Following a book I had published in aid of the Helen Reinking Trust for Alzheimer’s, a friend suggested that I do something similar for cancer patients and carers. My initial reaction was to assume that there would be library shelves of well-advised cookbooks on offer. I also considered the amount of expertise required to do the job and thought I simply wasn’t qualified. I’m not a doctor or dietician. I’m not even a chef! I crumpled up the notion and tossed it in the ‘too difficult bin’.

Then something happened. I met a guy in my local pub. He’d had a malignant tumor the size of a grapefruit removed from his colon six months earlier and was mid-way through a course of chemotherapy that was intended to blast the wretched disease to kingdom come. We got talking and he was infectiously positive. Having said that, it was pretty clear that this guy had been given little dietary guidance. I had a chief guinea pig!

This got me thinking. I don’t know a living soul that has not been in some way touched by chronic and debilitating illness such as cancer, Crohn’s or diabetes. I have had a close association with these three most of my life, as a patient, a daughter, a friend and now as a wife – to the guy in the pub. Being a published and skilled cook and a carer was enough qualification. I could get professional nutritional advice.

I started planning. I searched for books that took a joyful view of food and that also took into consideration the special circumstances of patients with things like ‘rubber-mouth’ and ‘metal-mouth’. Books that didn’t look and feel like the inside of a clinic. Books that took a positive view of what often becomes a daily trial. I struggled. They just weren’t there – at least not in abundance.

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5 Facts about Winchester

1. The legend of St Swithun originates in Winchester – according to the legend, the saint’s remains were moved against his dying wishes from their final resting place in the grounds of the cathedral to the inner sanctum, whereupon it proceeded to rain for 40 days as a sign of his displeasure. Now, if it rains on the saint’s day (15th July), it is said to herald another 39 days of rain!

2. The Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time potting shed is located at Sparsholt College, just outside of Winchester. Sparsholt is also one of the few regular venues in the UK for lawnmower racing.
3. Marwell Wildlife is the only place in the UK where you can see the Coquerels Mouse Lemur and the Dorcas Gazelle. It also has some of the world’s rarest big cats including the Amur leopard and the snow leopard, and one of the smallest – the enchanting sand cat. Visitors can stay at the adjacent Marwell Hotel – a unique safari-style building in a woodland setting.
4. Feast your eyes on the spectacular Avenue of Limes at charming 17th century Lainston House. Measured at 9/10ths of a mile, it is the longest line of limes in England, with trees dating back as far as 1716. Guests staying at the hotel can enjoy a truly English weekend with croquet on the lawn, fishing on the River Test and clay pigeon shooting.
5. Despite Winchester’s association with King Alfred, no one has ever found his remains. Thanks to excavations at the end of the 1990s, the location of a medieval abbey church was identified at Hyde, situated on the northern outskirts of the city, and this was found to be the last known resting place of Alfred the Great. Kim Wilkie, one of the foremost landscape architects in the UK, has designed a contemporary garden to mark the site. Sadly, the bodies of Alfred, his Queen and his son which were buried here have still not been found…

Visit Winchester Website

The river meanders gracefully from its source near Cheriton through Winchester to its completion in Southampton water.

Lower Itchen Fishery was founded in 1954 and consists of c. 5,300 yds making it the longest continuous stretch of the River Itchen in private ownership. The fishery is set amidst picturesque water meadows and has an abundance of animal, bird and insect life which creates an atmosphere in which to unwind from the stresses of life.

The fishery offers primarily brown trout and salmon fishing. Night time sea trout fishing is also available later in the season together with excellent grayling fishing. The fishing is offered on a full or half rod basis with a limited number of ‘day tickets’ available on a pre-booking basis only.

Corporate entertainment for parties of up to 18 (larger parties may be considered) is a speciality of the fishery and offered on selected days throughout the season with packages tailored to suit your requirements.

The ecology of the surrounding water meadows is extremely rich, and provides the right environment for the abundant fly hatches. This commences with the Grannom, followed by the Hawthorn and Mayfly. From June onwards we experience prolific hatches of Blue Winged Olives providing excellent late evening sport. During August and September Sedges and Daddy Long Legs prove to be the favourites which is typical of a Hampshire chalkstream.

The fishery is situated under five miles from Junction 5 off the M27 providing excellent access from surrounding areas with London only 77 miles away. For the local business person, Southampton is only a few miles away allowing fishing after a day at the office or to entertain business clients at the river. With Southampton Parkway train station only 2 miles away getting from London Waterloo takes just 1 hour. For those further afield, Southampton Airport is about a 5 minute car journey away.

