The Outlook is WINDY

A weekend sail training is planned at Weymouth, but boy does it look windy. Not good as Sunday looking like 25 - 43 knots, with Saturday barely in the range.

A Portrait of the Artist as an Old Dog

My Dad has been exhibiting his paintings a long time, and this year he has another show in Carmarthen. I took this portrait of him in his study last time I was down as he sorted through some watercolours.

Starcross

Playing catch up just for a change! Just a few photos from our little trip down to Starcross for the Steamer event. Nice and windy with 90 boats on the water, every space gets taken up for launching and everyone is very friendly. Below the race office makes his way round everyone to check everyone's up to speed.

It's a very tidal location though so getting a two and a half hour endurance race to work here is quite a challenge...

The river of life

Picture of me and my Mum on the beach at Llansteffan....

Torch lit tales

Records, as any one who knows the Browns will testify, are in our blood. A recent visit to my parents found us rifling through my parents collection as we chatted about classical music in general and string quartets in particular.

The above record caught my father's attention, and he was off reminiscing about the trip to Greece  when the bus driver played a recording by this woman. They managed to find the LP and bring it back with them, and played it many times that I am aware of.

Such is the power of music; when our memories fail us on simple yet important things, music will not.

Peek a boo!

Popsie in Purple

From Saturday afternoon when we fed the animals and put them to bed at Barry's farm. We were there early and were able to take Domino for a walk first. Miranda especially enjoys doing this and Barry is always glad of the help; she often says she'd like to be a vet, which is why we are reading the James Herriott books!

Pizzaman

On the weekend Miranda seemed to think we could finda pizza van on the beach, just like at Hayling Island. They haven't forgiven us for having a nice time when we were at a recent training event at HISC, the wood fired pizza which was situated conveniently close toa decent chip shop.

Lewis when discussing business studies with the man discovered there were several other franchises across the country - stands to reason they would be just waiting to be found by a hungry Mipmop.

Not many takeaway vans have fresh basil and olive oil to hand...

Lola

This photo of Miranda's pen-pal and cousin Lola will hopefully inspire her to write a letter or a blog post for her... only time will tell!

Thirsty Work

Not long after he'd got home from school and discovered that he'd have to ask my permission to go back out again, he remembered some good news ... "I've got something for you Dad, a present!"

It's a night light; a project involving making an object in Design Technology at school. It has moulded and cnc machined plastic, electronics and applied vinyl graphics as well as an edge lit blade with engraved graphic of a dinghy

...just in case I wake up and need relief in the night!

Starcross Steamer

90 boats entered for the Exe Sails Starcross Steamer Pursuit Race on Sunday.... "The premier winter event in the South West - sailed on the beautiful Exe Estuary"

 Last year's photo here

Chance Encounter

On the beach at Scotts Bay next to the Pink House, we happened to meet a couple on their first date. So we borrowed one of their dogs, and Meredith took a photo of us, and I reciprocated by taking their portrait. In the background you can just see the Worms Head.

Here we are in 2009 

No Man is an Island

We've been doing this, as a family for more than forty years now, and it's one of life's essential pleasures for me. Almost as soon as I get to my parents' house, the suggestion of going for walk on the beach follows.

I only had time for a brief visit but on Sunday the weather was perfect, and we walked across Scott's Bay and around the headland giving us fab views across to the Worm's Head and Rhossili on the Gower.

We managed to persuade Dad to climb onto the rock, which was fun as he's a little unsteady on uneven surfaces now - but we all like a challenge!

Team Aquaholic 29er

It's not every day I get a phone call praising my action photography so I'll mark it by posting another picture of the boys, steaming along, spinnaker blazing! Greg holding on tight as Lewis applies as much power as he can.

We need a new set of sails for the 29er, so if there's any enterprising souls out there who'd like to sponsor them before they become famous, now is your chance. The boys will advertise your business tastefully on their sails or the hull and you'll become a very important part of Team Aquaholic.

#aquaholic29er

Running Club

She's designed posters, made badges, written rules and managed to rope various kids in school to join her running club. Tonight she tells me that Mr S if offering to help set up a course for her. What an organiser she is!

LTSC Perishers

 Lewis and Greg leading the charge on the start line at LTSC on Sunday. Photo by Beverley at LPB Aerial Imagery captures the drama nicely of a congested river... Often there's as many as 40 boats on the startline.

