Slip, slap, slop

This is how we like it - early morning and it already feels hot, hot, hot! Surf today - like my missus, small but fun!

Quick Catch Up

No need to put in the long hours to enjoy the adoration of thousands on the road side, cheering and urging me on my way. I've had my Olympic moment. It was Saturday evening. I'd cycled up to Bude and was returning on the coast road, always a good challenge up the steep slopes of Millook, Crackington, Boscastle and onto Tintagel. As I approached Tintagel, a fire engine blocked my passage. Two Spanish firemen manning the pump, Hose A and Hose B, laughed "If you want to go through you'll have to pretend to be Bradley Wiggins!" Yes, yes, yes, very funny. It was the Tintagel Carnival and I'd caught up with the back end - floats, junior brass band, Salsa dancers, and men dressed as women. I was on a mission and in no mood to wait. To turn back and seek an alternative route was not an option... so playing the part of Bradley Wiggins sans lamb chop burns, I decided, was my best option for onward progress. I took my place in the line-up. What I hadn't anticipated as I turned the corner and down the main stretch was neither the popularity of this carnival nor the loud speaker system that announced my imminent arrival. To chants and cheers from the exciteable crowd of "Wiggo, Wiggo" I waved and played my part. Hilarious... I chuckled all the way home. I later found out that the judges had awarded me second prize in the french horn section of the junior brass band category - that's tight lycra and a cold front for you! I've been doing so much cycling recently that Janey 'the broomwagon' reckons I'm turning into a cyclepath! (You can have that one).

 

 

Photo courtesy of Matt Harbour - keep your best snaps coming... to info@surfsupsurfschool.com

 

Back to the beach, what's up? Well..... in summary, it's been a nice, busy. About five years ago, Polzeath was over crowded - difficult to park; to get accommodation; to find space for a base on the beach or in the surf; to get a bite to eat - all a stress for visitors. What we have now, as a result probably of that period putting visitors off, the struggling economy, the weather and the OIympics, is a fluid busy that everyone can enjoy. There's space and it's a good thing. Those that are here are getting the best of it, no question. There's a really nice relaxed feel about the village, less manic than it used to be. As a business you might expect us to say that this is a bad thing. But this is our home and we too want to enjoy the beach, particularly as our boys get older and more independent. Take yesterday, I went surfing with my boys (and their cousins) at midday - 2ft super clean, low tide - plenty of space, none of that jostling for a set wave. A real joy. Makes a difference at the surf school too - both clients and instructors buzzing, well done Wailo and team. Lots of good feedback, everyone's a winner. Lots of good feedback too about the shop stock - well done Sarah.

 

Local ripper Danny Runnalls bashing solid swell last Friday night, Polzeath high tide.  

While I'm on the subject of holidays, Janey has asked me to let you know that we have two dates available for our flat in Trenant Close (a five min walk to the beach) - Sunday 12th August for 5 nights and Friday 24th for 7 nights. If you're keen for a last minute break then give us a shout on 07760 126225 - sleeps up to ten (we'd rather less), bunk beds, views to Stepper.

 

 

Trenant flat - you can see the sea, tickle the ivories and everyfink!

 

We're making a short London fly-by to catch the triathlon and football semis tomorrow (my mate went to watch GB v Korea and sent me a text after we went out on penalties .... "it's just dawned on 71,000 people leaving the Millenium stadium that they'd have been better staying at home and watching the athletics on the telly!" - that was Super Saturday, what a night, what a night!). Anyway I can't wait. Have loved every second of this Olympics. Awesome.

 

Surf today - 2ft, light onshore - great for beginners and improvers!

Blue Sky

Here it is - on the right hand side you can see blue sky clearly breaking through. And by all accounts it's here to stay. Come on!

Tranny

Drop Fin off at school...tick; drive to beach....tick; Double Espresso from Cone Zone..... tick; catch up with Wailin at trailer... tick; Double Espresso from The Galleon Cafe.. tick...... the morning ritual is complete and with four espresso's inside my temple, I'm good to meet the challenges of the day!

