by Nick Mabey. It’s that time of year again. While the majority of European football leagues take a well-earned winter break for some quality family time, the English league does the opposite and squeezes as many fixtures as possible into the festive season. We can’t even blame the TV...
Columns
Suburban Safari: Explore Narnia in Bitterne Park
by Katie Isham. Fake furs on folks. We’re going further afield this week. In a way. Who knew there lies a whole magical kingdom within the suburbs of Bitterne Park? Some creative, imaginative kind souls have designed a walking trail to cast light on the tales of Narnia from...
View from the Kingsland: Snatching defeat (or a draw) from the jaws of victory
by Nick Mabey. In football terms it’s the worst feeling in the world and, recently, the Saints have been rather good at causing it. Since our current manager, Ralph Hassenhutl, took charge in December 2018, the team has conspired to drop 71 points from winning positions. The tabloids and...
Suburban Safari: Winter Woodland and Waterways
by Katie Isham. When the days are cold and short, it’s time to make the most of the sunlight hours whilst you can and head on down to one of the country parks within the Southampton postcode. Is there any better way to warm yourself up on a blisteringly...
Suburban Safari: In the Footsteps of Gods and Queens
by Katie Isham. As the autumn days tumble into winter, you could do worse than kick some leaves on a walk around one of our city centre’s fine parks. We’re spoilt for choice in terms of green spaces within the walls of Southampton, so maybe it’s prudent to combine...
Suburban Safari: Testwood Lakes
by Katie Isham Just off an industrial estate in the western corner of Southampton, there’s an entrance to a beautiful magical kingdom. Not where you’d expect to find some magic, but believe me, it’s there. Tucked away past the plumbing merchants and self-storage, you’ll find a safari worthy of...
Suburban Safari: Bridges and Changes
by Katie Isham. It’s that time of year when every passing day brings a new hue to the landscape. The colours and the position of the leaves change with every blustery wind or cold snap. It’s that time of year to go and witness the passing of the days....
Suburban Safari: Chessel Bay
by Katie Isham. On the eastern bank of the River Itchen, nestled in a bend of the waterway that cuts a beating heart through the city, is a nature reserve. It truly is a reserve for nature at its simplest. Hidden away from the road and any through traffic,...
Suburban Safari: Pine Walk
by Katie Isham. September is a busy time. Everyone has so many things to do yet the days are dwindling to do them in. So join me this week for a power walk though some pines. But just because it’s a shorter walk, doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting...
Walk: The Itchen Navigation, Shawford Station to Winchester
by Nathan Goldsmith. As summer turns to autumn, I take on the third and final part of the Itchen Navigation from Southampton to Winchester (parts 1 and 2 here and here). This part of the walk is the shortest (around 4 miles) and begins from Shawford Station, following the...