tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:51:31 +0000http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/wollocksBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-7702634786564222423Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:44:00 +00002008-04-24T15:51:31.188+01:00It seems an age and indeed is an age as missed opportunities, injuries and other pressing committments have prevented me from not just getting in to the sea; but christening the new Bear! Well hopefully that is about to be put right for the next 8-9 days as Boris is being loaded up ready to travel west tomorrow. It's not the now usual overnight trip as we've decided to amble down during the day http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2008/04/it-seems-age-and-indeed-is-age-as.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-7592882130949359164Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:48:00 +00002007-11-07T09:34:55.412ZTime got the better of me today and so I didn't get a chance to get over to the coast. Pity, as it has been a lovely autumn's day if a little chilly. The breeze may have been a factor though, but as if on cue, just as dusk hove into view it dropped right off to nothing.http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/11/time-got-better-of-me-today-and-so-i.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-829320903841812106Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:03:00 +00002007-11-05T13:32:07.773ZA text from Naips this morning reminded me of the possibilities of at last christening the new board. I'd half had an eye on the charts and had noticed that a low could track northwards this week, but mind has been on other things. As ever! Anyway, a check around does suggest a brief window tomorrow, with better prospects for Friday onwards into the weekend. If everything allows tomorrow and I http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/11/text-from-naips-this-morning-reminded.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-4235833650636052229Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:01:00 +00002007-10-17T13:07:16.036+01:00Mum's send off went well yesterday on a sunny and bright autumn morning, in contrast to the wet summers one we had for dad's. For me personally the whole business has been harder emotionally this time round. Initially I felt guilty about this until I figured out why this was so. This wasn't just about losing Mum, the person who brought me into this world; nor for being with her until the http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/10/mums-send-off-went-well-yesterday-on.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-508877293126817705Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:28:00 +00002007-10-11T10:41:56.286+01:00It is with a heavy heart that I pass on the sad news that my mum finally lost her battle with PSP and it's complications last Wednesday (Oct 3) a couple of days after her 85th birthday. I would have posted sooner only on the morning of her death and oblivious to news of her deterioration, our land line and consequently, Internet connection was literally ripped down by a road traffic accident http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/10/it-is-with-heavy-heart-that-i-pass-on.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-209023762513353771Tue, 02 Oct 2007 11:15:00 +00002007-10-02T13:18:21.279+01:00It's been a while once more and with reason, sadly not for a lack of waves although they have been as rare as rocking horse waste! At the beginning of September my mums well being began to slide into the cause for concern category. Slowly at first but with ever increasing speed her tenure at the care home became eventually unsustainable. Quite why this occurred is open to debate as, although herhttp://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/10/its-been-while-once-more-and-with.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-6150192946697248824Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:00:00 +00002007-08-28T10:02:58.822+01:00Yesterday saw an informal gathering at Sandilands of the Lincs Surf Club. Everything was there except even the remotest sign of a wave, otherwise an enjoyable time was had in as laid back an atmosphere as you'd expect.http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/08/yesterday-saw-informal-gathering-at.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-6540334644059381381Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:08:00 +00002007-08-25T14:13:14.768+01:00Somehow forgot to mention that the on our return a couple of weeks ago, a 'Dear John' was awaiting me from that food factory. The one that interviewed me for 2.5 hours for a job they put forward to me, having applied for something totally different. Naturally disappointed though purely for the money which would have been of use. The long days and 4 on/ 4 off pattern would undoubtedly have got http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/08/somehow-forgot-to-mention-that-on-our.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-8551278110318094802Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:25:00 +00002007-08-15T19:17:13.518+01:00There was a moment last Sunday morning (Aug 5) which just about summed up how dreadful 2007 has been for the Wolls on the whole. The day before we'd enjoyed an adrenaline-fuelled couple of hours or so at Godrevy (Jnr in particular!), before moving on to Camborne to see our beloved Pirates take on Leicester in a pre-rugby season friendly. All in all a feeling of contentment prevailed as we drove http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/08/there-was-moment-last-sunday-morning_14.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-4328346036976697820Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:20:00 +00002007-08-14T13:42:02.927+01:00The new board arrived this morning around 10.30, a little over 24 hours after ordering! Well done Surftech and The Surf Commission for an excellent product and service. A very special mention too for Nigel, Paul and everyone else at Zuma Jay for their kindness, help and customer care that lead to this purchase. Faultless. Just click on the thumbs for a larger image to view.http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/08/new-board-arrived-this-morning-around.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-1270078430049738251Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:52:00 +00002007-08-15T19:31:37.379+01:00Saturday (Aug 4) saw us venture further afield for the first time on this trip, having up till now not felt the need for much mileage. Boris' fuel consumption, particularly on these Cornish up and down bits, makes this more prohibitive. There's the environmental impact to consider of course, and then our cash flow situation which has become more testing this summer; to add to the already trying http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/08/there-was-moment-last-sunday-morning.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-6951393475430306563Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:40:00 +00002007-07-25T15:00:39.445+01:00A little over 48 hours and it's 'wagons roll!'. The mini break was a welcome distraction three weeks back, but the need for a complete change of scenery after all that's cracked off lately; is acute. There are welcome signs on the horizon though and about time too! I had my first formal job interview in nearly seven years this morning and I am reasonably confident of being offered a position. http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/07/little-over-48-hours-and-its-wagons.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-5839574326606979188Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:33:00 +00002007-07-20T16:51:15.266+01:00The countdown has begun with only seven days to go before we head back west to our regular spot in Poundstock. Obviously we're hoping for some better quality waves than those experienced a couple of weeks ago. And some more settled weather would be a bonus! It seems this year that the St Swithans effect kicked in forty days before July 15th, rather than the more usual after requisite. Not that http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/07/countdown-has-begun-with-only-seven.