Last night I had a chat with the 'Big Man'.... not the coach driver who drove us for 24 hours to our Italian ski resort all those years ago. He was a very big man indeed. "Passengers, if you look left. And now right," he directed us over the intercom as we crossed the river. Something of interest to see?.. turns out it was the start and end of his daily fitness regime. It was obviously working, as he had a fat neck. He also bizarrely had shaven arms and legs? Pretty sure he wasn't a professional cyclist or ever had been. Some said he was a tranny... I couldn't make the connection with the radio at all, but I was young and not worldy wise back then.

No, the 'Big Man' I refer to is the weather one up in the sky. To summarise, what I said was, that I realise that he'd been through a Gobi (a dry patch) in the winter and that he's making up for it, but we think that enough is enough. The grass is green, the reservoirs full to the brim. The good news is that we've come up with a compromise, he might send in a few dark clouds with the wet stuff over the next couple of days, but after that he's happy to release the big yellow ball to coincide with the local school holidays. So there you have it... it's official, we are going to get a summer after all. A summer of sun, surf, Olympics, and this will kick off with the TDF yellow jersey. Sweet as!

Talking of fat necks. Janey has been in Shrewsbury for a footie tournament this week (that sounds all wrong - not Janey fat neck.....  bear with me). She's not playing, Billy is. Or isn't as the case may be. For he has his first injury, a hip strain that's kept him touchline bound for the past two weeks (latest news is that he's back in the game on day three of said tournament - ah, the planets have realigned again, and relax). Anyway, Janey rang me from deepest Wales to inform me that 1) she was lost and 2) she'd taken my sunglasses by mistake. They look similar. After years of abuse from the reflection of the sun stood in waist depth water, I never leave home without them. "You'll have to wear mine but don't stretch the arms, you've got a fat head!" I take no offence at this. It is a running joke - she has an 'innie' forehead and I have an 'outtie'. It's the little things like this that keep the fire burning after 18 years of marriage! Not quite fifty shades, just rose tinted sunglasses I'm afraid. Oh the fun we have! She's on her way back (currently ordering an Americano from Costa) and I'm going to meet her in Wadebridge at midday to arrange the transfer of a big fat wad to complete the purchase of the cottage in Ivybridge. (Lloyds 'whatever' TSB and C & 'computer says no' G, please take note!). So that's quite exciting.

New shop stock just in - lovin' it!

Let me big up two people - or peoples. Firstly, our staff. You might think that working on the beach is living the dream. When the sun is shining and the surf is pumping, no question. When it's wet and windy, day after day, even the hardiest of instructors need some inner strength to smash on through. We have them and they have that, in abundance. This is our best team. They want to work, they want to do their best and are a load of fun. I hope that you feel it in the same way when you come down and put yourselves in their hands. Good reports down at mission control and emails of thanks have been flooding in. Never get bored of that.

We promised you a towel, not a rose garden - these are going to fly! Yours from the shop for £20! Multi purpose - use for drying,  for shade, for whipping,  for lying in the sand etc you choose.

And secondly, if you've had any contact with the office over the past eighteen months then you'll have come across our Office Manager, Rach. Rach has had a really bad back for while. We hear the tapperty tap of the crutches first thing, well before we have a visual. A bad back is a nasty, painful business which she has battled with great fortitude for too long. She's off to get it sorted at the end of this month. Let's hope the doctors can work some magic and bring her some much needed pain relief. In the meantime, we want to thank her for her resolve and dedication to the Surf's Up! cause under what must have been incredibly difficult circumstances.

So there we go - summer is upon us and the jet stream is heading north. This is no dress rehearsal - we can see whites of our clients eyes and we are ready to rock it. So come on down, the water's lovely - let's see if we can get some spray off that tail and score some sucky wedges (07760 126225).

The Surf's Up! Towel has arrived!

Let's checky out this little puppy! The all new Surf's Up! Towel - guaranteed to dry all your parts after a hard day's surfing; or a nice hot bath. You choose... multi functional! Comes in a cute little package!

