In this weekly blog episode: The weather, spending a couple of days exploring the Test Valley, my first camp of the year, week one of National Walking Month, and some family history in North Baddesley.
I read this weekend that according to the Met Office, April 2024 has been warmer than average. Er, say what, now?! I went to find the original source of that, and apparently that is true – but by less than 1%, and that was in part thanks to Storm Kathleen and her weird warm winds (read episode 148).
One thing I can agree with the Met Office on, is just how wet it’s been. We had a whopping 55% more rainfall than an average April, with 111.4mm falling across the month, making it the sixth wettest April since records began, and the wettest April since 2012. I’m not going to argue with that. It’s been so very wet. And it seems like May might be playing a similar game… here’s hoping things settle so we can have some outdoor adventures in more pleasant weather this month.
Anyway, less weather chat (there might be some more to come in a bit, sorry), and more talk of the fun adventure I’ve been on since my last episode…
The Test Valley
This week, in advance of the bank holiday weekend, I went on a little outdoors-focused break in the Test Valley. That’s the area in the north-west of Hampshire following the River Test from Romsey (ish) up to Andover (ish), in case you aren’t familiar.
I took a couple of days off the day job and headed south. In part, to fulfil a press trip booking made back when 2023 turned into 2024. This means you’ll be getting an article, maybe two, about what an outdoors-focused break in the Test Valley could look like over the coming weeks. The Test Valley is a bit of the country people drive through to get to the New Forest, Salisbury, or to Southampton… and, quite understandably, local tourist businesses are keen that a few more of us stick around for a while.
I knew the area a little already thanks to some family history I have down that way, which is the main reason I responded and took the assignment. I also know the Test Valley offers a different kind of walking to the type I get at home in the Cotswolds, which is always fun. Add to that talk of a stay in a Shepherd’s Hut, which you know was featured on my 2023 bucket list and was carried over onto my 2024 list, and I was in.
A Much-Needed Mini Break
Fast forward to Wednesday evening when I got into my car to drive for two-hours in the pouring rain (of course), and there was a bonus ‘I really need a break’ reason why I was excited to head to the Test Valley. I’m not going to lie, work is quite tough at the moment, for a number of reasons. The timing of this particular trip could not have been more perfect in some ways. Spending a couple of days escaping from the real world for a bit of solo-exploring was exactly what I needed.
With a week to go, when I realised how perfect the escape-from-work timing was going to be, I used the excuse of this writing assignment to have a proper little mini break. And with that, ended up in three very different beds in three nights – in a hotel, a glamping hut, and a tent.
To save me getting up super early on the Thursday morning, I started with a night in the wonderfully practical Premier Inn near Romsey (named ‘Southampton West’). I arrived late in the evening after making a stop on my drive over to go for a walk at St Catherine’s Hill, and made use of the £7 curry-and-a-drink special in the Hungry Horse next door. More on my National Walking Month exploits (but not the curry…) in a moment.
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The glamping night, and the reason for the trip, was spent in a cosy Shepherd’s Hut at Michelmarsh Manor Farm. My hut was right in the middle of the farmyard, surrounded by animals and countryside – sheep, cows, chickens, horses, ducks, rabbits, guinea fowl (what hilarious creatures they are), a goat, and a peacock.
I liked the glamping, and could get used to that kind of overnight accommodation, especially when travelling alone. It was so lovely – I can’t say quiet as the air was filled with the sounds of animals – but I can definitely say peaceful.
Maybe I should add, although I don’t know if you’re interested in how these things work, this wasn’t a paid gig. It was a gifted opportunity I decided to take (no money, just the experience). Splodz Blogz isn’t my job, and so I can choose to take these ‘in return for’ activities here and there when they ignite my interest and I have the time available.
Without wanting to give away the article I’m writing, I did want to mention the other ‘freebies’ I received. In addition to my night at Michelmersh Manor Farm, I also visited the Hawk Conservancy Trust where I fell a little bit more in love with vultures, and St Harold Hillier Gardens, where the rhododendrons were a multi-coloured spectacle. As I say, more on all that another day.
First Camp of the Year
My third night of the three was spent on my first camp of the year. After very few nights under canvas in 2023, I knew I wanted to make more time for camping this spring and summer. Camping is just one of the ways I like to get outside, so I’m not going to be out under canvas every weekend, but I know I want more than last year.
I chose Stockbridge View Camping in the Test Valley because it was in the right place at the right price and had the right kind of facilities. This basic campsite with its flat grass-covered field with a toilet block, promised quietness, and cost me £20 (minus a 5% discount for booking direct rather than going through one of the many other booking sites).
It was a pretty nice site. I prefer my campsites to be simple, pitch anywhere places surrounded by countryside, and this one ticked that box.The facilities actually exceeded my expectations. I think the toilet/shower block must be very new, maybe even this season, and there was also a little shed with washing up facilities, a library with books and games, and power.
The edges of the field were all taken when I arrived so I plonked myself somewhere in the middle, strategically placed by a patch of rougher looking ground where I knew others wouldn’t want to be. My Green Cone is such a fantastic little tent, and I got a great pitch on the flat ground. I just about managed to get the tent up before it started raining (again!).
