Samuel stood in a box

It is an amazing thing to watch a 16 month old baby walk around the house with a cardboard box on his head and without bumping into anything. Better than when he puts his potty on his head, anyway on this particular occasion he chose to stand in his box. It was only just big enough and he tried to sit down but couldn’t bend at the knees. The box originally contained lego. In the picture the television is on and it is one of Sam’s favourite shows, but can you tell which one and what is happening? I will let you know at the end of the week.

Coke incident

The view from of the infamous coke incident in Bournemouth – this is our favourite eatery the Slug and Lettuce – We don’t get out much our son is 17 months old and a burger and chips done well is like a trip to London’s Savoy.

On this particular adventure we had waited three quarters of an hour for a pudding, which they didn’t have and I had to reorder. I leant on the table, as you do. I was playing with Sam and trying to keep him entertained when I removed my weight from the table all hell let loose. Deborah’s Coke ended up on the floor and over her. Deborah’s instant and vocal reaction brought the restaurant to silence and I was faced with the glares of a thousand women who were on-side with Deborah. Many a man will know the look I am talking about – it’s a look that says the sofa is yours tonight!

On a lighter note, the staff were very good and within seconds towels and a mop destroyed the evidence of the sticky sweat liquids presence.

London’s Shard

A day out in London and we ended up looking at the tallest building in London – the shard. I choose this view which is looking from Guys St Thomas hospital towards London bridge for a specific reason. We were contemplating having lunch in the McDonalds that sits on the Guys St Thomas hospital site. In the end we opted to travel on the underground to Waterloo to eat at Burger King. Much healthier. I used the 1 day travel card in this picture, but can you spot the 3 pieces of the ticket?

Hair cut?

Samuel has had 3 haircuts within the 16 months of his life. We decided to take him to the Barbers in Finchampstead as we haven’t been there before and also it’s a good introduction to a barbers for Sam. He was very interested and watched while a man had his head shaved and beard cut. He was very interested in the seat that raised him to an acceptable barbering height. He started to become suspicious when the apron was put over his head and he couldn’t see his arms. He cried when the he heard the snip of the scissors. The barber himself was very good and did a fantastic job he even offered Sam a sweet to distract him, but Sam is no fool and so Mummy ate the lolly and daddy tried to distract Sam with a book about dogs. I have drawn this in the style of Quentin Blake who I think is a great illustrator.

Through the Garden Gate

Way back in 2008 I entered the above picture into the Reading Art Exhibition and I won first prize in my category. It now hangs in my mother-in-law’s living room – well it did before the room was recently repainted and now it sulks waiting to be re-hung on the wall. Perhaps if I married Debs it would get hung quicker! Following the success of the Reading Art Exhibition I went on to enter some paintings into a national competition and failed to get picked. But the following year at the Reading art Exhibition I managed to sell my first uncommissioned work! THe only picture that I have regretted selling…I wonder what wall it is hung on.

Find out more about the exhibition here…

Roll up, roll up

Okay, this is your opportunity to own a piece of Martin Rolfe illustration. I have designed a Christmas card for Thrive, the place where I work. You can order cards here! Enjoy