Up and then up some more.

We tackled the Rodwell Trail some time ago, and the weather was rather rough, so today we thought we'd revisit it, and see if we could make it furthet south towards Chiswell. We certainly found the steep climb of the former railway that carried stone from the quaries on Portland. There's a great view of the Olympic sailing terrirory from here, and all the way down Fleet lagoon, but it was a bit of a challenge for Mipp. Great views from the top all the way down to Worbarrow tout and Kimmeridge Bay. Must remember that there's plenty of water on the port side even at low tide for Kayaking.

Chips in the harbour at Weymouth from Fritz and Chips, which had the German Olympic Training team parked almost outside - they are here in numbers already! Eight Vorsprung durch Techincs, but no boats in sight.

Animated

It's been curiously quiet in the house today without Lewis. I started the day with a nice long bike ride on my own, I'd forgotten how enjoyable this was, despite a thin miserable rain. It soon cheered up and was bright and sunny, and by this afternoon it's been true mid summer. Miranda and I have tootled aroound on our bikes, and Greg and Caroline have been theatrical cardboard engineering.

Tonight we had a barbeque in the garden (without any arguements) - interesting!

Waiting for the truck

I've never seen such an enormous pile of stuff ready to go camping, but we are talking 30 boy  scouts (a few lucky girls too) and 15 leaders. Lewis has been getting quite excited and I took this one at the time of offing, as they alll waited for the truck to come and collect all the bags, food, tents, sailing equipment etc....

They will be in a field on the Thames near Pangbourne, leaving Greg and Miranda feeling very jealous!

School's Out

Greg was very pleased with himself when he got home today, he was clutching his Governor's award for excellent performance during the school year. They have all done well this year to be fair, and we are all also ready for a bit of a break. Let's hope the sun starts shing again soon so we can get some more swimming in...

Jerry the Giraffe

Taken on our tootle to the Marina, Giraffey who likes to ride on the front of my bike whilst waving to Miranda!

Lewis has been racing this afternoon at Calshot, we've been catching up on other things, having been sailing yesterday ourselves in an RS Vision. We managed to capsize twice which was fun, another valuable experience gained! It was fun doing our stuff and seeing Lewis alongside us in a Topper very confidently gliding along

Munch Bunch

I was just looking out the kitchen window at the Bumble Bees on the Lavender, not expecting much else at 8.30PM. When into my frame of vision slowly appeared a goat, two alpaccas, a donkey and a pot bellied pig! Barry and his helpers were out for an evening perambulation, but unfortunately Miranda was in bed, Greg was out at his school production, Lewis was in Sea Scouts, and CJ was at Book Club. So good job I managed to get a photo or they would never have believed me....

What a strange sight they made waddling off down the street, with George (the pig) taking up the rear, free range, following dutifully behind.

Sketch Up

I was gone before they all got out of bed this morning, and only just back in time to give Greg and Miranda a kiss at bedtime. Lewis and Caroline are still out, so I can't pretend to have any aspect of family life to offer up as documentary record.

This is one of Greg from a few weeks ago that I never used of his footballing characters.

Peace Monger

Greg has been learning his lines for his school production "The Peace Child" for the last few weeks - and tonight was the night we went to see him in his grass skirt and leopard skin outfit.

The production was set in a magical land with two tribes separated by a mighty river. The only thing they have in common is a mutual dislike of each other....

This all changes when a TV crew turn up to make a documentary and propose a bridge across the river.... Disaster surely lies ahead, that is until the ancient knowledge of Wisdom intervenes with a solution - the Peace Child.

And Gregory  is cast as Wisdom!

Fresh air and lights out

Haven't really had the opportunity to post a photo as we've been sailing or sleeping for the past two days. Yesterday was the Topper Grand Prix at Calshot in very heavy weather. Lewis put in a really good effort, but strong winds sorted out the experienced from the determined! Miranda was in and out the water all day, so today we just stuck her in a wetsuit and let her get on with it.

Today Lewis and Kyle have been getting some race training from Ben Oliver who's one of the top RS Feva helmsmen racing with the National Squad, who just happens to sail at Calshot - it's a great club that really encourages youngsers to excel.

