Benchmark

It's not often I get a chance to make comparisons, and this is as objective as it gets.

A point in time, a notch on a belt.

#twelve

Thirty Six

Lewis on the day he was Twelve, as recorded on my blog in 2010. Seems like such a long time ago, but so much has changed in the blink of an eye.

Twelve x2

Gregory, on the day of his Twelveth birthbay.

Twelve

Today has been bleak, cold, grey and wintry. Did I mention wet?

So by contrast yesterday was a lot more fun. I love these sideways looks at life - as Greg and Miranda cruise (on skates and scooters) down the pier at Boscombe with the sunshine glinting on the water

Currently she's having a tea party with some chums, and there is screeching coming from the kitchen... Game On.

Velodomestique

Miranda's version of the day differs slightly to my own naturally, although curiously we went to the same places! This is our lunch stop although I didn't have my bike with me, otherwise I could have had it serviced.

It's quite a cool cafe, the sort of place Lewis would probably tell his friends he went to "when he grows up!"

Our supper stop was at Boffi, also in Southbourne... neapolitan style pizza ...yum!

Popsie (Takeover)

Birthdays, birthdays! November the 20th is definitely the best day of the year. OBVIOUSLY! It's my birthday. Have already opened my presents in bed. A new unicorn notebook, Inline skates and a new helmet not to mention a cute unicorn pom pom!
Yesterday we went to Hengistbury Head and Mudeford to use my skates. Then after that we went to Bournemouth to skate along the front! After we go up the piers and tried the 2 penny slots And i tried to win a PINK FLUFFY UNICORN on the claw grabby thing but failed miserably! :(
Then I got a cookies and cream ice cream! after we looked at the lights and found lewi in starbucks! i really wanted a pumpkin spiced latte but I wasn't aloud!:(Then we headed home!!!

by Miranda

Dad goes POP socket crazy

Pop sockets are the next big thing, and Miranda has a plan to make millions from designing, making and selling them!

Dad has been modelling the new range, and here he is wearing the blue glalaxy drip!

All Ears on Us

So can you tell which one is Miranda!!

Hold Up

Sunday morning romp around Denny Wood, the weather was beautiful. Leaves were tumbling in the gentle breeze... Our walk took in various touch points and quite a few trees were climbed.

Lots of funghi out.

Looking for Fishlook Island

We used to do this every lunchtime back in the day. Before school took Miranda away from me!

Before that I used to kick the ball with Greg... no wonder I took to riding my bike instead!

Lunchtime perambulation

I got talked into going with Miranda in a little mapmaking expedition

Hmmm.

Stuck up a Gum Tree

From last weekend in Rans Wood climbing trees whilst we waited for the rain to pass! Mip is getting a bit better at climbing but still doesnt get the basics. Like don't wear wellies if you want to stay up...

Miner's Lamp

Now this is one of my Dad's painting from 1962 I think. I really like the paintings from this period although they are quite dark in charcter, after with knives and guns and suchlike.

Something tells me this is a painting that passed to Norman, then to Martin Parker. Norman apparently collected Miner's lamps after visiting Grampy back in the day!

Johnstown CP School

Not sure where I got this photo from but I suspect a Facebook share. It's the tree laying ceremony when we moved to the new school building in Johnstown. You can see me just above the headmaster, needless to say I am not headboy planting the tree!

Various familiar faces,but Miss Pile Davies my teacher I can remember by name.

Miranda and her ClayPhone

She's an imaginative kid, and loves making things. But this one she has also played with a lot.

In Reflective Mood

Your scribe on his perambulations, had reason to wonder at the meaning of life the universe and all that. No conclusion could be drawn, but an impression was made.

Been doing this along time, and we won't be stopping any time soon...

Miranda in Rans Wood

Having blogged using Blogger for quite a long time, I am keen to keep up the habit but I've struggled in recent years if I am honest. It's such a slow process compared to other social media. I much prefer the diarist perspective, although it sits in it's own space which has it's advantages, it's also harder to find - and since I started doing this mainly for my Mum's benefit, ease of use is a big factor! This photo is an attempt to recreate the habit.

The girl has just walked into my room and she's smiling at the photo. "At least you can see my lovely shimmering eye shadow " she says.... " Hmmmm, is got a dash between them!"

Eiffel Tower Calling

The phone rang as I was pedaling down the road. I wasn't expecting it to be Lewis, what a nice surprise to share their exploration of Paris!

Just like old times

I have spent many hours encouraging these guys to sail, and communicate with each other. For various reasons, mainly associated with being brothers four years apart, it hasn't always worked smoothly. Nevertheless although the boys ultimately abandoned their joint effort, we have seen a few sailing sessions this autumn. And long may it continue.

Time travels

One of the highlights of my summer was the chance to meet up with an old chum Andrew Scourfield. Andrew and I went to Johnstown Primary School together, and here's an old photo rediscovered by my bro Christian. Date is somewhere close of the sixties - the radiogram is still pride of place, and just look at those curtains. Juliet could be wearing Grammar School uniform so maybe 1969.

Anyhow whilst Gregory was sailing at Weymouth, Andrew happened to be holidaying at Poole with his wife Shirley. We spent a lovely afternoon watching the boats on the water from the cafe on the shore, catching up on old times and where life had left us. Fifty years more or less has passed since this photo, amazing isn't it?