Hobo {ho~meward bo~und}

We've had a flying visit from my old school chum Dorrien, as he passes through from Pheonix Arizona to see his folk, and assorted loose women in darkest Wales.

The boys always fall for his blend of guitar toting, gasoline fueled, wheel spinning lifestyle...but this time he was also centre of Miranda's attention too!

This was first thing as Lewis was getting a guitar tutorial, just before we had breakfast and headed for a blustery walk on the beach at Calshot. There's not many people who know all about the Schneider trophy, but today we found someone who was interested in rediscovering our local history!

Pulling up the drawbridge

The castle takes shape, with today's labour creating the entrance complete with working Portculis, and the archer has now a bow and bag of arrows. The battering ram is strategically positioned to break and enter....!

Can't imagine how happy Greg must have been with all this, but I'm sure I'll find out tomorrow....

Knight's Castle

Every day we get a new bit of knight inspired creativity - this one's Greg's drawing of his knight approaching the castle.

Our kitchen is slowly disappearing under the sea of models, drawings and paintings. The walls are decorated with the various crest of arms, completed by Lewis Greg Mummy and Miranda (I'm still working on mine) I must get a photo of these before they disappear, but that would involve getting the camera out of the back of the car....

I've just worked out what the curved shute is on the RHS, it's what I think is called the garderobe....

Big ships in the night

Saw the new P+O boat "Ventura" in the docks tonight on my way back from the train station. It's simply huge with quite a nice light show overhead to announce it's status...

Back on a more human level this is Greg from my pile of "must use this one day" shots from a few weeks back

See saw

Happy days under blue skies.... This was yesterday whilst laying on my back in the playground (on top of the see saw) just after Mippy appeared on my chest!

I guess this must have been slightly before we tested the roundabout to it's limits - ah the power of hind sight!

Today the kids have been making a castle out of cardboard abd gum paper, having been down to the library and stocked up some fantastic "How to..." books...

Perfect Picnic Spot

After yesterday's picture by Greg we were inspired to visit a castle and track down a few knights, and engage in a little battle. In the end we had tomake do with this scene of rural tranquility, where we had our lunch overlooking the stream railway and village of Corfe Castle. I had to resort to a 'joiner' to get the whole view in!

We had a good trek around the village, and pushed the playground equipment to the limits, and unfortunately Mippy's lunch rejoined us after a particularly vigourous go on the roundabout. The day was rounded off by a visit to Swanage for a walk on the beach, and supper in our favourite seaside restaurant, with the sunset glow casting it's orange glow over the boats bobbing in the bay.

The knight in his castle

The colours seem a little forward in his picure by Greg today, but if you look closely you can see the line drawing a little deeper, and it's a fab illustration.

He loves making pictures, and when I popped him into bed he told me the story that goes with this picture. The knight it seems is outside his castle, and about to do battle...

I'm afraid that all the finer detail has now escaped me, but the way he told the story about the knight and his allies really captivated me. I can still see that look on his face - total engagement!

Lepeing around on a Friday night

We had the whole damn place to ourselves, other than a few dog shi**er libertarian types.

The wind was howling tonight, and the football kept racing away, regardless of how hard it was kicked.

As the sun set, we made our retreat, the cobwebs having been well and truly dispersed!

The evil eye...

Lewis is reading 'The Castle of Adventure' at the moment, and ".....it's just getting to the scary bit" he tells me as he cuddles up next to me this evening.

He's a keen reader, and would probably still be reading when we went to bed if we'd not despatched him at about 8pm or so.

Skipping along...

We've had particularly fine weather here of late, and last night I spent the evening taking photos on the beach at Keyhaven.

So today I'm posting this shot of Greg as he bounces along at Lepe...

Classic April Fool...

Barely a week has gone by since we remarked that we could have played an April Fool trick on the boys. I can still remember when we were kids ourselves we used to pretend that it had snowed overnight, and of course in April, no one would ever believe you!

You can imagine our surprise when Lewis announced this morning that it had snowed. We begrudgingly had a look through the curtains and were amazed to see everything completely white, and it was still falling! We didn't waste any time having breakfast, but got ourselves dressed and were in the garden playing snowballs, before it disappeared.

