Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Cornwall

A few photos and memories from our trip down to Cornwall over the summer before the moment passes and we are back to school and normal everyday life



This was our sailing base at Mylor, the friendly Restronguet Sailing Club. We had a huge variety of location to explore from here and the boys were in their element. On our first day the weather was rather stormy but that was the rough weather pretty much done.


Above we couldn't resist a stop at the Rodda's Clotted Cream Factory during a cycle trip from coast to coast.







One day the boys sailed down to the Helford River and we met at Helford Passage with Nick and Helen Sinclair.



Greg's Birthday complete with birthday cake on the campsite!
Mipp made friends with a nice lad called Sam at St Levan, and they probably could have kept this up for a week had we not needed to get a move on!




Another day and another sailing location achieved. This was Portscatho on the Roseland peninsula which the boys sailed to from Mylor



Monday, September 02, 2013

Beach Bums

Back from our summer hols, and this is the first picture to get processed. This is Gwythian Beach overlooking St Ives in typically blustery weather. We had had a great day on the beach surfing and splashing through the waves, does life need to get any more complicated?

A nice walk aroiund the headland where we saw seals basking on the beach and Miranda inveted to concept of an imaginary seal friend called Sealy.

Today we mark the 85th birthday of the superb Horace Silver - watch this clip if you have the interest with Joe Henderson on Tenor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1CilMzT55M#t=1027

Friday, August 16, 2013

Go on Lewis

This one to put me in the mood which I found browsing through some shots of Cornwall. I think this was from Flushing looking towards Falmouth. He has the sunkissed windblown look, and Miranda on hand to put a smile on even the sourest of faces...

Wearing Prada

Proudly wearing her 1st Place badge from Sports Day I managed to get this one taken with her friend before she ran away.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

'orrid child...

Looking much like a dog about to savage a small child Miranda is no doubt an imaginative child. Quite why Greg puts up with this form of abuse I shall never know. Whatever I managed to pap this odd moment and I shall share it with you!

Down Rover!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Safe Pair of Hands?

Lewi in charge of the Safety boat at LTSC along with a few marks to race around...!

Friday, August 09, 2013

Friday Fireworks

Went down to the sailing club to watch the fireworks and Red Arrows display, decent of those chaps at Cowes to do all this just for us..!

We also had a nice view of a few shooting stars in the run up to the Perseid Shower set for this week - Greg watch out for Monday night


Thursday, August 08, 2013

Jam Tarts

About 4pm there was a slight knock on my workroom door and in came Popsie with some Jam Tarts and Mummy behind with a cup of Tea....

Now I didn't take a photo but it's funny that there is a connection with last night's post, so I am going to post instead a Youtube clip of Stan Kelly-Bootle (who wrote the lovely folk song "Liverpool Lullaby") singing it.


Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Raggamuffin

Enough sailing pics for a week at least, the challenge is to find another dimension...

Popsie processed in a Lithtastic sort of way; she's more moody than a rattlesnake!

Tonight we have been reading Michael Morpurgo and Greg joined us for the fun.

I am listening to John Cooper Clark via the John Peel Collection - currently Reader's Wives on the Space

....and a bit earlier it was The Ruts S.U.S. an absolute belter.

Although now I come to look at the picture I am reminded of the words of the Ian Campbell Folk Group singing Liverpool Lullaby
"Oh you are a mucky kid,
Dirty as a dustbin lid.
When he hears the things you did,
You'll gerra belt from your Dad.
Oh you have your father's nose,
So crimson in the dark it glows,
If you're not asleep when the boozers close,
You'll gerra belt from your Dad.

You look so scruffy lying dur
Strawberry-jam tats in yer 'air,
Though in the world you haven't a care
And I have got so many.
It's quite a struggle every day
Living on your father's pay,
The bugger drinks it all away
And leaves me without any.

Although we have no silver spoon,
Better days are coming soon
Now Nelly's working at the Lune
And she gets paid on Friday.
Perhaps one day we'll have a splash,
When Littlewoods provide the cash,
We'll get a house in Knotty Ash
And buy your Dad a brewery.

Oh you are a mucky kid,
Dirty as a dustbin lid.
When he hears the things you did
You'll gerra belt from your Dad.
Oh you have your father's face,
You're growing up a real hard case,
But there's no one can take your place,
.... Go fast asleep for yer Mammy"

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Hayling Island

Since getting our boat we have been scheming taking it to some different locations, possibly doing some racing elsewhere. And today we managed to get ourselves down to Hayling Island club for the first time.

Miranda, Gregory and I all had a go out with Lewis and the remainder filled the kayak as we explored the area. They have huge sandy beaches to launch from and a mixture of sea and inland water options around them.

Quite a work up achieving this, made me realise how lucky we are at Cahot; no traffic and everything to hand means we are normally home within 15 mins of finishing up. However maybe we'll do some open events now we have the trailor and mobility sorted









Interesting read of the day for me - Robert Capa - The great war photographer was not one person but two

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Cowes Week at Calshot

Lewis and Greg racing today in fairly strong winds against the backdrop of some great sailing. Being the second day of Cowes there were zillions of boats on the water and all the single class races seemed to come past close to our shore line. RS Elites, Flying Fifteens, Dragons, Squibs, J70 and 80's, SB20's, Solent Sunbeams, Swallows, Sonars, X Boats, Bembridge Redwings and various keelboat classes too..

