Got this great link from my old friend Trevor, who despite living on the far western shores of Vancouver island, follows the European windsurf scene pretty keenly. What I like about this, and so many of the sessions I have scored in the past, is that it harks back to when I first became interested in windsurfing. It was the ability to enjoy the very worst of the weather conditions, which is an important facet living in the UK. So when I see proper windsurfing like this getting the publicity it deserves, it takes me back to the times of hunting and tracking weather conditions, from the 5 am Coast guard reports at Sheringham point through the dark days of mid winter.

Broke out the CC slider to make use of the small but clean conditions this morning. I usually only reserve the long board for warm summer days in the height of the small swell season, but I couldn't resist today particularly after reading CP's post on Adventures in Trim.

The reason I love winter so much, and these cold days of Easterlies, is the ability to catch some of the best waves of the year, with literally an empty line up.  Today was just perfection in .5 of a degree C.

Sad news returning home today, an elder statesmen of the cliffs passed away last night. Roger loved this place more than most and his sage words have resonated with me for sometime; 

'Don't ever grow old'. 

Rest in peace to a true gentlemen.

Somewhere between waist and shoulder high (these were perfect Al conditions - who is kidding himself on the LA county beach breaks) and so much fun in blue sky. 

A week of solid swell, offshores, combined with mild temperatures and yes even blues skies. But come to the weekend, and its a biting breeze and a hefty paddle out, with cold grey skies offering little sympathy for the office dweller.

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.