Brotherly Love

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day.

Had a nice array of Meze in the garden as the sun went down. the kids were on form but now they are in bed.... and I am listening to Kyle Eastwood.

Happy daze

The Saints come Marching In

An event was organised at Southampton Football Club this evening to celebrate the sporting achievements of the people who represent Noadswood School, and Lewis was invited for his role as Captain of the Year 10 Rugby Team. It was good to see so much positive comment about the contribution and reward from working with sporty people by the staff, and the pride they have in working together. Well done Tiger, and well done also for your sailing achievements, which did not count towards this evening's criteria.

Taylor Swift

Mipp has been practicing for a performance in school with a few other girls. I found this writing in her daybook on the kitchen table, and I recognised the words as the words of a song which has been playing on Capital Radio - mainly because I used to sing them to Miranda

"I knew you were trouble when you walked in....!"

Through the looking glass

I asked Popsie what she had done whilst we were waiting for Greg to come out of his classroom. The usual dismissive reply told me that she was not going to reciprocate.

Suddenly she remembered that she had something to show me, so off we went to look at the writing she's been doing with Mr Harris and Mrs Lewis...

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...

Pink Puffle

Some larking around at lunchtime involving Miranda's obsession with Puffles. As punishment for Gregory, who continually fuels this interest I decided to make a portrait of him as a Puffle

Eye see no reason why not!

It's quite diffiult sometimes capturing that frame just as I want it.

Greg was pushing as hard as he could muster, Miranda bouncing around inside the swing and hurling abuse at me. You have to be quick or they have moved on to the next thing, and I persevered with my composition, and luckily one of the ten frames was (almost) bang on.

Robin Hood

A little spontaneous composition from Miranda. She even decided that as I always bark on about using ruled paper when she writes, that she'd write the rules on the page too. Lots of funny irregular marks scrawled on!

Prioirity

It can't be bad when Lewis is getting on with the lawnmowing and I am left with the prospect of a wine bottle...

Taken at Gran and Grandans on the weekend after we had enjoyed a nice lunch in the sunshine.

What is the world coming to

It's more or less summer, so why should it be necessary to light the fire and warm my bones?

I am listening to Sf Jazz Collective playing from the Horace Silver season and it's getting a little warmer already...!

Wet

Had a very enjoyable long weekend at my parents house near Llansteffan Beach. The sun has been shining and we've been eating in the garden and walking on the beach, what more do you need from a Bank Holiday Weekend?

Above photograph is my brother Christian video recording Lola and Miranda splashing in the water at Scotts Bay

Peek a boo

Have been to visit our niece Rhianon today and her baby Kiera in Bath, so a few photos taken as we had lunch on the banks of the River Avon. The sun shone all day again and we were able to have a nice walk around town, with Lewis on hand to push the pushchair back up the steep hill home...!

Tuneful

Greg playing his guitar just before breakfast time. And as I write this Lewis is serenading me with Steely Blue. And lovely it is to hear too.

Bedhead

This is what Greg calls her most mornings when she comes into the bathroom for a wash.

However I took the photo on the beach just down from our house, as we watched the boats on Sunday evening. We played in the cockle shells, collected beach glass and sunk in the muddy margins all in the name of having fun at the end of the weekend. It would have been just right to sail as it turns out, but sometimes it's nice just to chill out and let it all wash over you... (not literally of course)

The World is Yours

Been watching Greg doing Japanese drumming in school today, a whole lotta noise I can tell you. Very rhythmic to be fair, but the babies in the room certainly complained!! Miranda unfortunately has to wait another two years before she can have a go

In Concert

Bike ride with Lewis interspersed by pub lunch...

Racing at Calshot was a combination of the latest Women on Water series and a normal race meeting - twenty six boats on the water, Lewis and Greg came second place, but we couldn't stop for the second race but we had to rush off due to the following engagement...

CJ is in the Topper sail number 6

Took the boys to a concert in the evening at The Point in Eastleigh by guitarist Vincent Lindsey-Clark which was hosted by the Southampton Classical Guitar Society. The program was a mixture of his own compositions, Manuel Ponce's Prelude, an adventurous arrangement of Warlock's Capriol Suite, and a superb rendition of Paco Pena's La Lola.

And who should be sitting next to us but Lewis' guitar teacher, and with any luck Gregory's too (next year)

Friday Club

As we approach the later half of May and the beginning of the sail training session for the youngsters, we also expect some warmer weather and a fair breeze. To be fair we have had a nice warm day, but standing on the shore at six felt a lot like winter at Calshot. Maybe that was because I was wearing my cycling kit, but the wind was cold.

Watching Lewis taking out three little ones in an RS Vision was a real treat, he loves his Junior instructor role. Not an easy task on his own and a fair responsibility, you are a credit to us Tiger.