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-6730522329259590997Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:41:00 +00002007-07-20T16:30:56.031+01:00Travelled back yesterday after a useful first trip west since last August!! The van performed well even if the fuel spillage problem, though lessened, still exists when attempting to fill to the brim. At least I have found a work around which eradicates any further 'embarrassing' situations at the filling stations! Surf wise it wasn't an ideal re-intro but at least I have come back with some http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/07/travelled-back-yesterday-after-useful.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-8158563324380309577Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:27:00 +00002007-07-06T16:31:18.507+01:00Right. Decision made. We're off later on tonight-all of us, dog and all! Tomorrow will be spent in and around Bude with an option to head to Saunton on Sunday on the return journey. Mick and family will be in Bude sometime tomorrow morning, so we shall no doubt hook up with them. Shall speak with Parky later and see what we can do there. I know he has a Hotdoggers comp at Saunton on Sunday (hencehttp://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/07/right.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-5874678016535135848Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:00:00 +00002007-07-06T16:26:53.394+01:00Boris is now back in action after an extended 'winter break', well he will be when the Insurance Cover Note turns up in the post. It's due today, but living where we do the post delivery times are somewhat hit and miss. Once on the doormat though, we can nip to Woodhall Spa and get the tax disc and get the tank filled to check that the leak has been rectified. Ben and me are on standby for a http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/07/boris-is-now-back-in-action-after.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-8041174861565965549Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:58:00 +00002007-07-20T16:32:34.487+01:00Thanks to Rob B who emailed me with such supportive words at what is a difficult time for me personally. Far more difficult than I ever thought possible. Well Ben and I did break the sequence and get in on Weds evening at Sandilands. With the concern that this maybe our only window of opportunity, the inflatable roof rack was deployed on the Fiesta and off we went....though not without doing so http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/06/well-ben-and-i-did-break-sequence-and.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-1009216309356140791Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:15:00 +00002007-06-24T10:21:19.504+01:00Thanks to Naips for his touching email received this morning. True friends show through at times like these, and although our only real connection is through the surfing, it's nice to know that support is there. Looks as if I may get a chance to wet the gills sooner rather than later too! Even before Naips' email, I'd eyeballed the predicted swell for the east coast this week. Weds PM and Thurs http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/06/thanks-to-naips-for-his-touching-email.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-1147402343016915529Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:37:00 +00002007-07-20T16:29:42.431+01:00It is now nearly July and the board and suit(s) have lain dormant for the whole of 2007 to date which even by my early surfing days is an unheard of length of time. Since last getting wet towards the end of October there has been plenty of reason though which, with the help of this long awaited post I'll hope to explain. A week or so after that last surf at Sandilands, I picked up a combined http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2007/06/it-is-now-nearly-july-and-board-and.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-116214394184622392Sun, 29 Oct 2006 17:24:00 +00002006-10-31T12:09:32.360ZApologies for later than normal posting post-surf as I've been experiencing problems uploading with Blogger. Ben and I did indeed get over to Sandilands on Friday afternoon and enjoyed a return to some surfing action. It was a day of firsts on reflection: the first time Boris had served his purpose on the east coast, the first surf since June 1st on the east coast; indeed our first surf since midhttp://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2006/10/apologies-for-later-than-normal.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-116194700649559527Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:00:00 +00002006-10-27T12:03:26.506+01:00Jury Service has ended on a feeling of anti climax but I have a chance to exorcise this by going over to Sandilands later this afternoon with Ben. Shall have a quick lunch, load up Boris and head over to meet up with Naips around 2.30pm. With the other day to day frustrations of late, I could really do with some waves!http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2006/10/jury-service-has-ended-on-feeling-of.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-116185496810690351Thu, 26 Oct 2006 08:59:00 +00002006-10-31T13:51:49.670ZSomething is bound to crop up, it usually does of late. This would suggest the threat of imminent swell and how fate will decree that I don't get a look in! The signs are good for a potentially ideal set of elements to combine from tomorrow onwards here on the east coast. This time though I'm hopeful of being able to trundle over with Ben and get in for the first time since we returned from http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2006/10/something-is-bound-to-crop-up-it.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-115877577566041847Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:05:00 +00002006-09-20T19:09:35.670+01:00Thought I'd better report in as it's been a month since I did last! No surf to report whatsoever on the east coast, at least for me personally. There was a brief swell a week or so ago but it clashed with work and had disappeared by the weekend. Otherwise it has been dire. To compound the low feeling it is 3 years to the day since the death of a good friend of ours in Cornwall; Pete Hall. He http://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2006/09/thought-id-better-report-in-as-its.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-115548317205780376Sun, 13 Aug 2006 15:12:00 +00002006-08-20T18:49:04.026+01:00Sat 29th July: The latest journey began a little after 10pm last night as planned, and as with Ben and I's inaugural trip down in Boris, went without hitch or drama. Being more loaded with stuff to last a fortnight rather than two days, and with an extra person, dog, bike and other periphery we perhaps added 20-30 minutes actual driving time than before. Even so there is something more in the wayhttp://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2006/08/sat-29th-july-latest-journey-began.htmlwollockstag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089850.post-115408321656359118Fri, 28 Jul 2006 10:09:00 +00002006-07-28T11:40:16.623+01:00Now I can turn my mind fully to important matters in hand, after a couple of days workwise that didn't allow time for the details of the trip tonight to be planned. There is swell forecast to build late tonight with the best window being tomorrow morning, although peaking on Sunday when the weather [read wind] could mess it up. What I didn't need first thing as I was surfacing was son to go intohttp://www.swellchaser.co.uk/barrel/2006/07/now-i-can-turn-my-mind-fully-to.htmlwollocks