Tag Archives: Photo

Owen’s Tenth Birthday

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How is our tiny little baby ten years old already? In some ways the last ten years have flown by, even though life is completely different. Owen is still very inquisitive, but he is also getting more interested in trying new things, like skateboarding. He has also conquered his fear of heights and managed to climb to the top of the climbing frame at the local park. After being inspired during some work we had done on the house earlier in the year, Owen has decided that he wants to be a carpenter when he grows up – “something that should be safe from AI”. We have done a few small projects together, including building a raised bed and he also assembled most of the furniture in his bedroom. 

Even though he is now ten, Owen was not too big to wake us up at half past six, and jump into our bed for a cuddle. It is fair to say he was excited about his birthday! We had got him some good presents – Owen likes a lot of the same things as me, which makes him easy to buy for. Even at 42 I would still be happy to get a Casio G Shock watch – I actually wore mine today, rather than my Apple Watch. I have also got him snowboard lessons, as that is something he has been asking about for years. 

After unwrapping presents we went to Squirrels, our local cafe, for breakfast. Owen opted for the big full breakfast, the “Mount Nod”, and just about managed to eat all of it. His eyes are still bigger than his belly!

At lunchtime it was time for some cycle speedway racing. Possibly due to the wet weather, there were fewer riders than normal and the heats were split such that it was the four fastest riders, then everyone else – Owen and Henry being in the latter group. This meant that Owen was the fastest in the group. He won his four heats, convincingly. Henry came last in his four, including two against Owen, he rode really well though and was close the riders in front, pushing them all the way to the finish line. Henry came third in the U8s B final and Owen came second (to one of the “fast four”) in the U12s final. Which placed him third in U12s in the regional series – I think that qualifies him for nationals. Owen was also awarded the trophy for “referee’s star rider”! 

After the excitement of cycle speedway we had some family round for a small gathering, and more presents for Owen. Jen had made him a lemon drizzle cake with a Hotwheels Subaru Impreza on top, which Owen was excited about. 

By this time next year Owen will almost have finished primary school, we will have chosen his secondary school and he will have done his SATS, hopefully he will also be able to snowboard!

Coventry City Centre Photowalk

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Yesterday I went into Coventry city centre for a photo walk with The Shutter Crew, a new local photography group. As it was focussed on street photography I took my Fuji X100V. Ten photographers met by the Lady Godiva statue on Broadgate, including a colleague from work, which was a bit of a surprise. As we waited to set off, I was naturally attracted to the cyclists on Broadgate – although I’m sure you’re not meant to ride there…

As we walked around Holy Trinity Church towards the Cathedral I got into more of a street photography mindset, spotting a composition and waiting for someone to walk into the frame. I liked the contrast of red hair and boots against the blue door on this one, although it would have worked better if I was stood slightly to my left to frame the subject perfectly in the door.

After exploring the cathedral ruins, and watching the skateboarders by the Herbert gallery, we carried on through the university. When I saw this golden building I immediately thought it would make a good backdrop for another pan shot – fortunately the X100V has a built in ND filter so I could get the 1/15th shutter speed needed.

This last shot was not from the photo walk, when we were at the bottom of Hertford Street I left the group to meet Jen and the boys at Spencer Park – continuing the photo walk would have taken me in the opposite direction and would have meant missing my left home. It also took me to the location of one of my favourite street photographs, taken on a previous Coventry photowalk, so I had another go at that angle. I think I prefer it with a slightly longer lens though.

Hopefully the group will continue, as it was good to have an excuse to get out with the camera on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Bike Check – Henry’s Frog 58 Cycle Speedway Bike

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As mention on my recent post about Henry’s seventh birthday, one of his presents was a cycle speedway bike. Last year he had been riding a club bike – a converted BMX, and the gearing was not right for him. It was also really heavy. So I knew he needed his own bike. Up until a few weeks before his birthday I did not have a plan, then I saw that Daisy (@pint_size_cyclist on Instagram) was selling her Frog 58 track bike – with 20″ wheels, 1 gear and no brakes I figured that it would be a good base to start from. The only problem was that it was set up as a fixed gear velodrome bike…

Still, I collected the bike from Bristol, and ordered a pair of cycle speedway handlebars. Once I got the bike home the shopping list expanded – the velodrome tyres were too thin for the speedway track, and there was no freewheel fitted. When I took off the huge 42T chainring, to refit the original cranks and chainring I noticed that the bottom bracket was a bit crunchy, so I got Albany Cycles to replace that too. Once the bars arrived I also realised that the stem clamp on the Frog stem was too big for the cycle speedway handlebars, so I needed a BMX stem. I finished the bars of with some coordinating DMR Deathgrips.

