Archives for 2022

Footwear

The best footwear

The best footwear. Obvs.

Grand kids

Grand kids

The grand kids are still grand but not kids.

Pre

Nearly Christmas

Christmas eve pre-drinks.

Adventures in Wine

Found it

One of the guests needed some help selecting the wine for dinner. It turned into a little education for us, like a mini personalised wine tour!

Christmas drink prep

Christmas drink prep

Filtering and decanting.

Christmas drink prep

Lovely.

Morning coffee run

Polar express

A morning ride to grab coffee had the added bonus of watching the polar express warming up.

Perfection

Sleeping spot

Ewok perfecting the sleeping spots.

FFFFFreezing

Frosty tree half

It's been a tad chilly, and a tad chilly for over a week. The sun is doing it's best, and today managed to defrost the sunny-side half the tree.

Oncall

WFG

Oncall, but for the patient not the music service, so working from the dining table

Ewok

Caught

Preferences

With custard?

Left or right?

Dawn Walk

Sun up

Morning

Field

Missing Supplies

Caught

Lovely H left supplies to help out after F's shoulder op. Unfortunately Yogi and Ewok got there first. However, I'm most impressed at how neatly they unpacked.

Field UFO

Field

Aliens landed in Bob's field last night. They nearly got away with it but their rocket ship left burn marks in the snow.

With F

Felix

A morning walk with Yogi

Morning yogi

Coding with F

F

Coding with F

Frosty

Frosty

Some snow, then a week of sub zero.

Chilly Chilling

Mornings

Camel to Sea

Camel to sea

River bank

Where the dunes are growing. Slowly.

Harbour Rainbows

Rainbow

Footsteps

Footsteps

Where are we?

Where are we?

Front garden envy

Off to the doc's

Nearly home arch

The Bridge

River meet Sea. Sea meet Sky.

River meets sea and sky

Leaf in the sand

Sand

Boat

Boat

Ladders

Ladder

Ladder. For the roofers roofing a roof up the street.

Twenty Five Walk

Coast Path

Breakie at Cherry Trees. Lunch at Blue Tomato. Dinner at the Pig.

I don't think we did enough steps to compensate for all that.

Twenty Five Mono

Sand

Sand on the Rock side.

Church in the dunes

Church in the dunes.

Ferry ramp

Water on the ferry ramp.

Twenty Five Selfies

Anniversary pics

Anniversary pics

Anniversary pics

Artist at Work

The artist

The artist

The ferry crew needed 10 minutes. What a terrible place to wait.

No fishing or crabbing

Padstow

Advice for life.

While waiting for coffee

Padstow

One benefit of coffee to-go from Cherry Trees is the while-you-wait view.

Twenty Five

Padstow

Woohoo!

Another sunrise

Padstow sunrise

This morning had sunbeams!

Hall Walk

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk: Fowey to Polruan

Hall Walk. Fowey to Polruan to Fowey again.

Yogi and Ewok

Padstow

A nice spot to pose!

Another Morning View

Padstow

Padstow

Some mornings are so worth getting up for.

Padstow Lights

Padstow

Dog walk loop N

Chilly dog walking

Sealife

Discovering stuff down on the shore.

Sunset Swim

Harlyn

A beautiful evening at Harlyn. The dogs got a speedy short walk because the surf forecast was poor for the rest of the week.

Harlyn

Could have waited for the tide to drop a bit more, but by then it would have been night-boarding.

Harlyn

Yup, the only one in!

After

Selfies

Warmed up with a cuppa from the thermos. But my feet took a day or two longer to recover.

Padstow Christmas Festival

Padstow Fire

We got the perfect seats for the lantern parade — but I forgot to take pictures until after then main event. But then Padstow's fire engine was just slightly ever so more popular.

Padstow fireworks

I got things oppositely wrong for the fireworks. For these the timing was better (just between "ohhh" and "ahhh") but instead of being quay-side, with amazing reflections in the harbour (forth of July-style), I was in the crowds with this gent's bald bonnet for framing.

Morning Walk

Padstow

Up early means views like this. I'm not sure the dogs were as impressed as I was.

Dark long nights

Long dark

Nights are longer, and darker for longer.

Winter, soon

Nearly winter

Winter is nearly here but the leaves haven't yet got the message.

Book Shelf

Book shelf

Sorted. Although some of those are unread.

Ewok found a sleeve

Ewok found a sleeve

Found on the walk, never to be separated.

Early Anniversary

Early Anniversary

Dinner

Dinner

Friends for dinner. Happy Sunday's.

Snack Time

Snack time

Back from uni for a day, and to raid the snack tin.

M & M at Hawker's Cove

Hawker's Cove

Taking a Moment

Taking a moment

Taking a moment above St Saviour's Point, looking over the war memorial towards Rock.

> The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

J.F.K, 1961 (attr. Edmund Burke).

Spot the difference

Labradoodles

Ewok

Labradoodles

Yogi

Labradoodles

Ewok, Yogi, and...

Dune

Dunes

Dunes

Dunes

Dune. We've been here before. This time though there wasn't any jumping.

Remembering Doug

A Pint of  Padstow

Cleaning Windows

Cleaning Windows

Visitors for the weekend? Quick, let's clean the windows.

Today's Work View

Today's work view

Nicked Fay's bench to work from today. She left me the flowers too!

Some leaves in a puddle

Some leaves in a puddle

Reading Week

Bristol

Bristol

Just dropped F back in Bristol after a few days home for reading week. Yes, his digs are next door to the O2. Smart choice. Bonus points if you can spot him in the piccy's above.

Discharge

Discharge at Bullingdon

Discharge at Bullingdon

With S, S & G. Awesome. Loud too. Thanks chaps.

Dog finds mud

Dog finds mud

A walk around the clumps which was amazingly mud free until almost the very end. Yup, Yogi delivers.

Wellness Day 5

Padstow to Bodmin to Reading

Up early to tidy the house, put the recycling out, and grab a coffee. But still time for a quick chat with H along the terrace.

Padstow to Bodmin to Reading

Today's plan was the reverse of day 1, heading back along the trail to Bodmin.

Padstow to Bodmin to Reading

And then up and over the woods at Lanhydrock to the station. I'd spent a little longer chatting with H and so the ride had been a tad faster than planned, 18 minutes faster than the ride to Padstow on Monday. Let's just say the station was a welcome sight.

Padstow to Bodmin to Reading

There's even a cafe in the old signal box, with fabulous local sandwiches, shortbread, and less-fabulous coffee.

Padstow to Bodmin to Reading

The station staff at Bodmin were wonderful too, wishing me the best of luck getting to the carriage with my reserved bike space (because the train was longer than the platform 😁)

Padstow to Bodmin to Reading

After the coffee experience at Bodmin I was up for a cuppa from the GWR onboard trolley. But it didn't make it to our coach until the approach to Reading, so I skipped and went for a platform Starbuck's instead.

Achievement unlocked: Total for the week: 154km

Pub Band Bingo

Pub quiz music bingo

After a day out in the weather what better way to relax than a beer and a veggie curry in the pub next door. How about a beer, curry and name-that-band bingo? Yup, you're looking at a winner!

Wellness Day 4

North Cornwall Coast Walk

Day 4 plan, grab the bus to Porthcothan, because, and then walk back home. Estimated distance 20 km.

North Cornwall Coast Walk

North Cornwall Coast Walk

I decided to ride on the top deck of the bus to enjoy the amazing above-the-hedgerow views.

North Cornwall Coast Walk

The vista across Harlyn sands was particularly impressive.

North Cornwall Coast Walk

The bus stops right by the closed Porthcothan Cafe. A November theme emerges: The closed cafes of Cornwall.

North Cornwall Coast Walk

A quick pause to take note of the notes.

North Cornwall Coast Walk

The beach at Porthcothan.

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Also in monochrome.

Porthcothan

And a profile, also in monochrome, where you can see that the surf was very, very, surfy.

Avoiding the squalls, walking from Porthcothan to Fox Cove

Heading north to Constantine (past the Minnows and Fox Cove) the views south were dramatic, with squalls wandering inland from the ocean.