By this afternoon although most of the snow had gone, we had a bracing bike ride in Denny Wood, so we're all feeling a bit worn out by beddie 'bye time

Shake your thing!

This photo turned up in an email from Chris on Friday, as he'd been downloading Gran's photos from her camera. Greg being his usual funky self, and Miranda trying to keep pace.

It's funny seeing someone else's photos of the kids - the perspective seems so different to my own. The camera it is often said does not lie...?

Tonight I'm listening to a great new release from Chris Bowden's The Tomorrow Band

Bright and breezy

This morning at about 6.20 Greg arrived in the kitchen with a big smile on his face. He always wants to be picked up when he's in this sort of mood, but my back is no longer up to this sort of thing. He's like a big sack of potatoes, but much more wriggly!

He was desperate to show me some drawings he'd been doing in school - and what a delight they were too.

Little Red Indian

Chiefy Tomahawk in his Forest shelter, reading patiently the smoke signals on a far hill. It looks like war is on the horizon....

Greg loves sitting in these little structures that we find all over the forest. One day we'll have to take our axe and a small backpack and see if we can survive the night in the trees, under our own shelter.

All good things....

I came home to find Lewis working on another drawing on the kitchen table, he'd already done one whole watercolour since this morning when he had an early morning lesson with Grandan.

The kids are disappointed this evening as everything is back to normal, and G+G have gone back home to Wales. This was the scene just after we'd sent the boys the school and Mippy was having her last cuddle with Gran!

Paint by numbers

Lewis has been having a watercolour lesson this afternoon with Grandad, and since the paint is still wet I'm loading the record shot of the two Aston Martins in a row!

Greg and Miranda have been having a go too, keen not to get left out of the action. However Greg had moved on to cuddling Gran on the settee by the time I got home so maybe that'll be tomorrow's picture.

Wrapped around her little finger

Grandan being led a merry dance here, as Mippy with reins lead him around the living room like a train.

Caroline and I have been away for a few days to Barcelona, and the kids have had a great time it would seem with my parents.

Gran

There's an interesting synchronicity here, as I received this photo this morning from Rena Thomas (my aunt, on RHS of photo) on the day that my Mum takes hold of Miranda's reins for a few days.

The photo also shows Gertrude Maud Thomas, my mother's mother and Juliet my older sister, who will be 50 in May. I only really know my Gran through photographs, but the similarities I see here between Juliet and Miranda, and my 'Gran' and Mippy's 'Gran' (so to speak!) are very interesting.

Hooray!

The kids are rather hyper tonight as they have a few days with Gran and Grandan, as we are escaping to the sanctuary of a coastal retreat on the Mediterranean for the weekend. A bit of culture and freedom from the litle critters should go down very well....

Miranda was a little unsure of G+G at first, but it didn't take too long to wind them around her little finger.

Eyore!

As the days get longer, and Spring appears, we have regular Donkey walking as a prospect to savour. This winter it has been very difficult going down to visit/engage with the animals at Barry and Janis', as the field is so muddy, with everyone getting covered in grime from head to toe...

Domino also is less keen on going for a walk now he's on his own, so we'll have to get him back on the straight and narrow again!

Picasso

Mr Brown Jnr as he scratches away at another drawing! I love these 'candid' photos which I get by going in fairly close. The kids by now totally ignore me, and just get on with whatever they are doing, to the point where if I talk to them they just ignore me anyway. So I have to get in there shoot fast and loose and then withdraw before they poke a pencil in my arm!

Tarzan

Greg and I had a very refreshing walk in the forest this afternoon, the sun having come out for a welcome change. It's been like emerging from a cruel winter into envigorating spring, with signs of new growth evrywhere. We watched two Treecreepers playing games for a while, oblivious it seemed to our entertainment!

Later on we had great fun on the swing over the brook near Ran's Wood, and tonight's photo would have been of Dad, had it not been for the blurry photo - Greg (and Lewis for that matter) just can't get used to manual focus lenses!