What I had not been aware of when I bought the bike was that there are two different wheel sizes labelled as 20″, this was the bigger one, that is actually nearer to 22″, this meant that the fit was better for Henry, but that buying tyres was trickier. In the end I was able to get some Maxis DTH BMX race tyres, I would have preferred something knobblier, but I had to work with what was available. I have not even tried setting them up tubeless…

It is tricky to get gearing right for a speedway bike – you have to find the balance between being quick off the start line, but not having legs spinning too fast on the straights. Originally I was going to get Henry to do some testing on the cycleway outside our house on his other green Frog bike – a 55, which has 8 gears, but given the lack of freewheel and rapidly approaching birthday I went for refitting the standard 36T chainring and 114mm cranks, but an 18T freewheel, to make it slightly easier to start. My guess seems to have worked – Henry is happy with the gearing, and has been riding much faster than last year.

I missed the first training session of the year, due to work commitments, so the first time I saw Henry riding the bike on the shale oval was at the first race meeting of the year and it fitted him perfectly! The gearing also seemed right. Henry was pleased to not be the smallest rider there for once, but somehow Owen and Henry had been seeded together. When they lined up together for the first race, with a much smaller boy, I was just hoping that they did not take each other out. Henry rode brilliantly, finishing only a few bike lengths behind Owen! I would not have expected that at the end of last season (even if Owen said he was just riding fast enough to win). The gap to Owen was bigger in subsequent races as faster kids joined them and gave Owen more of a challenge (he was all five of his races!), until Henry lined up just him and the smaller racer in a heat. Henry has always been the smallest/slowest, so this was his chance, he seized it and took his first race win!

Now I just need to sort out a speedway bike for Owen, fortunately there are purpose built bikes available, so I just need to find one for sale…

Henry’s Seventh Birthday

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This weekend was Henry’s seventh birthday, and it has been a busy one! Henry got us all up early to open his presents- highlights being a plunger (this was top of his list), a “golden ticket” to visit Cadbury’s World and a part built cycle speedway bike (bike check post coming soon). In my defence the lead up to Henry’s birthday has been incredibly busy, because we wanted to get his bedroom finished before his birthday, which we managed with a few days to spare – although we still need to move his wardrobe and all his stuff in.

What Henry had been most excited about was his party at the local trampoline park – I drew the short straw, and was sent in to bounce with the kids and keep an eye on my three-year-old niece. The party went well, there were no serious injuries and all of the children seemed to have a good time. I took my niece for her first ride in the MR2 Roadster, she seemed to enjoy it, bur fell asleep before we got home. In the afternoon we had the extended family round for a second party. The is the first time we have had everyone round to the new house at the same time, and it went well. It was nice to see both nieces and Henry all playing together nicely. Jen made a lovely birthday cake, with crushed Oreo icing. We also had more guests in the evening, so it was a tiring day for everyone.

Today, we visited Cadbury’s World – it had been on our plans for a while, but Henry has been reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so we thought we would build on that and treat him to a day out. The homemade “golden tickets” we made for him to unwrap also went down well. Jen and I had both been to Cadbury’s World many years ago, but I did not remember much of it. We had a good day out, being with the boys definitely added to the fun – it all seemed to be well managed (with the exception of one ride that was closed0, with a balance of learning and action, without too much hanging around. Of course we ate plenty of chocolate, and visited the gift shop!

Cannock Chase with Partho and The Boys

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So far 2026 has mostly been DIY for me, but managed to get the afternoon off with the boys to ride at Cannock Chase with Partho. After a wet start to the year we lucked out with a sunny afternoon, we rode a couple of laps of Perry’s trail, the blue graded trail at Cannock Chase – which has recently had some work done. It was running really well.

The boys were also riding really well, for the first lap Owen rode at the front with Partho, so I did not really see him, but I was told that he was riding fast. It is the first ride with a dropper post fitted to his Nukeproof Cub Scout and he is loving the bike. I rode at the back with Henry, who really impressed me, both with his confidence and speed. It was five months since we last rode there and he has made so much progress. Towards the end of the first lap he said he did not want to do any more, and that his legs were tired, but we got to the end of the loop and he was keen to go. Then he did not stop. Not even for a rest at the end of the sections, he led us out for most of the loop. Even declining any offers of a helping push up the hills. This motivated Owen to try a non stop lap for his third loop, with Partho, whilst I took Henry to the playground. Partho said that the pace was quick – they even lapped some people that we had overtaken on our second lap.

