A few days of telemarking was enough to put my legs in to spasms of pain. Managed to still ski loads, but resorted to a new pair of K2 twin tips. just to keep up with our little ones.

The darkness of the water and the impact of sunlight during the dark winter days can never be appreciated enough. I will really miss the water over the coming week, but the lure of mountains is too great.

The forecast was too good, despite it being only 1 degree. Sadly I was the only one out for the first half hour, but it was so completely worth it. I literally basked in the sun, and revelled in the beauty of the cold winter morning. Picking off as many waves as I could possibly paddle for, I let the GoPro do the rest.

First light, sliding on the mini simmons. Good times despite the cold. (photo courtesy of John M of ToffeeZebra.com)

Nothing much to say, other than blue skies, small swell and easterly winds making a remarkably groomed swell. Next few days look very promising.

Justin and Alex paddled out, only to quickly disappear into the gloom. So it was only the pounding noise that confirmed it as well over head.

If the Scandinavians have over a hundred different words for snow types, surely North Devon could easily boast twice as many, for rain or mud.

Losten Stolen or Ripped Off.

Please please please keep your eyes open, for my RRD Wave Freestyle 91 windsurf board. The board disappeared from my truck on my way back from the beach today. I would like to think it bounced out the back, but it was strapped and I am not sure how this could have happened. Sadly I stopped into to see a friend on the corner of Chope road, and on my return it was gone. Kind of gutted, particularly after missing a week of solid wind.

UPDATE

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch. The board was collected by Brian, a kind hearted local resident at Westward Ho! , to whom I am so grateful. His take on the whole scenario was one of karma, and wouldn't accept a reward, in fact it was hard enough to leave a bottle of wine. But not only was it great to get the board back, I got to see his collection of some of the finest vintage californian surfboards, I have ever seen. Thank you.

For the brief moments that it howled, before it squawled up to Force 7 gusting 8, Tim, Jim and myself just about had the start of what looked to be a good session. Sadly the wind wasn't going to stay consistent. Any size sail from 3metre up to 7 would have at times been useable. However for that brief moment it was flying and despite missing the guys at spot X, and the two shandy's ( who called me first :) then decided not to go out, it was still worth getting wet. Great forecast continues for rest of week (wind wise).

Like an omen of good fortune BP gave me the wind reading at 30+ knots and then told me he wasn't going to go out as he didn't have a small enough fin. As a bonafide living legend, with enough windsurf stories of his exploits to write a book on, I wasn't going to give him too hard a time if he didn't want to sail.
So, sheepishly I unfurled the 4.0 for what was going to be a solo session, and just after three quarters of an hour, my arms and legs had had enough. In fact, 45 mins of constant battle with winds and a large storm swell, had me wishing for the warmth of the truck, and to settle back behind the lens and film someone else. Just as I started to head in Paul and Andy arrived to pick up where I left off, what a day !

Wind has howled all through the night and actually picked up this am. Definitely smallest sails today...4.0 and down. See you out there.

West north-west ensured both sides of the bay scored it today. Heard from the Sauntonians, that they were all dialled on 4.2's meanwhile we sailed on similar sizes also scoring blue skies, and much reduced swell. Just enough angle and surprisingly well groomed waves, that almost made me think; travelling away at this time of year is a real shame.

Tim Lawes kindly sent this in from his session on Christmas eve, meanwhile only a mile away, I was busy making mince pies and doing the final wrapping like a good dad : )

During the darkest hours of North Devon's darkest days, there is still a light that burns bright. Matt, Paul and myself just about made it to the ridge, only to be buffeted back by the wind which had now veered north north-westerly. Temperatures had also dropped to around 6 degrees but with windchill it felt more like sub zero. So as we huddled round debating whether to go out into the 3.3 m swell reading, a vote was called and we agreed a 'no sail'.
On these rare occasions, the only comfort, was to accept Paul's generous offer of a mince pie, with a whisky chaser.

Merry Christmas

and Thank you ! I had the most amazing feeling today, as Laura called me at work to say a rather large parcel had arrived. Out of the blue, a large 'longboard' shaped package was delivered to the house. Tris (from Homeblown) and the gang had decided to send me a rather beautiful hand finished Tris longboard, complete with Blue stringer and high gloss. Whilst it is an incredibly generous gift, it is the thought behind it that caught me off guard, and brings a small tear to my eye. I have always enjoyed my time with Homeblown, but it makes it all the more special, when you feel like someone appreciates your effort. Its been a couple of years since we first got together, and I am so glad to say that they now provide over 80% of surf blanks to the British surf industry. Tris thanks for giving me the opportunity, I am very proud to call you friends.

Despite a ridiculous forecast, and wave heights that seemed to have knackered the bouy readings, we managed to score a pretty fun session. Ok, we were pinned to the shoreline by the onshore winds but the sun definitely brought a smile or two out. In fact the only real challenge in the balmy temps (7 degrees) was the enormous tidal surge, which was so powerful it could actually kill all your board speed. That said, a 4.5 m Ezzy and the Wave cult 75 ltr managed to do the trick.

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.