Shadows

I've just looked at the forecast and they've given a 70% chance of rain today! 70% eh? When I rose from my deep slumber at 5.30 this morning, I peered out the window and there was the most amazing rainbow framing the beach as the weather front moved in. It's been pouring ever since and on that basis I raise you to 100%. It would be nice to see a shadow on the beach again soon, please. Anyway I've left the team on the beach to do their thing whilst popping back up to the house to check on Bradders and his assault up the Col de la Madeleine. Since 1995 when we first drove our little Honda Civic on the beach pulling trailer complete with ten boards and a few wetsuits, there hasn't been a year like it.... or even close to it. But spirits remain high and we remain hopeful that the real summer is just around the corner.

 

So what exactly does go on... I hear you cry, down at good ol' Polzy when it's like this. Well actually quite a lot.... we've been flat out. We get loads of school groups, both local and further afield at this time of year.. particularly exciting has been our involvement with the Yr 6 schools transition programme and the Olympic activity weeks. Superb in concept and execution... so a big thumbs up to all the teachers and Heads involved in making that happen.

 

 We do our bit when it comes to Work Experience - over the past two weeks we've put over thirty 'young adults' through their paces. From assisting instructors with lessons, helping in the shop or office, or taking photos.. we've done our best to keep them on their toes. Here's a photo of some of them above, a really good crew... what makes a good crew? Hard working, being intuitive and enthusiastic - it's all about doing the basics well.

 

A while back I got nominated as an Olympic Torch Bearer, on behalf of Surf's Up!, for our work with kids. I didn't get the final nod, and thought nothing of it until I saw Jedwood parading through the streets of Dublin, flame held aloft. It was at that point that I was overcome with much bitterness! I was alright up until then! "Let it go, Pete. Just let it go!" But we do our fair share for 'Charidee' and the kids - yeah man, we're down with da kids - and we're proud of that, innit.

 

 

Another snap of our work experience, taken by our work experience. Modelling some of the new stock, which even though I say it myself, is awesome. Make sure you pop into the shop when you're next down and feast on the abundance of new goodies including the solar powered wobbly flowers - hm, not wobbling that much right now! I went down and stole a blue lightweight zipped hoody only this morning with the new SU EST'95 logo on the front. Nice. Oh, and the all new Surf's Up! towel is arriving next week. Very excited about that.

 

Best go and check on Bradders. And fire up the torch of a million candles, we'll get those petals a flappin'.

Climb Every Mountain

Just call me Pete 'Pantani' (not the Italian Bread) - I was like a mountain goat up those steep climbs on Sunday. Shall we summarise - 900 riders in the 65 miler and I came in ......... 19th!! Oh ye of little faith. Janey was in tears at the end - (part hayfever, part supporting on a stretch of road for three hours that I didn't pass!!). Three hours and 43 mins - yep, pretty stoked with that! The call from Team Sky is now well overdue, the Polka Dot vest mine if they choose to slide me into the team for the weekend - I'm happy to support Braders in his quest for Yellow if needs be. Here's a little snap below of your main man in action, note the focus and determined look of a performance athlete! Those cyclists in the distance are eating my dust. I was in the zone man! Note to self - fix rear brakes, you don't have any!

Okay so you're not the slightest bit interested in my cycling endeavours? We'll move on. Today we have some surf. Chest high, light breeze - and no rain. Well not right now, we did earlier. If we believe in the law of averages, which I do, the summer holidays are going to be stonking - ninety degrees, head high, light offshore... you can quote me on that! Still quiet on the beach with general traffic - school groups are keeping our heads above the pulpit. Speaking of the Olympics (we weren't) can I remind anyone aged 17 or below that you can enrol on our Junior Scheme when you come along for lessons - Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates awarded for achieving the appropriate levels. Do three or more lessons and it's a freebie, from us to you (07760 126225).

That's it - another slow news day! I'm off to find out if Janine's baby really is the half brother of the Crazy Frog. Ring ding a ding, ding, ding.

