Seems like a lot has happened in just a few short days. Most pointedly, the swell has all but gone, and a new system is only 24 hours away. Definitely excited about getting in the water and being fit for this, but also all the more important as my winter work kicks in from Monday. Nothing like a few more restrictions on my water time, to make one savour it all the more.

Tasty treats abound our fields and countryside this time of year, but please please please take caution when picking. I swapped stories with a friendly neighbour today, and it still seems that even the most professional mycologists make mistakes. In one extreme example an unfortunate guy poisoned his whole family, after cooking with his prized specimens.

Backyard looked pretty special in the late afternoon glow. Small size wave, but just about perfect for me in the setting sun. That said, I was wrapped up warm and behind the lens, as a week of work and wind blown surfs has caught up with me. Currently trying to limit this stinker of a cold before it loiters into something worse.

Another day of classic lines, peeling in from the horizon. Cold doesn't seem to be improving either, and despite sneaking down for a quick peak, I couldn't resist a getting in. A perfect forecast again for the morning.

Just clicked on the webcam to see what had happened to this mornings surprisingly bountiful surf. Didn't really score the best of it, as I was horrified to see Keith SUP'ing in a shorty and making a fairly good job of it out back. After the initial shock, I weakly paddled in to some clean waves, and just hope my cold hasn't turned into a chest infection.

Read through Windsurfer International tonight, and really enjoyed this little clip. This online magazine really goes a long way to replace where Boards magazine and Windsurf once were.

Jim Box always puts together a good video, but I love this clip as the guys expression changes. He realises the wave is about to close out, and his final grimace as he just lets go, reminds me of a pounding I took a week or so ago. Whilst surfing might have been a better option here, not to mention less costly, there is something very satisfying of raking the rig back and bottom turning.

Rob P and Skelly (superhero wetsuit), put to shame the rumour of travelling Pro's dominating the line up yesterday.

Only takes me a couple of decent waves to make a good session, and despite a hefty paddle out and some cleanup sets coming through, managed to have a little fun in amongst it.

Rob M Greenslade was seemingly on every peak each time I moved my camera from break to break. No doubt he will be helping lead the Westward Ho! charge at the Interclubs this weekend. Best of luck guys.

Must be getting old or something, because getting a nice shot can feel almost as good as catching the actual wave. Watched on from the sidelines today, and spent some quality time with the camera.

A cold day in November, and this lone swimmer braved the seapool in nothing but his speedos !

Happy Halloween, might be too premature but heard this old classic at the Penny Halloween party tonight. Good times, thanks for the invite, and hope you can get out for what looks to be an amazing forecast over the next few days.

Andy and Dan were first down and in amongst it. Swell looked ideal from far away and then it was definitely bigger as I ventured out back. After a mission out, I sat back on the 90 ltr Wave Freestyle, and played around with my newly shaped 22cm fin (as per the shed grinder) scoring a fun little session. Best of all though was the changing light, as the sky changed from bright sunlight to deep overcast.

Its been a hurried week of birthday parties, property crisis, DIY, endless clearing up and the odd cheeky surf session. All in all a good week but I feel pretty drained and am trying to avoid the atlantic dampness that seems to set into your bones with the approaches of winter. The perma-rain seems to be testing the bounds of both building and ones constitution, ensuring every little sniffle turns into a full blown cough, cold or in Laura's case a chest infection. So its the rare parting of clouds, and sunsets like this, that seems to lift ones spirits through the dark months ahead.

Sad day as my nephews Hamster passed on. Cupcake only made a year and three quarters, so I thought I would get him out the house and in for a little hydrotherapy. Very windy at the beach, but had some great rides, and Henry got his first taste of a punchy swell.

Justin Seedhouse dropped by to show me his latest creation in the form of a parabolic stringer, quad fin, rounded pin tail (in epoxy) with the most amazing green (marbled bowling ball style) resin tint. His shapes have always been enjoyed by those who ride them, but recent changes to his workshop, means that he now glasses and finishes the boards himself, to ensure quality of finish. From what I saw of this board, and at under £300 for a custom, the finish and quality was certainly on a par with the larger quality establishments like Gulfstream.

9am straight after the school run seemed a bit like hard work, particularly after a number of work commitments to catch up on. So we left it a little later and sailed just after high tide with wind pretty much onshore. It did veer occasionally to the North West, but it was still fun for a couple hours, and ideal conditions to try some new moves in. Also great to see the Weston crew, who aren't scared to make the most of a little onshore (regards to Spencer and hope the calf muscle injury repairs soon).

Before Kitesurf, SUP and all the other new surf related sports, their was more of an intrinsic bond between windsurfing and surfing (nicely summed up by Matt M).

Wind SSW - 24-30knts and almost perfect cross shore at times.

Great couple of surfs, and even took the little ones in for a final dip before winter returns. Looks like its the end of the offshores for the time being, and rather sad as I had to shave off the beard for an interview. Not good. Hope you got out there !

Seem to have lost the GoPro Wrist housing, so if you see anything at the burrows, please get in touch. Nice head high wave (although I think Luke got the best of it), and complimented by a light offshore breeze, and even sun. Water is still warm, but it won't be long before the big chill down.

Another day of driving wind and rain, and the memory of gentle summer rain and drizzly evenings a fading memory. Fortunately I did manage to escape from work for a short while, and good to sail with all the reprobates, along with the alleged wounded, who looked on fine form. Most notably D-Lo pulled out the cleanest, most text book forward loop that I have seen to date. Its only a matter of time before he is committing to big air, and doing huge end over end loops. The great thing was, he did it just in front of me, and I was so stoked for him, and inspired at the same time. Really fun when your friends are pushing the limits, so thanks for keeping me motivated, my windsurfing buzz came right back today.

Changing coastline

Its been a great couple of days, with cross shore and good size swell yesterday. Today was also super fun, playing in chunky onshore, and enjoying some space between the sets. The Wave Cult single fin is still very throw around, and despite reading all the press on multi fins, I am so dialled on this little board right now. Blue skies and a little cooler today, but only lasted an hour as work commitments called. Forecast is set to continue till Monday, and the house is taking a pounding from the weather, still with no roof. The sound from the tarps flapping in the wind is horrendous.