The draughtsman's contract

I had promised to load Lewis' picture of a Bugatti, a Jaguar and a Ferrari to the blog tonight - a drawing that he's been working on for a day and a half...

He's been working very hard to get his measurements looking correct, and the drawing is now complete and coloured in too! maybe we'll have it scanned by tomorrow - who knows?

It's been a very cold and windy day again, although Lewis and I had a nice walk this morning in Bogland - a new part of the forest that was, ...well boggy to say the least! As we waded through we saw a few Lapwings (yes, you were right Johanna!) and we almost came face to face with a group of eleven Fallow Deer in their winter coats and resplendent with fine antlers.

This afternoon the boys have been jumping over ramps on their bikes, Greg as always tackling anything Lewis can manage with complete confidence - he's bulletproof I reckon! At one point I raised the ramp, and winced as he approached it - sure that he'd hit the deck. He flew over and looked back at me over his shoulder as he landed, a cocky grin from cheek to cheek.... You should have seen me grin too!

Drawing out genius

The wet and wintery weather has continued today so we've spent a fair bit of time indoors drawing and colouring. Lewis in particular was keen to get his entry for the Wild Things drawing and painting competition together.

This is Greg with his picture of a waterbird, which he studiously produced after reading through a Natural History book - the bird a slight hybrid I think!

We had a bike ride this afternoon, which unfortunately was cut short after the rim on Greg's bike wore through from the brake block abrasions - the only other time I have seen this happen was on my bike..... nice to know we get our money's worth from our cycling equipment!

Tonight reflect upon the passing of a great photographer - War as seen through the eye of the civilian...
Philip Jones Griffiths, born Rhuddlan, Wales, 18 February 1936 - died 18 March 2008.

"I've enjoyed all the good things in life. While never signing any pieces of paper (I will never allow bourgeois society to dictate my emotions!) I've had two significant relationships that resulted in two wonderful daughters. As for falling in love, this happens on a daily basis..." Philip Jones Griffiths interviewed by Anthony Brockway, 2004.

The day started early with Mippy ready to rock, before my eyes were ready to open. The weather was rather unusual in that we'd had two very heavy rain sessions and two sets of blue skies before 8AM. So as it was a day off we thought we'd have a blow at the beach. We walked from Ashlett Creek down to Calshot along the coast, dodging a very high tide and a few showers along the way.

The sea lashing onto the beach at Calshot looked fantastic, and we watched the mad surf duders fo a while. We had lunch at the bar in the Spitfire Hanger and trudged back against the wind, all rather worn out!

The book in this photo is one that I used to read to Lewis a lot, but now it's Miranda's turn!

Make sure you check out a great photo of my clan (from about 38-40 years ago) on my brother's blog today

...blondy hair

We're in the kitchen, and the words that Miranda says as I'm loading the picture is ".......blondy hair!"

By the time I have typed it the conversation with Greg has moved on to ".....mine, mine, mine,"

On closer inspection it would appear that they are talking about a little Easter chick, who is now flying around the kitchen.

Wonky Tonk

Whatever he does, Greg does with style! That plucky charm and easy engagement with the camera always carry him forward, but wearing these fake and slightly battered Gucci style glasses, he looks more like an East Coast movie star than ever!

Engaging

I've been thinking that I need to take more conventional portraits - naturally I think that all likenesses of an individual are portraits, if they reflect the character of the person or tell a story about that person, but I've been hankering after some portraits with stronger engagement so here's a starter.

After I've mastered the kids I might start on Caroline - now there's a challenge!

Flying a kite

Always makes a nice image to see kids playing with kites, and Lepe often has lovely dramatic skies to create a fine backdrop. If I had a bit more time/inclination I'd edit the sky levels a bit to make this more punchy, but I'm nearly done for...

Dedicated follower of fashion

It's been wet, cold and rather windy here today, so and after finishing off a DIY project this morning, I thought a runaround at the beach would be the perfect antidote.

We certainly blew the cobwebs away, and it was bitter. Not that it bothered the kids who charged around as we played 'Hide and Seek'. At one point, Mippy appeared wearing these sunglasses, which she had found behind one of the beach huts. Needless to say she can't put them down now!

