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Original poster

andover in hampshire

77 replies

lewislewis · 11/11/2005 20:10

What is it like for families with kids? Friend is thinking of buying there but scared of leaving London.

OP posts:
handlemecarefully · 14/11/2005 13:00

Romsey

Lonelymum · 14/11/2005 13:20

CD - I live near Bristol now but my parents are still in Winchester and I would still like to live there. I know what HMC means about snobs there, but I don't think I would fit that category. I would say my family was more well to do than snobbish, but I suppose we must all accept judgements from other people.

Very sorry to hear that Finkley Down is closing, and for such a crass reason too.

BTW, I will tell dh about Derek Warwick's parents owning the Alresford Hotel (can't think it can be the Swan, can it?) as he is a Grand Prix fan and it is a nice connection.

handlemecarefully · 14/11/2005 13:22

Lonelymum - I did say present company excepted on this thread since I remembered you said you were from Winchester. Did I cover myself do you think?

I like Winchester other than the small snob problem

cod · 14/11/2005 13:23

Message withdrawn

handlemecarefully · 14/11/2005 13:24

It's very sad isn't it!

Due to the road thing (see below)

Lonelymum · 14/11/2005 13:26

Don't worry, I realise you weren't calling me a snob. I was just saying I suppose some people would call me one, but only because people see money and think snob.

Actually, I am quite glad in some respects not to live in Winchester as it always embarrasses me when I go there with my children and see all the yummy mummies with their buggies worth more than most people's cars being pushed around the High Street. I know I am on Number 4 and he is nearly too old for any sort of pushchair and certainly there is no need for me to buy a new one, but even so I feel distinctly shabby with my Mothercare ripped £20 jobby.

A close friend of mine has moved back to Winchester to raise her family and she has me in stitches describing the snob brigade there!

CountessDracula · 14/11/2005 13:28

It was defo the Swan they owned, I remember it well. Was years ago though.

Lonelymum · 14/11/2005 13:30

Pre 1994?

MamaMaiasaura · 14/11/2005 23:15

Andover is poo. Sorry for anyone who lives there

MamaMaiasaura · 14/11/2005 23:16

Romesy is full of older people of the more 'affluent' nature. It does ahave a bloody nice park tho for the kids. It is quite isolative and borndering a bit on the Norton Vassey's of the world

MamaMaiasaura · 14/11/2005 23:18

I love winchester as lots of historical stuff - very arty and/or snobby tho. Did choose to have ds in the hospital there tho so he could have it on his birth certificate inseatd of princess anne, soton

handlemecarefully · 14/11/2005 23:23

it's a place to live Awen - not a way of life

A good, sound bolt hole to set up house; but then to travel short distances from for shopping, eating out, culture etc

Lonelymum · 15/11/2005 09:24

HMC have you never eaten out in Winchester? I have had meals there that I swear are the match of anywhere (Michelin starred too.)

Lonelymum · 15/11/2005 09:25

Sorry, that was gratuitous. I just am very passionate about my home town!

What is your connection with the place Hmc?

handlemecarefully · 15/11/2005 09:31

I work in Winchester Lonelymum (although not for much longer as I am serving my notice currently). Have been to a birthday party or two with dd in Wichester and met the posh mummy brigade!

Agree - there are some damn fine restaurants in Winchester itself and in the environs.

Lonelymum · 15/11/2005 09:32

So how far away do you live from it? (don't tell me where - I don't want to know as I don't want to sound like a stalker! )

handlemecarefully · 15/11/2005 09:33

About half an hours drive. I live in Landford (nr A36 Southampton to Salisbury road)

handlemecarefully · 15/11/2005 09:34

Oh just told you where! Still, a few other people live in Landford too so that doesn't narrow it down unduly!

Zephyrcat · 15/11/2005 09:34

Can't belive Finkley Down Farm is closing down It's a lovely place!!!

Lonelymum · 15/11/2005 09:35

Now I am going to sound stalkerish! Do you drive to W on the road from Romsey? I only ask because my mother used to work in R and the environs and so drove out of W on that road and always went on about how beautiful it was, especially in autumn with the changing clours.

handlemecarefully · 15/11/2005 09:35

Lol - Finkley Down will be much mourned and lamented if this thread is anything to go by.

Lonelymum · 15/11/2005 09:36

Never heard ogf Landford although a friend of mine lived in Whiteparish and I know the A36 depressingly well!

handlemecarefully · 15/11/2005 09:36

Very close to Whiteparish.

I do drive along that very road, and it is beautiful and leafy!

handlemecarefully · 15/11/2005 09:38

and for the record, I do think living in this area generally (including Salisbury, Southampton, Winchester, Romsey, Bournemouth...but not Andover!) is rather wonderful, and I've lived in a few other places in my time

Lonelymum · 15/11/2005 09:40

Thanks! (Of course it is! God's own country!) My dh could never understand why I was so disparaging about other parts of the country until he went to Hampshire and got to know it a bit better. It is the rolling countryside I live so much and miss in other parts.