August 26th: There had been hints of a small swell for a few days, so I bit the bullet, and reckoned on a 'butchers' at Skeg'. After checking with Coogee beforehand, I decided it was worth the journey and get in after a 3 week drought. It wasn't that inspiring, but it was at least clean and I figured what the hell. Besides, I should be able to do something with the new 'plank'. Naips arrived at the same time, and so it was we set about making the most of what was available. As it turned out, it proved quite a difficult couple of hours for me. The waves were coming in nicely enough, but not breaking until too close in because of the current nature of the sea bed. Only had a couple of rides as a consequence, otherwise, it was a case of paddling like mad, pop up, and immediately pulling out.

August 4th: Last full day; at least until viewing property demands another trip. Two foot Chop-Slop wasn't that enticing but I decided to go in at Widdy anyway, after giving Suz and Ben their second stand-up lesson on a swell board in the shallows. Suz needs more time which will surely come when we get down here; whilst Ben shows a lot of potential, getting to his feet at will. As for my own session, rides were had, but oh for a cleaner wave with some speed like last Weds.

August 3rd: Not so blown out today, after a couple of days where the large swell was being spoilt. Brox's mate, Colin, was due to visit the area late aft/eve, and I reckoned Summerleaze would provide a cleaner sheltered wave; if small. Thus it proved as mid tide passed and a pleasant, fun session was enjoyed even if it was only 1-2 foot in the haven. Constant paddling was necessary too which was a pain.

July 31st: The large swell that had been rumoured was starting to build as the clan and I arrived at Widdy mid-aft on yet another pleasant day. Ben had a session in the shallows with a swell board and got to his feet for the first time. Afterwards I ventured out into the 3-4 foot swell but returned in after a couple of rides to get into a wettie for better grip in the saddle. In so doing, we decided to see if Summerleaze was offering a more sheltered wave, but returned to Widdy when it wasn't. By now it was high tide and was around the 5 foot mark now with a thumping great shore dump to dodge through. I went in for half an hour and caught 2 waves; easily the biggest I've ever ridden.

July 29th: OTL meet-up at Watergate proved to be as successful as last year's Surf System 'do'. The waves were pants on arrival, and didn't really improve in the 3 hour session that followed; I.E. 2 foot onshore slop. But fun was had, and it was good to meet up with Ledge, SJ, JJ, AndyO, Ziggy, AndyC, Parky, Brox and others. Just past high tide, after others had moved on, things improved slightly and went back in again for hour and half, enjoying some pleasant rides in the sun.

July 27th: After yesterday's session, decided to give Polzeath a go, aware that crowds would be a pain. The swell had dropped to a couple of foot, and it wasn't as clean, but there were waves to be had. The speed of yesterday wasn't quite there, and rides invariably had to be cut shorter than preferred. The session was only an hour old when an approaching storm cut it short. We'd expected showers, but this turned into a two hour cloudburst with vehicles sinking into the beach car park and requiring pulling out; which was fun ! Brox and family turned up at this point, and eventually went back into the water for another hour or so. The first half hour was OK, but the waves started to trash out as debris from the beach & stream took effect.

July 26th: Most notable surfing day so far. Link here to find out more.

July 22nd/24th: Arrived in Bude Saturday mid morning to find the expected flat conditions. In some ways this was OK, as I'd decided that now was the time to finally get that long-awaited longboard. Accordingly, if it took a couple or so days; or took in going to the Longboard House in Spukey on the Monday when I was due in 'Druth for an interview; then at least I wouldn't be missing any of the action. I ended up getting a 9' 3" beauty from Zuma's in Bude; now all I needed were some waves! The interview went well, although was ultimately unsuccessful. Still I got to meet up with Ledge at his abode, and eventually spoke with Gav' the following week. The hoped for surf wasn't poss'.

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