Great Start

Rainbow on the beach at Sunrise - wished I'd had my camera, had to make do with the phone. Not sure where the rainbow came from - no rain?

Much relief about the Plymouth Argyle news - it's been a bit of a worry. There aren't many options down this way. Janey and Fin are joining the party up at Cheltenham later today - Fin has a match there tomorrow, so they're going to go up a day early and join in the celebrations on the terraces. Should be fun.

Surf today - starting small, building to massive tomorrow!

Lost the chickens briefly yesterday. We were out for the day and came back late. Went to lock them up and they weren't there. Further investigations found them on Fin's bed, along with the cats! That's the last time I leave the side door open!

Come on you Greens!

Big day for Plymouth Argyle supporters - let's hope an agreement can be reached and the club survives. I'm 60% confident all will be well - but that 40% of doubt weighs heavy! With both our boys playing for Argyle, football and Plymouth has become as much a part of our lives as the beach. It's a huge commitment and not one that everyone can manage. Twice a week making the three hour round trip after school for training and then off to either Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Yeovil, Swindon, Bournemouth for the matches on weekends. With a three year gap between Billy and Fin, one is always playing 'Away' and the other 'Home'. It's something that we and the boys have got used to - and they love it. This week they've been training at Home Park - great experiences for them.

Two years ago the club was playing against the likes of Newcastle in the Championship League and it's where they should comfortably fit. Today, at the bottom of Division Two and coming off a 5-1 thrashing at Oxford, on the face of it, things couldn't get any worse. But that wouldn't be the whole story. The team is young and has at times played better football this season than I've witnessed in recent years. Get the deal done today, bring in a few experienced players on loan and this team could go a long way. Fingers crossed. But enough of all this footie talk!!

Now then, back on the beach.... what a week it's been. Forget Monday and all that rain, since then it's been clean 2 -3 ft surf, light winds....perfect for the half term warriors. It's all set to change on Sunday, but plenty to enjoy until then.

Party time - just read online that the deal has gone through. Massive relief! La la la la la la, la, la la la la hoy.....

Dry Now

A months rain in one day? It was very wet yesterday - not that I was complaining. With our first weekend without a footie match for ages, we made a last minute dash for a long weekend up to Centre Parcs, always good fun. It only started raining on the drive home yesterday and it wasn't until we got to Camelford that we met any flooding. Nasty.

Today, is a new day and it's a beaut. 3ft surf, light winds and a big sun. Perfect for the half term warriors.

Where did that come from?

What a weekend! Wasn't quite the forecast, not for the sun that we had - it was a revelation and a nice surprise. And the surf, 2 -3 ft super clean. If you didn't get to the beach - don't worry nor did I. That's football for you!

Surf today - 4ft, light winds at the mo, but that might change as we go through the day.

If you get the chance check out the world tour live at Supertubos, Peniche today - it's firing!!

http://live.ripcurl.com/index.php?portugal2011Live

My mate Grand Enchillada has been visiting with the missus this week. They like a spot of cycle touring and have bikes with more things hanging off them than the 3.30 to Mumbai. "I'm sorry but I'm Ramjam Full" "I don't want to know your name, I just want to get on the bus". We set off on a 30 miler, me feeling confident on my thin rubbered race bike. My confidence was wildy misplaced as Helen took the front, got her head down and set a pace that was 'extreme'. I should have taken more notice when she slipped on the pointy helmet. Me and Mikey decided on a pace for best suited for chit chat. Great job.

Right that's it, things to do. I'm off to check the NI contribution status of the Dale Farm Protesters. "I'm just doing my job," said the Councillor. "What's a job?" came the 'Handcuffed to Concrete' fellow - think I recognised him from the 'Nuke the Whales' protest, that all seemed a bit overkill. Anyway, I have some great news for the residents, I've just bought them a nice piece of land right next to Vanessa Redgrave's pad in West London that they can move on to right away! And she'll be more than happy if they want to pop in for some sugar - "She said just go on in and help yourself. Oh, I see. You already have!"

As always lesson are available everyday at 10am and 2pm - and we'll slide in a 12pm if you're lucky. Best to pre-book (07760 126225) as we're not fully staffed at this time of year.

