The Beach House

  Before and after photos:-

guest bedroom

guest bathroom

master bedroom

and en suite

dining room

lounge

downstairs cloakroom

We really enjoy walking on the coast and in the New Forest.  The other day we startled a young stag and he just froze like a statue.  We also got lost in the Forest just like Hansel and Gretal which was quite worrying.  Phil always carries a compass now.

Phil being artistic in Keyhaven:-

tide out

tide in

and kite-surfing in Keyhaven!!!!

We then tackled the garden:-

Our favourite activity is to visit Emmie though.

Paella

 Dinner with Alan and Janet

One of the great dishes of the summer - it poured all day!

To see my recipe, click here.

Sa Taulera

My birthday.  Woke to a glorious sunny day in Majorca and had breakfast with the family on the specially birthday decorated terrace.  Opened so many cards and presents.  Thank you and a special thank you to Caroline for creating this blog present for me.

For my birthday lunch we drove from Puigpunyent to Sant Elm along  dramatic narrow twisting roads through Mallorca's mountain scenery of olive groves in the shadow of Puig de Galatzo.  The babies were not fazed by the exciting drive but I think some of the adults were suffering by the time we arrived at St. Elm.  Well done drivers Alun and Simon.  Driving a large transport van along these roads take some nerve.

St. Elm was bustling with lots of boats in the beautiful blue bay.  A wonderful sight.

We had the best seafood paella, complete with lobster, at Na Caragola, which occupies a prime spot with a fine terrace affording views across to Sa Dragonera.

What a super birthday.


Another sunny warm day spent by and in the pool with Emmie.

Visited the beach at Palma Nova.  It was a good base for a family day out occupying a prime position on the western side of Palma bay.  More restrained than Magaluf, less exclusive than Portals Nous, which we did visit though just to see how rich some  people ae with their very large yachts.  When we tired of the sand and lilos we returned to a lovely barbeque at the villa.  The boys doing the shopping and cooki

Underwater photography session today.

Boarded the tram 'Orange Express' from Soller to Port Soller at a little station above the main square of Soller  (ex San Francisco 1930s rolling stock).  Alun, Simon and Fabio stood on a platform and waved to us as the tram with Emmie and Katie on board clattered thro' and then carried on thro' back gardens and orchards to the beautiful bay full of boats.

 

Messing about on the broads

If there's one place that's synonymous with boat-messing, it's the Broads. The words of a certain Rat come to mind:

"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

So we packed the picnic basket, grabbed the suncream (and, to be on the safe side, a towel) and headed to Martham Boats. In our opinion the only thing spoiling the atmosphere (and scaring away the wild life) is that endless chugging of an engine. So we ditched it and did the Broads the old-fashioned way, under sail in a half decker.

We were given no instructions except turn left, then right and you'll be fine on Hickling Broad in a broad Norfolk accent from the boatkeeper.

Our boat was called Jaylene - an open boat with just a small compartment in the fore of the boat and another small compartment at the stern. She was over 22 foot long with what seemed to be an extraordinarily large gunter rigged main sail and a tiny jib. 

So there we were sailing away with no idea were we were going! But perhaps that is the best way to travel!

Sailing on the Broads holds many delights - the reed beds that line the side of the waterway or the trees, the glimpse of a church in the distance and the heron that stands aloof.   

On the water we admired the many beautiful traditional sailing craft and despised the ugly functional motorboats. There is something quite exhilarating and satisfying about using the wind alone to propel oneself through the water.  

Sailing boats give the impression of being organic because they work with nature rather than attempt to control nature via brutish engines.  

Our little boat had no motor to get us out of trouble or to speed us to our home berth, but relied entirely on the wind and our ability to handle the sails to get where we wanted. Would we ever get back though?

There were many highlights of the sail, some of them unplanned. We managed to crash into the reeds on a turn and bits of foliage decorated the boat for a while.

Jaylene seemed to take it all in her stride. We also managed to run aground twice, once near a beach, and on a reed bed when Phil mis-timed a tack and the wind blew us firmly onto the vegetation. We managed to extricate ourselves though with brute force and paddles.

When the wind picked up the old gal would lift her skirts and run and in the stiff breeze she was an exhilarating sail. We managed to sail her directly on to a mooring for a delightful picnic with only a grass snake and black swan for company.

                                                                              

We then retraced our steps down the narrow part of the Broad, turned around and had a second go, which earlier in the day had almost defeated us. We had learned that Jalyene had the advantage of being able to turn tightly through a tack.  

This time it was easy. There is something very satisfying about being able to sail with skill and precision in close quarters. 

We eventually returned to the boatyard where we sailed straight on to the mooring and packed her up tight for the night.

On the way home to Barnham Broom we reflected on what a super day we had had and wondered who would be sailing Jaylene the following day. The trouble with boats is that you can get very attached to them, especially if you've had a super sail!

