Cowes Week Part 2

The sun finally came out, and Finn had some time off, so we decided to go out in the boat to see some of the sailing action up close.

Unfortunately even though the weather was glorious in our opinion, apparently not so great for the sailors as there wasn't enough wind, so the sailing got cancelled. 

So Finn gave Will and Emma a chance to drive the boat and mess around a little.

We then headed back to shore and headed to the racing village for a proper explore...

We couldn't help having a go on the harken machine to see how fast we could go...

(this is how fast Emma thinks she was... )

Emma and I actually made the leaders board for the women. I suspect however, that not many people had been yet...

Starting to feel slightly peckish we sniffed out the food stands and decided to try some of the local crab and lobster on chips...

You got a pretty hefty portion, so decided to share as dinner wasn't that far away.

We headed back to Finn's for dinner and afterwards witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen... (how great is the view from Finn's house I must add?)

We then headed back to town for some live music and some drinks in the beer tents...

We didn't have as much of a wild night this time as Emma and Will had a super early ferry to catch the next day... Maybe next year they will make it for the whole week! 

Cowes Week Part 1

We left London on the Sunday evening after our gastronomic meal at Heston's for Mummy's birthday, Emma and I had arranged to meet Will at a convenient service station to head down to the Isle of Wight for Cowes Week. If you haven't heard of Cowes Week, it is one of the largest sailing regattas in the UK and generally just good fun for both sailors and spectators: Lots of boats, lots of drinking. Everything you need for a good UK break.

Emma and Will had never been to the island before, so it was up to me to attempt to explain what it was all about. Finn unfortunately had to work for the first day they were there, so I showed them around Cowes.

One of the most spectacular things about cowes week is how MANY boats there are, the magnitude is something that can't be captured on camera unfortunately...

We walked into town along the sea front to see the races, and some of them being started too from outside of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Unfortunately the weather wasn't brilliant, and we got caught in a down pour so decided to warm ourselves up with a spot of afternoon tea. 

We then headed back to Finn's parents house for a nap before dinner and our first night out down at the beer tents. 

 We ended up in the Banyan Beach Bar, lots of cocktails and a dance floor, what more could you want!!

and that was just monday... 5 more days to go!! (am getting tired just thinking about it)

Happy Birthday Georgie

A few weeks ago now, summer decided to grace us with her presence, the clouds cleared and the sun shone through, and timing couldn't have been more perfect as it was my best friends twenty first Birthday!! In order to celebrate we didn't waste anytime stripping down and jumping in the pool. After hours of swimming races and volleyball it was time to de-prune with an afternoon of food, drink and ball games on the lawn. Old and new friends combined with family old and young adding to the beauty of twenty first birthdays.

I acted as photographer for the day, so here are a few of the hundreds of photos I took on this beautiful summers day.

The beautiful birthday girl and her Sisters.

Then the drinking / spinning portion of the afternoon began...

It definitely provided amusement for us, however no one else volunteered to participate.

French Cricket...

Gymnastics anyone? What is it about the sunshine that makes everyone so energetic...

There are not enough words to say how much this girl means to me... Happy Birthday to my gorgeous bestie!!