Surfed with a good friend today, who I am sadly loosing to the call of California. Perfect sliding in the late afternoon sun, and catching up on all the news, but most of all it was kind of a relief that he still loved here. He appreciated the green rolling hills of Devon, the total lack of surfers in the line up, and even our temperate climate. Some things you just take for granted, but when it is sunny and there is swell, it just tastes all the sweeter. 

Despite the last few nights getting very little sleep, I wasn't prepared to let this swell slip by. My planning has been close to military precision and I have got up each morning at five to get the pre-work session in. Both days have been good, although a little better this evening. I can't really gauge if the swell was actually better, only that seeing so many familiar faces made it feel like home. Sharing the odd wave too was also a real treat, and on this rare occasion even Luke let me drop in, as he raced me down the line. 

Barely rideable but its been way too long to be choosy. Only one other out, to share the setting sun and a small but cruisible wave. Tomorrow and the next couple days, look bigger, cleaner and bright blue skies, and I can hardly contain my excitement : ) Enjoy. 

Still flat !

No wind for too long, then two of the best evening sessions I have had since time began.  I think the light had something to do with the enjoyment factor. Blue skies and sailing till the last moments of light, as the sun melted into the horizon. Some days I love this place more than anywhere else in the world.

I shaped this single fin almost a year ago, but never got round to glassing it. So it was only through the kind efforts of Justin, that he finished it off for me, and managed to turn around my first attempts at glassing. Thank you so much for finishing it, and dropping off straight after the school run today. It made a wet morning seem so much brighter.

Update - the bad boy flew !! Just great in 2-3 foot and offshore, but then probably most things are : )

It's been flat for too long now, so I have been tending to all my damaged boards in a bid to appease the wave gods. This is my 8'0 Spence variant with resin curing in early morning sunshine. I love this board.

A week of celebrating 40 years young,  and just itching to get in for a surf.

Neither wind nor swell seems to be materialising of late, and despite torrential rain for weeks now, our rain drenched isle is under official drought. Enjoy Lundy emerging from yet another April shower.

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.