North Cornwall Coast Walk

North Cornwall Coast Walk

All the way ominous rain clouds lurked behind me.

Trevose Head

With big seas contributing some drama to the lighthouse view from Dinas Head.

Maybe Stein's family home

But it stayed dry and sunny in places past (possibly) Stein's family home...

Harlyn Surf's Up

...and round past Harlyn bay (where the surf was up compared to Tuesday)

North Cornwall Coast Walk

But the rain caught me at Stepper Point, although fortunately the day mark tower saved me from the worst of it.

North Cornwall Coast Walk

North Cornwall Coast Walk

The home stretch was familar growth, through Hawker's Cove and the path back to the memorial.

North Cornwall Coast Walk

I lovely walk, with views and weather! The south west coast path is pretty awesome, with the only disappointing bit being this nicely fenced section near Mother Ivy's Bay holiday park. Total 22.82km in 4h03m.

coffee or beer?

Coffee or Beer?

Happy Tree Fern

Tree fern

Wellness Day 3

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Up early this morning, trying to beat the weather.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

The plan was to head up the river Camel, heading to Wenfordbridge and the closed Snail's Pace cafe (open until the end of October in case you're wondering).

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

The sky looked promising as I passed the sailing club.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Wadebridge, where the sun was trying hard to break through.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

The trail winds itself through woodland along the edge of the river.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Occasionally leaving clues about its history.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Before long (well, a while or two), Wenfordbridge arrives. The cafe looks like it'll be a lovely stop come March.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

The way back was gloomy as the clouds settled and drained away all the autumnal colour.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Except the the occasional reminder of better times past.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

On the way back a lovely coffee at Relish in Wadebridge - possibly the best coffee since Coffee Works Leadenhall.

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

And back home, just before the heavy rain hit (this is becoming a pattern).

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Padstow to Wenfordbridge ride

Muddy bike and muddy gear = never a bad day to ride.

Oh, a tad over 55km in case you were curious.

Wellness Day 2

Bus to Harlyn

The weather for the week looked to be worsening. The best way not to get soaked by the rain is to already be in the water. Magic Seaweed reckoned Harlyn would be fun, and Constantine Surf concurred.

So I hopped on the number 56 bus to Newquay, stopping at Harlyn Bridge.

Harlyn

Harlyn

I'd gambled right. Harlyn was beautiful, and I wasn't the only one there (good for your confidence when the surf is nicely busy).

The waves were breaking perfectly, with a cross wind conjuring rainbows in the spray.

I also learnt of another use for a body board: head protection when the hail storm hit. Rather a surreal experience floating beyond the breaks and waiting for the squall to pass.

Harlyn

The beach box was open too, so a flat white for me.

Trevone

Trevone

Which set me up nicely for the walk back to Padstow via Trevone...

Padstow farm shop

...and the Padstow farm shop.

Ruthy's Lane

And then across the fields to Padstow and a hot bath.

Wellness Base

Bikes in the house

Don't tell F, but I'm not sure I have enough bikes with me...

Wellness Day 1

Bike on a train

We've been here before, but this time what came next was more successfull.

Reading Station

Bike is ready to board the ten thirty-ish to Penzance.

Frank Green Mug

And I'm ready too, with caffeine drink in a slightly leaky mug.

Taunton station

Taunton arrived - almost as quickly as the snack cart.

The view away from Dawlish

It was slower after Exeter, but the views are something special.

The end of bias

And the reading was just as good.

Bike on a train

Too soon, Bodmin Parkway arrived. Luckily mine was the only bike, so I was able to wrangle it out of the rack with only 5 minutes of hassle (oh to be a fly-on-the-wall for the user research that never happened when this wasn't designed)

Bodmin Parkway to Padstow by bike route 5 and the Camel Trail

Bodmin Parkway to Padstow by bike route 5 and the Camel Trail

The route from Parkway station into Bodmin is a wonderful ride through the woodland around Lanhydroc. There's lots of trails here to explore, and on reflection, this might have been a tad over ambitious on a single-speed.

Bodmin Parkway to Padstow by bike route 5 and the Camel Trail

After the woods is a dog-leg to get across the A30 Bodmin Bypass and then down into Bodmin to pick up the Camel Trail.

Bodmin Parkway to Padstow by bike route 5 and the Camel Trail

Bodmin Parkway to Padstow by bike route 5 and the Camel Trail

The trail was almost deserted, a big change from the summer when it's packed wheel-to-wheel. Unlike the summer there was plenty of places in the Wadebridge bike racks... but the coffee place I'd found last time was shut.

Padstow Spar

I made it just before the rain, but managed to get soaked picking up some supplies. But at least I managed a selfie to prove to F that I'd made it ;-)

Elevation Track

Going back might take a little longer...

Packed and ready

Packed

All packed up and ready for another attempt.

Sunday Lunch

Veg on!

The veg is on.

Wet Sunday

Wet Sunday

It's damp today. Yogi is less than happy about it.

Ewok and Yogi

Ewok and Yogi

Ewok and Yogi

Busy walk this morning, lots of people to chat to.

Waiting

Waiting

90 minutes after the usual time for tea and Ewok was giving up. Yogi tried to encourage him to stay, but Ewok was adamant that he was off. Just as soon as the front door opened.

Autumn Walks

Autumn walks

Autumn (fall) colour (color) on the morning walks.

Rioja? Don’t mind if I do.

Rioja

Getting ready for a long winter evening or four.

New wheels

Wheels

Wheels

And a little 10k ride to get started. Lovely.

Waiting

Waiting

The team meets

Team meeting prep

In a distributed-first, post-pandemic (ish), way of working, coming together as a team occasionally is something to cherish.

Balance

And an opportunity to put your kids up on a big screen.

Ellery Beach House

Ellery Beach Club

A quiet corner.

Sneaking cruise ship

Stockholm

Stockholm

Stockholm

A week in Stockholm hotels. Plural, for reasons.

Stockholm

Stockholm

Stockholm

Stockholm

4 days in 6 with early morning running views.

Accelerate: Book

Accelerate

I was after a couple of copies. But, it was out of print. I tracked down one copy online at Blackwell's and asked them to reserve it. When I went to pick it up I stumbled on their 25 missing copies, shelved under business strategy. I then went to Sweden and forgot to give them to the people I'd got them for. Duh!

This sofa is not there

This sofa isn't there

Wallingford at Night

Wallingford at night

Goodbye Friend

Goodbye Friend

The space where my bike should have been.

Some highlights...

  • May 2005 - with Fay along the Grand Union
  • Jan 2021 - riding home cross-country after an MRI
  • May 2009 - with H riding the Redmond watershed
  • Sept 2009 - with H in Paradise Valley
  • Feb 2010 - with a unique hair style co-rider
  • May 2020 - lock down exploring

...and it's never been a bad day to ride

2007

Châteaunerf du Pape

Helping the neighbours with some bottles, a reminder of what we were up to when the wine went into that bottle.

October Blue Sky

October Blue Sky

Morning

Field and Sky

October and the sky is blue.

Another Padstow at Night

Padstow at Night

Clearing sky. Resting on a bin, in a post-dinner stroll around the harbour. This something at night could become a trend.

Cloudy Day for a Walk

Cloudy start

Padstow looks like, well, Padstow, even on a cloudy morning.

Rock from Padstow

Look closely and you can see the stormy clouds brewing over the distant moor.

River sea meet

River sea meet

As ever though, the boys made the most of it. Can you spot Yogi?

Padstow at Night

Padstow at night

Padstow at night

Padstow at night

A little bit of Padstow after dark.

Sofa Yogi

Need bigger sofa

Need a bigger futon Yogi. No he said, it's fine.

Running Sand Views

Hawker's Cove

Pentire Point from Hawker's Cove.

Scaffolding

Scaffolding

Not us, but up the street from us. Narrow.

Morning Padstow Dog Walk

Morning Padstow walk

Morning Padstow walk

Morning Padstow walk

Morning Padstow walk

Morning Padstow walk

Up with the sun, which is getting easier these days, for a stretch with the boys.

Happy Birthday Mr. E

Happy birthday Mr E

Old Boar Quarry

Rock from Padstow War Memorial

A walk from Padstow to Stepper Point Quarry.