Brave David

Here's a link to an article about one of our clients, a young man called David. A very inspirational young man and family.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2162578/You-win-Schoolboy-terminal-brain-tumour-amazes-friends-family-brave-attitude-illness.html

You Light Up My Life

The South-West tourist board have specifically asked me NOT to send through a photo of the beach today - stressing that it would not necessarily be great for business! Hey, it's not that bad - not quite what the doctor ordered (if you could find one today (see what I did there)), but there's a wave, and you know the saying, where there's a wave there's a will... something like that!

 

Today is Thursday, and that means it's 'forget to take guitar to school day'! Yep that's right every Thursday I pull up in the St. Minver School car park to discover better parents carrying their childs guitar into class. Silently cursing to myself, I reassure Fin that I'll go back and get his! This I did this morning, whereupon on my return I was treated to wake and shake and a bit of One Direction! "Baby you light up my world like nobody else, the way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed" - well it lifted my spirits. What a great way to start the day, a bit of a dance and a sing along with Harry....and the other three, whatever they're called! St. Minver School has been the foundation and cornerstone of both our boys early years and it will be with great sadness when we drive out the gates for the last time in a couple of weeks time (guitar in hand).

 

What's to report? You'll be pleased to learn that we've taken away the wooden skate ramp from our back garden. On the face of it, Mission Impossible, but it proved to be not so bad. Just one of those jobs you put off. Pounds, fun and use per square inch without doubt the best investment we ever made some five years ago. It's fallen into holey, rotten, disrepair and had to go. Once broken into pieces, carried up 100 steps and loaded into the box trailer, I shuffled soil backwards and forwards over the now bare patch with a rake whilst Janey had a crack at cleaning the interior of the Chicken Coop. (one of those jobs you put off). Unoccupied for several months since Jalfrezi, Drummer, Nugget and Nora relocated to the neighbours small holding, this was indeed a nasty business. I can look very busy when I need to! After listening to lots of tutting, huffing and blowing the wooden house down I decided I'd better wade in and offer assistance. "I'd stick some gloves on if I was you." I was only trying to help! Anyway once I'd removed the glove from my personage it didn't take long to have the coup looking spic and span. Off to the tip to unload, we encounter Mr. Grumpster and his team of grumpees who seem to be on permanent tea break (unless you're blonde and female). Which is fine with me as the General Waste Skip is so much quicker to fill when they're not watching! (Environmentalists please note - that's just my little joke! well... kinda..)

 

Thanks very much for all the top tips re. my achilles. Sounds like a bit of eccentric exercises will be the go. Just going to get through the Dartmoor Classic this weekend before embarking on any new regime. Oh and you may recount that I said that we'd put in four different offers in as many different houses, and all were rejected. Would you believe that every single one has come back since that time and asked if we'd still be interested at our original offer price. Too late - we're very happy with our find and hoping to wrap it all up very soon. And then we'll go back and have a chat with the Lloyds 'Whatever' TSB bank manager - we'd like to bring him up to date and then take our business elsewhere as loyalty seems to count for zilch.

 

So this is not a photo of today - but one from last week. And there's our (my) dog, Libby enjoying a splishy splash. I think you'll find that is the bridlepath she's walking on (local curtain twitcher - please note).

 

Beach business - er..... oh yes, if you want some surf lessons that's what we do. Please give us a call on 07760 126225! That should cover it.

 

Don't forget now - you light up my world like nobody else....

 

Pete 'Nana nana nana' Craske

Wet Feet

 

 

Here we go - a little snap from yesterday morning! How things can change in a matter of hours. A storm came in and knocked out the power in the village. Kaput! Nothing! No phone, no mobile, no internet, no power - no espresso! Taken out presumably by a fierce strike from the heavens above. And it was all going so well - 3ft, light offshore. Ho hum.

