Halloween Cornish style

I know these are a little late in making it onto the blog, but better late than never. Christa went down with the kids (muggins was working) and had a good week.

Morwenna and Christa both had their birthdays down there. Why they're called the terrible twos is any ones guess. Now that Morwenna is three the tantrums are really going up a gear. Of course, when Daddy's around its like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth...

Bryn is coming up for 1 and considering how into biting everyone he is, I think the Dracula outfit was an inspired choice.

Seasons Greetings!

Yup, sure did snow last weekend... all weekend. Bryn got his first taste of the white stuff and didn't think much of it. Too cold to enjoy it after 15 minutes. Morwenna got the hang of snowballs on her own, and got one down the back of my neck. I swear I didn't provoke her...

Had to get some photos, because you cant really count on it snowing most winters now. Saying that, it forecast to snow tomorrow. Another great forecast for the half marathon. It hailed on us last year too. Wish me luck. Time to beat this year; 1hr 40.

Family Bowling goes multi-sensory!

This is it everyone. The grand unveiling of a plan that's been years in the making. I have been beavering away for the last few months learning how to record, edit and mix music. Oh, and learn to play the bass. And the flute... At least its a good reason why the blog has been so quiet of late.

Right click the link below to open in a new tab & make sure your speakers are on!

www.myspace.com/alexbowling1

I've written all the songs apart from the occasional anonymous folk tunes which work their way into the songs, in which case only the arrangement is my own. Currently Christa is the only other musician involved (I cant play the fiddle yet). Others have declared an interest, but as yet not brought their instruments around. Watch out for Ben/Doms' contributions in the acknowledgements.

The first tune starts with Turloch O'Carolan, a 15th Century lute piece that I've transposed onto guitar (a DADADE open tuning so the strings will ring like a lute) Its the normal blarney about a legendary battle between 2 groups of faeries. You've got to love the Irish. It then becomes another slow Irish traditional piece. I don't know its name, but I heard Frankie Kennedy play it years ago in Glasgow and it blew me away. The 2nd song is one I wrote years ago when Christa moved to Edinburgh 2 months after I met her. Still, its not all bad news...she came back in the end!

There is still plenty to learn about the whole recording process, so don't expect miracles from the 1st few tunes and you wont be dissapointed. Hope you enjoy.

1 Small Step for Man...

A very small man. Bryn took his 1st steps tonight and looked right pleased with himself. At 9 months old I'm sure he is ahead of the game, but is still a little smaller than the average farmers boy here in Norfolk. Maybe that's what makes him light on his feet.

Welcome addition to Family Bowling

Hello Alfie! Cousin Mark just sent these lovely photos of Morwenna and Bryn's cousin. I think Alfie is about Bryn age (8 months?) but i don't know when the pics were taken.

Its good to know that whilst my father is beginning to trace the family line backwards, the Bowling line is still making forward progress too. Oh and Mark, if you're reading this, just check the weather we have been having. With the Great British Summer as it is, we would all be better off in S.E. Asia. Keep sending the photos and we'll keep blogging.

And Finally...

After a hard day playing together on the beach, what better than to fall asleep together in a proper, non camping bed?

The long way home

Happy 99th birthday nan! Hope your good health augers well for the 3 generations that have come after you.

The drive back to East Anglia is always split up well by a stop over in Bristol to see Pete and Jenny. The grueling filming schedule has Jenny tied up in knots until November, so we always appreciate you 2 making us feel welcome. Anytime your passing Norfolk, be sure to give us a call ;-)

And finally, Bryn has decided to start walking around/ standing on his own. At 8 months old, he's earlier off the mark than Morwenna. Those thunder thighs don't come from my side of the family!

Pembrokeshire in Summer

A week in the land of my fathers was in order. The new twist on a familiar week away- Dan, Anna and the kids (plus uncle Rowan, Nik, Jenny et al) came with us to camp near St. Davids. August in Wales, what could possibly go wrong.

Good company, crappy weather. Rain every day led to many nearby campsites flooding out. Not ours. With an unobstructed view West over Ramsey Island and the bitches, our main problem was the 50mph winds. Needless to say we packed up before the weather really came in...

Nevertheless, we reckoned the holiday a success. We caught up with a lot of friends and family, got some kayaking, fishing, sailing, coasteering and beachlife in. Thanks to Mike and Yens for lending us a the boats and John/Reesy for the g&t on a stormy night. Thanks also to Toby and Brita for helping us dry our clothes and feed us.

Toby and Brita

As always, Toby has landed on his feet. Toby and the irrepressible Brita have moved all their worldly belongings to be near the small world theatre in Cardigan. Oft described as their 'resident genius' small world theatre must be happy to have him closer to the fold.