Padstow War Memorial

War Memorial.

Crossing to Hawker's Cove

Across to Hawker's Cove.

Stepper Point to Pentire Point

Stepper Point from the Quarry.

Old Boar Quarry

The bog garden at the south edge of the quarry.

Hawker's Cove

Hawker's Cove as the tide drops.

Pew

St John's

Between the showers

Between the showers

Waun Fach & Grwyne Fawr Loop

Didcot

Up early for the Bath Spa express.

Waun Fach & Grwyne Fawr Reservior Loop

And a day in the hills with the gents.

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Someone had the same boot trouble as I did on Snowdon.

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The views of wide, open, vistas, were none too shabby.

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Sheep, mice, but not the advertised Lamagaboogler.

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But we may have missed one while quaffing the champers.

Llanthony

Llanthony

Dinner, and a pint or four, at the Priory in Llanthony.

Most lovely, thanks chaps.

New Milton Dog Walk Views

Views from excursions of the early morning kind with Mr Special and Pip...

Milton

Milton

Milton

Milton

Milton

Milton

There were crack-of-dawn swimmers...

Milton

Milton

...and evening flyers.

Milton

Milton

The boys were best behaved.

Milton

Even Charlie. (Who didn't bite my finger.)

Pip came to stay

Pip

Guess who came to stay?

Pip

Some reeducation was necessary.

Bristol

Bristol

F, in Bristol!

Shoes

Salomon

Salomon's. My go to since 2005. Wear them.

Where am I?

Dublin

Where am I?

Dublin

Google street, Dublin.

Milton Lunch

Milton

Milton

Milton

A spot of lunch in Milton (new) to say thank you for looking after Mr Special and Sir Ewok while we were taking in the sights, and as a little well done celebration

Bunkfest 2022

Band of Hope

Fleur, Drew & Maff

Band of Hope followed by Fleur Stevenson (with Maff and Drew) at Le Clos for the last evening of Bunkfest. Tight.

No lanterns this time.

Amsterdam Overflow

The best pad in Amsterdam?

New family

Johny Wonder, Amsterdam

Some extras from Amsterdam.

Montmartre

Montmartre

Montmartre

Montmartre

Montmartre. Where we discover the boy's culture¹ limit.

And yes, it was just as good as the last time

Footnotes:

  1. The editor reprimanded me. I think you mean "the culture expressed by Impressionism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau, Neo-Impressionism, Divisionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Art Deco and Abstract art movements that evolved in Paris" (to paraphrase from wikipedia) rather than culture per se².
  2. Actually, they didn't use the phrase per se, but you get the drift.

Sacré-Cœur

Sauf vélo

Sacré-Cœur, Paris

Harvey

Finn

Montmartre

The Ants

Sacré-Cœur, Paris

Second visit was just as good as the first

The card game

The card game

I lost.

Eiffel

Finn

Stop

Originally the tower had a permit to stand for 20 years. It was to be dismantled in 1909, that would have been five years before construction of Sacré-Cœur had completed.

Oh yes!

Shakespeare and Company

積ん読 ++++

Apartment View

Apartment window view

Water lilies: Better in colour?

Water lilies tour guide

Water lilies tour guide

The tour guide really impressed the boys with his knowledge of the construction of the panels (each panel mounted on casters so that Claude could move them around in his purpose-built studio while painting, from a combination of smaller-scale sketches and his memory). If you look closely you can spot the seams.

Soon there was a whole procession penguin shuffling around the gallery, everyone looking closely for the joints. Or perhaps everyone was just going that way anyway.

Street Art

Graffiti

Finding your way home is easy when the end of the street is decorated with something subtle like this.

Paris surprise

The apartment

Fay found a lovely apartment in Paris, complete with a great big picture of Amsterdam on the wall. I probably didn't think long enough about the "it's a bit big for two of us but it was the only place in Paris that was available" line...

Eiffel Tower

...surprise!!!

Well played family, well played.

(Planning all that must have made the unexpected Brussels diversion even more stressy! ❤️)

Paris

Apartment Staircase

Paris

Paris

Paris

Paris

Paris

Paris

A day of being tourists and eating great food. Au Trappist was perfect for Moules et Frites with Belgium and Irish beer (!), while L'Alsacien République at the end of the street was a fantastic and relaxed spot for the evening. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The water lilies ranged from beautiful through interesting to errrr; depending on which of us you were. Obviously, they are better in monochrome.

Unexpected Brussels

Brussels

Brussels

Brussels

Brussels

Brussels

Brussels

Our train from Amsterdam to Paris was cancelled... Technically it was disrupted. Due to industrial action it would now start from Brussels; but with all trains that day similarly disrupted, starting from Brussels wasn't so helpful when you are sat in Amsterdam.

So we grabbed the last seats on a late train the night before, and had a lightning quick Brussels experience thanks, again, to some tips from the man in Seat61.

Get on your bike

Bike Amsterdam

The best way to see Amsterdam. We whizzed around. If being overtaken by a chain smoking, mobile chatting, lady on a cargo bike with 3 kids in the front can still be called whizz. My excuse was that we were admiring the views.

Here's an example:

Amsterdam

Food in Amsterdam

Lunch at Gartine

Lunch at Gartine. Lovely. Must book.

Brunch at Greenwood, Amsterdam.

Brunch at Greenwood's. Also lovely. Can't book.

People in Amsterdam

Art in Amsterdam

Art in Amsterdam

Art in Amsterdam

A fish named fred

Dylan, Felix, Finn, Fred.

Art in Amsterdam

Art in Amsterdam

Art in Amsterdam

BREXIT and Black Lives Matter at the Stedelijk Museum.

Art in Amsterdam

The gardens (and some Barbara Hepworth) at the Rijksmuseum (or the Ruk to its friends who misread the typographic short form of Rijk).

Art in Amsterdam

This isn't Banksy, but we did see some (and The Kid) at Moco.

Art in Amsterdam

The art market (which had been the book market the previous day).

Art in Amsterdam

And my favourite, Lost Cat in a Glass Box.

Art in Amsterdam

My humble contravention.

Our Lord in the Attic

Our Lord in the Attic

Our Lord in the Attic

Our Lord in the Attic

Our Lord in the Attic

Our Lord in the Attic

Our Lord in the Attic

Our Lord in the Attic

Oh yes. A church hidden inside a house. It was fine, so long as you weren't overt about it.

Watching the traffic float by

Watching the traffic float past

Conflicted whether boat or bike is the best way to get around this city.

Anne

Anne Frank's hiding house

Anne Frank and her family hid in the house at the end of the canal. Look closely and you can see it.

Remember.

Morning coffee in the bike city

Morning coffee in the bike city

Kafenion Amsterdam. Taste and a view.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Fay found an awesome house boat to stay in while in Amsterdam.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

A perfect location and a lovely spot for some sketching.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

There's even a little library nearby.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Day 1 in Amsterdam

We've been rather taken by the various seating out the front of houses.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

And become rather too interested in the drainage systems and steps down to small back doors. Remind you of anywhere?

Day 1 in Amsterdam

As well as the servants quarters in the house of the Van Loo's.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

And, of absolutely no surprise, stumbling over an Antropologie store.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Parking isn't easy here. Except with no car.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Selfies at the bulb market.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

We stumbled on the place for the Van Hof technique - but unfortunately the courses were all fully booked.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Back home in time for a pizza from the local, and very good, La Perla.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Oh, and somewhere in all of that we passed the Teddy Bear Tree.

This is a footpath

Footpath

"What I don't understand is why don't bikes pull over to get out of the way of my car when I'm clearly capable of going faster"

roof architecture

James Street Tavern Courtyard Roof Architecture

Admiring the roof architecture of the James Street Tavern courtyard.

Forked

Forked

Results Day

Results Day

Nice one Finn. You're a star.

Ready

Next up

Cleaned and tidied. Ready for the next visitors.

Tree fern damage

Tree fern :-(

Something, or someone, didn't like my tree fern 😕.

Padstow sunset. Maybe.

Padstow sunset. A painting generated by midjourney AI

A computer generated painting of Padstow Harbour Sunset, generated by Midjourney AI.

