Storms

It's about this time of year, that I really cherish the shelter of a warm office. Getting a contract through the windy time isn't always ideal, as I seem to often miss the wind during the dark months and short days. Meanwhile for most of the crew here, its business as usual. Filling their boots in true winter style, and charging through mast high sets, seemingly a daily occurrence. Each night I return home, I skim through the emails to see what I missed, and just hope the wind stays till my next day off. However what I really struggle with, is listening to the lashing wind and driving rain. Somehow it seems to be calling me, telling me what I am missing. Last night was not really any different from the last couple weeks, but as the wind whipped round the tower, I thought the storm could finally be winning. The house perched high on a cliff , makes you appreciate how exposed the spot really is. Unfortunately giving no shelter or respite from the storm, as it tracks unimpeded off the Atlantic. Wind and rain seem to be able to find their way in to almost any crack and even our latest building project seems to have fallen prey to the torrential rains. If the house hadn't stood for so many centuries, I think the gale which attempted to raise it last night, might have succeeded.

Rain and wind has really set in, although the reports from the north, confirm Scotland as taking the brunt of the battering. Glad to be huddled inside today, warming up in front of the fire, and trying to muffle the calls from the wind.

Really special sunrise this morning, as I managed to contain myself not to sail from first light. I waited till eight, and then started to get ready for the beach, rigging a 4.5m to blast out through the North Westerly. Most people were still nursing a hangover from Dan's, so it was to be a s solo soul session, playing and sliding in the chunky cross onshore conditions. Felt a little out of control at times, but by 9.30 the wind was already backing off, and I had Bear walking duties to get on with. That said, I couldn't stop laughing tonight, when I saw this little clip, as I can really appreciate frantic dog walks with my very own version of Fenton.
http://youtu.be/CtB1HQt6ak8

At 14 years my senior, Ian shows exactly why you should always respect your elders. Thanks for the intro to a truly beautiful spot today. Just amazing.

Bear was destined to ruin some of the shots today, he even managed to climb over some guys board, who did not look amused. In between trying to call him back, i snapped this shot of Alex, but Bear still managed to get in the frame.

Last day of freedom, as the new job will no doubt devour any water time. Alex joined me on a trip up to Woolacoombe to see the boys at Gulfstream, the fabulously camp Uncle Skel (a chance meeting providing diet for his whats hot blog), and finally a long overdue intro with Tom of ' A Board, some wax and a leash'.
What was simply planned as a trip to Woolacoombe, then evolved into a surf at Putts, and then onto Croyde, Saunton and eventually home. For me, despite the slow fat wave of Saunton, it still holds such beauty at the far end of the bay, and had far less people than Puttsborough. Definitely a worthy trade off, when you consider the amount of actual waves you can catch when the weekend hits.

Can hardly believe I was calling this place busy today.

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).