Surf today? Pumping! Overhead and offshore - raining too! That's a good thing - keeps the beach quiet. Instructors very happy about it all.

I'm forty-four! I don't need the grief. There was a time when I used be asked to get involved in stuff, have an opinion. I'm not sure how that ever came about, that anyone would value my opinion. The problem is that more often than not what I might think is right, is completely wrong! That's why our senior staff have learned over time to just listen to Janey. She may not be as persuasive, but she's nearly always spot on. She speaks sense.

Anyway, now I simply don't get involved. Unless it directly affects the surf school or our staff then I can't see the point in cutting into family time. Simple as. In fact I sit on the fence so often that I've got my own initialled cushion. Is that an age thing? Sitting on the fence is pretty cool though, you can see a lot from up there.

Ripping it up on a Swelly

Big Sam pulling off a sweet top turn on a softboard!

It's been well documented that I love surfing Swellboards - I've ridden them more than anything else. And I think why I love riding them so much is that they're easy! Historically, back in the early days of Surf's Up! we'd get only fleeting moments to surf ourselves, often when the water was busy. So we'd grab a swelly, safe in the knowledge that firstly we'd get a wave, and secondly, that we wouldn't be bumping into anyone on a hard board. Accidents happen, we didn't want to risk one as the owners of the surf school. Not good for a new business!

Now, of course, all of our instructors rip it up on short boards. But they do take to the Swellies when teaching the Boardriders (after-school surf club). And here's the result - Sam (above) pulling a very sweet move under the full gaze of instructor Megs.

Swellies - you've got to love 'em!

Surf's Up! Boardrider Jazz, ready to move up a group!

Beautiful beach day - office was like a sauna when I came in this morning, had to strip down to me budgie smugglers just to reduce the glow. Surf today - 2ft, no wind, let me have a look at the forecast for the rest of the day......

...yep, looks pretty settled. Wind might veer to the 'South' (or is it 'Backs', always get that wrong) and maybe a touch of cloud. No complaints this end.

Surf turned out real nice this evening. Just about glassed off!

My mate Si, has been down from Newcastle for the weekend. He's a pro cameraman - spent the evening encouraging me away from the preset buttons on my Canon 40d! Loving it - he showed me loads of stuff that I can't wait to have a go at. Turns out, we just happened to hit the beach during one of the best sunsets of the year! It was amazing!

That Manuka stuff worked a treat. I really thought the night before the gig that I was going to be in trouble. Turns out, not only was it fine throughout the performance, but it's quite possibly the first time I've finished the set without feeling like I've just ripped the life out of my vocal chords. A set comprising the Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Reef etc is always going to be challenging, but I think / hope that I may just have found something that works a treat.

And how was the gig? Well we played in a marquee in someone's back garden to about 70 people. So a small affair - sometimes the hardest to crack. But I think we did a good job, we had fun. This chap, who was right into it on the dance floor, came up to us afterwards and said "I've seen Reef and the Stereophonics play live at a similar venue and you guys rocked it, you were much better!" He followed up with, "Your my best friend you are. I love you" which I suppose kind of invalidated the previous statement! Great buffet afterwards - shall we grab a sandwich for the road, turned into a lengthy, 'Have you tried one of these?' taste fest which lasted until well, just after 1am as it goes. When we left, the chap I mentioned before, was slumped outside on a chair, fag in one hand, drink in the other. As we bid him farewell, he raised his glass, "Aweshome, guys, aweshome', he slurred before returning his gaze back to his shoelaces. I hope our new found fan is feeling okay today.

I remember now! Before the gig I had this worry about my sore throat. But taking to the stage I felt fine and confident. But then a funny thing happened. The fingers on both of my hands went white! Lost the feeling of them from the bottom knuckle. The first three songs we play, I start on my own on the guitar - so that's Molly's Chambers, Something to Say and Foot of the Mountain. It goes without saying that what you want is a good positive start to the night. It felt like I was playing with my fists. I could see Wailin running his eyes over my fingers on the fretboard "What chords exactly are you trying to play?" I could hear him think! Never experienced that before - and took me a lot by surprise! Didn't take long for the pinkies to start hitting the right notes.

Bazooka that veruka with active Manuka. They can have that one for free - doesn't work that well on the basis that it's a sore throat rather than a foot complaint that I'm trying to cure. The very latest on my glands? - much better thanks. Still sore, but I reckon a day of copious amounts of honey and lemon laced with paracetamol might just save the day.

Hey Honey

Been struggling with a sore throat for a while now, so invested in some active Manuka Honey last week. Supposed to be a miracle cure! I've upgraded from the the 15+ to the 30+, not cheap mind. You get about a thimble full for a fiver! And that's from Amazon. Hasn't worked, in fact, it's made it much worse. I wonder whether you have to take a few doses before it starts to work? Trouble is I've got a gig tomorrow night - a private party, marquee in a garden. I think it's a 40th birthday celebration. The throat glands and everything have come up tonight - wouldn't normally be an issue, but there's a bit of concern. Hope for a good night's sleep - see what transpires in the morning. What I do know is that adrenalin can save the day, oh and a Lucozade bottle full of water and whisky. Fools people into thinking I'm an athlete.