Wally might be impressed.

Pint and a read

Pint and a book

It chucked it down just before midday, and it sounded like everyone made a beeline for the nearest eatery. By about 8pm the Harbour Inn was just calm enough for a quiet pint.

Estuary View

Estuary View

Not a bad view.

Screwfix on a fixie

Camel Trail

Camel Trail

I had a delivery to collect from Screwfix, simple, except I was on a single-speed (not quite a fixie) and Screwfix is at the top of the hill.

Getting there was puffing, but let's just say home down West Hill to the trail was fuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnn!

Spring High

Spring high

Normally you're looking down onto the yacht decks. Not when it's a spring your not.

Challenge - Padstow by train and bike

Train to nowhere with a bike

Challenge accepted, can I get to Padstow on public transport and a bike? Should be easy, what with our new Great British Railways (with both the words Great and British together it must be awesome).

Let's use the GWR app to book the ticket and a cycle reservation. Sorted. ish. It can't give me a digital ticket, instead I must collect the ticket from the station. OK, I'm leaving from a station so let's do that!

Train to nowhere with a bike

Oh.

Train to nowhere with a bike

Dear. Machine out of order and ticket office closed. Nice.

Train to nowhere with a bike

OK, let's hope I can collect the tickets at the connecting station. Reading here we come!

Train to nowhere with a bike

Success. Ticket for me and ticket for the bike.

Train to nowhere with a bike

And no disruption on the network. Honest gov, none.

Train to nowhere with a bike

But if you look closely you'll see the train is delayed. Get comfy because it's going to stay delayed while you sit here for an hour. And then it's cancelled.

Train to nowhere with a bike

And still no disruption on the network. Honest gov, none.

Train to nowhere with a bike

No worries, there must be another train, or an alternative route. Nope. Nada. Nowt. Not with a bike. Sorry mate, no bike reservations on any train heading west until tomorrow.

Train to nowhere with a bike

So no option but to head back home on a local service. This is fun.

Train to nowhere with a bike

Finally, I'm there. Back to where this sorry story began.

After 12 years of conservative government leadership the railways lack a guiding focus on customers, coherent leadership and strategic direction. They are too fragmented, too complicated, and too expensive to run. Innovation is difficult. Incentives are often perverse. Some working practices have not changed in decades. There must be single-minded efforts to get passengers back. In short, we need somebody in charge.

Eloquent words you say? Sorry, but those aren't my words. They're copied verbatim from the government's own Williams-Shapps plan for Great British Railways. You can read all about it here. And before you complain about my blatent copying, the 'Shapps' in Williams-Shapps is the beloved member for Welwyn Hatfield; also the previous chair of the conservative (and unionist!) party; the same Shapps named when "Google blacklisted 19 of the Shapps' business websites for violating rules on copyright infringement"; and, hysterically, also the same Shapps that used multiple made-up names in some pyramid scheme. You couldn't make this up.

Expectant

Yogi

"It must be almost dinner time" said Yogi.

"In fact, it always must almost be dinner time" he thought.

Sailing!

View from a Wayfarer

Treated myself to an awesome couple of hours sailing on the Camel with H from Camel Sailing. It's been a while. The last time was also here, but back in 2005.

I could get used to the view from a Wayfarer, but maybe not following the views experienced by Frank Dye.

Morning Padstow

Morning Padstow

Morning Walk

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Rock

Footprints

Fay

Fay

Sand Snipe Again

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Still unsure

Misty Sail

Camel Views

Paddle v Row

Paddle v Row

Paddle lost.

Paddle did well to make any headway against wind and tide. Muppet.

I love travelling

Ewok

Some (Assorted) Dog Walks

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IMG_9568.jpg

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Dog Walks

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Dog Walks

Dog Walks

Shoes

Shoes

Camel

Camel Estuary

Camel Estuary

The Camel Estuary from the middle-loop morning dog walk.

Give Way

Give way

This is still confusing some people who drive.

After work boarding

Harlyn

Board

Harlyn

The benefits of work from anywhere and a "finishing early 🏄" appointment in my calendar. Some nice waves @ Harlyn with F and then dinner from Big Pans. Yummy.

Foggy Cove

Hawkers Cove

A foggy morning walk to Hawkers Cove.

Lost boot

I found a boot.

Padstow Architecture Walks

Padstow Architecture Walk

The nook

№1: The Nook

Sandsnipe

Sandsnipe

Sandsnipe. Sniping sand.

If only I could be consistent on how the boat's name is spelled. In my defense, that was seventeen years ago.

I blame Sean

Rock Oyster

I started with a txt from Sean. He'd spotted a flyer for a "music festival for people that don't do music festivals".

Not to be out done, I quickly searched up the twinkling lights we'd seen the night before while crossing the Camel at Wadebridge. Aha, some festival thing, a combination of music and… food. Hardly surprising in the land of the rising PadStein.

Rock Oyster

Although I'd missed Grandmaster Flash by about 12 hours (tragedy) Passenger was playing that evening. And day tickets are still available you say? Wonderful. Despite my sarcastic negativity, probably the best live set I've seen. And yes, that includes both Ghost Face Killer and Cradle of Filth.

The trees are running

Dancing trees

Watch out, heavy plants are on the move. Very heavy.

Cove with a view

Perfect spot

Cove with a view. A view of the three people and two dogs getting cut off on the sand bank by a rising tide across the estuary. Fortunately "swimming for it" was successful.

Tide times

Take care folks. And check the tide times.

Happy 81

L's Birthday

Happy 81 L!!!! The birthday swim is becoming a tradition. Hopefully the post-swim Thai meal will too.

L's Birthday

The boys went for a dip too. Just not these boys.

L's Birthday

As ever, Pip kept watch.

Tree Path Walk

Tree

Path

The dead tree on the path home.

Congratulations H

Dinner out

Dinner out

Celebrating with H - two very proud parents, and a proud little brother. A tough covid three years at uni. Well done super star!!!!

It's a dog's life

Dogs

Dogs

E is so happy with the bed under the breakfast bar that he's pretty much moved in permanently. He nearly missed the evening walk because he was so chilled.

Brightwell Run

Brightwell run

Brightwell run

F was walking the boys with H so I cadged a lift to Brightwell and ran home over the hill. Puffed.

Out and about in Oxford

Out in Oxford

Starting at Redbridge Park and Ride with EV charging powered by some massive "grid scale" battery that was installed at Cowley Substation. Perhaps that's why you pay for parking and the park & ride bus, which together is more than parking at the Westgate. Genius!

Out in Oxford

First stop: energy with a most lovely veggi brunch at the Handlebar cafe.

Out in Oxford

Then the highlight of the trip: we went to the Ashmolean to see the Pre-Raphaelite's (Mr. S would be impressed). Turns out F had seen it before: just before it had closed for a Covid lock down. I'm not sure what I enjoyed most, the two-faced double-edged exhibition texts; or the grey-haired mafia with their phones snapping every picture and every word. Absolutely hysterical. Obviously, I'm from a younger generation that feels it's just not done to wander the galleries clicking away on your smart phone. So instead I give you a picture of something from the gents.

Flowers from the Garden

Flowers from the garden

I'm resting my chin

I'm resting

Well said Yogi.

It's a bit warm

It's a bit warm said Yogi

"It's a bit warm" said Yogi.

Note quite 40

Scorching might be a better description.

Randall illustrates why this is a problem in xkcd 1732 below…

Earth temperature timeline showing steady temperatures for 100,000's of years and then rapid increase in the last 200

Head Fail

Too much head

Another attempt.

London - Amsterdam & Back

Elizabeth Line, Farringdon

Work trip to Amsterdam via the Eurostar. St Pancreas to Amsterdam central in ~4 hours which is a bit crazy considering home to Liverpool Street used to be ~2 hours. (Although that was bike-train-bike 😉) Connecting from Paddington to St Pancreas was a whizz, what with the Elizabeth line taking about 8 minutes from Paddington to Farringdon. Would have been quite handy for getting to Chancery Lane back when that was my commute.

My next bike?

My next bike?

Maybe. Possibly something similar. Maybe not.