 

Today we have a bit of a repeat. Surf's okay, but once again we have dampness in the air. I can't remember a year quite like it - re. up and down weather. The surf's followed a similar pattern. But here's the rub, if you work on the law of averages, then the summer's going to be a stonker. With only a week to go before the nights start to draw in, let's hope we turn that corner sooner rather than later. 

 

Whitsun was a perfect example of the changeable weather. From the sublime to the ridiculous. From the busiest day in Polzeath I've ever seen (Monday) to desertion a few days later. Never mind, Whitsun showed really positive signs. The spondoolies come out to play when the sun does likewise.

 

I have to confess to being a bit of a wuss when it comes to storms. I love the thought of a biggun. But when it's upon and overhead, I'm deep beneath the blankets. Something unfortunately I couldn't be last Monday when cycling near Newton Abbott. I took refuge from the deluge under a tree.... until the first and loudest clap of thunder, at which point I was a bit stuck. Stand away from the tree and take it like a man, or stay under the tree and take it like a idiot? Remounting the bike was not an option. I am here to tell the tale, but I think that's because I resorted to shouting at the offending cloud, "Come on then you big black cloud, show me what you've you've got!!" It did, and I cried. You can do that sort of thing when there's no-one around. A few miles onwards and the village high streets were a foot deep in rain water. Back inside, I rang Janey to see how she was getting on back in Polzeath and it was all suncream and bikinis! Humph.

 

Our duel existence, part Polzy, part Ivybridge is starting to take on some form of routine. We put an offer two weeks ago on a property that's been accepted - the fourth offer on as many different houses. Some sellers are being very unrealistic (they probably said the same about us!). We toddled off to Lloyds and C&G, to raise the required, who've had our accounts since, well, since they last had any money. "Computer says No!" "Really, on what basis?" Turns out that dividends don't count! No worries Lloyds will meet the shortfall. "Computer says No!" "Really?" Our accounts are healthy - again, dividends, company profits and assets don't count no more. I said to the bank manager over the phone what I had to say clearly and slowly so as to avoid any confusion, to which he replied, I tell no lie, "Whatever!" Grrr. Anyway, to cut the story short, Mr. Mortgage Broker sorts it out, no worries, easy peasy. But it was our first face to face with the reality of this recession. Whitsun spending from holiday makers, did not reflect a downturn, but the banks are mighty squeeky bottomed.

 

Janey's up in Ivy today, I'm back at the coal face.... generally doing..... 'stuff'! I have to admit to being a bit down recently (altogether now) ... I've had this niggling achilles injury that just will not go away. Tough one because what I really need to do is sit with my feet up and do nothing (yes Janey) but with the Empire to run that's not going to happen. I've had these special insoles fitted which are helping, I think. Not very cool though. Me and my special shoes! I wonder if there's such a thing as a leg scan, that would be the go. Anyway, walking down to check out the surf line-up yesterday and not be able to go in and catch a few..... it's a right tease. Doesn't stop me from cycling though and with the Dartmoor Classic only 12 days away I'll be good to go. Having lost the best part of 38 pounds from grinding out some miles over the past few months the climbs have become a good deal easier - I feel energised about that. If you see me limping (not mincing) now you'll know why. But enough about me, let's talk about you! Thanks for all your caption competition entries - still sifting and will announce winners next week. Mine was the funniest, lol!

 

Here's a story before I forget - when returning from Ivy earlier in the week there was a multiple pile up on the Tamar Bridge. Five cars all stacked up like sardines, no one hurt but all the drivers and passengers still sitting enveloped with airbags. Police on the scene. I told this to a friend and he recounted an accident he'd had a few years ago. He hit a car side on, they did a pirouette together. Cars came to a halt. Quick head to toe check for injuries - all clear. Big sigh of relief. Then the air bag goes off and breaks his nose! I laughed a lot at that story. Does that make me sick?

 

The business end - not much to say, except that we have a few places left on the Duke of Edinburgh Residential five day course from the 15th July. Erm..... I'm sure there's other 'stuff' but I'll be damned if I can remember. Good job I don't run an Empire and people are counting on me.... oh I do..... and they are! Best get on then.