Campervan Doors!!
As for quiet… Well, it was probably a lot quieter than a sprawling holiday park type campsite. Clearly, I wasn’t the only person who thought the Friday night of the first bank holiday in May was the perfect time for a first camp of the year. I don’t think I even thought about it being a bank holiday when I booked it. And given that was only last week, that’s all my doing.
The site was quite busy, and there were some large groups where several families were camping together, which always ups the noise level as they spend their time chatting well into the night. I mean, that’s what they went camping for, so I don’t blame them. It was all good, though – chatter is okay, and thankfully it wasn’t a rowdy site by any stretch. There was some music playing here and there but no-one was disruptive.
What interrupted my sleep, though, was the constant door banging. Campervan doors sliding open, and slamming shut (over and over again), echoed across the campsite. From all directions, and not gently. This has to be one of the downsides to the rise in popularity of the camper van – there should be a courteous-door-opening training course or something (or just more soft-close doors!).
That aside, I would return to Stockbridge View, but choose my date more carefully, and go midweek. It was a lovely and relaxed base for the night, within walking distance of Stockbridge, some hiking options from the campsite, and easy driving to a bunch of places to visit.
My Tent Bed
A teeny bit more weather talk here, this time about temperature. It was a cool night, that’s for sure – around 6-7ºC. Thankfully, over the years I’ve dialled in my camp bed setup so I will be warm enough. I was only a little bit jealous of the occupants of the campervan closest to my tent who flicked their diesel heater on more than once (yes, that’s noisy, too, but at least it’s a constant hum not a sudden slam).
My tent bed started with a large and thick waterproof-backed blanket first, covering the groundsheet like a carpet, on which I had my sleeping mat – the Robens Iceshield 55, which has an R value of 4.2. On that I had my cosy Robens Icefall Pro sleeping bag (the one with the zip up the middle), in which I had my basic silk sleeping bag liner. And over all that, my fabulously green Rumpl blanket, a Christmas gift a couple of years ago that brings me far too much joy to be normal. With my trusty Odlo thermal long-sleeved top and leggings, a pair of loose fitting socks (free when we flew Air New Zealand many years ago!), and my buff, I was just warm enough. Any colder and I would have put my fleece or puffy coat on too.
I also took a new bit of kit I very recently received from Robens (gifted) – their Conival 3-in-1 Pump, which combines a lamp, power bank, and air pump. Everyone seems to be using air pumps these days to inflate their sleeping pads, and I can see why – while it’s easy enough to blow up a sleeping pad manually, it’s not recommended as moisture from your breath gets inside the pad and can cause mould.
Mini Review: Robens Conival 3-in-1 Pump
The fact this is also a lamp and a power bank is so handy. I always pack a lamp for in my tent as it’s much nicer than relying on my head torch. As such, this new toy replaces something I already take rather than being extra (and this is rechargeable rather than taking single use batteries). The lamp is decent, easily filling my tent with a soft light. And the power bank offers a 4,000mAh battery, which will charge an iPhone a couple of times or more (of course this battery also powers the light and pump, too).
Most usefully, the pump made it WAY easier to deflate my sleeping pad in the morning. I’ve always struggled with the Robens valve at pack down time, because I can’t seem to work out how to hold the valve open and roll the pad up at the same time. But with this, I was able to deflate the pad fully (and quickly) using the pump, close the valve, and roll up the pad. Nice. Very nice.
This isn’t a lightweight (270g), or cheap (£51), bit of kit, but I feel this has found a place in my car and motorcycle camp box. It’s well-made, rugged, and very useful. And of course, the pack size and weight can be offset thanks to it replacing a lamp and power bank. I’m yet to put the battery itself to the test, and have plans to see how effective that solar panel is – I’ll let you know how that goes.
A Week of National Walking Month
Has National Walking Month inspired you to get out for a short walk every day in May so far? It has done for me. A bit like I do for my One Hour Outside challenges, I thought I’d use my weekly blog episodes this month to share a little bit about how I’m tackling a month of going for a walk every day.
I’ll not repeat all the National Walking Month detail here, but do read my last weekly blog (episode 151) if you want to know more about what Living Streets want to achieve by talking about walking for a whole month.
Wednesday 1 May: St Catherine’s Hill
Despite it being late in the evening, I went for a one-hour walk up and around St Catherine’s Hill on the edge of Winchester. It was pouring with rain, of course, but that bit of outside time was very much needed. The highlight of the loop was re-visiting a tree I remember from when I did the same walk six years ago – I attempted to get the same photo but only took my phone so didn’t have the means to get the right angle (it’s the photo right at the top of this article). Despite the rain it was a beautiful walk, with lovely views over Winchester, and it was just what I needed to signify the end of work and the start of my little adventure.