Because:

$$ Bikes_{perfect number} = Bikes_{current} + 1 $$

Cool yes?

Colourful Amsterdam Run

Amsterdam

Morning run around Amsterdam. The Keizersgracht route.

Team meetup in Amsterdam

Activate

Team photos

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

The Location

Hotel Ink

A short trip via Eurostar to Amsterdam for a couple of days with the lovely product team. Super.

Killing Herbs

Didn't make it

A week away and we've nuked the parsley.

Inflation

Inflation

Inflation. It's up.

Lunch @ Prawn on the ~~Lawn~~ Farm

Lunch view at Prawn on the Lawn

Lunch at Prawn on the Farm. Scrumptious food. Great service. Almost perfect company and a lovely view across to the monument. Again?

Ewok had a mug shot

Ewok's mug shot

Spot Ewok

H

Morning Walk Mono

Camel Estuary

Morning dog walk

Morning dog walk

Morning dog walk

Morning dog walk

Up early, but it was already hot. The same walk is also available in colour if you prefer. Vote in the comments.

Morning Walk Colour

Path to Padstow beach

Morning dog walk

Morning dog walk

Morning dog walk

Morning dog walk

Up early, but it was already hot. The same walk is also available in mono if you prefer. Vote in the comments.

Good Morning Padstow

Good Morning Padstow

Nearly the same view as last night.

Good Night Padstow

Goodnight Padstow

A wander around the inner harbour to the Friday evening sounds of something from the Harbour Inn. I wonder what it will look like tomorrow?

Books on a table

Books on a table

Holiday birthday books. Thanks mum!

Bike ride to Wadebridge

Camel Trail at Wadebridge

We hired bikes and went shopping in Wadebridge. It's a lovely ride.

Morning Views

Morning Views

Looking one way to the ocean.

Morning Views

Looking the other way to Rock.

Evening Stroll

Evening beach walk

Evening beach walk

Evening beach walk

We almost had the beach to ourselves. Almost.

Salad by Aiddy

Dinner salad

Afternoon Snooze

Sleepy afternoon

Well, we're on holiday ☺

End of the pint

End of the pint

A silver lining story. H & D had to hastily rearrange their holiday when the transport to Montenegro suddenly wasn't. Instead they're on a touring trip of Cornwall which meant we got to spend a lovely day with them as they made their way to the Minack. A lovely bonus to our week. D took a marvelous group selfie, while I got this shot of the glass on the pub table. Go figure.

CCTV watching the view

CCTV keeping an eye on the view

It was probably sometime in 1992 when I heard Wally Axford describing the lens-less camera of the future. It was in the Photo Science labs in the basement of Riding House Street and, I think, during an extended image processing practical session with an Acorn Archimedes something or other. Wally's theory was that the future camera would just be a GPS device. All you needed to know was where you were.

It would generate the perfect picture by composing something from a combination of stock imagery for where you were with the curated images of the people you were with. His theory was that a) most people couldn't capture a great landscape photo, b) most people didn't like most pictures of themselves, and c) no one cares really about the actual picture, more it's the memory it evokes or the message it sends.

At the time there was some Kodak research floating around that the most common photo was granny in front of a bin in the garden. So Wally's idea would give you the best photo of granny with the best bits of the garden (without the bins, or a telegraph pole sticking out of grannies head).

Tech went in a different direction, with computational cameras in every pocket. But I can't help wondering if the highly curated feeds on facebook, insta or wherever are telling us that we'd be better off with something closer to Wally's vision.

But then there's deep fakes, which is pretty much exactly what Wally envisioned. Except they've not (yet) reinvented and replaced the camera.

Fork in the path

The path forks

Random walk dog walks: every time there's a junction with a choice we follow Ewok. One day we might end up at Bodmin Parkway.

Driving test pop quiz

To give way or not to give way

Who has priority at this junction and who should give way?

Sunset bus stop

Number 10 to Bodmin Parkway

The Number 10 to Bodin Parkway. My guess is it takes a week.

Evening Sun

Evening sun

Sunlit harbour, perfect spot for a glass.

Tree Fern

Tree Fern

Awesome pressie from G J A & F. Thank you.

Reading labels

Yogi helped read the instructions.

The wine should be in the glasses

And a couple of glasses helped while contemplating the best positioning.

My perfect beach

Harlyn

Still, my favourite beach. Not sure why.

Exhausted

Exhausted

Yogi, one beach too many today.

Airstream Coffee

Airstream Coffee BEach Hut Cafe Harlyn

Airstream Coffee at the Beach Hut Cafe, Harlyn.

Me taking you

Snapping F

Snapping me snapping you.

Beach Not Constantine

Harlyn

Harlyn

A little walk from Trevone to Harlyn and back for a) fuel and b) to decide to go boarding at Constantine.

The surf was a little bigger, but much, much messier. Low tide and we nearly ended up in Boobys.

Coasteering

Jump

Look closely, there's someone jumping!

Ewok

Dinner alfresco

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Ewok

Padstow Harbour Evening

Padstow Inner Harbour

Around Padstow

Rooftops

My shadow takes photos

Rooftops

Quayside Infra

Quayside Infrastructure

Locked out

Gates

More beach @ Harlyn

Mum

Mum.

Bootprints

Boot prints.

Family on a beach

Beach Family

Beach cave

Beach cave

Working from Stein's

Steins View

When it's quiet a ½ decent spot for a coffee and a catch-up.

Working from Padstow

Working from the window sill

Working from the windowsill. Comfy. Ish.

Field Views

Fields

Fields

Lane views from a pre-journey dog stretch walk.

Fish and Chip Selfie

Chip selfie

Fish and chip supper down by the river.

Cover art crit

Cover art crit

Family feedback. F is the best.

Proud

Prom

Well done F. End of an era, dawn of the next.

Prom Paparazzi

Prom

Paparazzi

We think he was allowed in. Eventually.

Lurking in the shadows

Lurking the shadows

There's a ghost in my elevator.

Wittenham Home

Running views

Walked the boys with F around the Dorchester Loop but then left them half way round to jog/waddle home.

Running views

The on-road bits were more overgrown than the off-road.

Running views

Expired

Next day six week delivery

The hand written scrawl across the computer generated barcode said it all. 'Expired' in large red ink. DPD strikes again, delivering a next day COVID test package six weeks later.

Expectant Yogi

Expectant Yogi

Yes, he was successful.

Val & Caroline

Val & Caroline

With lovely Valerie & Caroline.

Cyclists from shop windows

Olde Skool

Cyclists from shop windows

Cyclists from shop windows

Hanging out in Wallingford, getting new specs fitted and grabbing coffee while spotting a person or more on a bike or two.

June in the Garden

IMG_9495.jpg

IMG_9498.jpg

June in the Garden

Simon & Gary

G & S

An absolute privilege to share such a special day. Thanks guys ♡

Sounders T

Sounders Soccer Camp shirt -- 13 years later

F spotting a 13 year old Seattle Sounders Soccer Camp T-Shirt. Perfect revision attire for the last A-Level exam tomorrow...

Zoombie Sunset

Zoombie Sunset

Choices

Choices

Choices, choices, choices.

hide and seek

Anyone seen Ewok?

Anyone seen where Ewok is hiding?

Breakie

Breakie

Lovely. Thanks F!

Beautiful Clouds

Evening Sky

Happy Birthday Ewok

Happy birthday Ewok -- 13 today!

Happy Birthday Ewok! Thirteen today, wowzers!

50

Cuppa tea cake

Cuppa-tea-cake @ 50. Perfecto.

Running to the office

Running views: the mall

Admiralty Arch

Achievement unlocked: 5.01k from Paddington Station to the office. I hadn't factored in running with a backpack (laptop, change of clothes, spare shoes, bike lock‽‽‽). It was a tad warm too.

Dinner

Heading out for dinner

Walking to dinner with Lovely F last night.

Tom's Badge

We found Tom's badge on the path. So we wedged it in the gate post in case Tom, or someone who knows them, passes by.

Jubilee Sweet Shop

After dinner we found the best Jubilee Shop window. If only I cared 😜

Heading home from dinner

While on the way home we admired the roof tops and bunting.