We had a great night with Richard, Tina, Luna, Will and all the kids. As soon as Morwenna and Jacob found the horn on Toby's pride and joy, they were up at 6.30am blasting away and trying to get the sun roof down. Thanks for a great night all of you.

Origins of the family Bowling

Found some classic photos at the family manse. I have been trying to get my dad to start the family history for years now. All to no avail. Well, this blog may be looked at for countless generations of Bowlings and if it is, they will at least be able to see this far back... the era when black and white photos were based on necessity, not mood.

Not to be outdone, the Karlsson side of the family have this fine specimen of a lady. Correct me if I'm wrong mum, but I think this is Morwennas great, great, great grandmother. The headscarf was a permanent fixture in an effort to prevent forehead from meeting cow flank when milking.

Times are changed now and the Bowling family line includes a definite Scandinavian blond streak. Joe and I grew up on the beach and spent all of our time rock pooling and fishing.

Finally, to bring us up to date, the view from the family house remains unchanged. With all the rabbits on the burrows its still a doggy paradise. This is Poppet giving Morwenna lessons in dog handling.

North Pembrokeshire

A return to the Shire can feel like something from a Tolkien book. A trip in North Pembs is like stepping back in time. Ancient oak forests, Iron age forts, standing stones and Celtic blood running through family lines.

Many of our friends seem to have migrated to the North of the county, much as we did before leaving for pastures green. Whether paddling round Cardigan island with Beany and Lara, surfing til dark at Abereiddy with Johnboy or watching the barn owls hunting around the farm with Yens, you really can't escape the feeling that this is Gods own country.

Thanks to all of you for having us around. Promise it wont be so long next time.

Take me home country road

Why go abroad when the U.K is so beautiful at this time of year. Plenty to add to the blog , but just a little something to whet your whistle. Went up to see our 98 year old nan and show her the great grandchildren.

She now lives right next to Llawhaden castle looking down over the river, one of the line of castles that separates north and south pembrokeshire.

Allotment fever/ shed envy

Christa's dad has an allotment to die for. Secret garden, wood burner, workshop, kitchen, flushing rainwater toilet and upstairs bedroom. All backing onto a beautiful deer park. Put it on the spit at Hengisbury head with the other 'non-permanent structures' and it would be worth 200 thousand like all the rest of 'em.

Chester the dog, as always, went down a storm. Like every good dog, Chester preys on the weak and the vulnerable- then sits under their chair with beseeching eyes waiting for tit bits. Works every time. Meanwhile, a red deer was scared from her newborn by a hedge strimmer. Naughty as it was, we went to check its health. After a check for broken bones, it was happy to skit away from us and find shade nearby.

Our allotment needs some serious tending after a fortnight away. The slugs have had a field day and the grass has started seeding. Looks like we will have to replant our carrots. Very few took from our 1st sowing. Just enough time to get some more in the ground before we head over to Wales for another holiday. I love Summer!

Surf's up Dan

Someone upstairs is smiling at us. Got to Dan and Anna house on Thursday afternoon, just in time for the start of some great swell. Took Dan out for only his 2nd surf ever. Conditions were overhead and clean on a windless day on the North coast. Nothing can describe the joy of a perfect session in good company with happy locals. Totally blissed out.

Bigbury & Bantham

Holiday time! 2 weeks of heaven in the South West to rekindle my passion for the area. Surfing, fishing, kayaking, swimming and exploring new areas with the kids. It really doesn't get better than this.

Bigbury is a small remote 1 shop town made famous by the Art Deco hotel on Burgh island. Cut off from the mainland at high tide, lock ins at the islands pub require the sea tractor, an aquatic car on stilts, to get revellers home. If you miss the last tractor home a kayak will work equally well.

The jewel in the crown of this stretch of coast is the flooded river valley. The wildlife and remote location make you feel like you're stepping back in time. You can use the flooding tide to drift dive (4 knotts) upstream with the mullet and flounders. Absolute magic, and we haven't even got to Cornwall yet...

Its gonna be beautiful man

Yes, life really does begin at 40. Or was it 50? Either way, Domfest was a rollicking success.

Camping in the back garden, beer, burnt meat and footy (us big kids against the little 'uns) was the best way we could all think of spending the bank holiday.

We may all have kids now and be up before we would have gone to sleep in the old days, but the spirit of Glastonbury was there, man.

No, I don't mean everything got stolen and you couldn't find your way back to the tent. I simply meant that when you get a good bunch of people together, you will naturally have a good time.

Happy B-day old man. As long as Heather keeps you running straight, the next 40 shouldn't be too bad either.