The boys finished second in both their races against some good competition, well done guys!

Thought for the day - You have to live for the minute you're in

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Emsworth




The boys were invited to join me and Ian on a short trip down to Emsworth, Greg's first time out on the Beneteau. It was a gentle sail down in the sunshine in fairly quiet conditions but we managed to sail all the way there even up the river to the mooring.

After a visit to the sailing club where there are lots of dinghy sailors, and even a few world class feva crews, and a few hours in Emsworth we were just about to return in the dinghy when a few arcs of lightning lit up the sky. This was followed by the most ferocious storm I think I have witnessed, thunder, lightening, rain in every direction and hailstones with deluges of flood water...

Then after about half an hour we plucked up courage to find our way back to the mooring which all looked very different at high water and in almost complete darkness.

Greg said his highlight was jumping off the back of the boat, so here's a reminder for him.

Thursday, August 01, 2013

Wine Not

Another one of Greg's portraits of me taken in the garden...

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

On Topper d'world

Greg ripping across the start line in about fifteen knots, watch him go...!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Exmoor Camping Trip



The Summer's here and we decided to have  a few days camping to get the summer holidays off to a good start!

Mum has not finished work yet so the kids and I got some training in at an old haunt on Exmoor.

Lots of cycling, general havoc and wild living was had....

Our campsite was at Pool Bridge just at the top of Horner Woods, it's a lovely place to camp with a river running through and quiet woods to get lost it. And although it's hilly getting out if there, it is also a great place to ride from...

This is part of the climb up onto Dunkery Beacon, quite a tough ride off road for many, but not for a girl like 7 yr old Mipp...!


Friday, July 26, 2013

Sailing pics



A few photos taken of the Brown clan on the water at Calshot during the New Members day which we hosted recently to help get newly joined folk familiar with the sailing.

Above me helming an RS Vision, below Caroline crewing with Andy on a Hobie Cat, and below that me helming again in the Vision...




Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Movin' on up!

Greg with Taikiko on their last day at Waterside Primary School, before heading off to Noadswood. Both said they were  really looking forward to the new school, and it will certainly be strange with just Miranda there from now on...

Monday, July 22, 2013

Found this one tucked away in a folder from a few months ago, and thought it was too nice to let go.

Taken on Shore Road as he hides in the bushes from someone, Greg is poised to strike!

After picking Miranda up from school we headed for home,  and had he not emerged from his exit at this particular moment I would have forgotten about him. I made a joke of it and he laughed and said very funny, as though I would never have forgotten him...!

And how could I?

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Straight line

Not exactly a lazy weekend but a fun one. Had a good bike ride yesterday over the forest stopping at the Royal Oak in Fritham for lunch, about 50 miles cross country.

Today I did the first race with Greg in the Feva, which was his first finish of the year - so well done!

Then afterwards I had my first solo outing in a Laser which was fun! Need a faster boat now...

And finally, this made me laugh earlier ...

Not bad for a bloke who fell off his bike a mile into his biggest race. 

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Me and my Girl

Well this one is taken by Greg, that much is sure now! I have processed it in a Bruce Weber sort of way in keeping with the laid back vibe of the photograph. I think you have passed the test Greg!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Sports Day at waterside Primary

There has been lots of excitement building in the house over the last few days as Sports Day has approached. Greg has been giving Mipp coaching on all aspects of running in the spring!

In the event it was Miranda that won her running race and Greg had to content himself with beating his arch enemy (and dearest friend) Taikiko in the throwing competition! Running he will have to work on just yet.

Great fun was had by all, and I am including a podium shot for his amusement!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Return Match

Same camera, same lens but this time it's me on the controls. Although the model is in slightly better nick...
 
We've been down to the park this evening as Greg and Miranda wanted to practice running for Sports Day tomorrow. I gave Mip a headstart as she usually looses, but today she went like a rocket and beat Greg by miles. He was really upset because I had made it unfair for him, although to be fair she went like blazes...

Portrait Session

Been trying to teach the kids to take more portraits and I can't now recall if this was Greg or  Miranda's, portrait of me.

Not the easiest of subjects especially as I hector them with instructions along the way. The focus is almost spot on and the lighting is quite good...

Expect more.

Friday, July 12, 2013

That was the day that was.

I took this photo at the park just before we had our appointment at Southampton General Hospital with the Spinal Consultant having had an earlier diagnosis of Scoliosis for Lewis; we were all tense to say the least as it could have a major impact on Lewis' life.

After another series of X-Rays and examinations by the Consultant and we were given the news that he's got some minor growth abnormalities, but is essentially he's all clear... Can't say how relieved we all are.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

My Turn

Photo of me and Fordy just before we pulled anchor at Newtown Creek. Clear blue skies and a leisurely start but not much wind for the return leg...lots of boats out on the water.


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Getting ready for Sailing

Lewis looking very relaxed in anticipation of the Summer Holidays - time to do a bit of practice on the water!

I do believe this is my third consecutive photograph of Lewis... wehay!