Nesting time nearly over

 A few of the nests in our garden this year, both now vacant. We had a pair of goldfinches nesting in a conifer tree, and although I think I know where it is, I've been unable to locate it precisely.

However the lower of these two images shows a nest that looks very much like a gold finches. It was blown out of an oak in the front garden, so it's unlikely to be theirs? Miranda was distraught that they may have lost their home.

Beautiful nonetheless.

Dartmoor

Lewis had a coaching session at Torquay with James Hollis and a bunch of other 29ers, and since enough hands were available to cover safety boat duties I was able to ride my bike!

As you can see I had a great time, getting stuck into the real Dartmoor as well as discovering some if the lovely lanes around South Brent and Buckfastleigh. Both these little towns were really worth a visit, lots of character, and some great places to eat and have a coffee etc.

Sailing talk

Lewi electrifies when he's got the services of a great coach. Torquay at the weekend with Niall Myant who just happens to also love cycle touring!

Alfie

Miranda and her chum Alfie making a video about her moshie monsters. If I can find a link I will post it but for the time being I shall post my photo.

On the trail

Out on my bike this morning, just stopped up for a breather in a beautifully quiet part of the forest.

The trail you can see was once a tarmac road but the A31 led to it's demise. The clouds were rolling over and I almost got wet several times.

Later in the day the thunder and heavy rain did come but by then I was home and dry.

Only about 40 - 45 miles today...

Trying to find the story

An old postcard image from Ashlett Creek, and a thoughts that have been rolling around for some time. I read some time ago about Edwin Mudge, a Fawley based photographer who had a small darkroom in the old mill at Ashlett.

This weekend was the 200th anniversary of the mill, and I was able to meet up with Tim Woodcock who had a similar interest in Mudge. The story goes that he buried 4 tons of glass plates in his garden, and I can't stop thinking about trying to recover these. His images are fantastic, the one above is taken from his darkroom at the mill. You can see the Jolly Sailor pub before it was extended and the square looking very different to today.

They had organised a music festival to mark the occasion, and we listened to the music of The Real Raj, a superb local musician from Beaulieu.

Bike Ride around Wiltshire and Dorset.

This is a Strava map plotted from my bike ride with Alan on Saturday, showing the map and altitude. Some superb countryside taking in Gillingham, and Stour Head, starting at Salisbury, which I need to explore further.

We had a coffee stop at Shaftsbury, cycling up Gold Hill, not exactly by mistake, but by the top we were being watched by some onlookers, and we couldn't stop then could we? Bloody steep and cobbled right to the top...!

78 miles in total, but eased along by some great food and drink in the Upham Brewery pub en route.

On Duty

Just found this picture on the club website of me doing OOD duty with my able helper Lewis! Just so happens we are on duty again tomorrow so haopefully it will be a chance to top up the suntan.

Been out on my bike today, a nice long ride all over the forest with lunch at the Royal Oak in Fritham. I am getting the miles in, trying to get a bit fitter. Next weekend I have a 72mile ride planned around Salisbury Plain!

Popsie has been unwell for a few days; what we thought was a little tummy bug has persisted and she is still rough, more so than when it started.

Ratty the Brave

 

I have never set out to be a nature photographer, although I do admire those that have the patience and knowledge to perfect the art. I think it's great to be able to observe some things, and this is my best effort to tell the story.

Yesterday whilst thinking about the village of West Deane, which King Alfred bequeathed to his older son Deone, having given Amesbury to his younger son Ambresbyrig, I was given to gaze into the waters of the canal once four feet deep and fifteen feet wide at it's deepest point.

I happened to spot a grass snake scootoing along the edge of the water, and moments later a water vole heading towards it, cascading a stream of water behind it. It all happened quite quickly and there was an almighty battle, and this is my automatic image grab response; see if you can spot the Grass Snake's tail and the Water Vole in action..! Neither seemed to be victorious, and I could rest easily.

"Grass snakes adopt a 'sit and wait' hunting policy. Any prey that comes within striking distance is caught in their large jaws and then swallowed whole. Studies suggest that an adult grass snake can survive for 12 months on less than 10 frogs."

Bournemouth

Met up with my parents and Rena and Jeremy in Bournemouth earlier. They were visiting various gardens with the Country Gardening Club, staying at the Hotel Trouville. They had had a very tiring few days but we were together for long enough over dinner at the hotel to enjoy ourselves.

After dinner we went for a stroll around the gardens, so Mum and Jeremy could go looking for the house of one of our relatives that ran a guest house in the Triangle at Bournemouth.

I stuck with Dad, who wasn't quite able to do the distance and we had a nice chat as I propped him up as we climbed the steep hill back to the Hotel. Got me thinking about all those hills (mountains) that we climbed together from North Wales to the Cuillins, and Macgillycuddy's Reeks.

