Tour Bus

On our way to Pwllheli for the Nationals and Worlds in Pwllheli, day one started with a rise at 5 o clock and drive across the country. This is a mid morning stop at Lake Bala, and the team are looking perky enough. Me, a little jaded, but miles to go just yet! And a tent to erect, and dinner to cook!!

Familiar territory

I can recall talking to my grandfather about times moving on, and it never really occurred to me that I'd be a dinosaur myself before I was even old. Whilst I was enthusing about the amazing accuracy of digital clocks, little did I know that my first love would soon become "a thing of the past"

Above was one of my favourite haunts, along with Honest John's in Portobello Road, Mole Jazz over in Kings Cross and Snoopees in Boscombe (I could go on...), so when I come across a photograph like this one it all comes rushing back how antiquated I am! Anyone recognise the proprieter?

To be fair I did see a superb record shop in Southsea yesterday, not that I risked dragging the family inside.

Americas Cup World :: Series at Portsmouth

Chanced upon a table with a view just an hour before things kicked off, and armed with Lewis' knowledge of the GPS marks on the water that one of his chums had been making at work ... we were in exactly the right place to watch the action!

Top racing, some fab retro reggae, soul and rhythm music and a few beers made it a top day out. We even managed to get a bite on Albert Road before heading home. Below the Minx works her charm on Lewis.

A fine effort by Team GBR puts us ahead, but tomorrow is the decider in this series.

#bringthecuphome

Tandem

I did recommend one of my friends not to buy a tandem recently, but to be fair we've had a few decent photos opps from the old chuggy beast. Maybe that's it's forte...?

Anyhow here's the pair of us, previously not seen ripping through Beaulieu.

Mip Solo

Friday Club again tomorrow, and Mipp will be honing her sailing skills again. Tonight she's been singing for at least an hour, seemed rude to move in and despatch her for bed, even though it was late. An unusually nice cuddle finally and lots of reflection on her day, confirmed we were on the right track. There's a rhythm to life, it's achieving it.

Black Tie Lewi

Lymington Regatta

Lewis has had a busy week at work, he comes home exhausted with that look that says it all. We also managed to do some damage to the boat last weekend, and he's been squeezing in time to get that repaired (at work) too with the assistance of some great guys there too.

So we picked it up on Friday and took it racing again first thing this morning at the Regatta at Lymington. Very busy with boats everywhere, although worth all the effort as the boys are sitting in third place at the end of day one, and this with the old sails too...

Lewis talking about trying to push up the table tomorrow, I like your fighting spirit Tiger

#aquaholic29er

Role Models

Lewi chats with Miranda about his daydream believe, #everyROADtoRIO, this is the Brazilian 49erFX girls team battling for a podium place for the RIO Olympics. Way to go Popsie, Lewi can show you the course.

Love is...

a bruvver called Greggie...

One has kids for days like these.

Bicycle made for two

One I'd forgotten I'd taken; Miranda taking a jaunt with Tom at the bike hire centre. No photo sadly of me riding it with her...

Today it's been Miranda's Sports Day and this year she won the 100M Sprint by several lengths. Last year she was certain that she'd won it but came second - this year she left no doubt!

iFlown

This is how Popsie entertains herself, just found it by the side of her bed!!

Betty the Sheep

Time with the animals on a Tuesday night...

Lewis came home from work today at the Boat Yard and tells us there's been a near fatality in the workplace adjacent. Reminds me of the Elvis Costello song Shipbuilding, and the dangers we risk from time to time just to put bread on the table.

Preparing to do battle

Greg fueling up before going on the water at Grafham. It's a long day with often 6-8 hrs on the water before coming off again. Keeping the boat upright, let alone agitating on the start line repetitively and then racing it competively is a lot of physical and mentally draining work.

But they are tough cookies!

Raring to go at Grafham!

52 boats racing for the pecking order at Grafham Water Grand Prix. A tough weekend with challenging conditions, but big smiles all round by the end of the weekend. They recorded an 18th, a 29th, 26th, 32nd, 33rd, 28th and 28th. Overall this gave them 32nd position, which is a fair improvement over the last 9 months, up about 12 places.

Although they have improved a lot, the class is of a very high standard so it's hard to make noticable difference. Lots of fun was had, although poor old Greg's hands were torn through to the flesh on every finger, the water taking it's toll.

Camping

Supper at the camp site with the boys, very tasty with Top End Blonde refreshment, so local she came from just around the corner... I wished I'd photographed her label.

Poole YC

A days training with Pete Perera at Poole YC with the sun shining at the wind blowing. The boys were using their spangly new sails to get them worn in, and they came back glowing.

Pete says we're really making progress... smiles!

Fat Boy

I showed this photo to the kids and they said "Oh No! has Grandan got a new bike,  Gran will never get the lawn cut now...!"

This could be one of my favourite photos of the old boy, kicking up a storm.

Lewis and Tom

Photo of the boys after cycling their tandem to the prom last night! Looks like they made the local snoozepaper too...

This morning at 8 Miranda and I kindly cycled the boneshaker back to Brockenhurst, which she enjoyed greatly. I have to say it was nice being able to chat with her as we went, but in terms of quality of ride .....nah!

Beautiful day for a ride which I took gracefully,  passing by Acres Down for very nice tea and cake for a late morning snack. In all at least 40 miles ending at Calshot with a snoooze by the sea.

Roll up and Shine

Lewis and Tom are arriving at the school prom tonight on a tandem, done up to the nines. This was slightly earlier in the day when we took delivery of the bike, and the guys discovered the joys of being joined at the hip!

Miranda, who was with me on our bikes to escort them part of the way, was ecstatic and wanted to have a go - naturally Tom obliged. Tomorrow Miranda and I are going to ride it back to Brock as the boys will no doubt be unfit to do so by 9 in the morning.

Crossing Continents

Crossing the start line whilst racing at #ltsc in the fast fleet; Hurst Castle is just behind. We can't race this weekend or next due to other commitments which is a shame as theuy have finished well in the first few races of the series. Got to be in it to win it!

Noadswood throwback (as Lewi would say)

Came across this image of Lewi and schoolmates enjoying a Business breakfast at school before his exam, from a few weeks ago! Now the waiting game for the results before he knows his next step...

However today he's been at Peter Symonds for the day having a taster session of each of the A levels he's hoping to do. To say he came back enthused is an understatement. Although the biggest smile came when he told me he'd been sitting next to a top 29er sailor, who's hoping to be doing the same subjects and all!

I dropped him off at the train station bright and early, it seemed quite strange to be packing him off on his own... but he came back for his supper, no problemo!

Watching the boats go by on the first beat up to the Needles #rtir