This is not surf related!

Family news!!! There's no reason this should be interesting to anyone else, but as a proud Dad, I'm going to report it anyway! So there! Parent first, business owner second!

Our Billy lined up against the best U13s from Wiltshire, Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Gloucestershire in the South-West Cross Country Championships at Exeter over a tough two mile fast and icy course (oh the stress of it all) on Saturday.

What a race it turned out to be! Billy went side by side with Robert Howarth (the big gun from Team Bath or 'the whippet' as we called him). In the end, despite a heroic last 100 metres, one yard and less than a second was all that separated them. Having to take the long way around the final bend, was his undoing ('the whippet' showing a bit more race experience). Third place crossed the line 20 seconds later and Millfield's top runner came in 30th, a minute later.

In summary, the boy done good! What does it mean? Very little in the big scheme of things! But in the meantime, 2nd in the South-West? He'll take that and walk a few inches taller for a few days because of it.

Okay, you can open your eyes again now. Report all over! (ps You'll be pleased to know that this is the edited version! My first one was much, much longer!).

Dilemma

You guys think I have it easy. You try choosing between these two benches to sit and contemplate from! There, not as simple as you might think! Walking the dog, always a pleasure, never a chore.

Now these beauties are on the other side of the beach hanging from the cliffs at Tristram. Six footers don't you know.

Great response to the iSurf training - well beyond our expectations. Time for me to do some work!

Best Seat in the House

Is this the best seat in the house?

Fresh down here on the beach this morning. Slippy too, little icy patches catching out the unaware. Fortunately I'm like a mountain goat, nothing there to trouble me (no-one was watching were they?). We've got a couple of foot on the sets, looks lovely. As long as you've got your thermals on, it's a day from the top drawer. Hey, how cold was it last night?!!! My woolly socks managed a complete 24hr without removal, that's how cold!

Surf's Up! Pipeline:

Our new surf school booking system will go on-line next week. Just running through the final checks as we speak. Really happy with it. What it'll mean is that you can Fast Track - book the lesson time, fill in a few details, tick the disclaimer box, make a payment, then when you arrive, you'll be up and away. No hanging around, sweet as. Use the system and you'll get the best offers too and reminds of your lesson time the day before. We really are that good.

The big new development that we're very excited about is iSurf Training. For 'young adults' who are doing D of E, work experience or about to look for full-time employment we're offering a skills / education / employment based course. This is my bag and run by me - with so much experience, pioneering and humour to share, it would be a crime to keep it all in!! Personal surf coaching sessions (hoorah!) combined with relevant work related training (boo!). It'll be fun, but it'll also be hard work. I'll put you through your paces. I'll also be sending you on your way with a much improved CV and a resolve to hit the next phase of life, with confidence and a steely resolve. You can stay in our flat, 5 mins from the beach, so I can keep an eye on you!! - (previous hamster cage cleaning experience not necessary).

If you want to rub shoulders with genius then just give me a shout on

petecraske@hotmail.co.uk!!

5 day (weekday) - £250 including accommodation

2 day (weekend) - £180 including accommodation

I think that will do for now. We're open for Feb Half term and there are a few dates available for the Beach House this year (07760 126225). Looking forward to 2012 what with the Olympics and the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

Larry Grayson

I can't lie... it's all gone a bit Larry Grayson out there today! So here's a couple of shots from last week down at Rock. It is a beautiful part of the world down here, make no mistake! Pinch, pinch, pinch.

Now did I mention that I've been flexing my reading muscles? I don't think I did, but I have. A little book worm is what I've become. I like a mystery, thriller style. So exercised are my muscles that I'm even contemplating a revisit to Middlemarch. A book that I studied and got good grades in at 'A' level. I said 'studied'. I meant 'never read'. I said 'good grades'. I meant a 'D'. It's in the top ten of my life's greatest achievements - passing an 'A' level on a book I'd never read. My parents took a completely different view. Time's a great healer!

Ten years ago in WHSmith (Heathrow) as I waited to board a plane to South Africa, Middlemarch stared up at me from the 'two for one' display. I bought it and one page in realised why I'd never got through it the first time. I deposited it in the sick bag, an appropriate place I felt. I'm going to tickle through this Isabel Allende first and then I'm going to take it on. Put a big tick in that box once and for all.