HISC

Startline action shot from yesterday, with extra drama provided by the cloudscape which brought hail and chilly winds to Hayling. Six o' clock start and the boys were active until we were writing up notes on the learns form the day at nine o clock in the evening. You can't ask for more than that in terms of commitment can you.

Today the boys have been at LTSC, racing again, but the winds were hideous. They met some squad 29ers from Pwllheli who after doing what we did, had to drive back to the Lleyn peninsula - that is commitment (as Lewi pointed out to me!)

Hayling Island SC

Spent the day at HISC again today, as Lewis had been able to arrange a day's training with some other 29ers. A very productive session was had for them, and I was in the training boat learning myself and seeing them in action. As the photos download I like the look of this one which captures a dreamy moment (for me at least)

Awesome sunset whilst we ate wood fired pizza and chips from the wagon on the beach... The Best! So good I didn't even need a beer to wash it down, which is just as well as my eyes were closing by the time we departed...

Sailing at Lymington tomorrow, the last of the Perishers series...

Old Harry rocks..!

A moment of gay abandon on the beach at Studland. It would be nice to get down here early one morning and see the warm sunshine light up those rocks, I figure I could easily spend a whole day in the dunes, lunch at the Pig etc. Now where's my diary.

The Pill Box

Greg rose to the challenge of getting inside, Miranda demonstrated her ease with which to make an excuse.

Old's Harry's Tonka Toy

Walked from the chain ferry down to Old Harry's Rocks today across the dunes. This was coffee break time at the cafe on the beach, having just had a conversation with a family about Tonka toys. Check out the sunshine; it's sunnier down South! February is consistently one of my fave months of the year...

29er The most fun you can have when wearing Speedos

Just in case you are wondering why the boys want to do this every weekend...

By popular demand... here's Gregory!

 

This is one of two pieces that Greg will be playing at his next music competition. This is Valse, a Hungarian waltz, and the other will be Malaguena.

Early Birds

OK so I should have used a flash, but just look at the sunrise. Sailing - we are go!

HISC Open Training Weekend

First boat to arrive for the race training session at Hayling Island Sailing Club. Wind forecast at 30 kn and snow on the fields all around; it's going to be a blast! Wowser...

The old Yamaha sounding sweeter than ever...

Greg's first music competition, and he's smiling! We have another one at Durlston Court School in New Milton in a few weeks time, and we'll see what the competition is like there...

Really must give a plug to my favourite Jazz blog Burning Ambulance - great articles and reviews, with music to listen to as well.

Peaches

Clearly not a winter shot, but only just processed this image which I thought deserved an airing. Puts me in mood of languishing in shorts by the beach - you can tell what Lewis is doing can't you.

When we were Young

I came across this absolute gem taken in the garden at my parents house, and this is before they had the extension built. My brother Chris hiding in a dustbin, and an old blanket were the sort of props we had as toys in those days. I have just walked past an Argos lorry delivering a load of old crap to a neighbour, on the way back from collecting Miranda from school - don't tell me they will have more fun than we did!

Chris though, not looking that happy here!!

Sk8r Gurl

Not sure if you have tried running backwards whilst trying to take a photo, not recomended for sure! But in truth Popsie's co-ordination is still "progressing", and having had a few close shaves, or full frontal collisions to be more accurate, thought I would try a different technique.

It brings back all the memories of teaching the kids to ride a bike, and being desperate to get a photo of the moment at the same time! One minute they are desparate for you to be there to cling onto, the next they are gone in the opposite direction and no longer want to be your friend.... Sound familiar?

PHOX - Shake it off (Taylor Swift cover)

Posting this for Greg and Miranda for inspiration; it's a beautifully simple cover of Taylor Swift's Shake it off...

Great vocals, and I love the brass section Mip.

Woolly

Produced during Miranda's inset day recently, Woolly was inspired by thoughts about the bones found at Paviland Cave.

LTSC River start

Not a particularly great picture of the boys but it shows the vibe as they headed off down the river on today's episode of the Perisher series. They were out on the water form 10Am until 3pm today and boy was it cold. Greg gave me a pained look and offered his hand; it was like a little block of ice. So I did my duty and warmed them gently, and his face lifted!

Photo courtesy of LPB;other pics on Flickr

Shatterford

This is a place that I have stopped at many times over the years, and especially since moving to the area 15 years ago. I love it in the winter especially as the colours glow orangey brown shades, and the cotton grass carries traces of red. The cattle trawl free range and all around bird life is to be found; Curlew, Snipe, Lapwing, Wood Warblers, Larks, Crossbill and Nightjar.