The artist in his studio

Now does this sound familiar? The kitchen table covered in painting apparatus and a tortured artist with a screwed up face poring over his artwork.

Here is Mr Brown the water colourist hard at work on his latest masterpiece. The scene a field full of tractors engaged in harvesting potatoes.... so by now you've guessed it's Lewis!

Eat up Dolly

Mrs Mippy giving Dolly some breakfast is a sight to behold. She sits there poking the spoon at her face, jabbering away, whilst Dolly quietly and obediently chews every last bit.

This morning it wasn't quite so straight forward when Mipp decided she was going to to have a tantrum after one of her toys was removed from the dining table. She wails like a banshee, but do we give in.... no!

Arty?

Retraced a few old footsteps today when I went to Bradford on business. With a bit of spare time I called into the Hockney museum and absorbed some culture.

It's an great spot to visit, and the surrounding community built by Sir Titus Salt in the 1850s would be a top place to spend some more time. Just need more time now!

Sunny side up

After a few nights of not sleeping through the night, our nerves rapidly become jagged and frayed. But soon the normal balance is restored and we're able to see the wood for the trees....yesss!

Brother, your time has come...

It's odd giving Greg a spelling test, it just doesn't seem right. We're so used to have Lewis doing all the boring stuff, whilst Greg plays around and acts the clown!!!

Joking aside, Greg has responded well to having to do writing and spelling and all the things that come with growing up, and we're also starting to see some subtle changes in his personality too, that go with the territory.

He's very eager to please, and loves it when he thinks he's got something right. Don't we all....!

Dune rider

Found this great little picture on the kitchen table waiting for me earlier, and I was instantly transported to another place - riding my bike across along the trail. Maybe when I'm a bit older I'll resort to a motocross bike, but for the time being I'll keep pushing those pedals up the hill!

Chocolate Brownie

Remarkably adept in the cake making department, Mippy puts the finishing touches to a chocolate cake just before we have lunch today. It's hard to reconcile Mippy, the girl who's not quite managed to control her bowels, with Mippy the dab hand with a cake mixer....whilst standing on a chair!

This morning Lewis, Greg and I had a fab walk from Lepe out over the fields across to Exbury via Stone Quay. The sunshine has been great but it's been quite cold too. The weather has been quite freaky with heavy black clouds one minute and toasty sunshine the next. Shore Road looked spectacular at about teatime, but alas no camera to hand...!

Hot stuff

Tonight we had a tasty curry for dinner all together. Our menu consisted of popadoms with chutney and raitha, followed by bombay poatoes and a coconut flavoured vegetable curry, dhal and some aromatic basmati rice and chapattis. Everyone loves curry in our house so this is always a big hit!

Lewis joined me for my bike ride this morning which was nice - we rode down to Calshot and back via Lepe where the sea was very choppy. Highlight of Lewis' day was a field full of tractors and assorted potato harvesting equipment. It's not often we seen nine tractors and one telescopic loader all working simultaneously. The freshly turned soil was a magnificent sight, as was the white blanket of seagulls chasing the worms! Lewis was so inspired he did a picture on the watercolour paper that Grandan gave him....

Hitting the high notes...

I'm sure there's a pretentious Latin word for school newsletter, but instead I thought I'd impress you with Lewis' artwork which he prepared as a representation of his Tudor studies in school. It's a kind of self portrait with bodily hair - inspired I guess by Grandan?

More noteworthy news in the form of three mentions in the aforementioned newsletter for the Brown clan. Lewis and Gregory both achieved best artwork in their year in a competition, and Lewis also had a special mention for his fancy dress competition as Peter Pan's shaddow!

Foreground detail, background pattern...

Greg and Lewis are like chalk and cheese in the dramatics department. Greg has an abundance of self confidence, and can't wait to dress up in some exuberant fashion. Lewis by contrast is a wallflower, challenged by the prospect and experienvce of being Peter Pan's shaddow.

OK, so Greg and pirates are an easy target, but Lewis took one look at himself and freaked! However he did stay the course, and by tonight despite a heavy duty scrubbing, the remnants of the make up are still giving him an extremely unusual appearance.

Ha ha!