Regent Street

Which was almost as impressive as the flags still adorning Regent Street this morning. Colourful.

Post Sunday-Brunch Xbox Chill Games

With the boys

I play, but it's a stretch to say I compete.

Home

Home

Hopefull

Hopefull

Yogi, hope over expectation.

Wet Yogi

Yogi, after chasing rabbits through a rain-drenched garden

Yogi, after chasing rabbits around a rain-drenched garden.

Rabbits 1:0 Yogi

A walk from Padstow

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

A slightly longer dog walk: Padstow — St Saviour's Point — St George's Cove — Hawkers Cove — Lellizzick — Harbour Cove — St George's Cove — St Saviour's Point — Padstow

I'm looking for the opportunities

Yogi

"I'm looking for the opportunities" said Yogi. "Apparently now we've "taken back control" they're everywhere".

"Maybe you need new glasses" replied Ewok.

With lovely F

Selfies

Jubilee Dennis

Dennis Road preparing for Jubilee

Dennis Road preparing for Jubilee

Dennis Road preparing for Jubilee

Distracted Walk

Ewok & Yogi, distracted

Yogi was meant to pose for the view, but was distracted by something off-camera.

Ewok & Yogi, distracted

Ewok was hardly any better. Amateurs.

Tea in bed Ewok?

Tea in bed Ewok?

Don't mind if I do.

100 days

100 days

100 days. Слава Україні! Героям слава!

Coast Walk Padstow Loop

Coast walk

A beautiful day for a beautiful loop with the bubbas and beautiful F.

Idealic

Lower Camel

Rock

We found a swimming hole

The bubbas found a swimming hole, although not as deep as this swimming hole.

Jubilee Strand

Window bunting

F made bunting for the jubilee.

Tide's Out

Boats

Top right!

Arlanda books

Wow, in the top three of business books in Sweden. At least according to the book shop at Arlanda. It's been a while since I first stumbled on a copy in the North Cascades Institute library.

Space Invaders at Arlanda

Escalating

Chess with Pineapple

Pineapple chess

Team off-site in Stockholm. The pineapple always wins.

Hainault Forest

Over Hainault Forest

Flying over Hainault Forest in circles, waiting for the Queen's Jubilee flypast to fly past.

Around Stockholm

Lost shoe

Hammarby IP

Infrastructure

Nofo

Central Station

Central Station

40 minutes after wheels down and I'm 40km away and heading out from Central Station for an evening stroll across Stockholm to the hotel.

Nothing like a bit of Northern European efficiency to slap you in the face with what a monumentally stupid mess of things we've made with Brexit.

Cholsey Tournament

Cholsey Tournament

Reprise of an era. Cholsey Tournament for the under 26-plus-a-bit's. Every other team felt like a Wallingford or a Cholsey squad, with some Harwell too. Four cousins in one team. Maybe five next time…

Swoc!

Cows

Walking the meadows

Meadow walk

Ewok and Yogi

Ewok and Yogi

Before the game

Before the game

Patio. Swept

Patio. Swept.

Walking away from the sunset

Walking away from the sunset

H is home for a few weeks, between end of coursework and end of term. Good chats.

Call that a head?

How not to pour

Baby Oak!

Baby Oak

Yes, a baby oak. One day…

Run New York

Running New York

The Wall Street Run & Heart Walk was why there were no cabs to be found in Lower Manhattan. The cab I did find was not impressed that I was going to JFK: "I was sure you were headed for midtown". Given the traffic, next time I'd probably ride, except it looks like you can't ride a bike into JFK…

May in the Garden

May in the garden

May in the garden

May in the garden

May in the garden

W00t! is time for May in the Garden. Previous May in the Garden's:

2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 (May-ish) | 2017 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Enjoy.

The reading lamp

Reading Lamp

Ewok, relaxed

Ewok, relaxed

Running Lower Manhattan

Running views

Running views

Running views

This week I have been running around lower Manhattan.

Last day of sixth form

Toad

Toad

Toad

Last day before study leave. What better excuse than to dress up as a toad.

Hanging out in Manhattan

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Some views from a week hanging out in the New York office.

This way to the elevators

Wandering around Manhatten

Spotify: Hacker culture

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Wandering around Manhatten

Memorial. Marines.

Wandering around Manhatten

Home for the week

Hotel window view

Home for the week. Hyatt in Manhattan.

A working from transition...

Working from the garden

A transition. From working from the garden to...

Working from WTC 4

...working from the world trade center.

Quiet Place

Quiet place

I got lost looking for the showers in the office and stumbled across a quiet place.

Shelves

Shelves

Shelves

Shelves

L came and helped build shelves for the studio. Game changing.

Hanging

Wardrobe

The amazing flat hanging wardrobe.

Shade

Shade

Yogi, finding the best spots.

Lawns

That's the grass mown

I cut the lawn. It took ages.

New drain field

Nearly as long as installing the new drain field for the septic tank.

Do you like my new hat?

Do you like my new hat?

Boys on the beach

On the beach

Hello May

Padstow looking to Rock

Good morning padstow

The morning after. Lovely.

The drummer

Obbi Oss Padstow

Drumming at Padstow's 'Obbi 'Oss.

It's shut?

The Harbour Inn

Too late for a quick pint then.

Coast Path

South west coast path along the river Camel

South west coast path along the river Camel

Walking the South Coast path.

More Boats

Boats

Boats

Looks like Dr. No set an example. Now all the boats are turning out for May Day.

Baby Swallows

Baby swallows

Look closely. Swallow's nesting in the dunes part way to Polzeath.

A quiz for Granddad L: how many are there?

Bunting

Padstow 'obby 'oss bunting hanging - may day preparation

Padstow 'Obby 'Oss May day preparation Flags and Bunting

Padstow 'Obby 'Oss May day preparation Flags and Bunting

Somebody's getting ready for something.

Evening Walk

Yogi & Ewok

Middle loop

Dr. No in Padstow

Dr. No in Padstow inner harbour

Face in the Fireplace

Face in the stone

Tracks

Tracks

Grabbing a coffee

Coffee Stop

Coffee Stop

Bike 4 coffee

Studying

Studying

Hopefull Ewok

Hopefull

Adventures in transporting wood

Adventures in buying wood

The roof bars took a while to figure out. Then the rails needed to be clean before attaching the bars. So the car needed to be washed. That took a while. Then a hunt in the shed to find the straps. That took another while. Finally, a trip to Colliers and without too much flaffing about the 2×2s (aka 38×38s) where on the roof. Except…

Adventures in buying wood

…yes, you guessed it, I'd left the straps at home. Safely under the watchful eye of Woodinville Bear.

Adventures in buying wood

Never mind though, turns out the wood was short enough to stash indoors.

If only I'd have thought of that sooner.

The special corner

This corner is special

F's fish pie had a special corner.

Yogi wants my toast

Yogi wants my toast

The path, transplanted

Path transplant

Farmer T is moving the path. It might be tidy, but it's rough on the wildlife.

Good morning river

Good morning river

Three - Two - One

One pair, two mats, three stars

One pair, two mats, three stars

Birthday Flower's by Bike

Green & Gorgeous

Green & Gorgeous

Green & Gorgeous

Green & Gorgeous

Green & Gorgeous

A ride to Green & Gorgeous. Lovely flowers and a lovely ride. Inspiration for some painting!!!

Good Morning

Good morning

Bluebell Birthday Walk

Bluebell birthday walk

Bluebell birthday walk

Bluebell birthday walk

Bluebell birthday walk

Bluebell birthday walk

Happy birthday lovely.

Moles

Moles

Moles. Don't you just love them?

Sunday Lunch

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Lamb, Potatoes & Mushrooms. P249 of Three Good Things... On a plate.

Part of sunday lunch for 15-ish. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Lamb, Potatoes & Mushrooms (from P249 of Three Good Things… On a plate).

PS please don't tell H about the mushrooms.

The path to guess where

The path

Answers in the comments or on a postcard.

No favourites here

Favouritism

I guess the old man deserves a comfortable spot. He is nearly 90 after all.