Peter Symonds College

Big day for Lewis today as he had an interview with his preferred sixth form college Peter Symonds in Winchester. Smartly dressed in black and white including my ZARA black tie, he was the picture of cool calm self confidence!

The picture on the wall in reception caught my eye, and it looks like the sailing creds have paid off as he's been offered a place (subject to satisfactory grades) and I can tell you he's well made up! During the course of the interview he managed to discuss Ben Ainsley and David Carr, both of whom attended there as well as Iain Percy.

Malaguena

Greg is currently learning to play a section of this piece called Malaguena. As I write he's standing  behind me running through it, and it sounds most beautiful. Greg is going to be taking part in another music competition soon in New Milton, and is putting lots of effort into his work. He's also been accompanying Miranda singing her Taylor Swift song Blank Space

Work that boat

#teamtiger #livingmylifeontheline

Teddies Tea Party

Miranda had an insect day today so we got the boring stuff over first and then managed to fit in the fun bits. Maths was the dreaded times tables, Literacy was writing about the Red Lady of Pavilland who we all know was really a man, Art was doing pictures of a Wooly Mammoth.... and then lunch was a Teddies Tea Party! Then we went skating down to the Marina as Mipp was itching to do this all morning, although the rain made it less attractive to me.

The joys of Skype

Found this photo on my desktop of a recent conversation with my parents and Chris who was visiting them at the time. The call was skypebombed by Joanna as I recall, and sometime later Chris shared a photo of the event with me!!

Barry's Smallholding

Today's blog posting is by Miranda...

I like going down to see the animals at Barry's small holding.

I think my favourite animal is Domino because he always follows me if I have a tasty morsel in my pocket! There are lots of animals and I'm going to introduce some of them to you.

Domino: is the fun-loving dirty donkey, he loves me dearly and always rubs me!  Eeeooorr!
 
Samba: is my favourite chicken (since I'm not that keen on chickens that is a good place to be!)
She always comes to sit on my shoulder ! She's so interesting!

Pankake: is the chicken I named. I and some of the girls made up names for them, ...oh by the way, that is how to spell her name!

Maggie: loves to chase my dad's welly's haha :) Magie used to have a brother, Mikey but sadly he died  :(

Nuzzle and scratch: are alpacas and are always nervousness. But scratch is more nervy than nuzzle, He also runs like a camel! ;)

Daisy, Poppy and Alice (ginger): They are all girls, but they are goats. Ginger loves to play butting, but then I suppose they all do! It's lovely watching them play!

Neville (the devil):"cackle" Neville is a horrid one.Every time I go past him he tries to peck me!
(I personally think he is horrid)

  

written by miss Miranda Brown 5th January 2015;)

 Accomplished by mr Jonathan brown!                             

LTSC Perisher series 2015 race 1 start

Lewis on the start line for racing earlier in the day at Lymington Town SC in Pete Barton's RSAero against 38 other boats. The eagle eyed would have noticed he crossed the wrong side of the start line, which cost him his eighth place. #liveandlearn #rulesisrules

Acting the loon

If you got awarded a degree for behaving in a luntic and yet entertaining manner, Miranda would be a contender for the youngest graduate. She achieves this with consumate skill, and often has us in stitches. Isn't the sand lovely and clean at Bournemouth?

Wintergardens

One of a number of installations featuring xmas lights as a theme in the Bournemouth Wintergardens. A very imaginative interactive display, which I assume the local council arranged. Well done Bournemouth.

Levant

We've had our fair share of Middle Eastern food this Christmas; Comptoir Libanais, Caroline's Mezes, and last night whilst we were in Bournemouth we found a cracking restaurant called Levant. I've always liked Bournemouth for it's mixture of second hand shops, record shops, and eclectic restaurants. We have visited the Thai restaurant several times, and back in the day I used to love the Salad Centre. Now we may have a new fave, although we found several on our walk back to the car that yielded promise.

Shards

Just a few photos of the kids playing together, running around like mad things... does it need to get any more complicated? One of my failings is having the need to get one frame that tells the story, and we all know that life isn't that neat.

Football at Lepe

The blog at work again here in comparing 2014 with 2006. Nothing much has changed apart from Gregory and the appearance of Health and Safety signage on the cliff face, which is still a cliff face... These trees have been part of the landscape for a long time, I have seen black and white images of wartime Lepe and they are there at a similar size then, with cars parked next to them, but as the sea erodes the headland it makes you wonder how much longer they will survive?

Mainly for my Mother