Channel Crossing

Morning light over the English Channel

Heading for home

After a few days sailing aroung Guernsey, Alderney and along the Normandy coast to Cherbourg we set sail for Lymington at 4am

This was the scene as first light broke through....

Cheesecake

This is Lewis' Lemon and Lime Cheesecake that he made in school today, at least that's what it looked like when he got in from school. I have just eaten my piece, and it's now a fraction of its former self. Rather tasty, nice and sharp, as it should be.

Spooked

An almost perfect evening sail with Andrew Watts and his daughter Georgia on Spook. It's a racy little number and we managed to get her flying along. Lewis says we're getting the spinnaker up next time...

We went down towards the Needles and back to Yarmouth, and then back to Lynington

A quick beer and some chips on the slipway to polish the day off...

Brainteaser

Greg struggling with some long division challenges at breakfast time. In fairnest I did ask him what he wanted to do for me, and that was his choice. When he looked at the sums he gave me a knowing (how should I know?) look...

Baker's Dozen

Taken on our walk in the forest on Sunday, and just dig those storm clouds! We set off from Canadian Cross across Bratley Plain and through Roe Inclosure to Greenford Bottom. After climbing up Marrowbones Hill we crossed at Picket Post and made for Ridley Wood and Sir Dudley's Ride.

Somewhere in the region of a dozen miles was enough to make sure we all slept soundly.

Moment of truth

I never really thought Miranda would ever beat me at a game. She doesnt have that killer instinct and generally looses interest long before the end to ever win through.

It is surprising enough to be asked to play Four in a Row, even more surprising to be beaten, more surprising than that when I even have the camera ready to photograph it!

Maybe I should have been paying more attention...

Flight of fancy

Just one example of creativity found during the course if a day's work in London. This was produced by the VM team at Karen Millen for the Regent Street store. Who says you cant make money doing what you enjoy...?

A picture of Greg

Had a call from Gran complaining that I had not posted anything since Saturday, so as I talk to Grandad here's something to keep her happy.

Grandan is off to Bletchley Park tomorrow for a visit, what would they have made of this world wide web nonsense I wonder?

Fresher the better

We have been eating home baked bread again recently, inspired on this occasion by the Baker Brothers book which came home from the library. Greg has been lending a hand last week with fruitbread, and this is a garlic bread from the weekend. Just the basic white tinned loaf is about ten times better than its commercial derivative.... mmm!

Friday Club at Calshot

Ballerina

 

Taken a few weeks ago but only just noticed it. You can tell it's oldish as her face is changed due to her front teeth growing back, and it hold her lips in a different position...

She's holding an imaginary friend, don't recall it's name - maybe she will remind me.

Had an interesting refresh of how to use the internet with my Mum earlier, all good fun! So below is a jazz link just for her to follow. It's a Mulgrew Miller Concert online given at the Kenedy Center Jazz Club with Ivan Taylor on bass and Rodney Green on drums.... Click here to the page - then click the RED ARROW!

Deep Seal Diver

Miranda was reading my National Geographic when a large giveaway photograph of a diving seal fell out.. "That's a nice photo, I think I'll do a drawing of it" she said straightaway. Ten minutes later she was back...

And what a lovely picture it is too Popsie!

Mirror image

Had a very intensive weekwnd sailing at Calshot, and feeling rather prickly  after too much sunshine as a result. Lewis and Greg have entered and finished four races, and spent time in just about every boat available.

They both loved sailing in an Oppie, and Lewi is thinking how he might manage to rig a Spinaker.

Pink and Fleshy

They don't hang around and then it's time to feed (them)

To Pimlico and beyond

In preparation for his sailing trip around the Channel Islands and Britany Coast...

Our Blackbirds are back in the garden. I assumed that after fledging they would be gone for good (mainly) but Caroline noticed that she was back on her nest! Well the news is that she has laid three more eggs which would appear to have begun hatching already. When I passed early this morning the low light illuminated the nest beautifully and I could see a breaking through of the shell.

A bit later at coffee time I came back and she was on the nest, and awho should come along but Mr Blackbird with one juvenile, and they followed each other to about half a dozen spots before flying off. So now we know what Mr B gets up to...



Been listening a lot to an album called The Time a lot recently by Lars Danielsson and Leszek Mozdzer which has two versions of a track called Suffering. I found a live version on Youtube, so am sharing it for the faithfull... It would be remiss of me not to namecheck the superb percussion by Zohar Fresco. The whole concert via Polish TV is here

Miranda's secret garden

She potters around in the garden, one activity after the next, talking to herself or her dolly, or MAYBE it's an imaginary friend. Certainly if I come along and try to take a photo I am despatched to the wilderness with a knowing look.

Today's photo would have been of her on the skateboard. She asked me for some help, and I think she was surprised when I gave her a few lessons on not falling off!

Read to your bunny often

This one from our trip to see Rhiannon and Keira from a few weeks ago. Nice to see Lewi having such fun with the "teaching kids to be sparky" bit.

I'm listening to Yasmin Levy - Sentir, the track is "Una Pastora"

Hangin' in the Hood

Playing with Greg in the park. We started with football and Miranda was rather focused for a change, and Greg was giving her lots of chances so all went well.

This was after when we got to the play equipment.

Postcard

Photo our arrival into Poole as the sun went down. Had a steady wind all the way down with hardy a boat on the water after Yarmouth. It's the Round the Island Race this weekend so everyone is down the other end it would appear...