Thursday 2 May: Romsey and Michelmersh
This was a two-walk day, although the first one had to be abandoned after I lost at a somewhat-dodgy game of river or footpath along the River Test. I had planned a six-mile loop from Romsey, taking in the Romsey Barge Canal, Fishlake Meadows, River Test, Squabb Wood, Test Way, and back over the River Test to Romsey Abbey. Alas, just under three miles in, about half-way, the footpath was completely impassable as the river had burst its banks. I mean, I tried, and ended up nearly up to my knees in river water and silt… so I backtracked and headed into Romsey on a different route. Still, a story to tell in full some time.
That evening, I went wild garlic hunting from my Shepherd’s Hut at at Michelmersh Manor Farm, following a recommendation from the owner (always listen to the locals!). The five-mile loop was absolutely stunning – thick woodland, bluebells, wild garlic, a really old church, a huge brown owl, and a beautiful hare. I suspect there won’t be many two-walk days this month, but it was nice to take the opportunity on this occasion.
Friday 3 May: Common Marsh at Stockbridge
I could easily have counted the walking I did of St Harold Hillier Gardens as my National Walking Month walk, as I was sure to walk the full circumference of this 180-acre site. Honestly, this place is completely stunning, and so varied in its planting.
My planned walk was in this evening, when I went to see the famous Common Marsh of the River Test. After I’d set up camp, I took the footpath from the campsite into Stockbridge, where I picked up the Test Way down onto the marsh. It was so pretty, especially as the sun started to set (and even in the rain!). I walked a little under four miles, meandering along where I fancied, purposefully avoiding the wettest sections.
Saturday 4 May: Danebury Iron Age Hillfort
One of the places the PR lady who set up my trip to the Test Valley recommended I visited was Danebury Iron Age Hillfort. As this was just 5-minutes from my campsite, I made that my Saturday morning walk. First, I headed to the trig pillar, which sits at just 129 metres above sea, and given the geography of the area, provided beautiful views all around, including over to the Wallops (great name!). I then explored the hillfort, one of the most studied in Europe, walking the obvious path on top of one of the high ramparts and through some pretty woodland. I also headed over to Blackstake Hill for more views, before it was time to drive back home again.
Sunday 5 May: From My Front Door
Just the one ‘from my front door to run errands’ walk in a week is pretty good going, I reckon, definitely helped along by those few days away. On this occasion I went to do my top-up shop on foot. Walks don’t have to be long or even in the countryside to count – there will be lots more of these for me this month, I am sure.
Monday 6 May: Otters and Jazz in Cheltenham
It was the Cheltenham Jazz Festival this weekend, and so my last daily walk of the week involved some urban wandering in this pretty old spa town. We started by looking for the family of otters who have moved into Pittville lake. No luck again, but I’ll keep trying. We did learn that George (or was it Maisie, I don’t know them well enough), the resident swan, likes to chew people’s shoes – each to their own!
From the park, we wandered along backstreets, through Clarence Square, past Cheltenham Ladies College, and down to Montpellier Gardens, to check out the Jazz Festival’s free stage. With food there costing an eye watering amount, we walked back into the centre for lunch. A not-too-shabby six miles of urban walking. And only one rain shower!
While I know it will become much harder as we get deeper into May (some weeks you may read ‘local walk to run errands’ on repeat), there have been some crackers so far. And I hope there will be many more good walking-based outings to come this month.
Family History in North Baddesley
Let me finish this weekly blog episode by coming back to the reason I responded to the trip to the Test Valley in the first place – the opportunity to revisit recent family history in North Baddesley.
My grandparents and mum lived in the village from 1963 to 1969 when my grandad worked for ICI. Then my grandparents returned to the village in something like 1987 so my grandad could run Baddesley Baptist church for around ten years. I visited quite a bit in that second stint; I remember the house had stairs with big gaps between the steps which were perfect for spying on the grownupsRobe! I think that was there, anyway. There was also a toy soldier shop in nearby Southampton called Minifigs my dad used to spend his pocket money at!
Naturally, I made time at the start of my trip this week to visit North Baddesley, and in particular, to go and see the Baptist church. I remember it so vividly, its distinctive curved roof bringing back all the memories. While I couldn’t go inside, it was good to trigger some memories from my childhood. I sent my mum a photo, and she replied with the address of their house – so I walked through the village to see that, too.
Also on the recommendation of my mum, I drove up the road to visit St John the Baptist Church, which dates back over 1,000 years. The Knights Hospitallers acquired it in 1304, and in 1348 North Baddesley became the headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers (Order of the Knights of St John). Sadly, the church is only open at the weekends, so I couldn’t see the famous chained bible inside, but it was still a nice place to go and see.
See You Next Time…
That’s quite enough rambling for one week. I hope you enjoyed coming along with me on my first camp of the year, and how I’m marking National Walking Month. I’d love to hear about any memorable walks you’ve had this week, whether inspired by National Walking Month or not. Send me your walk reports in the comments below.
See you next time.
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WEEKLY BLOG EPISODE 153 | SMALL ADVENTURES < Splodz Blogz
[…] seems to be a month of small adventures. I spent a few days in the Test Valley earlier this month, am just back from a long weekend in Cumbria visiting a friend and doing some walking, and next […]