Walking in the past

This girl was gobsmacked a few months back to discover that there was an Edwardian era flying school and then a WWI airfield not 25 minutes drive from where we live. We've been waiting for the right day (today!) to explore it.

People have lived at East Boldre for thousands of years (we wondered if this might be a robbed out barrow of some sort - there are lots of local tumuli)



100 years back one of the first air schools in Britain was built there. No concrete runways for these guys, just grass - and bumpy at that. It was later used in WWI, with hangars, mess etc on the east side of the runways.

Plenty of evidence remaining.



Flying was a dangerous business. I suppose we're used to the stories from WWII of "The few" but the sheer volume of those who died in accidents on local Hampshire soil - many of them from Canada - astounded me. I defy anyone to look at the picture of Peter Rylands and not be moved.

Something else which surprised me, because we've flown over the area so many times on the Jersey - Southampton route, was the Beaulieu letters (until I found out that they'd only recently been restored). They're supposed to mark the turning point for early air races.



To be continued in the week.

Rainbow snippet - Jury of One

Today's excerpt comes form Jury of One. Adam (and his Newfoundland dog) are getting up to date with the news of Robin's latest case.

“A man was found dead with stab wounds early this morning in Abbotston,” the reporter said, in a piece that must have been filmed earlier that day.
“No sight of himself,” Adam said, scratching Campbell’s ear. “He’ll be avoiding the cameras, I guess.”
“Police are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who saw a fight in the Desdemona club in Abbotston last night.” The reporter finished her piece and the feed went back to the studio, where talk turned to the gutsy but ultimately losing performance by Abbotston Alexandra.
The football fans had behaved themselves, miracle of miracles. Maybe it had been the result—or the unexpected sunshine—that had tempered things.
“Perhaps the police got the catering staff to put something in the half-time Bovrils, to take the edge off their aggression. Like you need when you see that big moggy from up the road.” Adam grinned at the dog’s expression. “Only joking. With any luck, your favourite person will be back to tuck you up in bed.”

More tidbits at the Rainbow snippets group.