• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
Prev
3
Smokey Chicken and potato hot pot recipe
22 November 2019
Next
Expat Twat 3
How to be a good expat
12 December 2019
Adventure
The Sand Monster
November 28, 2019 by TLO in Adventure

Two year olds… ah the joy of having a small child that constantly looks as if it’s been electrocuted and is doing something you don’t want it to 110% of the time. Jack (2) is my second and last two year old. Do you want to know what the best thing about my two year old is? He is nearly three. Oh so close to normality, oh so close to being a child not a baby, I am very nearly about to almost be a father who does NOT have a two year old, and I can’t wait.

But not yet, at the moment when I want to do something I have to stop and factor into life the comedy that is life with this little boy. Obviously I wouldn’t change it for the world, and I love my little boy more than life itself (blah blah blah etc) but holy crap are they exhausting. Noisy, busy, loud, excitable, smelly, gross, funny, naughty, sweet and charming. Yes yes I know, I am so lucky he is wonderful. But I’m not really lucky am I.

Lucky is the guy who’s children are all three. Who don’t wear nappies, or eat sand, or cry when they are tired. He’s the lucky bloke, jumping in his car without raisins stuck to his seat and the inevitable waft of sh*t the moment he’s finally worked out how to strap the bloody child in. Lucky is the guy who’s three year old carries his own bag, wipes his own bum and eats all his food. Come to think of it Lucky is the guy who’s three year old is a girl…that’s proper luck.

Never does a two year old test the family dynamic more than a trip to the beach, and where ever we go at the moment seems to be a beach.

Going to the desert = The Beach.

Going on Holiday = The Beach.

Going to the Beach = The Beach.

The beach means one thing – Sand.

Jack is one of my favourite children, he makes me laugh all day long, but why when he goes near a beach does he feel it is necessary to do everything in his powers to ruin the experience!? Sand doesn’t taste nice, everyone knows that, so why would he eat so much of it, or drop his food in it, or put it in his cup or my cup. I don’t understand. Sand hurts when you get it in your eyes, so why would he roll his face on the floor in an attempt to fill his eye lids with grit. It makes no sense.

Jack’s ability to ruin his own experience is something even he is now aware of, so much so he rarely gets out of the car. Preferring instead to take up his usual position in the boot of the Pajero observing from above sand level. This all sounds marvellous, but as anyone with children will attest, he is able to scoop up at least 3 tonnes of sand with each toe and flick it liberally around the entire car, which in turn he will then drop his food into to ensure that once again his own experience has been ruined.

Undeterred by simply ruining his own lunch, he will then take to climbing from the back of the car to the front multiple times spreading more sand throughout the car. Sand, mayonnaise and biscuit seems to be his favourite little combo to then rub into the drivers seat until it has formed a suspicious and indelible paste.

You only get to be two years old once, perhaps its the last time life will allow you to be completely without consequence. Jack is three in January and I am buying him a mini hoover so he can start cleaning up after himself.

Until then I’ll just pick the brown paste of the back of my trousers every morning.

Jack in the Sand
0
0 Like!
Jack in the Sand
Jack in the Sand
More
Share
8 Comments
  • Beach
  • doha
  • Experience
  • Family
  • Jack
  • nightmare
  • Qatar
  • Sand
9 Like!
Share
TLO

There are 8 comments on this post
  1. J&J
    November 29, 2019, 7:21 am

    Absolutely brilliant…. great way to start the weekend with a little laugh and smile on our faces…. we love your little Jackie!! Send him over anytime… (after he turns 3, that is…. and make him bring his mini Hoover with him to ours!)

    Classic!!

    All our love to little Jackie from his neighbors across the water!! Xx

    • TLO
      November 29, 2019, 7:50 am

      Thanks mate, see you on the beach. X

      • Niall
        November 29, 2019, 8:47 am

        Made me laugh out loud. Brilliant!
        My Godson is a Titan!

        • TLO
          November 29, 2019, 11:06 am

          He’s a little legend.

  2. Colin Hackwood
    November 29, 2019, 8:56 am

    No more shots of a shirtless Stribley!

    • TLO
      November 29, 2019, 11:05 am

      Making your heart flutter?