We are grandparents

Phil and Sheila are now officially grandparents!
Our son Alun and his wife Gemma welcomed their first child, a girl
She arrived at 17.58 hours weighing in at 6lb 4 oz
The entire family is overjoyed.

She is finally here, she finally came but it took forever to think of a name.  But what a lovely name:;

Emmeline Isabella Patricia Rees - known as Emmie for short.

Our precious granddaughter is here in our arms. 
Delighting us all with her magical charms.

Tiny hands and tiny feet, a new baby for you to meet.

As well as the great joy in becoming a grandparent there is also a simple kind of joy that comes from just being a part of the natural world, of being with little Emmie who delights in our company and listens with rapt attention to her grandparents.

Tiny yawns and sleepy sighs
Nursery rhymes and lullabies
A brand new life has brightened our world
Oh, what fun to have a girl.

It is also exciting to watch your own child nurturing.  The miracle of a new baby is overwhelming, but to watch Alun become a parent is just as miraculous.  We watch with awe and pride because we know how demanding the job is.

She has beautiful eyes, and wiggley toes, lots of dark hair and a cute little nose.

Becoming a grandparent is an experience that only after becoming a grandparent can you begin to appreciate.  She is so sweet and beautiful

Pretty in pink and oh so sweet!

Sweet as candy, Good as gold, Our precious baby granddaughter, A miracle to hold.

Being Mother of the Bride

The wedding ceremony itself was at the majestic, historic Wimborne Minster and radiant in a Mon Cherie Chelsea gown, Caroline headed down the aisle on the arm of her father.

Such a wonderful moment

She was followed by her best friends, the maid of honour, Rebecca Barron, who designed and made the gorgeous pale blue silk bridesmaids’ dresses and the lovely Gemma Rees, Katie Phillips and Susanna Woodings.

Susanna Woodings, Gemma Rees, Katie Phillips & Rebecca Barron

Mike waited at the altar with his best man Daniel Taylor whilst the Ushers Alun Rees and Ben Ayres did a wonderful job seating all the guests. Lush soft blue hydrangeas in buckets decorated the pew ends.

A nervous Mike waits at the front

Joanna Rees

The Rev’d Derek Tighe officiated at the ceremony with a perfect blend of heartfelt sentiments and warm humour. The ceremony was lovingly filled with personal meaning.

Mike’s mother, Marian did the first reading John 4:7-19 and Caroline’s brother Alun the Second Reading – On Love by Thomas Kempis.

Even the signing of the marriage licence was special as Mike’s sister Joanna accompanied by Malcolm Colton sang Songbird by Eva Cassidy. Very moving. 

Outside the Minster guests surrounded the couple and tossed ivory rose petals, some from the garden of St. Michael’s Road where Caroline lived as a child. It was a beautiful sight to see all the petals falling, especially in the photographs.

The "Confetti" shot

The couple then headed off in the vintage Rolls Royce clutching champagne glasses whilst the Ushers and Bridesmaids, clutching champagne bottles, followed in Basil – a vintage surfers VW van.

Basil the split-screen camper van

Arriving at Sandbanks the couple headed off to capture their photographs as husband and wife. A memorable moment that Caroline’s mum will never forget. The beach was empty, the weather was perfect and they both looked so happy to finally be married. They couldn’t stop smiling. 

On the terrace guests were offered champagne or jugs of beer – a great hit with the guys. Then much to everyone’s surprise and delight the guests were treated to a flypast by the Red Arrows.

An unexpected flypast from the Red Arrows!

Guests then made their way to tables named after local beaches. A unique twist on traditional seating cards – and a great keepsake for guests – was to opt for a pebble with the guest’s name calligraphed on it. 

The cake

Seashells and starfish were scattered across the cake table. The cake was decorated with glittery marzipan shells which Caroline and Gemma had a hand in making.

A beach hut specially painted by Dad was the topper. Caroline has always wanted a beach hut in Sandbanks and she got one – be it a little small.

The traditional favours were small white buckets filled with Italian chocolates – a sugar rush to help get the dancing going. 

For their first dance together as man and wife Caroline and Mike had chosen Better Together by Jack Johnson. It was wonderful – very romantic. 

At approximately 11p.m. some rastas appeared with Calyspo music and a limbo pole – great fun. The Congo followed and all the guests joined in, even Roger in his wheelchair.

The Rastas

When the clock struck midnight, the couple looked at each other and were glad they had heeded the advice of parents; to simply enjoy the experience of their big day. Enveloped in the love of family and friends, the new Mr. and Mrs. Rees embarked on a honeymoon, on the British Airways 747 flight to Singapore and then it was on to the white sands of Bintan. Returning over the weekend to Singapore for the night Grand Prix, but that needs a blog from Caz and Mike. 

It was the most perfect wedding.