Torn

Do I look like I am enjoying myself?

Training session

I was joking with my Dad about looking forward to coming down to play trains shortly, and it got a mischievous response.

I am indeed going down for a week fairly shortly, and I am sure it will involve some trains...

Diggers at Dawn

 

We passed this grimy JCB today when we were out walking. You'd hardly think that the bodywork was all made out of fibre glass, but I guess this was the time when curved body panels were for mass marked manufacture, not bespoke production. Anyhow here's a matching pic of me playing with my beloved JCB5C

His Gatekeeper!

Found this one on my desktop whilst tidying up, so had to post it whilst the thought came to me. I shall be keeping an eye on his movements shortly, whilst Gran goes AWOL...heh heh!

Walking and Talking

Getting creative with a camera phone whilst Lewi gets a bit of a break from his revision. He was attempting to make sense of Particle Physics as we ambled along and I was trying to listen and use my visual skillset into the bargain. This photograph is the combination f art and science as I was trying to persuade him!

Mip's Garden

 There’s been goings on in the garden outside my workroom window. Miranda and a few of her chums from time to time coming and going, and the sound of garden implements. When I ventured out she was glad to see I’d brought my reporter’s notebook. We recorded this live in one take!

I was working on the rushes when she reappeared with one of her friends wanted to add some fresh takes, but dinner needed cooking so another day maybe Popsie!

St Tibertius' Day

Being Good Friday, I've been out on my bike today for a tour around the usual haunts. I heard my first Cuckoo between Pigbush and Woodfidley, very quiet to begin amongst the noise of birdsong. Gradually it got louder and just before I moved on I saw it and then it flew away!  However I also heard it twice again in very different locations near Holmsley and Gt Linford Enclosure, which was exciting.

Comparing dates this evening I was struck by how similar my first recorded dates are each year, so I googled the subject and discovered that today is St Tibertius' Day, the day they traditionally turn up on their journey from Africa.

Hayling Island Youth Champs 2017

Greg and George sunning themselves at Hayling just before boat measurement today. They have been out for a test sail, and tomorrow qualifiers start. Up at 5.45 ugh!

Shatterford

One of the best bits of this time of year is the clocks going forward and the rediscovery of a large chunk of the evening. Going for a blast after a day's toil really sets me free. The company of skylark, stonechat and various warblers but usually there is next to no-one out enjoying the near silence, which suits me just fine.

Get set for the weekend!

We're on duty at Calshot this weekend so we should get a full quotient of sea sun and sand! Team Babewatch are coming!

Welsh Weekend

Photo taken at Llangunnor Church by Miranda, who was snapping away merrily. On the way down tom Wales she got intop the habit by doing self portraits, as I chatted to her. I will post her set separately.

The weather was great and we had a nice time. This was on the Sunday after we'd been to Carreg Cennen Castle for lunch.

Mip Selfie

On the weekend visiting Gran, here's Miranda chasing her shadow!

No dice!

Playing a card game with Popsie; she's trying to teach me the rules, except she's making it up as she goes along!

I have to say I like the creative approach of stringing thinks along but she doesn't seem to understand that there has to be a punch line...

Fortunately it segued perfectly with bed time!

SMJC

Sunday night and another great lineup at SMJC in Talking Heads. This is the Tom White Sextet, although technically only five of them are vaguely visible.

Also part of the sonic line-up is Sam Leake on piano.

They played a whole series of Monk tunes plus one of Tom's own compositions. All expertly delivered.

Halcyon Days

Found this photo recently, and paused long enough to think about the way life changes constantly, and why living for the moment is so important. I looked across the various frames I had taken and not a single one was just right. I used to post a picture every day of ordinary life, and since none of them had been processed, so I am to deduce none met my critical standards!!

But now looking back through rose tinted glasses, the scowl on Lewis' face as he visibly chastises Greg for his inability to get the carriage on the track, and my Dad's amusement, says it all really. Nothing would make Dad happier than playing with trains in the garden. The perfect day way to spend a day

Pictures like this are priceless, the stuff dreams are made of. And I can still taste that Boddingtons..!

Stuck up a gum tree

Old Pic!

Found this old pic, and processed it for the first time. So I thought I'd better put it on the blog now...

Rear View Mirror

I've always liked the rear view as a means of portraying people, somehow it captures the candid moments better. Greg and Popsie caught in conversation, and no doubt it went something like .. "What's in the bag for a picnic Miranda?"
"I dunno"
"hope we eat it soon, my arm is falling off"
"Wish I'd brought my scooter"
"Yeah that would be more fun than walking in the forest!"

Strollin'

I am listening to Von Freeman, and his son Chico, play with Dewey Redman and his son Josh play an arrangement of In a Sentimental Mood for saxophone choir - seems the fitting backdrop to editing a picture of Lewi looking for inspiration in the long grass at Shatterford

Living in a land down under