  3. Paul
    November 29, 2019, 1:14 pm

    That was a super fun read, however, not wanting to burst your bubble here, but as a “lucky” father of two previously 2 year old boys, nothing magically changes at 3 besides the nature of the trouble they get themselves into…

    • TLO
      November 29, 2019, 5:48 pm

      A depressing future awaits me…I can’t wait

Logo for 4 low 4 adventure
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Can I become a Rally Driver?
  • The Maroc Challenge – Spring 24
  • The Maroc Challenge – We are off
  • Packing list for a Morocco Rally – Maroc Challenge Spring 2024

Instagram

After a little silence on insta there has been some breeding, now there are three!! Ventura will always have a special place in my heart, but now with Dudley the Series nearing completion suddenly selling him feels very hard, maybe too hard? The newest recruit, Roger the Range Rover is currently undergoing a conversion to become @guinchoracing first race car ready for 2026 inaugural rally season (watch this space)
.
.
.
#rangeroverv8 #defendertd5 #series3 #v8 #landroverseries #beachrunner #vintagelandrover #landylove #landroverclub #landroverlove #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #reborn #refurbish #restore #revitalise #guinchoracing
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
After a little silence on insta there has been some breeding, now there are three!! Ventura will always have a special place in my heart, but now with Dudley the Series nearing completion suddenly selling him feels very hard, maybe too hard? The newest recruit, Roger the Range Rover is currently undergoing a conversion to become @guinchoracing first race car ready for 2026 inaugural rally season (watch this space) . . . #rangeroverv8 #defendertd5 #series3 #v8 #landroverseries #beachrunner #vintagelandrover #landylove #landroverclub #landroverlove #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #reborn #refurbish #restore #revitalise #guinchoracing
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Meet Dudley. A new member of the 4 Low fleet. This one getting a full beach runner restoration with the intention of maybe, just maybe being sold in the future. Follow along for all kinds of DIY cock ups as I try and revive this little legend.
.
.
.
#series3 #landroverseries #beachrunner #vintagelandrover #landylove #landroverclub #landroverlove #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #reborn #refurbish #restore #revitalise #revive
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
Meet Dudley. A new member of the 4 Low fleet. This one getting a full beach runner restoration with the intention of maybe, just maybe being sold in the future. Follow along for all kinds of DIY cock ups as I try and revive this little legend. . . . #series3 #landroverseries #beachrunner #vintagelandrover #landylove #landroverclub #landroverlove #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #reborn #refurbish #restore #revitalise #revive
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
A highlight reel from @marocchallenge in March. An epic week introducing us to the world of racing, rally driving and a whole new world of fun. Full video on YouTube (link in bio) - more of this will be coming soon I am sure!!
.
.
.
#marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
A highlight reel from @marocchallenge in March. An epic week introducing us to the world of racing, rally driving and a whole new world of fun. Full video on YouTube (link in bio) - more of this will be coming soon I am sure!! . . . #marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Day 6 - final race day, a complex day focussed on careful navigation. We started by cocking it up from the start when I entered yesterday’s start line into the GPS…so we were late for the briefing and got penalised before we even began.

We set off to be the fastest, as have decided that the rules are for sissies, but still managed to miss a few checkpoints and finish rather unimpressive 30th today. (Still fastest time to finish!)

Insane drive North to Rabat, over the snowy Atlas Mountains through a blizzard. Our windscreen wiper broke on day 1 so I had to MacGyver some bungee cord and a rope into a makeshift wiper. Somehow it held and we made it across the mountains and snow storms and into extraordinary rolling green countryside. Breath taking scenery mixed with mental Moroccan drivers skidding into ditches around us.

Only a casual 12 hour journey home in the rain tomorrow to finish this epic adventure.
.
.
.
#marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
Day 6 - final race day, a complex day focussed on careful navigation. We started by cocking it up from the start when I entered yesterday’s start line into the GPS…so we were late for the briefing and got penalised before we even began. We set off to be the fastest, as have decided that the rules are for sissies, but still managed to miss a few checkpoints and finish rather unimpressive 30th today. (Still fastest time to finish!) Insane drive North to Rabat, over the snowy Atlas Mountains through a blizzard. Our windscreen wiper broke on day 1 so I had to MacGyver some bungee cord and a rope into a makeshift wiper. Somehow it held and we made it across the mountains and snow storms and into extraordinary rolling green countryside. Breath taking scenery mixed with mental Moroccan drivers skidding into ditches around us. Only a casual 12 hour journey home in the rain tomorrow to finish this epic adventure. . . . #marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Day 5 - a rally special stage around Erg Chebbi dunes. Slightly less challenging terrain meant we had a super fast somewhat terrifying run today. Over taking from 12th all the way to the front, I have never felt closer to being in an actual rally car in my life. Totally awesome and brilliant fun, sideways, jumping, power sliding our way through the dunes and gravel tracks. 

The car ran beautifully and I can’t imagine how she survived the brutal thrashing the speed we gave her, poor thing! We smashed the competition today finishing a massive 8mins ahead of all cars in the whole raid. Sadly we still got caught speeding 4 times, so placed 13th despite being the fastest. 

