Birthday Boy

Had a great day out at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, having a look at  HMS Victory and the remains of HMS Mary Rose and all the associated collection of salvaged history.

Lots of other things to see including a Galipoli warship that was built in 7 weeks - exactly 100, years old and a fascinating reminder of changes in shipbuilding within the time.

There's a good write up of the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on the Guardian just a few days ago it turns out.

Topping Out Ceremony

Greg joins the legion of other teenagers in the morning, so here he is on a pedestal for the last time. Destined now to be grumpy, unhelpful and spending his mornings in bed, like the rest! Not....

This was taken near our campsite on hols and has the rosy glow of a relaxed time after too long on the beach.

Top Rider

This was taken at Porth Colmon on Llyn, we'd ridden for quite a while and lunch was beckoning. I had found a cafe at the top of the hill but didn't want to have lunch first, so the slightly jaded look is saying why are we looking at another beach Dad?

She soon got stuck in, looking for conch shells in particular, having spoken to one family who come here every summer and do likewise.

I am listening to Mayombé by Dennis Gonzalez, suits my mood perfectly. Think it has two of his progeny, Stefan and Aaron on this recording too plus Tim Green and Famoudou Don Moye.

Miranda's shirt reminds me of the lovely heather I have cycled through today in the Forest, it's beautiful at the moment...

Space Hopping

One of the lovely things about camping is the drop in friendships you inevitably make, and this year our trip to Bolmynydd was no exception. These are a few pictures grabbed at the end of a good run of fun between Miranda, Greg and Ava and Theo. They played bouncy Space Hoppers and Cricket and god knows what else whilst I was cooking dinner and doing chores most evenings. The family come from the Bath region and both parents are photographers, hopefully if Miranda keeps up her promise to write we'll meet again.

Snowdonia Mountain Range

Bolmynydd Camp Site

This was home for a few weeks during the Nationals and Worlds, a small campsite on the hill overlooking Abersoch. The view of the mountain range from the moorland just beside was pretty awesome, ranging from Nefyn and Yr Eifl on the LHS right the way down to Cadair Idris on the RHS. We could walk from here down to the beach at Llanbedrog, bucket and spade in hand.

The Pictures don't get much better than this

 All the above images were taken by the official photographer, and they really capture the beauty and drama of the racing. Outstanding and a great way to remember the event...

There's a write up on Yachts and Yachting Website too, with some photos too.

National Parade

At the opening of the Championship there was a parade through town of competitors from the 44 different countries represented in the World Championship.  Somewhere near thr front and Lewis' chums John and Simon from Australia who eventually came 6th in the World, and Argentina who came 2nd...

Three is a Magic Number

The boys hoisting sails at the Nationals, and look carefully top the left and you'll see Miranda paddling past in the kayak! One of those moments when we're all doing what we enjoy...

Porth Colmon :: Llyn, near Aberdaron.

Took this photo on our cycle tour around the Llyn peninsula with Popsie. Thought I'd better make a start loading a few pictures. I think I was a few years older than her when I came cycle touring with my Dad to this same location, not long after passing my 11plus and getting a bicycle.

We had a great time, and this beach was especially nice. Lots of pretty shells which found their way into my jacket pocket, and now needs Miranda to make the into a necklace.

2015 29er Worlds in Pwllheli

Just got home from the 29er Worlds, where Lewis and Greg have been competing. This is one of the press images as I didn't get access to the race course to take photos, but the vibe should be evident from this.

Weather conditions were rather challenging to say the least; some stinky wind and waves to contend with. Big waves over four metres high at times with wind at the upper end of the range, they have done well to survive and finish I think.

Lots learned, lots more to learn too but nice to see Gregory on the podium to pick up an award for the youngest sailor at the 2015 29er World Championship.

Camp Cooking

A tasty risotto cooked on the camp stove by yours truly. I was lauded by compliment almost every night, and the boys even did some washing up too. Barely time for a beer before dark and all eyes in the house shut.

2015 Worlds Video

Zhik 29er World Championships 2015 from Fleye Aerial Film & Photography on Vimeo.

This is the official video for the event which will give you all an oversight into the challenges the boys had to face. Lewis is busy writing an account which I will post here when he's done it!

Sand Lizard

I hope someone from the New Forest Reptilery sees this post to note what an important job they do. We all enjoy visiting the place which enables us and other visitors to see many of our rare and common reptiles in a semi wild. This photograph was taken in Pwllheli in the sand dunes, and was one of three found by Miranda, and it's our rarest British reptile - the Sand Lizard.

When I brought this to the attention of the Nature Warden who works these dunes every day, he told me he'd not seen one there all year. Well done Miranda on your observational skills.

Raggy

She's as mad as a box of frogs, and ever so adorable. When the boys were on the water we spent quite a bit of time in the car dodging the apalling weather in places, and this is how we entertained ourselves

Tally Off at the Nationals

During the Nationals Miranda and I helped out with Beach duties; which entailed tallying crews onto and off the water so that their whereabouts was known. This is Mip trying to retrieve the rubber bands with their number on from Lewis' wrist! They are coming off the water after about six hours of tough sailing, and the weather looks lovely here doesn't it!

Big thanks to Oracle Interiors Ltd for their support of the boys racing endevours.

Llanbedrog Beach