In Grandan's Garage

Lewis had the pleasure of pottering around in Julian's workshop, and this sailing boat which he found was in fact my father's father's toy, which he partially restored, but then lay unfinished.... So this is Ronald Seymour Brown's plaything

Lewis was very keen to get stuck into the rigging of this beautiful boat.

Maybe one day when we have a bit more time we'll get this finished!

Just in case anyone in trying to get in contact our landline is down - pls email or mobile us for a response.

Just read this on Deborah Parkin's blog and I wholeheartedly agree...   

    "Look at the life you live, and photograph the beautiful things in your everyday life. Photograph your family, your kids, your friends, your co-workers, the neighborhood you live in, your workplace, around your workplace– and find the positivity and beauty that permeates around you."

The Vendor of Sweet Things

Here's Miranda and her goody stall filled with home made wares for sale for the Regatta at Calshot. She wouldn't let a sale go unclosed, and she made some good money for the Sailing Club!

Brecon

Just downloaded a few photos from my phone, and these taken at Brecon when we met up with Lola and Otto need to go on the blog. Secretive, furtive antics at the table, followed by the boys being mischievous when my attention turned to things more relaxing. I enjoy recording my beery divesions, and this Birra Moretti was an especially fine one. I also had Moretti on the Isle of Wight last weekend but it wasn't a patch on this one. I really should namecheck the good source - Roberto's in the Square in Brecon; good food too.

Cousins

Miranda and Lola taking a breather whilst waiting for a certain (other cousin) to catch up on an ascent of a mountain in Wales. Where is he?

All hands on deck

A small insight into how much progress Greg has made this year. The crew on a 29er has a much more intensive role that on an RSFeva, and as you can see here, not only does he have to go out on the trapeze to balance the boat (and lift himself back in pronto) he's also working the main sheet and spinnaker at the same tome...

I have spotted him on the helm on the 29er too this year so watch this space!

Determined

It can be quite tricky getting the main sail up, but Lewi' likes to be able top do things all by himself. So as I watched him persevering I managed to get this photo which I quite like...

Little Finger

I was in the clubhouse when I spotted this scene unfolding. Down on the beach Miranda had managed to engage John and Sam on the safety boat, and having swum out to meet them was being given a ride...

Kicking

She makes more noise than a Jetski, displaces more water than a very big hose pipe, and is more fun than having your own private RIB...

She's Miranda!

Rooster

Like a cross between a cockerell and a old english sheep dog, but a smiling one that is always ready to have his photo taken - he's Gregory.

Tuesday Night Race Meet

 The boys have been getting in as much time on the water as possible to gain boat handling skills ready for the autumn series, and tonight it was a bit gustier than the ideal racing conditions for them (in the 29er at present). They were first around the mark and held their own all around the first lap, but the pressure was intense and they capsized during the second lap. They did well to get the boat back up, and although they recaptured some ground finished 6th out of 10 boats.

Good results guys...

Bridgend Inn Crickhowell

My father painted the pub which features in the above photograph. They used to stop for a drink when the opportunity arose, and thus it entered my consciousness. During our recent trip to the Brecon Beacons we took a day trip on our bikes across the hillside at Llangattock and stopping for lunch at the Bridgend Inn. After lunch the kids went skinny dipping in the river and Greg noticed the Salmon spawning upstream, and having seen too many National Geographic photostories about the Bears,  joined in the fun.

Allegedly more than 62 were caught and then released. Hopefully they were not too traumatised...

When we were Young

Found these great images of me as a young lad, being led astray by my father on a sidings in the valleys, late 1960's.

The steam age had ended but a few still worked the back alleys, and my Dad was fascinated by them. I never had a train set as a child, but then again I never needed one.

Bembridge IOW

Pleasant sail down to Bembridge with Fordy, storm clouds on the horizon....

This was at the sunny stage with rather flaky wind. By Sunday the wind and tide was against us and we had a hellish return leg, going backwards on a number of tacks as we beat up the Solent. Lewis was having a snooze at this point as we had time on our hands before arriving at Bembridge, unable to cross the sand bar.

Frustratingly we'd not managed to get any provisions, having had a 6.30 start, so we were not eating cake. Cracking spot of lunch at the cafe on the beach when we arrived though, not to mention dinner on the beach too on the other side of the river. Live music in the pub topped off the evening nicely.

Bembridge seems well served for food and drink, worthy of another visit I think.

Hurling

They were belting stones at a tumulus erected just a few feet away, and the stones were ricocheting wildly. It may look calm but it wasn't... The voice of unreasonable precaution stepped in and was ignored. He raised his voice, and was eventually obeyed!

The Eye of Miranda

I showed her the photo she'd taken of me, but she wasn't very impressed. "You should have put one of me up instead..." she says, knowing it will get a reaction.

This is what I took directly before she took mine.

Popsie on the trigger

She always has wonky horizontals, she's sometimes a little sloppy with her focusing technique, but you can't fault her eagerness and eye for a good photo!

Lewis and the Scorpion

Happiest when messing around with boats, he comes in very handy when your rigging needs fixing. The number of compliments we have received from grateful boat owners as a consequence of his passion, I can't tell you.

Greg on the Fridge

Spotted in our kitchen from the Daily Echo, is a clipping of Greg in the Tug of War at Noadswood School from last week...

Presents

Gran and Grandan skipping a generation, talking straight to the grandchildren without an interpreter. Grandan seems to be opening his birthday present which Miranda has just given him, happy days!

Evening training at CSC

The boys putting in some hours on the water in the 29er...

Sugar Loaf

On our final day in the Beacons In wanted to climb the Sugar Loaf near Abergavenny, and was pleased to not get a single complaint. After earlier walks I thought I may have some belligerence, but not so. They now know that to see far, you have to stand on the shoulders of giants!

The walk was superb, and the views did not disappoint. Magically we saw the rains come from Pen Y Fan direction and we did get a little wet. This was as we were coming down with brooding clouds all around and the journey home to enjoy...