Topsy turvey world

Lewis now spends all his spare time  practicing his acrobatics - there was even a moment of poetry when he was supposed to be in goal earlier, but failed to respond as he was up side down.

I forgot to mention but yesterday Miranda decided it was time to tackle the monkey bars solo - we've done them lots of times, but only when I'm there to support her. Yesterday there was another girl there - who it turns out is in the year above her at school. I was there chatting to the little girl's grandparent - and watched Miranda showing off. Today she's doing as though there was never any question of her ability.

Knights in Armour

Yesterday Lewis received a nice first day cover from Gran who'd been visiting Caldey Island. This got us looking at my various collected covers in my stamp collection - and that is how we came to be looking at this picture of a 1974 stamp featuring Owain Glyndwr. In fact it's Greg's illustration of the Fritz Wegner original stamp - from a postcard sent to me by my Dad on 10 July 1974 from Aberystwyth....

You take the slide

Lewis was delighted when he came home from school as he'd won the Art competition, and he had a canvas and some materials as a prize.

As it's the end of the week we went down to Lepe and Miranda was in very pesky frame of mind this evening, which is always a pleasure. She chase around acting up, but not giving any opportunities to take her photo. You have to predict confidently and hope for the best, and fortunately the bottom of the slide gave me a suitable vantage point.

We were able to walk down the spit towards Bramble Bank tonight further than I've ever been before, as the tide was very low. It curves for the last bit and Miranda got quite scared because it seemed like we we completed surrounded by sea. Quite an eerie feeling even for me!

Gee up

Greg's picture for the art competition, with Lewis pride of place on his (imaginary) horse, Miranda on her space hopper, Greg on his bike (or maybe that's me) and CJ on a pogo stick. That's all you need to know I guess...

In the neighbourhood

The kids have been busy doing a picture for an art competition in school - the picture is a representation of "Our Community"

Lewis has chosen to show Robert Maton who's the Agister for our bit of the forest at Rans Wood.

You can see my pictures of Rans Wood here

A link for here Lewis - John Mayer

From the hip

Lewis starting to think about taking photos quite instinctively now. He get the camera out himself, and busies himself, making sure he's got a spare set of batteries ready etc

It's quite amusing looking at his pictures; some clearly are like my compositions or subjects, but then you'll see a complete change where he's doing completely for his own satisfaction!

Vultures

We've been riding our bikes today, making the most of the fab weather. We took the Solent Way which fortunately goes from our side gate out to the forest, and had our picnic on the Beaulieu River overlooking Bucklers Hard with the yachts traipsing up and down. We cycled back via Stone Creek and Lepe Beach, watching the radio controlled yachts at Gang Warily along the way. Oh, and did I mention we stopped off for a beer in the sunshine too at the Traveler's Rest - we know how to live.

First day of summer?

It's been meltingly hot here today, the kids have been splashing in the paddling pool. The perfect evening for a barbeque, so thought you might like to share a taster!

Delicious bread and olives, followed by char grilled aubergine, mushroom, asparagus and courgettes with burgers and sausages and salad.

Greg took the photo of me, he's getting good with the focus...

A right little madam

I've just woken Miranda to take her to the loo, and she was in a very confused and wobbly state. She was absolutely roasting, and had her fawn called Brock clutched tightly, so not a big surprise really. - but she wouldn't let go of it.

And then you see this plucky face, so hard to tame sometimes, and you can't see the same person.

Master baker

Lewis' class are working on a commercial project at the moment. They have to design, cost plan, bake, package and sell an energy bar. He baked a prototype this evening and I've just had some for my pudding. The taste was fantastic, not too sweet and although perfect for a pudding, not quite firm enough to endure life in a backpack. So he's reviewing the back time and the ingredient mix, before having another go. It's going to be called Thunder Mountain, so if anyone's going hiking this summer and wants to order a quantity....

It's a one way ticket baby

I was just sitting down listening to some music and someone had left my Mippy clan book out. Glancing through the photos makes you realise just how much things change without you being aware of it.

Greg was riding Miranda's bike, Lewis was riding Greg's bike, Miranda was crawling around on the floor... all just a short time ago.

Bloggin Brown

My photo of Lewis from the weekend, as he takes photos of his favourite subject... This afternoon he came home from school ahead of the rest of the clan who had gardening club with Caroline, so I left him to his own devices to see if he could do his own blog post - daft to assume that he'd struggle really!

Down in the dirt

He was feeling particularly sorry for himself when I took this one - he'd taken a few hits, and sustained a thumb injury whilst Greg and I barreled shots at him. Not that he was going to give up, but you can see that look of resignation in his face, along with the dirty dusty face that tells the story of a goalie's life...

