Icky wicky!

After supper time tonight we were hit by the childhood version of flash floods. No sooner had Mippy's bedclothes been pulled off and replacements sought than Greg appeared and ooops, too late, and an even bigger trail of devastation. Not content with being outdone, Mippy decided to go for a second attempt and the bath was the only place left to keep her contained!

A small sobbing from Lewis' room, and I was getting worried. However Lewis' unhappiness was focussed mainly upon the impact it might all have on tomorrow's activities! Ah bless!

Space Truckin'

We're certainly getting our money's worth out of the Teddy Walker at the moment. I seem to recall the boys used it when they were learning to walk, but Mippy uses it as a vehicle that she trundles around with. She races like a mad thing, often on her own, or sometimes as she chases after the boys. She also likes using her little wooden trike that Nick and Juliet passed on to us,

Today we've had a nice bike ride down to Calshot, stopping for a picnic at Ashlett Creek. After a skinny dip session on the beach near the power station at Calshot, it was time to head for home.

Putting on a show

We joined Alison and Mark and some friends at Lepe tonight for a barbeque, and the highlight of the eveing was the Firework display at Cowes. Allegedly 6 tonnes of gunpowder were used to create the drama, which looked fantastic from our spot on the beach.

Lepe was gridlocked as we came to leave, but now we're all safely home and the kids tucked up in bed

Nosey Parker

Summer's here and the hay is being cut in the field next to our house. Mrs Mippy strains to get a glimpse of the source of the noise of the tractor as it mows!

Maybe we'll start calling her Mrs Trunky, as she seems to tap in on any activity, that she's not been invited to join.... sounds familiar?

The swinger

Miranda having fun at the playground, and for once I had my camera with me. It's interesting too watch her, as she knows exactly what she wants to do, and you can't really persuade her to change her mind. She generally prefers the big swings, and can do a great job of holding on, but it was easier to get a photo of her in the cage!

She squeals with excitement and it's amazing to see other people's reaction to her euphoria. It's nice when you have time to just let it wash over you, but usually we've got a short piece of string.

I'm a roadrunner!

We've been having fun with Roadrunner recently - it's one of the tunes Lewis was given at school last term and he's been practicing it most days, since breaking up for the summer. I have been joining in with the African drum, and having a bit of fun too, so the practice piece has stared getting longer.

Anyhow tonight Lewis put one of my Chess records on and he came running into the kitchen to tell me "Hey Dad it's Roadrunner!", so tonight he's been jamming along with the record, until I almost had to tell him to turn it off!

Searching for a Bo Diddley picture to go with the story I was saddened to hear that Bo is very unwell, having suffered a stroke. So tonight my thoughts are with him, for bringing us so much musical inspiration

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A blast from the past!

The phone rings at about 9.30pm and it's David "Taffy" Evans. 'I'm in the Black Ox in Carmarthen' he says and you'll never guess who's sitting next to me. It all comes flooding back, ...teenage years, ...misspent youth, ...wayward reprobates, ...etc

This one tried his best to lead me astray, but now flies Boeing 737's around the world... are we safe any longer?

Many stories I could tell, but modesty forbids, ...and my Mum reads the blog, so I'd get into trouble. So this is a quick scan from my old neg files, of my old mate Dorrien from about 30 years ago. I wonder what he looks like now!!!

Strumming along...

Just talking to Gran and Grandan on the phone, ....so this is to show them how quick it is to do a posting on the blog! I took these earlier, and this is Lewis playing his guitar tonight at about dinner time.

And this is what we had for our supper...

It's all downhill now

Well summer seems to have returned today, it's been a scorcher and we've had clear blue skies all day. Naturally we've been doing a bit of gardening, and the sandpit has taken a step towards completion - all we need is a ton of sand!

This evening we had a barbeque which Lewis and Greg both announced was the best we've ever had. Not sure if that was down to Mummy's mastery of chargrilled vegetables, corn on the cob, sausages and the like, .... the finale guitar and African drum session in the garden, ....or the fact that we managed to get to bed time without coming to tears. But anyhow it worked just fine.

Growing up

Sometimes you stop and look at your kids, and it would almost be possible to believe that they were grown up, ...until the next tantrum that is...!

Lewis looks particularly mature here, at tea time as he talks to Gregory.

Two man tent

You know when you buy a tent and it's described as a two man tent, I think this is what they have in mind. Two small young men who are rather fond of each other's company!

Lewis is larking around with his friend Patrick, with whom he shares a fascination for all things truck related. Of course Lewis loves being the one with all the expertise to impart, and being idolised, of course.

Everyone's itching to camping, but not for a while yet!

Roll up, ...roll up, ...roll up!

I had quite a surprise today when at about 5.30 the boys came into my workroom and announced ..."Dad, you'd better come quick, we're having a Circus".




Now I should have noticed the signs, because over the last few days there had been comings and goings, ....staplers and sellotape had been borrowed etc. And mysteriously the bunting (made from old carrier bags) had been erected.



Now, a small audience had been arranged, and the show began...



Little Zippo was a clown who performed all manner of juggling and fire eating tricks, he was joined by Mippo who twirled plates and performed snake charming tricks, with Lewis the stunt rider helping out too. Mummy was the ring master extraordinaire.




The show was rounded off by Zippo performing his Lion taming act, which had us all on the edge of our seats....