A drink in the Bar together whilst we waited for the others to return, and we set the world to right.

Photo from a few weeks ago

Just because

Not a new photo, but as I am clearing out rubbish thought I should use the jewells I have, but have not used!

The Bluebells at Allt Blaen Y Bryn

Memories of a few weeks ago in the Bluebell Woods with my parents near Abernant.

The Old Folk's Home

Took this one last weekend, and it's a familiar view of my childhood. Long before the TV arrived at my parents house, taking an interest in stuff in the newspaper was a fairly common activity. The real reason I took this photo is my parents settee is going to the big scrapheap, as it's too difficult to get out of for the horizontally challenged. It's a real shame as it's going to change the landscape at home.

Anyhow I like the vibe here, which I've tried  to keep as naturalistic as possible; the Arne Jacobsen Egg chair, assorted general clutter, and the cat looking out of the window!

The stories that settee could tell...

Great gig at the Shooting Star in the evening, the last in the SMJC series which is a shame as I like that venue. Leo Appleyard on guitar, Matt Findlay on bass, Duncan Eagles on tenor. Didn't catch the drummers name but he was great too. I especially love acoustic live music, with the sound of beer drinkers permeating through, the occasional chink of bottles. Top stuff... new season is at the Talking Heads, and the gigs are definitely worth supporting...#jazz

Bluebell Woods in Abernant

Visited my parents over the weekend, and this is Mum and Rena in the Bluebell Woods near the farm where I spent many happy weekends with the Convery family in my teenage years.

Miranda and Friends

Turner Sims

Gig at the Turner Sims with Tim Garland on sax Jason Rebello piano, Asaf Sirkis drums,  and Ant Law on guitar. The first half was quite folk influenced and the second half more of a fusion influence. There's a new album out shortly, so we'll see how it compares with The Breeze!

Megaday

Today has been a lovely day - superb weather; gloriously hot and a day spent with Popsie as she had an inset day. It was a bit of a rubbish start as Lewis had managed to loose his wallet with bank card, buss pass and all the work on his college memory stick... but things improved from the point of dropping him off in Southampton to speed his journey to PSC.

Our day involved cycling from Tuckton; first stop Hengistbury Head. We had the place almost to ourselves, sunshine and a gentle breeze. We did our education bit at the Iron Age discovery centre and had a walk around the wildlife garden.

Lots of cycling has been done, as we made it down to Poole stopping for a swim along the way at Sandbanks. Lunch on the beach was delicious.

The photo below which I found on the side of a van, shows the route we have taken. Very impressive pic, and it was so enjoyable.

Loaded, and ready to roll...

Popsie has an inset day again on Thursday, so it's coincidental that I should find this picture as I am clearing up a folder on my desktop. Our bikes loaded on top of the car, reflected in the adjacent vehicle.

Maybe we'll go do some off road...! And have a picnic... and have some QT

I'm listening to the awesome Frankie Beverley with Maze - Joy and Pain.

Social Media

Round about lunchtime I was talking to my Dad on the phone, chatting about things in common. As usual I was using social media as a reminder of things that had happened recently to prompt me. I mentioned a lovely photo of Mel and Ann at Blaen Bowi that I'd seen on Facebook, and naturally my Dad observed that he'd not seen it.

Two minutes later who should turn up at Penyrallt but my brother Christian. Stories were told, clues were laid, and then this evening this turns up in my email... the very essence of social media.

Cooking the books

My brother Christian is often responsible for digging out interesting memories, and this photograph combines two things.

The first is my Mum's old staple cookbook by Bee Nilson, which he wanted to photograph to show an aspect of personal history that we all have shared over many years. Indeed I have a Bee Nilson Cookery Book myself that she gave me when I went off to Art College in 1982.

I'm guessing the THF payslip must have been used as a bookmark, and it tells an interesting story. The hotel in Carmarthen was called The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, and in 1979 by Week 33 I had earned £580 from my part time job when still at school. Running this through an online converter it equates with about £5000 in current money.

Interesting that he should choose the meat pages, as I was still a carnivore at that point. 1983 and it all changed!

Andantino by Carulli

Greg is currently learning Andantino by Ferdinand Carulli. It's a beautiful piece, which I am confident will sound almost as good as this within a matter of weeks!

Lewis' sunrise time lapse

One of the advantages of getting up early for school is seeing the sunrise. "Woken up early this morning to get a cracking look at the sunrise, it was beautiful! "

A worm to catch a Tawny Owl

Digging for worms in the vain hope that the Tawny Owl will be lured into nest in the owlbox, seemed like a good idea anyhow to Miranda. The full story is; Barry, with whom we have enjoyed many hours playing and looking after his animals over the years, has a daughter who currently lives in Australia. She has installed an owlcam in and outside the new owlbox that Barry has erected in his field.