Preparing Flights

Adjusting Flights

Preparing flights for the great weekend darts match. The grey fox was unable to defend his championship title due to a previous engagement with a palm frond. M was the unexpected tournament break through (double 20, and a triple 19). But F, or maybe P, just pipped H for the win.

St Mary's

St Mary's Church, Newham Murren, Oxford, UK

St Mary's Church in Newham Murren. Tucked away just off the Ridgeway. Blink and you'll miss it.

Through the looking glass

Inspired by A

Inspired by A's 'Through the magnifier'.

Guarding H

On guard

Yogi on guard duty. Afternoon snoozes must be protected!

Beanz

Beanz?

Inspired by A's series of pasties, I present Beanz. Yup, with a "z". Apparently it was z-ed sometime around 2008, which unsurprisingly is long before they were available in the United States other than as imports by the English Pantry.

Beanz. Seriouzly?

Spot the cat

Spot the cat

Yes, F's favourite cat is out and about. Though the rabbits aren't so pleased.

Jam Factory Floor

Jam Factory Floor

The amazing floor of the Jam Factory.

Skelton Tree

Skeleton Tree

This tree is sculptural.

Climbing Sequoias

The Sequoias

I asked the boys (no, not those boys, nor those, the SMMS boys) for some advice on climbing these lovely specimens. The consensus so far is to start at the bottom, although B is still thinking.

"Time has a different quality in a forest, a different kind of flow. Time moves in circles, and events are linked, even if it's not obvious that they are linked. Events in a forest occur with precision in the flow of tree time, like the motions of an endless dance." The Wild Trees, Richard Preston

Lonely Tree

It's a bit daunting, so I think I'll start with this one. And work my way up.

A quick pint

A quick drink

We stopped off half way for a quick pint. "Nice bar" said Ewok.

Bike TLC

Bike bits

The Aiddy alter-Nate Commute Vee-hee-call is still going. Ish. Going rather than going strong that is. Ish. It just needs some TLC. A lot of TLC for the AACV.

A morning dog walk in April

Sky

The planes are back in the skies. Getting ready for the Easter rush.

A yogi walk

Yogi, having just realised that the wheat isn't yet tall enough to hide in, chases after a nonchalant Ewok.

"I knew you were there anyway." he said.

A yogi walk

I think he was still upset from being forced to pose while sat on a downward slope. "It makes me look all hunched up" he complained.

The 積ん読 Bench

Book bench

The boys were round for music (Roy Harper), chat, beer & snacks. Obviously I had to arrange the 積ん読 along the bench, in a not so subtle attempt to impress.

Walking to the station

Walking to the station

Office Spring View

Office View

Brexit Opportunities

So many Brexit Opportunities

Finally, we received one of the fabled benefits.

Graphs from the FT

Graphs from the FT

The Financial Times is still looking. It might be a while.

The Economist

The Economist

The Economist looking for one, just one, of the elusive promised Brexit opportunities.

Yes, I did predict the future which is why 👆 that link goes foward in time. Clever eh?

Cars, on pavements

Cars on pavements (aka sidewalks)

Cars on pavements (aka sidewalks)

There was a time that this post would have been titled Cars, on sidewalks. But we've been fully re-acclimated now. Almost.

This post is for everyone who ever asked "Why doesn't that cyclist get out of my way". You're welcome.

Guinness Challenge

Guinness, from a can

M started a Guinness Challenge. Here's my pour attempt from a can.

Oh, and note how the computational photography calculation to simulate DoF got the glass wrong, again 😎 📷 🖥

Fringe!

Ewok's Fringe is a Basin

Mum cut my fringe with a ruler. Do you like it?

Ewok

Dad's looking out for me.

Coffee, Podcast, Soak and a View

Coffee, podcast, soak and a view

Sunday mornings.

Yogi listens

Yogi listening

Just not to me.

Design in a magazine

Design in a magazine

The trouble with selling your designs through an agent is that you don't usually know where they end up. Then one day you see your work in a magazine. Sophisticated. Quintessential. Joyful.

Proud of you F.

what time of day is this if I tell you it's on a walk with E&Y earlier this morning somewhere near the house?

Shadow selfie

Answers in the comments.

The Harbour Inn

Harbour Inn

I'll just pop in for a pint.

The door at the top of the stairs

The door at the top of the stairs

Door handle

Door handle

A Harlyn Sunset

Sunset at Harlyn

Sunset at Harlyn

The pub next door

The pub next door

For a post boarding Sunday lunch. Terrific.

Hawkers Cove Colours

Hawkers Cove Colours

The colours are amazing. Apparently.

Walls and Drains

Walls and covers

Walls and covers

Walls and covers

This week I have been mainly inspecting walls and drains.

Flowers

Some kind of flowers

Mother's Day Boarding

Mother's day board

What do you want to do for mother's day when the boys are away?

Boarding, in the sea, in March. A tad chilly, and more a ripple than a surf, but very 😎

Yes, the beach was busy and yes, we were the only ones in the water.

Padstow Dawn to Dusk

Padstow morning to night

Padstow morning to night

Padstow morning to night

Padstow morning to night

Electrons

Twelve new fast chargers at Exeter services

Exeter services upgrade: from 3 fast chargers to 15. Electrifying.

Hotel Nofo

Hotel Corridor, Nofo

Hanging at at Hotel Nofo on Södermalm, Stockholm. A recommended spot to hang out for the week.

It's wine o'clock

Wine o'clock

Early evening sun light date with F. Crisps and a glass, or two.

Something is missing

Something is missing

The first half of the pastry was lovely. The second half disappeared. It certainly had nothing to do with Pip 🐕🐕🐕

Hedge or Buffet?

Country Mix

A country mix hedge. Or maybe a rabbit buffet. Unless the deer beat them to it.

Renewal

Passport Photo

New passport. New pic.

Some bloke on a horse

Stockholm

Gustav II Adolf (I think).

Fotografiska

God morgon Stockholm

A morning run around the North East of Södermalm.

Guess Where?

Stockholm

A proper walk.

God Morgon Stockholm

Stockholm

Bench Views

Stockholm

A mid-run view spot. Stretching or grabbing a break?

Departure Coffee

Starbucks

A Grand Dad Walk

New Milton

New Milton

New Milton

New Milton

New Milton

Oh poo

Muck

The poo problem is back. This time we think the drain field has failed.

We're blessed with the weather

Rain

…as the taxi driver reminded me, compared with much of the world we're remarkably lucky when if comes to the weather.

Reading Chair

Chair

Antler Head

Antler Dog

Ewok's favourite cushion.

Reading Putin

Reading Putin

F isn't a fan of the loo reading selection.

London Office View

London

The new office view is growing on me. Even if I'm very rarely there.

Back on the train gang

On the train again

Celebrating

Celebrating

Last mock exam. F celebrating with a spicy chilli and a bottle of Angel's Lore courtesy of granddad C.

Yogi's Legs Are Odd

Yogi

Dodgy camera or a paddle in the river?

Agility

Agility

Fossil Fuel Buster

Fossil fuel buster

Ukraine is fighting for our freedom as I type. A two part plan to help.

Part 1: donate \($\)$

Part 2: cut out the fossil fuels

  • Drive less, cycle or walk if you can.
  • Turn down the thermostat. Put on a jumper. Cuddle a blanket, a loved one, or a Yogi.
  • Get all your electricity from renewable's. But use less so there's more to share with others.
  • There's no such thing as cheap energy. We pay one way or another.

“Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.”

John Stuart Mill, 1867

Don't forget

Wishful thinking

Yogi, wondering when we’ll start setting a place at the table for him

Yogi, wondering when we’ll start setting a place at the table for him

Yogi, wondering when we’ll start setting a place at the table for him.

Dinner with Yogi

Is it time for dinner?

Sunshine

Enjoying the sun

The boys taking advantage of some late February sun to top up on the Vit-D.

Friends

Sharing?

Surprising how quickly your friends turn up when there's Sticky Toffee Pudding up for grabs.

Paint

Paint

Is it normal for it to look like this?

🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 Ukraine 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

Untitled

Red Cross Crisis Appeal.

The secret fly-poster

Posters

Someone is fly-posting around the house. (Watch out Loughborough!)

I can see the sea

I can see the sea

Comb Over Ewok

Ewok

F

Ewok

We love a good fringe.

