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

Tour Bus

On our way to Pwllheli for the Nationals and Worlds in Pwllheli, day one started with a rise at 5 o clock and drive across the country. This is a mid morning stop at Lake Bala, and the team are looking perky enough. Me, a little jaded, but miles to go just yet! And a tent to erect, and dinner to cook!!

Familiar territory

I can recall talking to my grandfather about times moving on, and it never really occurred to me that I'd be a dinosaur myself before I was even old. Whilst I was enthusing about the amazing accuracy of digital clocks, little did I know that my first love would soon become "a thing of the past"

Above was one of my favourite haunts, along with Honest John's in Portobello Road, Mole Jazz over in Kings Cross and Snoopees in Boscombe (I could go on...), so when I come across a photograph like this one it all comes rushing back how antiquated I am! Anyone recognise the proprieter?

To be fair I did see a superb record shop in Southsea yesterday, not that I risked dragging the family inside.

Americas Cup World :: Series at Portsmouth

Chanced upon a table with a view just an hour before things kicked off, and armed with Lewis' knowledge of the GPS marks on the water that one of his chums had been making at work ... we were in exactly the right place to watch the action!

Top racing, some fab retro reggae, soul and rhythm music and a few beers made it a top day out. We even managed to get a bite on Albert Road before heading home. Below the Minx works her charm on Lewis.

A fine effort by Team GBR puts us ahead, but tomorrow is the decider in this series.

#bringthecuphome

Tandem

I did recommend one of my friends not to buy a tandem recently, but to be fair we've had a few decent photos opps from the old chuggy beast. Maybe that's it's forte...?

Anyhow here's the pair of us, previously not seen ripping through Beaulieu.

Mip Solo

Friday Club again tomorrow, and Mipp will be honing her sailing skills again. Tonight she's been singing for at least an hour, seemed rude to move in and despatch her for bed, even though it was late. An unusually nice cuddle finally and lots of reflection on her day, confirmed we were on the right track. There's a rhythm to life, it's achieving it.

Black Tie Lewi

Lymington Regatta

Lewis has had a busy week at work, he comes home exhausted with that look that says it all. We also managed to do some damage to the boat last weekend, and he's been squeezing in time to get that repaired (at work) too with the assistance of some great guys there too.

So we picked it up on Friday and took it racing again first thing this morning at the Regatta at Lymington. Very busy with boats everywhere, although worth all the effort as the boys are sitting in third place at the end of day one, and this with the old sails too...

Lewis talking about trying to push up the table tomorrow, I like your fighting spirit Tiger

#aquaholic29er

Role Models

Lewi chats with Miranda about his daydream believe, #everyROADtoRIO, this is the Brazilian 49erFX girls team battling for a podium place for the RIO Olympics. Way to go Popsie, Lewi can show you the course.

Love is...

a bruvver called Greggie...

One has kids for days like these.

Bicycle made for two

One I'd forgotten I'd taken; Miranda taking a jaunt with Tom at the bike hire centre. No photo sadly of me riding it with her...

Today it's been Miranda's Sports Day and this year she won the 100M Sprint by several lengths. Last year she was certain that she'd won it but came second - this year she left no doubt!

iFlown

This is how Popsie entertains herself, just found it by the side of her bed!!

Betty the Sheep

Time with the animals on a Tuesday night...

Lewis came home from work today at the Boat Yard and tells us there's been a near fatality in the workplace adjacent. Reminds me of the Elvis Costello song Shipbuilding, and the dangers we risk from time to time just to put bread on the table.

Preparing to do battle

Greg fueling up before going on the water at Grafham. It's a long day with often 6-8 hrs on the water before coming off again. Keeping the boat upright, let alone agitating on the start line repetitively and then racing it competively is a lot of physical and mentally draining work.

But they are tough cookies!

Raring to go at Grafham!

52 boats racing for the pecking order at Grafham Water Grand Prix. A tough weekend with challenging conditions, but big smiles all round by the end of the weekend. They recorded an 18th, a 29th, 26th, 32nd, 33rd, 28th and 28th. Overall this gave them 32nd position, which is a fair improvement over the last 9 months, up about 12 places.

Although they have improved a lot, the class is of a very high standard so it's hard to make noticable difference. Lots of fun was had, although poor old Greg's hands were torn through to the flesh on every finger, the water taking it's toll.

Camping

Supper at the camp site with the boys, very tasty with Top End Blonde refreshment, so local she came from just around the corner... I wished I'd photographed her label.

Poole YC

A days training with Pete Perera at Poole YC with the sun shining at the wind blowing. The boys were using their spangly new sails to get them worn in, and they came back glowing.

Pete says we're really making progress... smiles!

Fat Boy

I showed this photo to the kids and they said "Oh No! has Grandan got a new bike,  Gran will never get the lawn cut now...!"

This could be one of my favourite photos of the old boy, kicking up a storm.

Lewis and Tom

Photo of the boys after cycling their tandem to the prom last night! Looks like they made the local snoozepaper too...

This morning at 8 Miranda and I kindly cycled the boneshaker back to Brockenhurst, which she enjoyed greatly. I have to say it was nice being able to chat with her as we went, but in terms of quality of ride .....nah!

Beautiful day for a ride which I took gracefully,  passing by Acres Down for very nice tea and cake for a late morning snack. In all at least 40 miles ending at Calshot with a snoooze by the sea.

Roll up and Shine

Lewis and Tom are arriving at the school prom tonight on a tandem, done up to the nines. This was slightly earlier in the day when we took delivery of the bike, and the guys discovered the joys of being joined at the hip!

Miranda, who was with me on our bikes to escort them part of the way, was ecstatic and wanted to have a go - naturally Tom obliged. Tomorrow Miranda and I are going to ride it back to Brock as the boys will no doubt be unfit to do so by 9 in the morning.

Crossing Continents

Crossing the start line whilst racing at #ltsc in the fast fleet; Hurst Castle is just behind. We can't race this weekend or next due to other commitments which is a shame as theuy have finished well in the first few races of the series. Got to be in it to win it!

Noadswood throwback (as Lewi would say)

Came across this image of Lewi and schoolmates enjoying a Business breakfast at school before his exam, from a few weeks ago! Now the waiting game for the results before he knows his next step...

However today he's been at Peter Symonds for the day having a taster session of each of the A levels he's hoping to do. To say he came back enthused is an understatement. Although the biggest smile came when he told me he'd been sitting next to a top 29er sailor, who's hoping to be doing the same subjects and all!

I dropped him off at the train station bright and early, it seemed quite strange to be packing him off on his own... but he came back for his supper, no problemo!

Watching the boats go by on the first beat up to the Needles #rtir