Once at the fishery access to the beats is via a private track which follows the course of the river and enables rods to park beside their beat, making the fishery ideal for the more mature fisherman and suitable for the disabled.

The entrance to the fishery is via Gaters Mill, which is, in itself steeped in history. There have been mills on the site since Doomsday. Within the mill complex is the Fisherman’s Lodge with a kitchen area for the preparation of snacks and refreshments and a lounge area in which to sit and chat to fellow fishermen. Fishing huts and shelters are also provided at various points along the riverbank, together with BBQ facilities.

Lower Itchen Fishery Website

Today the railway runs the full 10 miles between the market towns of Alresford and Alton, preserving an important piece of our 1940’s – 70’s railway heritage for this generation and many more to follow. Famous for its gradients, our railway was nicknamed ‘going over the Alps’ by locomotive crews during the days of steam, due the the sheer effort required by man and machine to crest the summit at Medstead & Four Marks, the highest station above sea level in Southern England. We operate a fleet of steam locomotives, most of them of the larger classes, as they are required to haul trains up and over the ‘Alps’. Everytime a steam train runs along our line, this battle on the footplate is relived, and the full power of these magnificent machines can be seen, heard and appreciated by all.

Watercress Line Website

Enigmatic jewellery designer, Holly Budge, creates limited edition pieces ‘inspired by life’. Her appetite for the extreme is evident in her bold designs and carefully selected materials sourced from the farthest reaches of the planet. By combining a creative spirit with her curiosity for the world, Holly enables you to garnish yourself in adventure.

Holly Budge Website

The use of timeless traditional recipes and our years of experience making top quality jams, preserves and chutneys combine to provide a range of products that we believe are some of the best you’ll ever taste.

The process starts with the selection of superior quality seasonal produce, sourced whenever possible from local suppliers. These include fruit and vegetable farmers, allotment holders and gardeners as well as wholesalers and merchants. A key element in achieving the consistent, high quality of our products, is the relationships we have established with these suppliers. They understand what we need and we are keen to support them too.

Our absolute focus is Hampshire, with some of the best ingredients the county can offer resulting in a range of products that will ensure you keep coming back for more!

The Hampshire Jam & Chutney Company Website

The shop carries a vast selection of beautiful Shabby Chic accessories and selected items of painted furniture to illustrate the quality of our French Furniture ranges.

Our Painted Furniture ranges come in a variety of styles and colours, all with a distinct French influence from heavily carved painted French Furniture, to clean and simple lines.

Whether you are looking for that finishing touch to enhance a room or to completely furnish your home in the French shabby chic style, you will find it all at the Lavender Barn.

You can contact us with your requirements and we will be happy to assist. We offer Free delivery within England (excluding Devon & cornwall) but are happy to quote for delivery elsewhere, please contact us for details.

Choose from the Delightful French Reproduction Furniture ranges featured, including Black Moulin Noir, cream Valbonne , Ivory Chateau, white Marianne, Grey Fayence, Pink Fayence, Ivory Elegance, Versaille Gold, Portofino Stone, Belgravia distressed grey, Belle Noir Black Oak, Belgravia white, Ambiance Antique white, Deauville Ivory, Ambiance cream, Chantilly Antique white, Gustavian, Fayence Black, and much more, including various Oak ranges and our new range of antique White Bedroom Furniture – Fayance.

We have the following items available across our ranges: Armoire, wardrobe, bedside table, chair table, dressing table, chest of drawers, mirror, sofa, dining table, bed, dresser, bookcase, desk, sideboard, coffee table, chaise longue, lamp, chandelier, photo frame, candle holder, bedding, floral arrangement, clock, bathroom accessories, kitchen accessories, pet bedding & bowl, pictures & Plaques, storage solutions, childrens furniture, childrens decorative accessories. childrens bedding. gift vouchers special offers, white painted furniture, venetian mirror

The Lavender Barn Website

The South of England’s hands-on interactive science and technology centre. Plus the UK’s largest capacity digital Planetarium!

A family day out and school visit destination near Winchester, Hampshire.

Featuring 100 interactive exhibits, which demonstrate the science and technology of the world around us in an engaging and exciting way. It’s ‘hands-on’, not ‘hands-off’!

The Astrium Planetarium is a digital state-of-the-art theatre with a variety of shows to suit all interests.

Intech Website