BBM

Miranda can get a lot of entertainment out of a bit of cardboard, and this one especially has seen some action.

She was 'taking photos' of me like a merry fool, and I was trying to get her into bed at story time. So I papped her back and we fell about laughing.

Storytime was another chapter from the Famous Five Book no 17 - all very entertaining.

Lovely walk along the shore at sundown to pick up Greg from Sea Scouts, bats flying, birds singing...

Today one of the juvenile Robins hopped up next to me in the garden and caught and ate a beetle in one gulp. Quite a sight!

Pizza Face

She's been making pizza for her supper, said it was a self portrait!

And I have been listening to a great concert online - Tom Harrell and Colors of a Dream - Live at the Village Vanguard

• Tom Harrell, trumpet/flugelhorn
• Jaleel Shaw, alto saxophone
• Wayne Escoffery, tenor saxophone
• Esperanza Spalding, bass/vocals
• Ugonna Okegwo, bass
• Johnathan Blake, drums

There's some great music on this channel if you are a jazz fan. Tom is bringing his Quintet to Ronnie Scotts on 27th and 28th May.

Below is a piece by Hampshire based musician and teacher, who wrote the music Lewis is currently studying...



and this is the piece of music (although played by someone else)

Neighbours

We can no longer tell if there's four or five of them in there, but their feathers are growing nicely.

It was hard to detect much movement in there but I could see breathing going on so took a quick picture.

After 'developing' the picture I can see the curious eyes looking at me!

Blackbirds by the way...

Miranda is doing her own little study of snails at the moment, in an attempt to rival her cousin Christabel's Zoological expertise!! So Mipp, here's a link from Christabel for some knowledge about Snails for you

Park Life

Picture of the kids playng in the park with Kate as I dont have an image of us sailing today. Windy and gusty is an understatement, and a very rough sea to contend with. I didn't think we would even finish as conditions were so hostile, and after capsizing before we even crossed the start line I was sure we were doomed.

We overcame and rumour has it we finished well, so it was all worth the effort. By the second race the stormy conditions had abated although it was still tough out there, just that we werent planing and surfing every wave!

Best sail of the year, since the last one....

Hey you down there!

I found this photo on my desktop waiting to be be used, so as I've just been talking to my Dad on the phone seems the right time to post it! He's just had a new iMac arrive on the day 55 years exactly after his first baby (Juliet) arrived..!!

Now we need to get him up and running - not sure which takes the longer to get the hang of, a new computer or a baby.

This was taken on the beach at Llanstefan; I was scrambling on the rocks being arty, he was trying to get a photograph of me but I turned around and caught him in the act. So I papped him back!

Gladiators

Caught in mortal combat on the front lawn, this is what they were up to when we got back from sailing on Monday!

Their cardboard armour was hysterical, and rather saucy when viewed from behind (...wasn't it Miranda!)

bbq

The day started for lewi and me with sailing on a clear blue solent, and spectacular mist over the water. Not a soul to be seen at 8 o clock, so quiet you could hear the odd sound on the shore.

A few others joined us and it was really nice wasting time in the warm air. We had lunch outside at the bar in the Activity Centre.

Later I had a walk woth the kids in the forest, and it all just felt right. We saw a family of toads by a puddle, and a herd of 21 fallow deer skipping alongside us.

By six we got stuck into a fab Bbq which Caroline had knocked up, and Miranda entertained us with a theatrical piece involving Timmy the dog. Does life get any better?

Walkin the dawg

Just found this lovely photo of Miranda, taken when we walked Rose (instead of Domino)

We had intended taking the old boy out but he has a foot infection and taking antibiotics and pain killers.

Mipp took no time deciding if Rose was an acceptinle alternative...

Flying high

Old friends Pete and Chris came to visit us today, and we had a nice lazy day, eating and drinking. We first met best part of twenty five years ago when we responded to their ad in the paper having recently moved to Basingstoke. We duly became founder members of a kite flying club, and have remained friends since.

New friends

It takes Miranda about three and a half seconds to make a new friend. She got a magnetic charm and reels them in effortlessly.

I was playing with her today and she left me to team up with this lovely little Polish girl who had her own teddy too. They did everything together, running around the park playng beautifully. You probably can't seethem but the teddies are in the swing basket together...

Seemed unfair to pull them apart but it was time to go!

She's got the hump

My desk dusted down at the end of the day and I headed out into the garden to play with the kids, and a strange sight met my eyes. Miranda does not usually surprise, but today she was dressed in a camels hump with shorts and naked torso, as she skate boarded along outside the house. She was wearing a crash helmet so I didn't complain, although she had one hell of a graze on her knee. I never established what the camel's hump was for