R4 Wetsuits from Patagonia Europe on Vimeo.

Managed a quick visit round the National after work, and was pretty 'taken' with the Richard Hamilton exhibition.

With the endless wind and rain, seems like windsurfing is the key right now to making the most of our wonderful climate. Temperatures have been around 14 degrees C today, which made for a pretty balmy sail in the mid of winter.

Blue skies, perhaps a little too onshore, but really fun to try Dan's RRD twin fin again (I bought the first shape in 2009). After a few runs on each I think we both agreed that in out and out onshore, the single fin or at least the shape of the Wave Cult still worked wonders and felt much quicker. I can't even pretend that my sailing has kept up with any of the recent developments in fin/board design, but I am pretty confident if my board does change it will be an RRD Wave cult again. 

Merry christmas !

On the darkest day amidst the filthiest storm I shared the dying light with a kiter unwilling to relent as the gloom set in fast. I think I probably spent more time rigging/derigging than actual sailing, but it was worth it all the same.  Totally powered (over powered) on a 4.0 in perfect side shore conditions reminded me why i still like to windsurf. I was gutted to have missed the guys yet again,  but as so many recent sessions have been solo, I must admit there is something quire nice about getting out on your own. As I headed down in the hope of a repeat session today,  the wind was light, onshore and clearly nothing like the day before !

At 5 a.m. it read minus five on the car temperature gauge, so I headed for the warmth of Northam pool for a pre-surf swim.  My obligatory mile was cut short, just in time to catch the icy sunrise and paddle out to the cleanest shoulder high peelers.

Ventured in from the wilds to take our children to see Peter Pan at the Old Vic on Saturday. Amazing to see so many people, and our children wide eyed at all the bustle. Probably the highlight of the trip, and certainly some of the finest acoustic talent I have heard in a while - The Bower Brothers composed and performed their original score for the play. At times the music with the performance moved so many to tears, have a listen and see if you can spot the link to Bonobo, L Garnier, Fila Brazilia and so many  other talented artists they have worked with.

Cold, from the north, and windier than we've seen in a while.

Bluenoser - An East Coast Romp from Sitka on Vimeo.

It was hard to figure if you would be wetter on land in the pouring rain, or submerged in the water today. It was wet, really wet,  but clean offshores and a nice little swell, helped put a smile on this dark and dismal day. 

Blue skies, The Bing, off shores and a perfect little wave made me late for work today. I am sorry but it was worth it !

On our Sunday afternoon ramble, Hector and I stumbled across what appeared to be a multiple homicide scene. Perhaps simple sport for a stoat or weasel, however my Beatrix Potter skewed childhood couldn't stop me from worrying about how Mr and Mrs. Mouse would be dealing with their loss of kin.

Went for an early morning swim and planned to be in work for 7.30 to miss the traffic. However post swim I glimpsed at the webcam and opted for the early morning push. Scored a totally empty beach and some shoulder to head high clean sections in 5 degrees !

Offshores cleaned up a really fun swell and it was great to surf alongside Randall and Jake from If6was9 and even spot surf royalty like Thomas Bexon all the way from Australia. Apparently word has got out, that the fair waves of Westward are well worth the trip ; )

Deep in middle England, roving the hillside with three small children, looking for hobbits and goblins.

Last of the bramble harvest, and not really the greatest year for fruit. Winter storms are officially here, and I can hear the rain cascading down the sides of the house. Must be time to go windsurfing !

Really enjoyed reading this little write up (at lee-reobertson.co.uk) on the contest at Welcombe last week, almost as much as realising it was Ed Fr%^&y who was the badass dropping in (at the Ho the week before), in the below sequence. When I watched it from the beach, there was a chorus of 'no way' as it appeared so utterly shameless. It was only on closer inspection that I realised it was Ed. In Ed's defense this was a totally genuine bad call, and he hadn't looked left before paddling in....hmmmm. That said, Ed felt he must have known the guy as he managed to hear a comment about his career in banking.

This coming week, I have some long overdue time off. So as it's a mixed forecast, I have been reflecting on next additions to the shed. Seem to have come by the way of a wood burner, so in the coming weeks will be putting it in here and hiding out on days that I can escape the noise of three small children. Pipe is optional, home brew already in the cask, and guitar essential.

Balls bigger than mine, and someone definitely not afraid to take a beating. Parky finally made it in, only to be confronted by this on literally a brand new board from Diplock.  Incidentally this was a replacement for the board he broke previously on his maiden voyage at the same spot.