Captain Grandad

We've been a bit quiet...that's because we've been hanging out with my Dad - otherwise known as Captain Grandad. He's a globe-trotting, ocean-going, truth-seeking, star-gazing, furiously scribbling, deep-thinking, impassioned-discussioning, raucous-laughing kind of guy, and we only get to see him a few times a year.


He is a Sprout Magnet. He has Grand Tales of Epic Adventures, and has sailed to many far away lands, and lived among the people of those lands....adopting some of their customs, bringing home strange artifacts and even stranger, thrilling tales....


Plus, he has a Way Cool Boat, which he built. If you are new here, allow me to introduce you to The Good Ship Taio, home to Captain Grandad and his transcendental better-half, the soulful Carol.


Here is the Way Cool Good Ship Taio, under sail.


Taio uses satellites to beam us images of wildlife and assorted amazing stuff, like this pack of dolphins . . . herd of dolphins . . . bevy of dolphins . . . bunch of multiple freaking dolphins . . . POD of dolphins, thank you.


Add these sorts of things together, and throw in a Big, Nautical Beard...


...and there's just no misinterpreting those shining Grandsonly eyes. Methinks the Sea Runs in the Little One's Blood, too.

Sea Fever

I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
All I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

John Masefield

HW