Its cold, its wet and it feels like Autumn/Winter is just around the corner. Grim North Easter blowing strong offshore and really no swell to speak of. In between the rain squalls the phone rings with a chance to sail, but we've turned the Aga back on in a bid to sit out the rest of winter ( I mean summer ). 

More solid West wind for another day on the water. Scored an hour or so in the late afternoon glow, and felt great to be out windsurfing for a second consecutive day in quite a few months. Some days I really feel over this sport, and then other times its like hanging out with an old friend. 

Sailed with an old friend at an old spot, blue skies, 20knots pure from the west, and boots away for winter : )

This looks pretty well posed, but Mr Morgan just happened to catch me giving my old lady a post surf smooch, and I guess Bear thought he would try his luck with the unknown mutt in the photo.

Deserted from Ben G on Vimeo.

Had the misfortune today of using the North Devon link road, and experience all the a(*&oles heading home. Sloppy, dangerous and erratic driving, and on more than one occasion near head on collisions. When I got in, Ben just happened to email his latest time lapse/video (clearly not the UK, instead E. Australia), which really seemed to be a calming influence. Enjoy the silence, and if you need to be somewhere in a hurry, just try leaving earlier.

Before the arrival of our first born, we did a trip a few years back to Galicia, searching out the coastline around Ferrol. Summer can be almost as unpredictable as the UK, but judging by this photo (courtesy of Magnum/Ferrol Windsurfer blog), Winter looks rather attractive, and a million miles from my view out the window this morning. Sat looking out across the horizon at grey skies, marginal wind and our latest addition strapped to my chest, doesn't leave me inspired to really embrace the cold and go for a windsurf.

Just discovered this great publication on the weekend, with some of the most inspired writing and photography I have seen in a while.

I get to see this old beauty and it's neighbouring woodland, on my way in to work every morning. Whatever the light is doing, whether its cloudy, fog, raining or full sun, I still can't help thinking there is something magical in the trees.

Bumped into Randall at the coffee shop today, and this clip reminded me how skilled he is with board design and production. Hope he starts shaping again, his boards are like works of art.

Bumped into Simon this evening who told me of a seriously bearded single fin surfer, lighting up the line up last night. After listening to a detailed description, I concluded it could only be the work of the rather talented Mr Jonathan Barratini.

Just under a week to go, and fingers crossed we might have a new addition to the family. Managed to still play Dad despite stealing off for a lovely session in the blue skies and off shores. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world today.

Glastonbury Tor Time-Lapse from John Morgan on Vimeo.

Quality from the talented Mr Morgan.

22 celcius (early 70's F) in the backyard today, so I capitalised on all the things I was meant to do in the week, but had postponed because of surfing. After endless menial chores including 2 hours on the mower, I snuck out with a glass of wine, under the guise of letting bear out in the back field. Fortunately I had the camera, but what I wasn't expecting was the wave height to jump to triple on the pushing tide. It looked perfect, but my hands were tied and I drowned my sorrows over the heat of the BBQ.

Well at last I managed to break away from the mini simmons in small surf. The glass on keel fin has decided to detach itself from my rather lack lustre approach to laminating. So I was stuck with making the fish work today, which turned out to be a massive boost. The fish is really intended for this kind of surf, but I always like the extra lift from the mini simmons. Also the Rasta keel fins I have been using are a little loose, and to date I have been running some trailer fins as per the shapers suggestion. So armed with just the fish and the rasta keel fins, I was surprised at the ability to catch almost everything I went for, and the maneouvre-ability of the board. I am sure the sun helped as the wind was swinging side shore, and I couldn't help but think this is our summer.

It amazes me how undersubscribed our place called home is. Small but glassy and only one other out.

Tonight was special, and still light to just about 7.30 . Can't wait for what the early morning will bring, and might just be a touch late for work.

Don't seem to be getting the free time I once had, but killer running right now, deep into the sunsets. The change is fine though, it's stagnation and routine, I can't really handle. What did make me chuckle tonight is my long standing favourite blog site finally stole one of my images, and I feel honoured. Sadly this ain't no Tourmaline, this here is North Devon. Kind of makes me proud to have taken the original picture, and to think its not US West Coast(as quoted) its just little old England.

I don't really like big wave surfing. In fact at my age, stage and priorities in life, I don't think it will ever be an option. But I am totally fascinated by it, particularly when I see videos like this.