One thousand bounces a day, that's what I've been up to! This is it - the big push to once and for all cure the achilles, calf and hamstring issues that have plagued me since senior school. The kids trampoline is where I'm at (best £199 at Asda we ever spent) - it's all lift and separate. 1,000 lifts followed by 1,000 mid air separates as it goes! Janey wasn't impressed with my attempt at a Pike Jump - apparently the legs are supposed to come up, rather than the head go down. It's all going rather well although I have to confess I might have developed a bit of a mince with the improved tightness. I noticed my arm even swinging gayly when out walking the dog last night. The target is 50,000 bounces, then I should be ready to attack the coast path like a Mongolian goat handler. Training notes - buttocks rising, moobs falling!

This is the picture today - all a bit Larry Grayson. Do not adjust your screen, it really is that dull. But the surf's okay, couple of feet on the sets, light offshore. No complaints. The weekend forecast looks much the same.

To the business end - the Beach House is available from today for a 2 - 7 night stay 14th - 21st October and also from the 28th October. Sleeps ten right on the beach - from £550. If you're thinking of staying next Summer, chop, chop, only two dates left - 29th June - 6th July and 8th - 13th July; Our new surf school on-line booking system will go live in November - will make everything nice, easy and more importantly, check-in quicker when you arrive on the beach. You'll even be able to buy Cornish Dollars! We think of everything.

This is a just a fly-by. Enjoy the weekend - I'm off to buy a handbag!

Putting in the miles

Janey toddled off to Bournemouth on the weekend with Fin for his footie. We're making the most of the boys away games - just a shame one is always away whilst the other is at home. I was at the home game for Billy. Bristol this coming weekend.

Quiet on the beach now - but lots going on back at base. It's accounts time and Janey for the first time in Surf's Up! history has got me stuck in to them. Quite enjoying it as it goes, but don't tell her that! Anyway, definitely cranking up the brownie points as we speak. And working on quite a few things for next year, including a new booking and check-in system, which will go online in November.

Any other news? Not really. Did 1000 bounces on the trampoline and 100 lengths in the pool yesterday. Might tickle a bike ride in a minute. Trying to build up the calves and achilles for a spot of winter running and maybe a crack at the Ironman. If I get some injury free running miles in over the winter then I'll have a bit more confidence in making the final leg. Off to La Santa in Lanzarote for Christmas, can't wait.

Jobs a Goodun'

Four iMacs, one Mac Pro, three Mac books, one Mac Mini, one iPad and one iPhone - yep we're a Mac family. We've even set up a business called iSurf (winter project for Easter launch). Steve Jobs - genius.

Hello

So there I am paddling out this morning, it's 3ft with the odd 4ft set rolling in - bit onshore but very surfable - and I can see that's there's only one other person out there already. And then as I scratch over the last set, I clock who it is! It's my missus - Janey! Which is a surprise - because when she got up this morning she said she felt like she'd been run over by a steam roller! (She went in yesterday). So it was just the two of us surfing out there together, no-one else to be seen - now that hasn't happened in many years. It was pretty fun as it goes - the sort of session where the waves are all over the place and it's hard to second guess what it's going to do once you're on it. But you can luck into some really good solid ones.

Libby, our black lab was stoked to be back on the beach too (no more dog ban) - all in all quite a family affair.

Long may it continue

As long as it's here, we're going to enjoy it. Janey's out there in the mix - "we've got the boards, let's go ride a few!"

Late afternoon - oh dear, what's happened? It's all gone onshore and drizzly. Best change out of the speedos and wash off all this coconut oil.

Black and White

Thought I'd go for the black and white shot, as I'm sure there's plenty of colour ones around! What a quite remarkable few days - makes you appreciate it more when you don't expect it. Let me just check... yep, that might be the best of it, but who's complaining - all a bit of a brucie bonus.

Last night's gig - hosts Pam and Alan...what an amazing couple. I'd like to think we gave a performance from the top drawer (so much easier with a home crowd) - what I do know for sure is that it was right up there in the 'most fun gig' category, perhaps a top three placing and taking into account we've played together for 12 years (? might need to work that out), that's a big call. Great night.

And in the actual surf comp - Beach Manager Big Sam won the Open Category and Liam from the Elite Surf's Up! Boardriders won pretty well all the other main categories! I'll see if I can get some photos of the comp from Nick (360photography) to stick on here.

I think this is one of my all time favourite photos of the boys - took it tonight as they came out. Happy days.