Just for you...

Daddy I made this bit myself... she says, pointing to the top. So we eat a few after our lunch and then head outside for a bike ride to see the animals.

The weather was nice and sunny, but rather chilly.

I'm listening to Uri Caine Bedrock { Plastic Temptation

Step right up

Lewis had some Literacy homework to do this morning, and I could see him beavering away - when I peeked a look he'd been writing 'a day in the life of a stud trainer'...

There's barely a place we go to now where he doesn't comment on the horses - he sees them everywhere, and of course they all have distinguishing features.

Porky

When you capture the playfulness seen here you wonder how you could ever smack her bottom, but I can and I do (from time to time)

She drives me crazy, and I can't help myself

Good name for a song I think....

Very SX-70

Just been listening to Shawn Colvin, from the new LIVE album on Nonesuch - Polaroids

Intant memories...

All the charm of a Photo - Me booth sitting, and all at the touch of a button.

It's Polaroid week. Yes I know Polaroid don't really exist any longer, but the spirit lives on...


Seen some great bird photos today by Massimo Cristaldi - check them out

Hundreds and Thousands

Miranda was very pleased with her cake icing when I came out for my lunch today. "Look Dad, I've been busy. You can have three if you like, and we can play cars together"

I managed to tuck two away after my lunch, and tasty they were too. Good job I stoked up as there was an accident on the motorway coming home from my meeting this afternoon, so I didn't get in till 8.45pm

Atmosphere

I'm pleased to be loading this picture, as it means I've been able to download some pictures from my camera. I thought it had given up the ghost, as all the electronic display and functionality had expired, and wouldn't even power up to enable me to access the main menu.

As one last ditch attempt I tried downloading the latest firmware and to my surprise this appears to have solved the problem - lets hope so!

The pumpkins are from Saturday night's carving session, and subsequent supper. Greg's is on the left, Lewis' on the right....

I'm listening to 'La Memoire du Silence' by Erik Truffaz - from the CD called Mantis

End of the Season

This is one of Greg's sketches - it's a picture of a sailing boat that he did for me a few weeks ago. He's standing next to me and is supposed to be writing today's post, but has decided that it's easier to draw pictures than do the writing bit!

TwoTwo

Driving through  the forest this afternoon we saw a car with passengers fully decorated as ghouls, blood running down their chins ... the full works!

Reminds me of a night a full twenty two years ago that led to this engagement.

Tonight we ate roasted pumpkin seeds as a nibble, followed by spicy pumpkin soup, pumpkin gnocchi with blue cheese sauce, and a pumpkin pie for pudding. All were distinct flavour and equally delicious. We also had a bottle of 1996 Northbrook Springs, a locally produced wine which was quite delicious. Not on a par with a bottle of Ned, but certainly of a very high standard.

Catchy colours

Had a nice bike ride with Lewis this afternoon, as the weather has been fantastic today, and the forecast for the weekend is not good... We went from Fritham towards Gorley and across to Frogham, before sweeping north towards Downton and back.

The autumn colours are at their best, and the forest was surprising full of people. Half term I guess?

Bought some nice squash and other veg at the farm shop at Birchenwood Farm in Brook, and even a few bottles of wine and cider that he makes too. Wasn't aware that Pinot Noir was grown in the New Forest, can't wait to try it out.

Fantastic

Whenever we are out walking in the forest, there's one thing we all have to do.... Approaching a gate Lewis has to run on ahead, and open it wide so that the vehicle can get through... We each have to drive our Land Rover with an Ivor Williams trailer, or Log Lorry etc, as carefully as possible between the posts.

I used to find this activity mildly irritating, but I just love doing it now! Miranda's going to get knocked over if she's not careful....

7 times 3 equals

After supper this evening I fired a page of maths sums over to Gregory. He's working on his 2, 3, and 5x tables, so it's early days yet.

However he toiled through the list, and gave it back to me... all right!

It's been long time comin'

One of a number I have sitting waiting for an opportunity to post, so it had better get to see the light tonight... Miranda at Denny Wood, forging ahead!

Still can't believe we live here, ....have I mentioned that before?

ILYM

Sometimes when you live with someone, you forget who they really are. I had a phone call earlier from CJ, and Miranda insisted on speaking to me to tell me about her bike ride into the village...and just listening to her warbling away as she told her story, her voice removed from the little girl I know and cuddle every day, was quite a revelation.

I'm listening to 'I'll Tell my 'Ma' by Van Morrison and the Chieftans....

Loyal foot soldier

This morning I took Miranda and Lewis out for a bike ride in Denny Wood. The colours were fab, and it was nice and warm.

Greg wanted to stay at home, and when we got back he'd finished his story about Roman soldiers.

Pooh Sticks

It's been a fantastic afternoon here, the light making the autumn colours glow. We've been for a walk out from Rans Wood and over top Beaulieu Heath. I was trying to get a bit more of Miranda in this shot and almost slipped over into the pond!

This morning by contrast our bike ride was very wet, and rather blustery. Twice in one day would have taken the biscuit.

Leafy lanes

It's been murky and wet here today, so I expect all those lovely autumnal leaves from last weekend will be mushed before we get a chance to roll in them again.

This picture was taken in Denny Wood, and that pesky look is to say "C'mon Dad ...keep up!"

I'm listening to Erik Friedlander's Yakima from Block Ice and Propane

We came across these horses in a paddock at the weekend and Lewis was chuffed we could give them some attention.

After he'd done his spellings with me this morning I asked him to name me ten breeds of horse, and was surprised that he could reel off not just ten, but twenty with hardly a thought. There's something going in there.

What did you have for lunch Miranda?

"Cheese on toast and T'mato Soup, Dad"

I love these mucky faced portraits that reflect a certain time of innocence.

Twenty Eight

Realised that I need to try harder with a few more conventional portraits, so this one's just to remind me to work it a little harder...