As the cafe at Birches Valley do such good cakes, we had to call in for some brownies after our ride, before setting off back home for pizza and watching Star Wars. Saturdays do not really get much better!

Bike Check – Owen’s Nukeproof Cub Scout 26

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Owen got a new bike for Christmas – a Nukeproof Cub Scout 26. He has outgrown his previous Vitus Nucleus 24, both in size and ability. The Nukeproof is a step up from the Vitus, despite being similar on paper. Main benefits of the Nukeproof are the bolt thru axle, a “proper” fork and Maxxis Minion tyres (as currently fitted to my Orange Four). I knew that they did a candy red version a few years ago, so that was my target, as red is Owen’s favourite colour – we have just painted his bedroom red.

I bought the bike secondhand, but when I got it home and gave it a thorough service I started to notice a few problems, such as broken spokes, a cracked hub and a general lack of maintenance. After rebuilding the wheels and refreshing some parts it is spot on though. Owen wants to swap in the saddle and dropper post from his old bike, but given this bike was a surprise I could not do that before Christmas.

Before he knew he would be getting a new bike, I had suggested to Owen that we ride to my parents house for second Christmas on Boxing Day – it is a good ride and a good excuse to burn off some turkey before another day of feasting. Of course, it would also be an ideal shakedown ride for Owen’s new bike. Owen wanted to take a slightly longer route, to incorporate some trails through the woods, the ride ended up being 16km in total – over about two hours. Not a bad pace given the mud in the woods. The shakedown went well, the main issue that Owen noticed was that I had forgotten to fit the mudguard that I bought.

Forty Two

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I do not usually post on my birthday, but my blog has been a bit quiet these last few months, as I have been either working or DIYing… But as today was my birthday I had the day off! After dropping the boys off at school, Jen and I went out for breakfast, to a local Irish cafe. I must be getting sensible in my old age, as I only had a small breakfast. As Jen had to work when we got home, my plan had been to ride my bike, but the weather was grim. So I built a wheel for a secret bike project I am working on.

The weather improved at lunchtime, so I dug out my waterproofs and headed to Newbold Comyn – localish trails which I know run well in the wet. The first time I have ridden there since racing at the opening event earlier in the year. I only had time for a few laps, but it was good to get out, even if it was cold and rainy. The bike/kit cleanup has been ignored for now…

I got home just in time for a quick shower before tea and cake when the boys got back from school. Jen had made one of her special chocolate cakes for me! We then took the boys to their swimming lesson and met my parents for dinner at Ye Olde Saracen’s Head in Balsall Common.

After a busy day it was nice to get home and watch the Deathgrip 2 MTB movie with a wee dram of single malt.

Official Opening of Newbold Comyn MTB Trails

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Tomorrow is the official opening of the MTB trails at Newbold Comyn in Leamington Spa – and Owen is the poster boy for the racing! The trails have been open for a few years, and are one of our regular haunts, but the cafe and bike shop only opened this summer, marking the competition of the project, so they are having an event to celebrate! Part of that event is a race down the blue trail.

Owen ended up being on the poster, as at a recent off road time trial event there he had a tame photographer (me) and I was asked to supply a photo for the poster. As Owen is the poster boy he will be racing, I might even do a couple of laps too! We will both also be photographing, and it should be a fun day.

Back to School 2025

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After a summer holiday that flew by, Owen and Henry started back at school today. As you can see from the photo, Henry was not as keen to go back as Owen. A rainy school run did not help. I am pleased to say that when I picked them up in the afternoon, both said that they had had brilliant days at school.

Owen’s First Day of Year Five

After a busy summer holiday, I think Owen is glad to get back to school for a break away from Henry. Owen’s homework for the summer holidays was to read “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, which was no problem for him, but also to design and present a sweet machine. His “Lemon Sherbert Bomb” machine was well designed.

In addition to the mandatory photo by the front door, I asked Owen some questions, to record how he changes over the years:

  • Height: 143cm
  • Shoe size: 3.5
  • Bike(s): Vitus Nucleus 24 for mountain biking, Frog 69 for commuting and United Recruit 16 BMX for riding to school and at the skatepark. He also borrows a cycle speedway bike from the Cycle Speedway club.
  • Favourite colour: Red
  • Favourite food: Flying Cows bacon cheeseburger
  • Favourite book: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Favourite thing to watch on TV: Beyblade X
  • Best thing we did over the summer holiday: Going to the Wave waterpark in Coventry (same as last year)
  • What do you want to be when you grow up? Lego designer

Henry’s First Day of Year Two

Henry less was keen to go back to school, or more accurately to wear school uniform. Henry’s homework was to take some photos in front of the summer holidays – an easy one for me to help with.