Reflecting on my blog yesterday, it might have seemed that I was a bit down on current living arrangements. It's not all bad. I get to spend some one on one time with the boys - I've become a domestic goddess (God) don't you know... cleaning, washing, ironing and cooking. I've done my bit in the past but now there's no escape. The responsibility falls squarely on my shoulders. I had no idea quite how much Billy ate! In my estimation, just slightly more than a small horse (that would be a medium horse then!). And I don't mean the equivalent of what the horse would eat, but the size of the actual horse. ( I like horses but I could never eat a whole one). Really, I don't know where he puts it. And Findog, (at home today for the third day in a row off school sick.... we don't do sick in the Craskie household, but we'll cut him some slack for this nasty, pesky bug)... is surprisingly conscientious with his homework. Doesn't get that from me (please see - Middlemarch). Fin has informed me just now that he'll be going to school tomorrow (hm, footie training tonight). He has also informed me that when he was lying in front the of the telly last night and I lay next to him, I snored very loudly! Nasty bug playing tricks on the mind.

Speaking of horses, I used to ride horses when I lived in Bristol. The centre was a mile away from where Janey lived, and I never knew her then. Anyway, I went riding one day wearing a pair of boxer shorts. Walking was comfortable. Trotting brought a tear to the eye. True story. Never went back. I was quite a brave rider, jumping ascending Oxer's on the second lesson. The instructor was brilliant and just let me go for it. I rode on a 17 yr old white who, when I was on saddle, came alive. "Could I race this horse?" I asked the owner. "Yes, and you'd probably beat it." And I joked when we first met, "There's a whisky named after you!" "What, Hector?" he replied. Oh happy days. Anyway, when I was on site, there was none of this walking around in a circle with a small child on board. He remembered his glory days when I mounted. No more long face. (Enough, enough. My sides.) I think in the end I probably brought his life to an earlier close than the equestrian centre might have been hoping for! But he passed away with a contented whinny.

Janey has just driven back from Plymouth. Nursey is here to take care of the fallen soldier. A miraculous recovery from the Findog could now be on the cards. I've done my very best, but there's nothing quite like a Mum's cuddle. We're going to be out of sync now as I'll head to Plymouth to sort out Billyman. It's life, but not as we know it! Janey has just announced that we're going to make pancakes!! Back of the net! Oh and Fin's just thrown up! Great timing mate. Oh and now I've missed out on a pancake.

Watching Pat's funeral on Eastenders, Fin remarked

"I've been to a funeral!"

"Have you?" I enquired, I couldn't remember that he had.

"Yes", he said "Great Nan's....."

"That was a memorial Findog, but yes I suppose it's a similar thing. And the other one?" I asked.

"I went to one with Mum, but it wasn't who we thought it was!"

It's been long enough to recount this true story. A local old man passed away just over a year ago, we knew he'd been ill and we were sad about it because he'd always been really nice to the boys. Janey went to the funeral with Fin to show her appreciation, it seemed appropriate. After the service Janey said a few words of support to the widow and close family members, then left, heads bowed.

Imagine her surprise when two months later at a local event, that very same man that we thought had died, came over to say hello, looking fit and healthy. This was a turn up for the books. A case of mistaken identity it transpired. The upshot being that Janey and Fin had sat through a funeral of someone random geezer! Makes me laugh every time I think of it!

Back and Forth

I can't deny, it's all a bit odd at the moment. Billy's move to Ivybridge has been the right move at the right time for him - and he's thriving in the super competitive sports environment.

Last weekend he took the start line in Exeter to compete in the Devon County Cross Country

Championships and won by some margin. He gatecrashed the party! There would have been local favourites. 'Knowns'. And then this fluff head from Cornwall steals the show. After the race, others gathered around to take a look at the new kid on the block, where's he from, what's his story? Unbeaten, that's his story. He'll represent Devon at the South West Championships in two weeks time where he'll line up against the likes of the best from Millfield, that'll be super tough. And on the football pitch (his very reason for being there), his team are through to the last 16 in the English Schools Cup, a final beckons at Anfield. And Manchester United representatives make there third visit to Ivybridge today, in as many weeks, to take another look at the squad and set-up. So there's lots of amazing stuff going on, doors to open and he's in his element. When he's being challenged, he's alive. We're incredibly proud of him and he's doing himself proud.

The flip side is that myself and Janey are having to work hard to deal with the change. Twenty years we've spent side by side, growing with the family and the business, day in day out, joined at the hip. For many couples, it'd be no mean feat to still be talking to be honest!! But the truth is, time apart doesn't suit us. Not having the whole family together, doesn't suit us. So there's a lot of thinking to be done. We've rented a place in Ivybridge until the end of the summer, and at the moment one of us stays up there with Billy, the other staying at home in Polzeath with Findog. We swap over mid week when the boys meet for Argyle training. At weekends we're all together unless they have matches in different parts of the country. So yes it's a bit odd. Lots and lots of positives, just a few challenges along the way - but no-one said it was going to be easy! Short term pain for long term gain, that's the way we see it.

On the Surf's Up! front there are a few exciting things happening behind the scenes. The most notable is the new booking system that's going on line in two weeks. It's a fast tack option if you want to avoid the queues in the summer. Book on-line, do you disclaimers, payment etc before you get to us and when you get to the trailer, it's wetsuit on and away we go. No need to wait for late arrivals to fill in their paperwork etc. I think that's big step in the right direction.