The Tawny Owl however is no fool, and is exercising his choice of alternate roosting spots! Such is Barry's daughter's control over him that he still runs out at her command, to dig worms and place them on the ceremonial alter...!

Just in case you are watching Ann Marie, Barry did do it, and here's the proof...

Wedding Anniversary

Today is my Mum and Dad's 59th Wedding Anniversary. This photograph was taken in the garden at Underwood Road, my mother's childhood home.

We used to visit Grampy and play in this garden. Whenever I smell roses nowadays I think of his garden...

The Bartender and the Thief

She rattles out a few tunes but is unhappy with her guitar playing at present. I just love the way she does it unselfconsciously; until that is I try and get a photo!

If she practiced every day she could be magic, but she flits from one subject to another at random...

Madcap and hairbrained

It's a mark of how far I have lost the plot, but I actually let Miranda scoot down the road on this deathtrap. It is in fact a mini skateboard with an aluminium pole stuck on with packaging tape.

It's very wonky, and very dangerous I am sure, but despite several weeks of abuse it's still being played with...

I love the shadow in this chasing Miranda down the road.

Sk8rgurl

It wouldn't be my choice of apparel for hurling myself over the rough tamac, but at least she's wearing a helmet I hear you say!

Miranda has blisters on her feet and bandages on her knees now, and a few days off the skates to recouperate, but she'll be back in no time at all.

I cycle along and she manages to keep up most of the time, gravity notwithstanding. She's really quite good too, when you see her go!

Youth Nationals 2016 29er Fleet

 A few photos of the boys GBR403 in amongst the action at Pwllheli last week. The one below of Greg out on the wire wearing my snazzy wetsuit!

Happy Families

Sorry I am on a bit of a retro trip at the moment, but it seemed appropriate to be posting this one tonight...

2006 and all that

I had reason to go looking for a photo from 2006 in my archive, and since I am supposed to be thinning out the huge number of photographs I have in the interests of making it more managable,  I nonetheless got distracted by editing some of the 'keepers'

Greg was always up for having a bit of fun when I had my camera out. He would always rise to the challenge...

A decade later and they are doing battle on the high seas in Pwllheli at the 29er Youth Championships. Today's racing has been tough with 35 knots recorded on the course this morning, and the racing continuing until 7pm this evening...

Some strong results considering they are in the Gold Fleet, recording a 14th and a 16th last two races... Steady progress being made which should help their UK 28th ranking. Greg, the second youngest sailor at the Youth Champs this time.

Pwllheli Beach

You only have to stand on the beach to get drawn in by the charm of Pwllheli, although in my opinion Criccieth is even better with it's view out over Snowdonia. Sailing here is better particularly as they have a Marina for the yachts to get in and out...

Gold Fleet

Windiest day of the week, and the boys are going on the water in Gold Fleet... Go safe Team Aquaholic, and have fun!

Youth Championships Pwllheli

Can't take the credit for the shot as I am not there, but this was the scene on the beach as Gre and Lewi get ready to go on the water at the RYA Youth Championships in Pwllheli. The qualifying races have taken place over the last two days, and we'll know shortly if they have made it into the Gold Fleet for three days of races.

Go Team Aquaholic 29er...

She's no fool

Sitting in the hospital this morning waiting for my check up, Miranda managed to get me with a "pinch and a punch for the first of the month", and then later I still hadn't twigged it was !st April, so she managed to do a lame April Fool on me as well.

This was later in the day as we speculated what we were going to get up to whhen the boys were away sailing with Mum.

Fun Miranda, and cuddles we agreed was a good objective.

Wet Look Gregory

Team Aquaholic 29ers in action! Training hard for the event next week, when really they should be doing school work. But hey the sun is shining and the wind is blowing so let's go...

Team Aquaholic 29ers in action off Lymington

Just a week to go before the Youth Championships in Pwllheli and the boys are getting some training in on the Solent. We now have a talented group of 29er sailors at Lymington and yesterday was one of the best days of the year according to Lewis.

It was all going very well until I managed to drop the trailor on my foot and I now have a badly fractured big toe. Not what I needed.

Caught relaxing

With someone else borrowing my camera, I just had to chill and take in the air.

Draycote this weekend

This weekend we are training at Draycote Water with the Invitational 29er Squad, and also the National Squad too! Do you think Lewi is excited?

Took this photo last weekend at Lymington with some of our regular 29er training partners.

Fernando

Curriously the old Abba tune is playing just as I post this picture.

"And I am not ashamed to say the sound of guns and canon nearly made me cry..."

He's playing some great music at the moment. Marchina Carnevale and another the name of which I have forgotten... prompt pls !

Greg looking the business in his Oracle Interiors sponsored Racewear at Hayling Island Sailing Club.

Crunchie

Kimmeridge is like a giant bar of chocolate, but a whole lot more tasty! Here's Lewi in action papping Miranda.