2012 Photoshoot

Jenny Stone airbrushed us for our 2013 calendar photoshoot , (in the shops next December).

Whistle A Happy Christmas Tune

During a rare break in the persistently raining rain, we managed to pass the swamps of the Somerset levels to reach the damp oasis of Taunton. Here we dined on festive bird and all the trimmings.

In the evening we moved on to The Ebert's for all the trimmings and some festive bird, accompanied by trumpet voluntary and percussion pieces from the more energetic younger members of the family.

Spurning the offer of 'decent' waves alongside Newquay harbour wall, we joined the Boxing Day throng on the Quantocks for a walk; retiring to Grandma's for more food (and more trimmings) and an impromptu (unofficial) photoshoot with hats.

Christmas Greetings

It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

After nibbles and 'Strictly' last night with the Turtinos, a break in the winter downpours that have been inundating the South West, allowed for a local wellies walk. Not all paths were passable though.

In the evening, we enjoyed chestnuts roasting on an open fire before supper and carols.

Bond Bug

We followed this '70s iconic vehicle on our way to The Valleys for a lovely Welsh pre-Christmas lunch. 

Montpellier Chapter

 We took afternoon tea that was absolutely top-notch. Terribly nice.

View From A Bed

Cars

Good ingenuity demonstrated by H & Tom for their 'C' party

Bloodhound

Jerry met Richard Noble from Bloodhound SCC World Land Speed Record Team. A previous World Record holder at about 650 mph, the current UK land speed record holder over a flying mile and he wants to go 1000mph in 2014. A proper 'old school' engineer adventurer, keeping the UK at the cutting edge of things to do on a flat desert using only a eurofighter engine and a shiny rocket in the coolest car ever!

We Don't Care What The Weatherman Says

The weathermen say it's raining but Tim still wants to go for a blast on the hills, offering a bike with suspension plus chocolate rations as an inducement to come out on such a wet day. Obviously I said yes. After various semi-disastrous efforts with the camera we did manage some footage and later made a silly speeded up video too. Biking - one activity the weather can't spoil!

We enjoyed the biggest rustica pizzas, served on their own planks, to round off Hannah's big day. We nearly finished them too! 

Bachelor of Science

Hannah, suitably attired in gown and mortar board, joined the rest of the class of 2012 from The Faculty of Sports Science at The Cathedral for their graduation ceremony. After much clapping and speeches, Hannah shook hands with The Bishop and the hat throwing began. We are all very proud of the one person in the family who actually has any brains! Well done Hannah.  

Autumn Colours

A morning cycle through Cranham Woods proved challenging because the ground was so waterlogged; sticky mud and leaf litter is not the perfect surface. However, the beautiful browns and golds of the woods made up for any inconvenience. While lost, we came upon a series of springs pouring out of the rock. We named it Turton Torrent, but won't ever be able to find it again. The afternoon was spent pruning, raking, clipping and sweeping in the garden, which now looks quite smart. Evening entertainment is the fireworks and bonfire at St Edwards. 

Southampton

As part of career re-training, Jerry braved wintry conditions in Southampton Water to achieve the RYA level 2 Powerboat qualification. Nicely avoiding various inclement weather overnight, this was successfully achieved over two days without mishap. High speed manoeuvres on day two were particularly enjoyable. Meanwhile Claire was enjoying popping over to Hythe on the ferry, taking the little train and the buses to explore the city. On Saturday night we watched the fireworks before supper. A good weekend all-round (Luke was living it up in the capital Friday-Sunday too). 

Iain at 50

Iain invited his lovely friends to celebrate a milestone birthday with him. A very enjoyable evening was passed, where wonderful food appeared (thanks Bev) and we laughed until bedtime. A walk on the common and lunch at the pub topped off a great weekend. 

Back To The Sunshine

Ali and Sam - who taught Jerry sailing (poor things):

Despite 2 weeks of inclement weather back home while we were away, we carefully brought all of that lovely sunshine home again - it makes mid-October so much nicer. Back in resort, for the final regatta, Jerry teamed up with Tony, for a race in a Bahia. Some excellent boat balancing and tactical decision-making got them home as first Bahia, and second in the official race positions after the Portsmouth Yardstick handicaps had been applied. An appeal that the 'spinnaker' handicap had been incorrectly applied, denying us deserved overall victory fell on deaf ears. We got over it in the bar, more easily than you might imagine. The two weeks in beautiful Turkey were wonderful, and a great way to spend the early autumn, with temperatures in the mid to high 20s. Mission accomplished on the sailing qualifications front too. The official video is filed here and the slideshow is here.

Booze And Balls

Another hot, sticky day saw Jerry on a nice bike ride along the coast. Claire again maxxed out her tennis opportunities, climaxing in the dubious event entitled 'booze and balls', involving drinks and tennis -simultaneously! Jerry spent an afternoon capsising catermerans, which is great fun, followed by a bike technical clinic where he discovered everything he had been doing wrong for the past few decades! Anyway it's Italian night in the restaurant so no more time to blog....

Flat Out Again

The level 3 RYA sailing kicked off, definately up a notch in the requirement to be much more precise all the time. On Monday it was spinnakers and on Tuesday's regatta Jerry improved another place to 3rd Laser. Claire had moved up too to the top tennis group, getting those volleys in and feeling fitter. Jerry also got stuck into some excellent bike rides and we 'stretched and relaxed' at JoJo's evening de-stresses. Monday night in a swing chair, under the stars, drinking Turkish raki was sublime.

Ruins

With a one day 'half term' from lessons, we had a watersports day in freshening winds. Jerry got planning on a windsurfer while Claire kayaked; then we set off to find the ruins of ancient Teos: They were where everyone said they were. It was amazing to walk amongst Teos grey stone, carved when Rome still had an empire. Apparently, being good to carve made the stone quarried locally sought after, and much of it ended up in Rome itself. In the evening we ate Red Mullet in Sigacik. On Sunday morning we took 'Jerry's shortcut' over the hill to the local market and did as the locals do: sat on a bench overlooking the fishing harbour, watching the World go by. The people of Izmir think that Sigacik folk are sonewhat slow to take up everything that modern advancement offers; the appeal of the place is exactly that! Blogged from a bench in the shade of a palm by the old town fortified walls.

Back On Two Wheels

After two days recovering from the plague, we both managed to up our game again: Claire launched into the doubles tournament and then managed a bike trip to Seferihihar market. Jerry did the week's technical ride, had a late morning windsurf blast and then made all 3 laps of the regatta without tipping over the catamaran. Midday temp. 30 °, wind strengthening.

All Action

After dining out under the stars Turkish meze style, we enjoyed a great night's sleep in our new bigger room. Tuesday morning saw Claire playing tennis, sailing a cat and then trying waterskiing - all before lunch! She relaxed while Jerry tried to keep his Laser upright, racing in the afternoon.

On-Shore

We started with a familiarity paddle round the bay. Claire found a sea arch and after lunch she got stuck into her tennis while Jerry helmed a keelboat. On Monday an easy off road cycle covered the morning nicely. With temperatures in the mid to high 20s, Turkey was looking good.

Teos

After a detour to avoid Greek airspace due to strikes and enduring a plane full of screaming kids... we got to watch the sun go down from our sunbeds. We walked to a little family restaurant where we enjoyed a view of the bay while savouring the best meatballs under a full moon; on a beautiful night.