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.