Other news - Wailin is currently sunning and surfing himself to oblivion in Bali, he's back for the Feb half term (when we're having a huge Swellboard sale - time to replenish our own stocks with new kit). Pretty big swell coming in on Thursday with a big tide, so trailer's off the beach, the transit started first time (huge sigh of relief). Erm, I think that's it for the moment... I know it's been a while since my last update, that's just the winter lull. I'm back on it now. Hello again.

My hotmail account was hacked into over the weekend, not so bad as I don't really use it that much. Turns out the hackers sent e-mails out to all my contacts, in alphabetical order offering either a job, discounted viagra, a gimp mask made of the finest bovine skin or indeed all three. Strangely, there were no complaints!

Mistletoe and Wine

Seeing as it's miserable out there I shall stick a photo up of where we've just been for Christmas!! (Nice little right point break being ridden by one of the staff at Club La Santa). It's the second time we've been to Lanzarote there this year - the second being as good as the first with the added bonus of meeting up with my sister, her family and a sprinkling of Grandparents. Bit weird not being around a table munching Turkey breast on Christmas Day, but the trip around the Island with a spot of snorkelling thrown in kept our mind off all the trimmings! A good time was had by all.

A load of Surf's Up! Boardshort

I've sneaked a peak in the 'secret cupboard' and I believe that 2012 will once again be the Chinese Year of the Sock. I'm happy with socks; you can't beat a good thick woollen pair in my experience; unlike an egg (geddit!). I've become quite a dab hand with an egg as it goes. My poached ones this morning were out of the top drawer. Springy to the touch and soft in the middle - Monica Galleti would have trouble finding fault with those puppies. Seasoning was spot on too. Which reminds me - chickens are for eggs, not for Christmas, they need a bit of looking after. ("All I'm saying is that it doesn't taste like Turkey" commented Grandma.)

My reference to the tramp, wasn't a joke. I did actually buy a tramp some chips. Myself and Billy had been down to the Royal William Yard to check out the new River Cottage (which looks amazing and totally unaffordable! You have to admire people with so much flair and imagination) and we stopped on the way back for a Mackie D's (much more in budget). As we entered the eaterie I noticed this chap in his 50's checking out the bins and scouring the floor. We got our order, jumped back in the car and on our drive out I spotted the man again. We pulled up alongside and opened up the window. "Dude, you look hungry," I said as I handed him the large portion of fries. His eyes lit up, he was truly stoked. Billy took this all in, then a few minutes later piped up. "Dad, why did you do that?" "Well son, you know sometimes people fall off the track. It's nice to be able to help out those who've fallen on hard times. It's good Karma." I enlightened him. "Yes, I get that Dad. But why did you give him my chips?" He enquired. "Mate, I'm starving! Now less chat and pass me those onion rings!"These life lessons are so important.

I'm deep into a brilliant book at the moment, The Sixth Man by David Baldacci, should nail that one by the end of the day; One of my favourite books of all time is Bounce by Matthew Syed. If you're a parent or coach, I urge you to read it; I see 'Big Dave' (as we know him) Cameron is up against the mighty Merkozy. Big Dave and family have been regular visitors to the surf school this year - he should resist any calls for a referendum. Wagner was kept in for eight weeks on the back of a public vote, I rest my case your honour!

Find a quiet little spot

Big Sam making the most of the difficult conditions. Super windy at this local spot with just Wailo and Sam in the line-up. Bit wet for the photographer as well!

Double Puffer

The wind is a blowin'. It's a double puffer morning make no mistake - gillet and full polar combo. On the beach, the water flowing down stream is heading back upstream from whence it came; the Oystercatchers are stood in formation, bills set to the North-West; and I nearly lost my Mocha, set on the side whilst I took this snap of the lifeguard hut. Now that would be a bad start to any day.

Thought I'd give you a run down of our opening times for the Christmas Period - basically we're open everyday for hire and surf lessons except Christmas Day and a lazy start on New Years Day. The shop will be open during this period as well. Wailin, Big Sam and Paddy are at the helm. Surprisingly, the Beach House is still available for Christmas (23rd - 30th December £650 including any surf hire, sleeps ten right on the beach) when I said before it was 'free', I meant 'available'! We've had new carpets put down and Wailin's been giving it a lick with the furry stick. Come up a treat, ready for 2012.

