Toofy grin

We were remarking on the weekend how quickly his front tooth had grown back into place. This one was taken in June, so I guess it's a three month cycle by the looks of it.

Penetrating eyes

There are times when I'm met by  a blank screen, and I can't think of anything to say. And when I'm met by this slightly questioning and quizzical look I have to retreat, and conceed that maybe I'm out of words...

... which is just as well as our landline is out of order, (so send us an email or use my mobile if you need to get through over the next few days)

Woodshedding

Miranda's been practicing her camping this afternoon, we've been out in Rans Wood and Frame Wood getting some R+R. I left the boys with her so they could carry on building their cabin and riding stables whilst I went off to take some photos., and I could still hear them jabbering away from some distance.

It's been very wet and quite windy here today. Although we had our rain jackets, it really was too warm to wear them (and walk)

Manhunt

This one's from the weekend when we met up with quite a few of the clan in Kenilworth. The hotel where we meet is a great place to gather, as the kids can all play in the grounds without much risk of loosing them or injury. That said the last time we came here Gregory managed to extract a sword from an 800Kg rock, and brandish it around; I take it back...

Organised by Alison Cross, it gives us a chance to catch up with everyone in the extended family, over a spot of lunch. And very nice it was too.

In the background is Elsbeth (trying hard not to look like a Film Star) and Christabel (who's stroking an imaginary dog), and in the foreground Lewis tagging Francis Burke....

Self Portrait

There not much to say about this one, other than it's me!

Like a little monkey

I've been out all day, and when I got home I could see a little face pulled up to the garage door window and two little sets of fingers holding on for dear life! That's what I call a welcome.

Had a text from Joanna earlier saying she was released from hospital at last, so lets hope her blood INR levels stay stable. It'll be nice to be home again, even if it means she won't be able to go climbing trees for a while like Miranda...

There a great slide show of photographs by Herman Leonard tonight on the Beeb site. Smoky Jazz filled rooms in all their glory...   

Quincy Jones once said, ‘I used to tell cats that Herman Leonard did with his camera what we did with our instruments. Looking back across his career, I’m even more certain of the comparison: Herman’s camera tells the truth, and makes it swing. Musicians loved to see him around. No surprise; he made us look good.’

Also have a look at Robin Gibson's obituary

Dad... Come and take a photo!

It was very important that I took this shot at the time, although I'm damned if I can work out now what's going on! I'm guessing it must be a cake to celebrate somebody's birthday in Miranda's imagination. That Pritt Stick is standing in as Electronic Ignitor!

Miranda making good progress with her reading at present. She's making those first steps towards sentences from recognition of plain words. Although she demonstrates a certain maturity beyond her age ion occasion, it when you see her learning to read that you realise her real age.

Another track recorded by Lewis last night, you can even download this one and play it on yer iPod Dudesters!

  Best days of my life by MippyPress

Paparazzi

Thought it was time for a new recording on the blog, so here's Lewis doing Paparazzi tonight...

(don't forget to turn the volume up!)

You can also check out his other pieces online by following the MippyPress link

  Paparazzi by MippyPress

Miffi is unwell

Just heard my sister Joanna is in hospital, but don't know too much more at the moment. Hopefully the resilient face on the side of the glass will be smiling again soon!

Get well soon Miffi...

Wrestling with sea creatures

I don't think I've taken any photos this weekend, not a single one! So this one's from a few weeks ago at Warbarrow when Greg was doing battle with the fantastic seaweed and Lewis pretending he had his own dog...

We've been on the beach at Calshot today, it's been warm and sunny, just right for paddling around in the boats. Miranda had her fisrt go at paddling on her own in Lewis' kayak, which was feasible as the tide was so low (and Lewis was in sharing mode). The sandy bottom was absolutely covered in cockles, we could have collected a sackful I'm sure, had we wanted.

Eek a wriggly spider...

They were in exceedingly high spirits this evening waiting for dinner. Miranda was supposed to be reading quietly, but the 'Cheese and Tomato Spider' book had them all in stitches - and of course one person with the giggles means chaos will follow.

Dinner tonight was Morrocan with spicy koftas and salad with pittas, washed down with La Gitana manzanilla.

I love it when you get an interesting montage occurring within a frame. I sensed I was going to loose this one as I notice the cruise liner poking into my frame. I carried on chatting to Miranda as both she and I wobbled our way down the sea defences, hoping I wasn't going to fall off!

It has taken a while to get her to hold her arms outstretched, she's very obstinate and rarely listened to advice (...reminds you of anyone Caroline?) but who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks...

Looking for Gran's house

Sitting on the coast path near Bossington Beach looking at the south coast of Wales from Aberthaw all the way down to Bosherston basking in the sunshine. It was a bit precarious on this path with small kids, and we soon came to our senses as there was precious little to stop you sliding all the way down and into the sea from here!

Exmoor

Just had a few days camping on Exmoor, at a great farm on the banks of the River Exe, near the source. I'd almost forgotten that our first day was a bit damp, although as you can see by the T Shirts, it was also warm and humid. We didn't stray too far as the 500 acre farm encourages minimal impact local activities, and even has solar showers.

This evening Lewis and Caroline made Bilberry and Pear wine from his harvest of wild Bilberries which he picked whilst I was taking photos in Horner Woods.

The Exmoor ponies were fab and we're quite chilled now!