Henry also answered the back to school questions, at least he has a more realistic career aspiration than last year…

  • Height: 124cm
  • Shoe size: 13.5
  • Bike(s): Orbea MX20 (Owen’s old bike) for mountain biking, Frog 52 which still has not been converted to a cycle speedway bike and Frog 55 for riding to school. Henry also borrows a bike from the cycle speedway club.
  • Favourite colour: Blue
  • Favourite food: Pizza
  • Favourite book: Enchanted Wood
  • Favourite thing to watch on TV: Sam and Cat
  • Best thing we did over the summer holiday: Playdate with Gwen
  • What do you want to be when you grow up? A scientist

A Brief Trip to Suffolk

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This summer has been busy with work on our house (various small jobs done and Jen’s office almost finished), but we managed to get away for a last minute trip away to Suffolk. The main reason we chose Suffolk was that the forecast was for an ex-hurricane come in from the west on the days we had available, so we figured we would be best going east to outrun it. And Jen had already taken the boys to Norfolk earlier in the summer, so we did not want to go back there.

Our chosen destination was Southwold, mainly based on my previous experiences of Mrs T’s Fish and Chips by the harbour. It was a long drive from Coventry, on the A14, a road I spent way too much time on in 2007/2008 when I commuted on it daily. But the last thirty miles were on a tourist route, with lots of pretty villages. The roads would have been fun in the MR2, but we were in the van. Mrs T’s was as I remembered, still just a shack in the ramshackle harbour on the banks of the River Blythe, but the fish and chips were excellent. Owen declared them “best he’d ever had”. With full bellies we walked down to the beach, the boys dig some holes and jumped in the rather ferocious waves, at least for the east coast. I had not noticed on previous visits, but Sizewll nuclear power station was visible on the horizon. As we were finishing up at the beach it started to rain. Fortunately it was only a short shower, so by the time we had driven to the north promenade, the sun was back out and we could walk into town for a look around the shops, and of course, an ice cream! Harris & James seemed to be the place to go for that.

After eating our ice creams overlooking the beach, we went back down onto the sand for the boys to play some more. I am sure they enjoy the beach more when they are in their normal clothes and without their beach toys, than when we go fully prepared. It was at this point, with shorts wet from splashing in the waves, that Henry declared that he had not packed any spare shorts. Maybe I should not have relied on a six year old to pack sensibly for himself. The strong wind on the pier seemed to dry him off though. And no visit to Southwold is complete without a pub trip for a pint of Adnams. Jen had heard of a shop selling their beers, but we did not find it, so had to settle for some takeaway cans from their tap room.

On the way to our overnight stop, the Premier Inn in Lowestoft, there was an amazing sunset as we passed over Lake Lothing. The boys, particularly Owen, were excited about staying at the Premier Inn, as it means unlimited breakfast, which Owen made the most of! After Owen had eaten his “infinite breakfast”, sampling everything except the blueberry muffins, from the breakfast buffet, we set of towards home, driving across the broads, another pretty area I have not previously visited.

We stopped at High Lodge, the Forestry England site in Thetford Forest, we had previously visited in 2021 and had a really good day, so wanted to pay a return visit. Last time Owen and I rode the blue graded “Beater” trail, but this time he was more than up to the red graded “Lime Burner” trail, the trail crew have done a great job; there is not much elevation, but the trail flowed really well and descents were maximised. It was a warm and humid day, so I was glad not to be slogging up big hills. Owen rode really well, and I found it good to be riding a new trail together for the first time. Owen is at a nice age where we is old enough that we can ride decent trails together, but not too old to be excited to see the Gruffly and want to give it a hug. Jen and Henry did a lap of the green graded trail, then checked out the playground, we met them at the new pedal and play area, which is better than the similar trails at Cannock Chase and Hicks Lodge. The playground was also better than other Forestry England sites – it had the tallest slide I have ever seen, even taller than they were in the 1980s… Owen absolutely loved it, and had to be lured away with the promise of ice cream. Jen and I had cakes from the cafe, which were particularly nice. On our way in to the site we had spotted the adventure golf, so that was our last stop. I think the boys always prefer the idea of mini golf to the reality, but everyone got at least one “hole in one” (with only minimal cheating by Henry). Then it was time for the long drive back to Coventry, around Cambridge we drove through the weather that we had been avoiding, but we got off lightly. As an end of holiday treat we stopped at Taco Bell on the outskirts of Coventry, as the boys had requested a visit, surprisingly Owen managed to put loads away, even after his “infinite breakfast”.