Heard stories of the point working first thing this morning, but it was a work day, and my only option was a slightly longer lunch break. Paul arrived with a windometer and it looked like it was pushing a Force 8 so it was a straight call to the smallest sails in the quiver. Fully powered on a 4.0 and enough angle to edge out further and further into the big stuff, you still had to keep your wits as a massive groundswell pushed through. After an hour, I called time and headed back to the grind, and the rest of the crew ventured a little further down the road, to a somewhat secret point break. Judging by the texts, it sounded it like it was absolutely firing.

It didn't matter if you were a republican or a monarchist, as the atmosphere in Abbotsham was all about sharing a great British tradition. Real ale was flowing, the BBQ seemingly fed hundreds, and a great village got together on hallowed ground over looking the cliffs that define them. By 10pm it was still just about light, and the Beacon was lit, whilst the folk band led the ceilidh. Apparently some 4200 were lit across the commonwealth yesterday, but as we sung the national anthem, and all celebrated in the beauty of a rural English village, a small but perfect left-hander pushed through in the background. 

Managed to finally get out on the single fin (home creation), and it is without doubt the smallest piece of foam I have ridden to date. It still managed to paddle pretty well, and the undersized fin, made it feel so loose, but still enough speed to go flying down the line. Hopefully get out again, but this time run the quad fin rounded pin (5'11 Seedhouse), for a bit more drive as the late afternoon starts to work closer to home.

Occasionally for my day job, I read through numerous publications that pass across my desk. Amongst these, is Management Today (for my sins) and it's rare to find something that really enthuses me. However, I almost fell off my chair when I saw the above article about the hallowed Ernest Capbert AKA Ernie. It seemed that no so long ago, Finisterre went through a very real challenge that a lot of principled businesses often face. Do they sell out, compromise everything they strived for, get rich and buy fast cars, or stick to their guns and keep true to their original business concept. Finisterre chose not to produce in places that aren't governed by same stringent laws of manufacture as the markets they sell to. Most impressively they didn't put profit ahead of ethical manufacture, or quality of their end product. Topically, both Marks and Spencer and Tesco were in the news for this today, as questions have been asked about 'slave labour' in factories that are producing for UK markets. Whether you have no interest in these principles, one simple fact remains, the clothes that are designed and manufactured in England/EU (certainly in the case of Finisterre) are without doubt exceptionally high quality and to date have proven a much more durable garment. At least when you see such professional marketing with Finisterre, it's all the more admirable that the product is actually consistent with the activities they are marketed for.

Saw this the other day, and its been mulling around in my head since.

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.