I've been trying to keep myself busy this month so as not to think about everything I left behind me at work. I've been to the library a few times - that can while away the time. I've been 'working' on local history and after five hours diligent study I found out that we are lucky the Common isn't now known as the Forest of Southampton, and the Cowherds is still the Cowherds and not the Foresters Arms. I am proud of that research. The library has some wonderful old maps - here is a picture of what my area used to be like in the nineteenth century.
I've been on a couple of walks round Southampton Old Cemetery, and the Bevois Mount Estate. This is in preparation for the event of the summer, which is the Bevois Mount History Cemetery Walk. It takes place on Sunday 12th July - put it in your diaries now. Here is a preview:
Sir James Lemon was mayor of Southampton, and was really big on sewerage. Two volumes of his memoirs are in Southampton reference library, and very fascinating they are too. He lived in a house on the Avenue - obviously it wasn't a solicitors then.
The following people are intrepid researchers into local history; they will stop at nothing to get at the facts. They put life and limb in danger as they unearth information. It is thanks to them - Bruce, Ally and Fiona - that the walk has been organised.
The following people are intrepid researchers into local history; they will stop at nothing to get at the facts. They put life and limb in danger as they unearth information. It is thanks to them - Bruce, Ally and Fiona - that the walk has been organised.
Apart from delving into local history, April has seen the last of our Saints away days. We went to Everton and Stoke, and had great weather both times. Unfortunately the results weren't so great. Away days always follow a similar pattern - after about half an hour's travelling we decide we must stop for coffee and breakfast
After that we might get embroiled in a traffic jam, or we might not, variety is after all the spice of life. When we get to the venue our hopes are high, we are optimistic and happy, but it is the football supporter's lot to have their hopes continually dashed. My brother Phil is the epitome of a typical football supporter. He is too grumpy to be photographed after the game, and too busy tweeting away.
Away days are also interesting because you never know where your seats are going to be. I use the word 'seats' euphemistically because all away supporters always stand up for the whole match. At Everton I was close enough to get some photos of the players - here are two of my favourites - Big Vic and Graziano. Graziano is a magnificent creature, not my words, but those of Steve Claridge. One can't help but agree with him. I can't show you any action shots of the game because the Everton steward made me put my lens away. Obviously the paparazzi don't want any competition. The other reason for no action shots is that there was very little action.
Putting our disappointment aside, Liverpool is an excellent city to visit. It has got some lovely buildings, quirky sculpture and good places to eat.
Stoke, on the other hand, does not have those things. The highlight of that trip was being locked in a multi storey car park in Banbury.
There was just one other thing I managed to do in April, and that was the Southampton ABP 10k. I know it's not quite the London Marathon, but I was pretty happy with it. My chip time was 1:16. 08. 5. That means I was 'running' at an average 7.8 km/h. Now, my position in the race was 812th out of 896 - yay! I have to thank my back up team of Christopher who came out and took photos, and supported me all the way round Southampton. Now I look forward to what the month of May will bring.