A walk to lower beach

Lower Beach

Lower Beach

Lower Beach

A morning walk to Lower Beach. After the storm (storm Franklin, the next one after Eunice and high tide, the incoming waves up the estuary looked eminently surfable. But in the pictures you can't see that.

Oh, BTW today the government announced the end of COVID restrictions. It's been a while: 38,409 cases per day and 160,610 official UK deaths.

(I'm still trying to figure out why the family call me the GRoC)

Running-ish (again) to Little Petherwick

Little Petherick Run

Little Petherick Run

Little Petherick Run

Little Petherick Run

Little Petherick Run

Another little run around the Little Petherwick loop. Hard work with the 50mph breeze.

There have been some complaints about the lack of colo(u)r, so I'm alternating a bit.

Bedside Reading

bedside reading

"Hate crimes in cyberspace".

Unimpressed Yogi

Yogi in a breeze

Yogi was not impressed when F decided to wait at a bench for us to finish the walk. He ummmmed and ahhhhed and then took off like a rocket to find her.

disappearing

F (the other one) was not impressed with my Yogi-control skills.

Survey Marker

SurveyMarker

Survey markers for, well, surveying. They're not messing around with these measured drawings are they?

Memorial Walk

Monument

F

A walk up to the memorial for the views.

After Storm Eunice

After storm Eunice

A was a tad breezy yesterday. 122mph at The Needles on the Isle of Wight.

A 50+mph headwind dropped the average mile per kWh somewhat.

Late night essay editing

Late night easay editing

Moral support as F wraps up History course work.

Use much not I am.

A work thread, out of control

The Elements of Typographic Style

A thread about the distinctiveness of a certain author's documents, resulted in an admission that said author owned a copy of The Elements of Typographic Style.

Infinidash

It then somehow descended into LinkedIn spam and recruiters looking for engineers with Infinidash experience.

WTMW.

The day, bookended

Day bookends

Morning sun.

Day bookends

Evening sun.

With wind, rain and chilliness in between.

Leaflet Walk

10,000th step

10,000th step of the morning…

Leaflet

…delivering leaflets.

Sky Walk

Sky

An afternoon walk with the boys, in which Ewok head-faked me twice to retrieve hedgerow tissues. Yes, he was mighty pleased with himself.

Loo Library

Loo library

Big thank you to secret santa!

Ewok Lounges

Ewok lounges

Another comfy spot for Ewok.

Painting

Painting

Painting

Painting the kitchen. F was "well impressed" with my ability to paint around the wires. It was shocking.

Sunday Rainbow

Rainbow

🌈🌈days

Cup Match

Cup match winter skies

Cup match against Benson in the winter sunshine. The beautiful game.

Waiting for a paw wash

Waiting for a paw wash

Yogi decided that the walk was a little too muddy… so he decided to camp out in the shower to wait for a bronze wash and dry. Clever pup.

Swan's Way

Swan's Way

Out and about on a warm early February day.

Ewelme

Ewelme

Nearly the end of the walk.

Monkey!

Monkey

Monkey kept me awake two nights running then nicks the bog roll!

Lunch time ponder

Lunch view

Found a spot to sit and think.

Lunch time stroll

Coastal Dancing

Ferry a low tide

Bench

Estuary

Some things workish are a tad busy right now; Neil, Joe, both, neither; so decompressing with a lunch time walk.

And yes, the first picture was because of complaints that there have been too few pix of people on c r o s s o a k recently.

Who pulled the plug out?

Someone pulled the plug out

Tides gone out

Walking to grab my morning coffee I noticed the water in the inner harbour was a tad low. Was it the plug getting knocked out, or maybe it's time for an inspection.

More Visitors

Visitors

Afternoon Run: Stepper Point Loop

Run around stepper point

Not to be outdone by yesterday, I tried a gentle trot around the headland and Stepper Point.

Run around stepper point

Run around stepper point

Run around stepper point

Run around stepper point

Back for high tide and the last chocolatine at the cafe.

A slow 10.5k and yes, I should have had a rest day.

Making a mess again

Making a mess again

Does this remind anyone else of the early days at George Street?

Morning Run: Little Petherick Loop

Morning run: Little Petherick Loop

Padstow to Little Petherick and back with an almost loop.

Morning run: Little Petherick Loop

The out-leg was along the Saints Way (Forth an Syns)

Morning run: Little Petherick Loop

The back-leg on the other side of Little Petherick Creek.

Morning run: Little Petherick Loop

Past the Jubilee memorial (for Viccy, not Liz)

Morning run: Little Petherick Loop

Morning run: Little Petherick Loop

9km and yes, it was muddy. Very muddy.

Sand Bank

Sandbank

Missing the ferry

Missing the ferry

Jo Jo's

Jo Jo's Kitchen

Bacon and egg baps and the best opening times.

Pontoon

Pontoon

Remember

Bag to remember

I wasn't going to forget the bag again with a hint like this!

Milk, butter and fast food

But I did forget the milk and butter.

The Game

Mud

Wallingford Town vs Cholsey in the cup. It went to pens.

And Relax…

Chilling

What better way to chill after an amazing curry thought Ewok.

The Photographer

Photog

Chip

Chip

Happy Birthday Mum!

Mum at Sidmouth

Birthday

Become a community scientist

Coast Snaps

Recording coastal erosion at Sidmouth.

Sun streaks

One day it'll all be like this (and who will be laughing at Kevin Costner then?).

Cooking in Padstow

Dinner

One pan meals. Sorted. You can do two-pan meals if you're up for some multi-threaded pan swapping.

Working from Padstow

Working from home

Working from the future spare bedroom in Padstow.

Working from home

With texture out of the window.

Ewok & the sand

Ewok

Yogi loves the beach, it's slowly growing on Ewok.

Beach Walk

Yogi

Afternoon beach walk with the boys.

Reflecting Pool

Ewok wasn't keen on posing by the reflection pool.

Tyre

Padstow is vying with St Ives as the Northern Cornwall place for modern sculpture to be seen. Yogi weed on it.

Ewok found a stick

Ewok found a stick. It was a slow walk home.

Working from the harbour

Working from the harbour

Sunny break, working from the harbour wall with a coffee from Stein's.

A Dog Stroll

Boat

Out for a stretch.

Dismount

Why?

Why? Do we ask drivers to stop and push their cars?

Have BMW

Pavement BMW

Have BMW. Will park on pavements.

Charging

Charge

29% to 100% in ~1h32m. Long enough for a short run and a work call. Sorted.

Goodnight Padstow

Goodnight Padstow

Things you find in houses

House Finds

A damp wall behind fake tiles. Probably not helped by the kitchen sink draining into the wall for X months.

House Finds

Wood panelling behind woodchip wallpaper.

House Finds

The inside end wall hiding behind some hardboard.

Learnt lots from Caroline's visit.

Downhill

Downhill

The downhill end of a run. Heading home from a nearly-5k.

Morning Padstow Chilly

Morning

Chilly? There was frost on the benches down by the harbour.

Morning Padstow

Morning Padstow

Morning Padstow

Morning Padstow

Padstow Walk

Padstow Walk

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The boys and I were up before the rest of the dog walkers for a morning stretch to Hawkers Cove and back. I'd planned to do the loop, but Ewok, and then Yogi, had other ideas. Apparently, Ewok isn't as sprightly as he was, and hurdling the local stone-built styles was a small ask too far. Next time we'll take the beach route and wade through the marsh.

Little houses

Up at the clumps

Up the clumps

Up at the clumps

Up at the clumps

Up at the clumps

Morning Coffee Reading

Morning Coffee Reading

Morning Coffee Reading

Yes, two days running (and there you were thinking I'd broken my one coffee a day rule).

Waiting

Waiting

All that is missing is a beer. Or two.

Pasta Man

f does pasta

Dawn to Dusk

Foggy

A foggy dawn.

Dusk

And a glowing dusk.

Wet Miserable Saturday

Yogi

Yogi

Frosty Stare

Staring

I was late back from work and the boys were wondering about dinner. Hence the stares.

Frosty Post

Frosty Post

Waiting at the gate