Boys play cricket up at St. Minver on a Thursday night. What a place that is - fantastic views across to the Moor. Big fluffy clouds. Quite a spectacle. Usain Bolt about to run.

Prodding a pig in the snout

Boys will be boys - sat in this Tornado cockpit at the Cornwall Show, there was no-one else on their stand at the time, had a good chat with the Weapons Engineer about Libya. He's just come back from Italy - where they load up the bombs on all the fighter jets, they fly to Tripoli, let them drop and then come back for more. Sounds like they're doing a lot more than we're hearing about.

The show summary in no particular order - prodded a sleeping pig in the snout, lost Billy, found some chickens for the garden, sat in a Fiat twin 500 (boasts of amazing fuel consumption, research back home suggests the figures are somewhat exaggerated), fondled a pig's ear, lost Janey, found Billy, lost Fin, bought some blue cheese, watched some sheep judging, admired some Bulls, found Janey and Fin, ate the most tasteless cheeseburger ever, erm sat in some cockpits, threw some balls at coconuts - you know what? It was actually a really good day.

Visited another place last week where you're always guaranteed to lose your kids, row with your partner and enjoy a shopping experience similar to back in the 1930's - ah, the wonder of Trago! A mate went to 'returns' last week, this toy rat he'd bought for his lad kept going in circles - well, we did warn him. He's probably still there now, you can visit 10 different departments before they'll give you a refund. Top tip - if it's a toy you're returning, you need to take it back to the paint section. If it's paint, then you'll need Ladies Fashion. For garden tools, that'll be Christmas Decorations. It's like trying to crack the Da Vinci Code.

Boardrider Hoodies have arrived!

Surf's Up! Boardrider Hoodies have arrived! We expect 150 excited kids to be knocking down the doors very soon! Every Club member gets one.

Boys off school today - schools close for the Royal Cornwall Show! Going to head up there in a minute. The last two years we've had a stall at the show, but it's not a big deal for us. Everyone's looking for a bargain so unless you've got surplus stock to shift, it's really not worthwhile. Not for us anyway.

New stock arriving in the shop all the time. These new long sleeve tees have proved very popular.

I seem to be having a day lacking any humour. I'd like to be funny, but my funny head has got up and left me. It's quite possible that I've overdosed on Mochachino early in the day. Off to Newquay in a bit to pick up hoodies - oh and sports day was postponed because of a light shower! That'll happen next week now, light shower permitting! I'm really into the 'Man Up' philosophy - teaching the kids from an early age. "It's wet, you might slip, be careful" is a much better lesson to teach the kids than "It's wet, you might slip. You might hurt yourself and we can't take that risk" Get 'em out there! I remember playing rugby in thick snow - didn't enjoy it much, in fact I think I cried, but look at me now, hard as nails - the only one on the beach wearing a string vest in a Northerly. Hey, my funny head is returning - and fast!

And another thing, how crazy is this? Last week Findog played in the football cup final, which they won to add to their league title. After the match there was a big presentation. But NO PHOTOS. Fin's Nan leant over the barrier to take a photo "Sorry madam, no photos!" That's such a shame! I know, I know, I know, I know the reasons. But really? It's all gone a bit mad. We're not all idiots.

Surf's Up! Boardriders last night - across the board there are just over 150 kids in the Club!! 150 who come to after-school training - that's phenomenal. Split across Novices, Improvers, Development Squad and Elite! It's quite an operation. It takes nearly as much time and resources to run the club as it does to run the rest of the surf school! Rach must do at least two hours a day just sorting out all the admin on it. But it's cool and very rewarding. That's my youngest, Findog standing back right. He's really got into his surfing lately, as has Billy. They seem to be going down most nights when they haven't got footie. It's good to see, they're right back into it.

It was a bit blowy last night. One of those classic days when it's sheltered in the car park but as soon as you get passed the headland - man, hang onto your boards!

Wailin and his crew ran a freestyle competition for the kids - they all have to line-up and then on the word, run in all together. It can be quite a spectacle.

Talking of Boardriders and rewarding. A couple of nights ago I was walking the dog on the path to Daymer as the sun was setting. It was getting pretty dark. Anyway, I noticed on the cliff top some clothes so I thought I'd better investigate. Turns out there were eight lads all out on surfboards just mucking about on the rocks and generally having a really great time. They were all part of Boardriders when we first set up the club. Between them, they've been to France, Portugal and Bali with us. I'd like to think we had just a tiny bit to do with this love of the sea that they quite obviously have.