One of the things it's difficult to capture is how people interact with each other. This one is Greg reading to Miranda in bed, as she hoot with laughter.

The morning light this time of year is great, and a very welcome spectacle by contrast with getting up in the dark - don't you think?

One eye on the clock

We had an invite in the post today to my sister, Juliet "Toots" Guthrie's 50th birthday today. On the cover, a picture of a little girl wearing traditional Welsh costume, and a cheeky grin similar to the one Mippy displays here. Fifty years old - where did all the time go?

This one taken whilst chasing Miranda around the bed on Sunday morning in the glorious sunshine, whilst she pretends she doesn't want her photo taken.

I'm listening to Scritti Politti - "You don't need cardiology to have a change of heart...!"

15 minutes

Lewis practicing his rock star look, as he's earned himself a new guitar. This one a full sized model - a steel stringed French Four Seasons beauty, which makes a lovely noise - courtesy of Lewis naturally!

Lewis' next challenge is to help Gregory learn to play, and maybe even get me to be able to play a tune! I'll live in hope for the time being.

Cross

breakfast, a simple meal of bread and fruit fashioned in the sign of the cross....

This was our brekkies this morning made my Lewis, and they were particularly delicious. When you taste buns like this, it really makes you wonder why people eat the crap that the supermarkets foist upon us?

I stood next to a woman in the Waitrose yesterday whilst her daughter begged her to make cakes, and the excuses the trollope made ...one after another were shameful. I was tempted to offer the little girl the opportunity to come home with me but thought otherwise.

Today we've been flying our kites at Lepe, making the most of the very windy weather. Fence panels have been left on the floor, as there's more forecast for this week....

My Lucky Number's One

Remember Lena Lovich? Something tells me my lucky number's gonna be changin...

It's been cold and windy here today. We had a very stormy start to the day with the trees beating against the windows of our bedroom, and I came across a number of fallen trees m my bike ride across he forest. There was a debilitating headwind for the first hour and a half, but the sunshine was fantastic. When I got back the kids were in the garden playing in their T Shirts, so clearly a lot more sheltered here than out on the forest.


Tonight in the bath at sundown Greg was teasing me about smacking my BTM, and since then Miranda has been unable to stop saying ...my hand, .....Daddy's bottom ....Oooow!

Happy

This morning started with Mippy announcing she was ready to visit the bathroom. She's getting very good at co-ordinating herself, although her expression is not always clear enough to get the message across!

She's so pleased with herself, and loves having a big cuddle when she's performed. She's not the only one....

Spaghetti Junction

Mippy's not quite got the hang of playing cars on the mat - the subtleties of driving around roundabouts in the right direction and not over hedges are proving to be something of a hazard.

It doesn't seem that long ago that Lewis was finding fault with Greg's driving, but now they both have something to grumble about!

Of all the toys in their collection, I think this tacky mat has probably had the most "hours of fun"

People's Wagon

Lewis has been preoccupied by VW vans since I brought him home a brochure from the garage last week. I found this still life sitting on his desk in the study.

We've had a variety of other work vehicles too, and a concept van based on the Crafter. I'm going to get him a job, and recoup on my investment!

Hunger

Lewis' bedtime usually coincides with our dinner time, and the routine often involves his visit to the dining table to say goodnight, whilst simultaneously eyeing our supper for rich pickings. "Oh that looks nice" or "What does that taste like?" or "You're the best Dad in the whole world" usually translating as YES PLEASE....

He devours food, and has huge range of favoured foodstuffs. If he's pushing it around his plate you know he really doesn't like it, or he's unwell! Since I've not posted an eating shot recently, I thought I'd share the lasagne demolition record with you all....

Start the day in the usual way!

Miranda now very pleased with herself when she's able to get to the lavatory for a poo, before it becomes urgent. This morning was perfectly timed and the sunshine creeping in through the bathroom window, makes all the difference in this record shot of a time that will soon disappear....

Lewis is serenading me as I type up the blog, he's improvising a tune that I recognise from from my Smithsonian Collection of traditional American music. I reckon it's Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotten, but it's magic how he picks up a tune, and plays around with it.