Recumbent Dragon

The Dragon has been a family plaything for many years, and a few recent photos shows the decline in a royal tradition... Not much longer for this world I think!

You'll find him here in October 2006...

You'll find him here in Feb 2007...

and also in March 2007 October 2005

and in January 2010 

Woolly meet Woolly

You can sense the bond that exists between them already in this picture, Miranda looking more like a sheep every time I see her!

Betty and Daphney get their first feed from Miranda!

On Sunday Mip had an exciting time feeding the new arrivals - she does like it when a new animal turns up at Barry's farm! Be prepared for more episodes in this story

The Outlook is WINDY

A weekend sail training is planned at Weymouth, but boy does it look windy. Not good as Sunday looking like 25 - 43 knots, with Saturday barely in the range.

A Portrait of the Artist as an Old Dog

My Dad has been exhibiting his paintings a long time, and this year he has another show in Carmarthen. I took this portrait of him in his study last time I was down as he sorted through some watercolours.

Starcross

Playing catch up just for a change! Just a few photos from our little trip down to Starcross for the Steamer event. Nice and windy with 90 boats on the water, every space gets taken up for launching and everyone is very friendly. Below the race office makes his way round everyone to check everyone's up to speed.

It's a very tidal location though so getting a two and a half hour endurance race to work here is quite a challenge...

The river of life

Picture of me and my Mum on the beach at Llansteffan....

Torch lit tales

Records, as any one who knows the Browns will testify, are in our blood. A recent visit to my parents found us rifling through my parents collection as we chatted about classical music in general and string quartets in particular.

The above record caught my father's attention, and he was off reminiscing about the trip to Greece  when the bus driver played a recording by this woman. They managed to find the LP and bring it back with them, and played it many times that I am aware of.

Such is the power of music; when our memories fail us on simple yet important things, music will not.

Peek a boo!

Popsie in Purple

From Saturday afternoon when we fed the animals and put them to bed at Barry's farm. We were there early and were able to take Domino for a walk first. Miranda especially enjoys doing this and Barry is always glad of the help; she often says she'd like to be a vet, which is why we are reading the James Herriott books!

Pizzaman

On the weekend Miranda seemed to think we could finda pizza van on the beach, just like at Hayling Island. They haven't forgiven us for having a nice time when we were at a recent training event at HISC, the wood fired pizza which was situated conveniently close toa decent chip shop.

Lewis when discussing business studies with the man discovered there were several other franchises across the country - stands to reason they would be just waiting to be found by a hungry Mipmop.

Not many takeaway vans have fresh basil and olive oil to hand...

Lola

This photo of Miranda's pen-pal and cousin Lola will hopefully inspire her to write a letter or a blog post for her... only time will tell!

Thirsty Work

Not long after he'd got home from school and discovered that he'd have to ask my permission to go back out again, he remembered some good news ... "I've got something for you Dad, a present!"

It's a night light; a project involving making an object in Design Technology at school. It has moulded and cnc machined plastic, electronics and applied vinyl graphics as well as an edge lit blade with engraved graphic of a dinghy

...just in case I wake up and need relief in the night!

Starcross Steamer

90 boats entered for the Exe Sails Starcross Steamer Pursuit Race on Sunday.... "The premier winter event in the South West - sailed on the beautiful Exe Estuary"

 Last year's photo here

Chance Encounter

On the beach at Scotts Bay next to the Pink House, we happened to meet a couple on their first date. So we borrowed one of their dogs, and Meredith took a photo of us, and I reciprocated by taking their portrait. In the background you can just see the Worms Head.

Here we are in 2009 

No Man is an Island

We've been doing this, as a family for more than forty years now, and it's one of life's essential pleasures for me. Almost as soon as I get to my parents' house, the suggestion of going for walk on the beach follows.

I only had time for a brief visit but on Sunday the weather was perfect, and we walked across Scott's Bay and around the headland giving us fab views across to the Worm's Head and Rhossili on the Gower.

We managed to persuade Dad to climb onto the rock, which was fun as he's a little unsteady on uneven surfaces now - but we all like a challenge!

Team Aquaholic 29er

It's not every day I get a phone call praising my action photography so I'll mark it by posting another picture of the boys, steaming along, spinnaker blazing! Greg holding on tight as Lewis applies as much power as he can.

We need a new set of sails for the 29er, so if there's any enterprising souls out there who'd like to sponsor them before they become famous, now is your chance. The boys will advertise your business tastefully on their sails or the hull and you'll become a very important part of Team Aquaholic.

#aquaholic29er

Running Club

She's designed posters, made badges, written rules and managed to rope various kids in school to join her running club. Tonight she tells me that Mr S if offering to help set up a course for her. What an organiser she is!

LTSC Perishers

 Lewis and Greg leading the charge on the start line at LTSC on Sunday. Photo by Beverley at LPB Aerial Imagery captures the drama nicely of a congested river... Often there's as many as 40 boats on the startline.

HISC

Startline action shot from yesterday, with extra drama provided by the cloudscape which brought hail and chilly winds to Hayling. Six o' clock start and the boys were active until we were writing up notes on the learns form the day at nine o clock in the evening. You can't ask for more than that in terms of commitment can you.

Today the boys have been at LTSC, racing again, but the winds were hideous. They met some squad 29ers from Pwllheli who after doing what we did, had to drive back to the Lleyn peninsula - that is commitment (as Lewi pointed out to me!)