Stupid rules, we obvs win on lad points.
.
.
.
#marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
Day 5 - a rally special stage around Erg Chebbi dunes. Slightly less challenging terrain meant we had a super fast somewhat terrifying run today. Over taking from 12th all the way to the front, I have never felt closer to being in an actual rally car in my life. Totally awesome and brilliant fun, sideways, jumping, power sliding our way through the dunes and gravel tracks. The car ran beautifully and I can’t imagine how she survived the brutal thrashing the speed we gave her, poor thing! We smashed the competition today finishing a massive 8mins ahead of all cars in the whole raid. Sadly we still got caught speeding 4 times, so placed 13th despite being the fastest. Stupid rules, we obvs win on lad points. . . . #marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Day 4 - Our fastest day so far, no car trouble, only one pee stop and a great track that took us through mountain passes, gravel plains and soft sandy routes. Superb fun with no wind and no sand storms!

Longest single dune climb I have ever done (7km) of slow incline up a big sand monster, car started to struggle near the top but made it no problem.

Awesome technical dune section that allowed us to pass the whole pack and meant we finished in first place, but sadly a navigation error (my fault) meant we missed a Waypoint and placed 12th. Maybe tomorrow with a day of dunes might bring a top ten place!
.
.
.
#marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
Day 4 - Our fastest day so far, no car trouble, only one pee stop and a great track that took us through mountain passes, gravel plains and soft sandy routes. Superb fun with no wind and no sand storms! Longest single dune climb I have ever done (7km) of slow incline up a big sand monster, car started to struggle near the top but made it no problem. Awesome technical dune section that allowed us to pass the whole pack and meant we finished in first place, but sadly a navigation error (my fault) meant we missed a Waypoint and placed 12th. Maybe tomorrow with a day of dunes might bring a top ten place! . . . #marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Day 3 - Billed as a nice easy day, started well with epic landscapes and bone jangling rocks. Within a blink of an eye a wild sand storm enveloped us and reduced our speed to 10kmh for many hours.

We had GPS issues (my fault) and as such found ourselves facing the wrong way into traffic, chilled, and then were forced to always follow someone else to the finish line. We came 17th today, so are improving!

Ventura running smoothly with her new heart pumping diesel, just an increase in squeaks, bangs, knocks and pieces falling off. She still goes one! Tomorrow we aim for top 10.
.
.
.
#marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
Day 3 - Billed as a nice easy day, started well with epic landscapes and bone jangling rocks. Within a blink of an eye a wild sand storm enveloped us and reduced our speed to 10kmh for many hours. We had GPS issues (my fault) and as such found ourselves facing the wrong way into traffic, chilled, and then were forced to always follow someone else to the finish line. We came 17th today, so are improving! Ventura running smoothly with her new heart pumping diesel, just an increase in squeaks, bangs, knocks and pieces falling off. She still goes one! Tomorrow we aim for top 10. . . . #marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Bivouac - God knows how many people in one tented camp for the night. Maybe 400 people, 200 tents, amazing food, ice cold beer and a welcome retreat from the endless Sand storm that raged all night.

Garage Iriki set themselves up in support of @marocchallenge and do the most incredible job of piecing all the broken wagons back together. I needed only the smallest assistance to fit a new fuel pump. I’d liken it to heart surgery in a sand storm…I was the anaesthetist, I thought it best to let the pro do the technical stuff. We nailed it and the car was back in the road in a blink of a sand filled eye.
.
.
.
#marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
Bivouac - God knows how many people in one tented camp for the night. Maybe 400 people, 200 tents, amazing food, ice cold beer and a welcome retreat from the endless Sand storm that raged all night. Garage Iriki set themselves up in support of @marocchallenge and do the most incredible job of piecing all the broken wagons back together. I needed only the smallest assistance to fit a new fuel pump. I’d liken it to heart surgery in a sand storm…I was the anaesthetist, I thought it best to let the pro do the technical stuff. We nailed it and the car was back in the road in a blink of a sand filled eye. . . . #marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Day 2 - A day of exciting sand rivers, fast tracks and huge distance. We found ourselves pushing as far south as the rally goes, and heading into a tented camp (Bivouac) for the night.

Ventura let us down despite looking amazing with an over heating fuel pump that needed to be swapped out that night, so we placed a casual 24th (better than last!)

Lada Niva in final shot is coolest car in the race. They are winning their class and beat us on day 2!
.
.
.
#marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure.
4low4adventure
4low4adventure
•
Follow
Day 2 - A day of exciting sand rivers, fast tracks and huge distance. We found ourselves pushing as far south as the rally goes, and heading into a tented camp (Bivouac) for the night. Ventura let us down despite looking amazing with an over heating fuel pump that needed to be swapped out that night, so we placed a casual 24th (better than last!) Lada Niva in final shot is coolest car in the race. They are winning their class and beat us on day 2! . . . #marocchallenge #marochallengespring2024 #landrover110 #td5 #dualcab #defender110 #theadventuretruck #landylove #defender #greenlane #landroverclub #td5mafia #defendertd5 #landroverlove #dcpu #adventuretruck #landroverlifestyle #landroverphotos #landroveroflisbon #defender_life_style #venturatruck #travel #adventure.
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
View on Instagram
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest