Slip, slap, slop

It's been all slip, slap, slop here in the past 12 hours! "Argh, who's stepped in the dog poo!" laughed Janey as she filled the car with our boys for the school run. Urm, let me have a look at my trainer! Damn, that'll be me then. I knew I slid on something, but not on a doo doo. The power hose setting ten, soon sorted that out. And then outside the office this morning, I did a double somersault with a pike on the slippery decking and ended up on my back. Didn't see that coming. Quick check that no-one saw! Brush down, good to go! So 'slip' was the fall; 'slap' was the impact on the my back; and slop was the .......

It's been all Mart Pellow down here. Lots and lots of the wet stuff, be nice to see the shiney big ball again soon. Actually as I write I see shadows forming on the beach. Nice.

Polzeath - The Perfect Storm (re-release)

The original version I made of this film received over 67,000 views and counting. But I made an amateur error of setting up a Youtube account in my name rather than Surf's Up! - and you can't transfer videos it seems. So here's a new HD version - enjoy!

Birds falling out of the sky!

Feeding frenzy this morning - must have been a shoal of some kind of fishy out there. Not sure this video does it justice - the seagulls were going crazy!

ps. had a few issues with the video earlier! Uploaded a song off the US version of iTunes (don't ask) but all should be well now.

Not Nice

Oh, not nice out there - wind and rain. But there's one surfer in the line-up enjoying the head high sets. Best of luck too them - a fine attitude.

My New Year's Resolution - less chocolate. Looks like I'm going to have to put that off for another year!

NWY

"I thought you'd gone?" I bumped into a mate in Truro yesterday. "Gone? Gone where?" "I'd heard that you'd sold up and had gone, Australia I think?"

Oh the wonders of living in a small village! Chinese whispers. My sister and her family have gone to Hong Kong for a few years, in fact they arrived just a short while ago and mum informs me they've been to see their new house and the kids have had a quick look around their new school. What an adventure! They were all down here for Christmas and New Year and it was the best ever. A good send off. Sad to see them go - but in this age of technology, communication will be easy as.

So no, we haven't gone! And we're not going anywhere. In fact, tails are up, feeling very good about this year. The last couple have been challenging. Highest turnover, and yet the lowest profit! Damn! Restricts investment. We came up with a plan early last season to come off our spot on the beach and operate solely from the Beach House - but that idea was soon thrown out. Instead a complete restructuring of the business has been the way forward and that's why for us 2011 has the potential to be very good.

Just a quick observation. We've been to loads of footie matches with the boys over the holiday. Plymouth, despite all their troubles are doing their very best. The matches are not that exciting, but they're fighting hard and I still think they could get promoted. Billy and Fin both train with Plymouth Argyle and along with their cousins, got to meet the players the other day.

And then on Monday we went up to Exeter to watch the match against Brighton, the league leaders. The only seats left were right next to the Brighton supporters - a banner two seats wide were the only obstacle between us and the travelling fans.... and that was brilliant. Right in the heart of all the singing and banter. There was a real buzz being where we were. And at the end of the match (Brighton won 2-1) it was hand shakes all round.

Anyway my point was this - I'd seen on the telly the reports about the rubbish collections falling four weeks behind. What I didn't realise was that Exeter was one of the main offenders. Walking through the back streets was a bit like how imagined it must have been during the war. It was that bad - bags upon bags strewn across the streets by foxes and badgers. But here's the thing. I totally get why people would blame the council etc etc etc - but at what point do you wake up in the morning and say "I need to sort this out myself. Gather the rubbish and take it down the tip." We've developed a culture of blame - perhaps this needs to be the year of taking responsibility.

News has come through that the BSA - British Surfing Association - has gone into administration. No real surprises, it's been in trouble for a while. What I hadn't realised was that it was founded in 1966! A new body Surfing GB has been set up as a replacement - more news as it comes in.

Cranking

The surf's been cranking! Yesterday, we cycled passed a 'locals' spot to catch one lucky surfer getting tucked into a pretty epic barrel. Here's the spot above. Not the greatest shot I'm afraid. Bit murky out there. The three surfers had it all to themselves!

And check out how busy it was in the line up at Polzeath! This was at about 2pm yesterday.

Behind You!

Pantomime - down in Plymouth for the first time. We normally make the annual pilgrimage to Truro. Fantastic - Joe Pasquale, if ever there was a role for him, this was it. Very funny - on all levels. And with 3D effects!

Plym Wood - pre-Sleeping Beauty

Merry Christmas

I don't ever recall walking on the beach in the early hours and seeing ice on the High Tide mark! What a beautiful day! Stunning - the sun's out, should warm up nicely this afternoon. Not much surf at the moment, but it'll be here soon. All in all a perfect Christmas combo - sunny on the beach, bit of surf, no wind and snow up on the Moor. Couldn't be any better! The boys have already torn into their pressies, (leaving Santa some Cadbury flakes and and a glass of milk did the trick) and I've unwrapped my socks! I must be loved, it's a three pack!

Here's our boys with the cousins Charlie and Jamie up on Bodmin Moor yesterday.

Despite my reluctance to indulge in religion, we do make the annual trip to church for a good old sing song! I sat next to my Dad who has a good turn of phrase. If he instigated humour in our family, I improved upon it. Uncontrollable giggles is as much part of the service as 'Come all ye Faithful'. I was in total control until Dad sitting next to me whispered, "It is the organist that is the Church fidget". Oh well, it set me off. Cassocks off to the vicar, the St. Minver service was perfect for the young audience - short and sweet.

Actually, Christmas is great, especially now the boys are older. To have all the Grandparents, and my sis and her family down is fantastic. The cousins have such a great time together. We're going to meet them all in a minute for a walk on Daymer and then back up to the house for a big feast! I may not be religious, but there are times when I do feel truly blessed.

Surf's Up! Special

We've noted the difficulties being faced around the country in getting to the shops. And now the added pressure of whether on-line gifts will arrive in time due to the snow and ice! And in classic Surf's Up! styley we've come up with a plan.

Up until 4.30pm on Christmas Eve we're open for online surf vouchers. All you have to do is contact us on 07760 126225, tell us how much you'd like the voucher to be for (min £10) and we'll send it to you via e-mail! All you then have to do is print it out your end, stick it in a card and Bob's your Uncle. The voucher can be used against anything in the shop ie wetsuit, hoodies etc; or for lessons on the beach: or even use it for the Beach House. A great present with lots of options. I hope this helps if you're in a bit of a fix!

Have you seen the surf forecast for Christmas Day / Boxing day? All time! Overhead, offshore, long travelled swell - it could be classic!

Balmy

It's as if we're living on a different planet. Yesterday my sis, who's down for Christmas, recorded eight degrees in Truro. And yet when we switch on the news, the rest of the country is battling against really hash conditions. No doubt our time will come.

Lucked out with the eclipse of the moon on this morning! It was low over the sea. Didn't expect to see that. Off to Plymouth.