The following links are for Lewis - two words "Paparazzi" and "Pamplemouse"

Smile

Judging by the reflection I was sitting on the pergola, when this opportunity presented itself. Greg is at that age when he doesn't want to always be the nice guy - he has a real mischievous streak, and I love this photo.

We've had a nice bike ride this morning with Lewis announcing he wants to do a 75 mile sponsored bike ride - so we have some training to do!

I'm listening to Van Morrison - St Dominic's Preview

Keep it up

Friday night dust down at Lepe without Miranda - she wanted to stay at home and do jigsaws! The the boys had a good kick around and I took photos on the beach with Queen Mary 2 setting sail for some far flung shore as a backdrop...

I'm listening to Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes - Don't leave me this way from the 'Wake up Everybody' album; the last one with Teddy Pendergrass on backing vocals.

Head over heels

He looks quite a sight doing acrobatics in his commando boots, but nothing comes between him and having fun.

Today has seen the end of his SATs today, which he seems to have taken in his stride, although he has put in a lot of work of late to reach his best. Well done Tiger!

Fortified

One of Greg's paintings for a change from earlier this week, and no he doesn't seem to be interested in anything other than warriors and history and battles etc at the moment!

Follow the Leader

Exciting times indeed tonight, and who knows where we are headed, but we all know who's really in charge - don't we?

Don't go too close....

Doesn't seem a lot of point telling some people not to do things, when you know it's going to happen anyway! We were sitting about 50 feet from the sea defences at Milford earlier on  park bench as Miranda wandered towards the edge, which looked like it may drop a long way down. We bellowed at her and she saucily slid straight over the edge down onto the beach, and then popped her head back up.

Of course the boys saw this as an invitation top leap over jumping as high as they could - and of course I just had to take a picture!

We've had a nice walk and picnic together today in Roydon Woods near Brockenhurst, lots of Spring flowers out, and all the birds singing. Very nice too.

Spooning

Been wanting to load this one for a while, as it didn't get shortlisted at the time. I took this one at Caerleon of them both sitting in the bowl of a 30 ft long love spoon carved out of oak - it was an amazing piece of sculpture!

Big Hitter

Miranda too tired (or unwell?) to come down to the beach tonight so it was just me and Lewis and Greg giving the pigs bladder a good kicking at sundown. The blight was fantastic with big black storm clouds beneath a bright sky, making the water quite magical - only problem was I had left my camera at home as it rarely is compatible with a good footie session!

Later at home, I could see blood stains on Lewis' face and you slowly start to get an insight, into the big tough life of the growing lad, that he's becoming...

(it was a ball full pelt into his face that did the damage)

The Cutting Crew

Miranda getting a few lessons in the potting shed, from a few days ago when the weather was considerably warmer. Lewis has been planting miniature privet hedging around his model caravan park, and even Greg has been getting involved too.

See Lewis' post on his blog tonight - all his own work

It's Beer 'O Clock

This is how I see myself in my mind's eye, sitting on the pergola with bottle of Beer in hand the kids having just bathed and bedded themselves...

It's one of Gregory's photos and I think he's done a fine job of catching me relaxing! Cheers...hic

I'm listening to Bar Kokhba Sextet - Teli (get the Bar Kokhba Sextet 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 11 version)...

clip clop...

As Lewis was heading off to school he asked me to scan his painting, which he'd done for his friend in school, whose older brother makes and races 'silkies'

Don't be surprised if you see Lewis at the helm of one of these in due course....

Throwaway moments

I was reading somebody's description of bringing up children recently, in particular the way that we expunge all the torture and irritation from our memories. We are all inclined to do this, but it's good to hold on to the memories that reflect the good reasons why we do this too, and this is such a moment. Not sure it needs a story, as the expressions tell a tale of hide and seek, or is it hide and squeak!

Had a great walk today out from Puttles Bridge along Ober Water and through Markway to the Naked Man. Back across Hincheslea Moor after a very nice picnic when I took the above picture. We had chance to reflect on the converted log cabin at Hincheslea that's just been on the market for £8M, yet we barely saw half a dozen people walking here all day... we must be missing something?  Hey we saw our first Swallows today...

Remarkably it is 4 years to the day that we were in the same place, and although I'm adding this note after the event, my thoughts were uncannily the same - spooky!

Social stereotypes

It's been a mangy old day today, rather wet and very windy. Managed to get a walk in at Denny Wood this afternoon with Greg and Miranda. This is the homemakers as I got on with the business of taking arty photos - I'd come back briefly to check they were OK. "Daddy would you like a nice cup of Tea!" asked Mip..

Greg got on with the serious business of breaking wood for the fire without even looking up.