Miranda and Greg have both been out sailing today, which when you consider it was blowing at up to 36knots is a fair achievement...

Best laid plans

When I got in from London earlier Lewis and Kyle were busy making plans for how to improve their racing technique. Lewi has started to get a file of notes together.

They have also been making a model wayfarer dinghy with the assistance of John (next door) and next he's working on the sailmaker...

Nowthen boys pay attention... Would you like to try your hand at winning a £6000 adventure holiday

Lights out

Lewis decided he was getting himself off to bed early as he's got a busy day tomorrow, and ''...am feeling a bit tired"

Sometimes it's nice just to get them off to bed and have a bit of peace and quiet...

Miranda had sports day today, she tells me she won her race against the other girls - nice one Mipp!

A taste of things to come

Miranda has been on a school trip with Caroline today to Noadswood - which is Lewis' school! She came home filled with enthusiasm, I think she's ready to go.

When I look at pictures like this I always think I must take less photos with my iPhone - but the truth is it's just so damn convenient (and I am lazy)

Picture of the day, surely has to be Neptune which is coming into view again having completed it's 165 year orbit of the sun...

Julie's been working for the drug squad - which I knew "all about" as my school friend's dad was a drugs squad inspector

We've had a bit of a busy weekend which has worn us all out... Gran and Grandan are enjoying a break with Rena and Jeremy near Sidmouth and we have been visiting them. We were down in Lyme for breakfast after an early start, and this is the valley above Sidbury, where we had a pleasant walk across lovely rolling hills in fine weather.

The kids slept in until 10.30 this morning, which may be a first. This afternoon we've spent the afternoon with Kevin Diamond who invited us to his garden party (along with some old friends from Farnham Art College days) in Portsmouth

The calm before the storm

The kids have been taking part in Junior Sail Training at Calshot Sailing Club this evening. Leading the session is Richard Brooks who had a group of about eight beginners and seven intermediate sailors, and remained totally unfazed by the challenge in hand in fairly windy conditions - and did I mention he brought his two week old (first) baby along too...!

Tonight I,ve been chuckling whilst I watched both Miranda and Greg at the helm in Toppers. Greg managed to capsize his a few times, and Lewis has been out in an RSVision with the intermediate group.

Dab hand

This one's been on my phone for a little while, and seems like the right time to post it. I shot a great little video this evening at bedtime of Greg and Miranda acting out a puppet show, which had I remembered earlier would have loaded!

Greg was very excited earlier to come and tell me that he's just one merit away from getting a Governor's Award at school; only a few days left to earn your stripes Greg... will he make it?

I've just been listening to John Martyn singing Discover the Lover on Radio 6.

More selfies

This morning we were ahead of the game, so after breakfast Greg and Miranda got stuck into a few portraits, and Miranda even tried a self portrait wearing school uniform, (blue gingham school dress) bunches in her hair and some cherries too!

I've got quite a few pictures to scan, so it might be art week.

There a great photo of Gran on Ottolola tonight

Self Portrait

It's Monday so one tries to be creative. A multiple exposure of my shadow done on the iPhone before I retire to bed.

Last week at Goodwood, doing a bit of networking I was urged to watch Evan Davies' program about manufacturing in the UK, so I took the advice. It's very thought proking

Dib dib

Lewis at the helm of a Wayfarer today at the Sea Scouts open day, with Caroline, Greg and Miranda aboard. We all had a go in several boats, both sailing, rowing and kayaking. Lewis has adopted the standing position - in his own mind he's attached to a trapeze on an RS800!

Happy Birthday Father Brown

Fresh

One of the best bits about summer surely has to be the bounty of stuff growing in the garden. Pick it, pot it and eat it...

Especially nice after a day on the beach at Ashlett Creek and Calshot, and a top bike ride with Greg first thing. Miranda has been in and out of the water all afternoon, throwing the ball for the dog, splashing noisily and wildly

About thirty minutes and a cool beer separate the two pictures.... with a nice rhubarb pudding following on!