The Old Folk's Home

Took this one last weekend, and it's a familiar view of my childhood. Long before the TV arrived at my parents house, taking an interest in stuff in the newspaper was a fairly common activity. The real reason I took this photo is my parents settee is going to the big scrapheap, as it's too difficult to get out of for the horizontally challenged. It's a real shame as it's going to change the landscape at home.

Anyhow I like the vibe here, which I've tried  to keep as naturalistic as possible; the Arne Jacobsen Egg chair, assorted general clutter, and the cat looking out of the window!

The stories that settee could tell...

Great gig at the Shooting Star in the evening, the last in the SMJC series which is a shame as I like that venue. Leo Appleyard on guitar, Matt Findlay on bass, Duncan Eagles on tenor. Didn't catch the drummers name but he was great too. I especially love acoustic live music, with the sound of beer drinkers permeating through, the occasional chink of bottles. Top stuff... new season is at the Talking Heads, and the gigs are definitely worth supporting...#jazz

Bluebell Woods in Abernant

Visited my parents over the weekend, and this is Mum and Rena in the Bluebell Woods near the farm where I spent many happy weekends with the Convery family in my teenage years.

Miranda and Friends

Turner Sims

Gig at the Turner Sims with Tim Garland on sax Jason Rebello piano, Asaf Sirkis drums,  and Ant Law on guitar. The first half was quite folk influenced and the second half more of a fusion influence. There's a new album out shortly, so we'll see how it compares with The Breeze!

Megaday

Today has been a lovely day - superb weather; gloriously hot and a day spent with Popsie as she had an inset day. It was a bit of a rubbish start as Lewis had managed to loose his wallet with bank card, buss pass and all the work on his college memory stick... but things improved from the point of dropping him off in Southampton to speed his journey to PSC.

Our day involved cycling from Tuckton; first stop Hengistbury Head. We had the place almost to ourselves, sunshine and a gentle breeze. We did our education bit at the Iron Age discovery centre and had a walk around the wildlife garden.

Lots of cycling has been done, as we made it down to Poole stopping for a swim along the way at Sandbanks. Lunch on the beach was delicious.

The photo below which I found on the side of a van, shows the route we have taken. Very impressive pic, and it was so enjoyable.

Loaded, and ready to roll...

Popsie has an inset day again on Thursday, so it's coincidental that I should find this picture as I am clearing up a folder on my desktop. Our bikes loaded on top of the car, reflected in the adjacent vehicle.

Maybe we'll go do some off road...! And have a picnic... and have some QT

I'm listening to the awesome Frankie Beverley with Maze - Joy and Pain.

Social Media

Round about lunchtime I was talking to my Dad on the phone, chatting about things in common. As usual I was using social media as a reminder of things that had happened recently to prompt me. I mentioned a lovely photo of Mel and Ann at Blaen Bowi that I'd seen on Facebook, and naturally my Dad observed that he'd not seen it.

Two minutes later who should turn up at Penyrallt but my brother Christian. Stories were told, clues were laid, and then this evening this turns up in my email... the very essence of social media.

Cooking the books

My brother Christian is often responsible for digging out interesting memories, and this photograph combines two things.

The first is my Mum's old staple cookbook by Bee Nilson, which he wanted to photograph to show an aspect of personal history that we all have shared over many years. Indeed I have a Bee Nilson Cookery Book myself that she gave me when I went off to Art College in 1982.

I'm guessing the THF payslip must have been used as a bookmark, and it tells an interesting story. The hotel in Carmarthen was called The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, and in 1979 by Week 33 I had earned £580 from my part time job when still at school. Running this through an online converter it equates with about £5000 in current money.

Interesting that he should choose the meat pages, as I was still a carnivore at that point. 1983 and it all changed!

Andantino by Carulli

Greg is currently learning Andantino by Ferdinand Carulli. It's a beautiful piece, which I am confident will sound almost as good as this within a matter of weeks!

Lewis' sunrise time lapse

One of the advantages of getting up early for school is seeing the sunrise. "Woken up early this morning to get a cracking look at the sunrise, it was beautiful! "

A worm to catch a Tawny Owl

Digging for worms in the vain hope that the Tawny Owl will be lured into nest in the owlbox, seemed like a good idea anyhow to Miranda. The full story is; Barry, with whom we have enjoyed many hours playing and looking after his animals over the years, has a daughter who currently lives in Australia. She has installed an owlcam in and outside the new owlbox that Barry has erected in his field.

The Tawny Owl however is no fool, and is exercising his choice of alternate roosting spots! Such is Barry's daughter's control over him that he still runs out at her command, to dig worms and place them on the ceremonial alter...!

Just in case you are watching Ann Marie, Barry did do it, and here's the proof...

Wedding Anniversary

Today is my Mum and Dad's 59th Wedding Anniversary. This photograph was taken in the garden at Underwood Road, my mother's childhood home.

We used to visit Grampy and play in this garden. Whenever I smell roses nowadays I think of his garden...

The Bartender and the Thief

She rattles out a few tunes but is unhappy with her guitar playing at present. I just love the way she does it unselfconsciously; until that is I try and get a photo!

If she practiced every day she could be magic, but she flits from one subject to another at random...

Madcap and hairbrained

It's a mark of how far I have lost the plot, but I actually let Miranda scoot down the road on this deathtrap. It is in fact a mini skateboard with an aluminium pole stuck on with packaging tape.

It's very wonky, and very dangerous I am sure, but despite several weeks of abuse it's still being played with...

I love the shadow in this chasing Miranda down the road.

Sk8rgurl

It wouldn't be my choice of apparel for hurling myself over the rough tamac, but at least she's wearing a helmet I hear you say!

Miranda has blisters on her feet and bandages on her knees now, and a few days off the skates to recouperate, but she'll be back in no time at all.

I cycle along and she manages to keep up most of the time, gravity notwithstanding. She's really quite good too, when you see her go!

Youth Nationals 2016 29er Fleet

 A few photos of the boys GBR403 in amongst the action at Pwllheli last week. The one below of Greg out on the wire wearing my snazzy wetsuit!

Happy Families

Sorry I am on a bit of a retro trip at the moment, but it seemed appropriate to be posting this one tonight...

2006 and all that

I had reason to go looking for a photo from 2006 in my archive, and since I am supposed to be thinning out the huge number of photographs I have in the interests of making it more managable,  I nonetheless got distracted by editing some of the 'keepers'

Greg was always up for having a bit of fun when I had my camera out. He would always rise to the challenge...

A decade later and they are doing battle on the high seas in Pwllheli at the 29er Youth Championships. Today's racing has been tough with 35 knots recorded on the course this morning, and the racing continuing until 7pm this evening...

Some strong results considering they are in the Gold Fleet, recording a 14th and a 16th last two races... Steady progress being made which should help their UK 28th ranking. Greg, the second youngest sailor at the Youth Champs this time.

Pwllheli Beach

You only have to stand on the beach to get drawn in by the charm of Pwllheli, although in my opinion Criccieth is even better with it's view out over Snowdonia. Sailing here is better particularly as they have a Marina for the yachts to get in and out...

Gold Fleet

Windiest day of the week, and the boys are going on the water in Gold Fleet... Go safe Team Aquaholic, and have fun!