adventure.
Tepees, tree houses and trails
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bout a mile from the attractive village with its market square and out on the Southwick road is a turning on the left called Hundred Acre Road and another mile further along, at the end of the red brick wall, is The Forest of Bere West Walk. Here there are walks and footpaths in abundance for a wintry expedition with tepees, tree houses and adventure play areas for the youngsters. Though why they get to play in the tepees and not the grown-ups I will never know. With a name like Hundred Acre Wood you would almost expect Winnie the Poo to be just around the corner and though the little bear is not there it is still a great adventure! The paths are well marked with directions and distances so there are routes for all abilities including wheelchair users. But I was never going to get my boots muddy on a well constructed pathway. It was damp and drizzly in this dense woodland and I delved deeper into the trees and followed the narrow but very muddy track. In among the trees and the narrow foot trodden pathways it was boggy and very soft underfoot after the recent rainfall. For an easier walk it would have been wise to stay on the well maintained gravel paths.
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It was a cheery walk as on the odd occasion I did come across other walkers. During winter excursions such meetings are always with a warm greeting and a brief mention of the weather. “At least it’s dry today!” they say. You nod and reply along the lines of; “Yes but the wind has picked up.” It is like a password game from an old spy novel. There is something very pleasing to the eye when exploring woodland and watching the different pictures that the sun paints with its rays. I observed people as they walked with heads bowed watching the ground when above them in the tree tops the light and colours were simply stunning. I often wondered where the expression ‘can’t see the wood for the trees’ came from, I now think I know. On turning one corner I stood close to a tree that seemed to almost breathe with movement. There were a dozen or so long-tailed tits chirruping and flitting from branch to branch. For a good ten minutes or so I just stood and enjoyed the song and dance routine until a friendly puppy, not unlike those in a toilet roll advert, bounded through the undergrowth and caused my performing birds to move on to another tree.
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At the far end of the West Walk I came across a pair of small ponds and later, checking out an information board, I discovered they were in fact bomb craters left over from World War II, which means there was something once worth bombing here or, which is more likely, someone, had a bad aim! Having gone off the signed track meant that once or twice I did get a little lost, proving that I am a typical man with no sense of direction after all. But once back on the prepared routes it was easy to find the way back to the car park with the help of carefully placed and green painted distance signs. In Saxon times the area from Romsey to Sussex was known as Baer, which means ‘swine pasture’. In the 12th Century the Normans made it their Royal Forest where they could hunt deer and wild boar; in fact the word ‘forest’ was the Norman’s legal term for hunting, hence the title Forest of Bere. Which if you think about it is a lot better than saying ‘The Legal Royal Hunting Place Where Pigs Have a Right to Graze’. All I know is that this is a great natural adventure playground for the whole family. www.forestry.gov.uk/westwalk
Your essential guide to all the local news and events in your community
Craft in the Tower
Sunday 23rd February 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday 23rd March 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
around the kitchen table. Tea Time is presented by Oxford Playhouse Productions and is the perfect show for anyone who has ever made an island out of mash with a sea of gravy, pretended a spoon of yoghurt was a steam train, or realised that food is just as much fun at the end of your nose as it is in your mouth! Tea Time is at The Berry Theatre on Saturday, February 15. Also, puppet show, Nobody Rides the Unicorn, sees the greedy King of Joppardy and cunning Doctor Slythe trick the innocent young girl, Zoe, into helping them capture the Unicorn. When she realises that they plan to take the Unicorn’s magical horn, Zoe knows she must set the Unicorn free… But will she be putting herself in terrible danger? Superbly crafted puppets, original live music, sound effects and moments of unexpected magic, blend to tell this touching tale performed by PuppetCraft and based on the book by Adrian Mitchell.
A League of Friends Art Gallery The paintings of Belinda and the late Suzette Smith will be on show in the Coffee Shop on B level at Queen Alexandra hospital from 2nd February to 1st March. Any artists or art groups who would like to exhibit in the Coffee Shop should contact Anne Parmiter on 02392 387284. To volunteer for the League email jan.spear@porthosp.nhs.uk
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust events FEBRUARY Sat 8th Walk to the Brownwich Shore 10am
Crafts in the Tower is a monthly exhibition of original artwork by selected local artists, designers and makers. It includes painting, printmaking, sculpture, collage, ceramics, origami, glasswork, woodturning, textiles and jewellery. The Square Tower, Broad Street, Old Portsmouth PO1 2JE. Admission is free and there is a tea room serving home-made cakes and beverages.
A walk to explore the farms and Titchfield Canal path for birds. Meeting at the car park off Bridge Street, Titchfield (Map ref. SU 542 055). Please take refreshments. For further details, please contact John Goodspeed on 078 1143 5252 or e-mail john@havantnature.net. Suggested donation £2. Dogs on leads welcome. Tue 18th Winter Earthwalk 10am-12noon Explore Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve at this sensory activity session for families. Go and enjoy lots of hands-on games and activities as you venture into the woods. Booking essential. For further details and to book, please contact Dawn Preston or Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240 or e-mail SwanwickLakes@hwt.org.uk. Please take warm coats and wellies. Suggested donation £3 per child.
Jumble Sale
Seafarers Sailing Club are holding their annual Jumble Sale on Saturday morning 1 March at The Catholic Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington, starting at 10.00a.m. Good selection of clothes, bric-a-brac, books, toys, etc. - not just sailing items. Entrance 50p - tea and coffee will be available. All welcome.
Spring season at The Berry With family theatre, the delights of family meals will be celebrated in a fun show coming to The Berry Theatre in February. Tea Time is a wonderfully silly and colourful celebration of meal times in words, song, music and dance, inspired by the games we all play
Nobody Rides the Unicorn is suitable for ages four and above and is on at the Hedge End venue on Wednesday, February 19. For more information or to book tickets for all shows visit The Berry Theatre’s website www.theberrytheatre.co.uk or call the box office on O1489 799499.
Thu 20th Tiddler, the Story-Telling Fish 1.30-3pm Go down to Milton Locks Nature Reserve in Portsmouth, for a fun, hands-on story afternoon for families with children aged 4 to 7 years old. Meet at Milton Locks Nature Reserve, Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth. PO4 8LT (Map ref. SZ 677 998). For further details and to book your place, please contact Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240. Booking by Tuesday 18th February is essential as places are limited. Suggested donation £3 per child. www.hiwwt.org.uk
If you have a local event let us know at editorial@solentlife.co.uk informergroup.co.uk
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Park gate pap
Local faces in The Informer Room 8, Locks Heath Shopping Village Open Day
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parazzi Stubbington 10k run
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Local faces in The Informer Locks Heath Shopping Village shopkeepers
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