Surf's Up! Christmas combo's have gone down a storm, enough time to get pressies to you before the big day if you're still on the hunt. I've gone all salesy! I can only apologise; let's change the subject... fitness campaign in full swing, inspired by a conversation with Janey. Stood with little on and giving it the full Arnie pose, I asked her, "Name your three favourite body parts." "Your chin!" she replied. Well cut me down... expeditions across Dartmoor on the road bike are getting results; our gig last weekend finished with a bang, if you weren't there (quite likely as only about 30 people were!) you missed guitar supremo Sam Horan joining us for a rendition of Rockin in the Free World. Reminded me of the Drum Battle between Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, only with axes. Wailin and Sam went head to head in a guitar frenzy; I bought a tramp some chips yesterday which seemed to go down well; I know, it's a slow news day, make no mistake!

Hold onto your hats and take care out there. I'm going outside - cover me!

Combo's

Shall we get the business stuff done first? Yeah - and then that's done then isn't it? We've put together some Surf's Up! Christmas Combos - some unbelievable combos actually of hoodies, lesson vouchers, mugs, calenders etc that Santa can slide down the chimney with easy peasy. No need to grease the big f

ella up. All the bud ticklers are on there for a butchers click here (very amateurish Pete). Ooh, fancy! And! And the Beach House is still free for Christmas up until the 30th December - sand in your toes on Christmas Day, it's what dreams are made of.

Now for a quick fire round-up!... firing, what a period of swell that was! Pretty well unprecedented in my lifetime.. and I'm long in the incisor. Overhead glass - all the spots were dropping bombs for what seemed like weeks and weeks. Here's Sam below, at a secret spot (that everyone knows) tucking into a sweet right. When I went down there to take this snap there were a few students camped out in tents. I thought, if you're going to participate in the 'Occupy' protest, then this is the spot to do it. Smart kids. I approached the mob with well constructed discussion points. But as it turned out, they'd surfed until midnight under the light of the full moon. How cool is that? Unfortunately I've been out of action with a bad neck, something to do with bouncing on a trampoline 50,000 times and getting a bit over-confident with what I call my 'Beetle Spasms' - you lie on your back and throw your arms and legs skyward at the same time - great for abs, turns out it's rubbish for necks. I think I must have gone a bit high. I was, to be fair, excelling!

Anyway, November 5th was a nightmare! Hiss, bang, whoosh and all I could observe were the ohs and ahs and the tarmac at my feet. Very disappointing - nothing better than a good bombette in my opinion. Physical update - neck better, belly a bit chubster.

And on we go. Stay with me team! Our life has been thrown into a small amount of turmoil. Our eldest, Billyman aged twelve, big curly mop has this unwavering dream of making it as a pro footballer. I know, we live on a beach, how ironic! He plays for Plymouth Argyle (stop that! the youth set-up is pretty strong!) and the closest school that can realistically help him achieve this goal is in Ivybridge at the footie academy where they have a small group of players who train intensively during school time. We toddled along for a chat thinking that Billyman would go there in a couple of years time, but they said that he should start straight away - so one week later, he did! Now we didn't see that coming! So we've rented a place in Ivybridge and myself and Janey take it in turns to be up there during the week, one of us staying in Polzeath to be with Fin, our eight yr old, who doesn't have a curly mop but who is also football mad - I know, don't say it......! So it's a bit weird, but Billy's really getting stuck in, and you just have to do what you can do to help them on their way. Everyone's happy.

Nothing changes with Surf's Up! - in fact, a change is good, and I feel more energised being away from the beach for a couple of days a week than I did being right on top of the business all the time. Cabin Fever. And I'm loving the cycling up on Dartmoor, although on Tuesday I felt like a contestant through to the final stages of Wipeout. I thought I could beat that weather front - but it wasn't to be. It's seriously brutal up there, even on a sunny day. The open space is great for blue sky thinking.

Surf's Up! shorts - economy looks a bit shot, we made a commitment to our clients this year to hold prices, we were one of the only ones to do it. The intention remains the same for 2012. I can't see us putting prices up. I've noticed lots of up-selling when out and about.. "Would you like a Muffin with your Mocha?" "No thanks" "An extra shot of expresso?" "No thanks" "Would you like to sign my Grandmothers birthday card?" It's all getting a bit out of hand; I've recently discovered the world of the Dongle, it is a good world that opens doors. All praise to the dongle; our chickens are troublesome, more specifically Jalfrezi who has the genes of Ranulph Fiennes.. nothing is too high to scale or too far to venture, trying to find her is an exploration in itself; Mahoustic, the Surf's Up! band is making a final appearance of the year at Carters tomorrow night (friday) looking forward to strutting my stuff; and finally, my favourite radio programme 'Just a Minute' is coming to the tv to celebrate it's 45th birthday, this makes me very happy. And on the basis that I've hesitated, deviated and no doubt repeated myself, I suppose I should call it a day.

Don't forget Christmas is free at the Beach House, there's lots of great Surf's Up! pressie combos in the on-line store and if you want to sign my Grandmother's birthday card, you know where I am!

Seriously, the pleasure was all mine.