Having only just got back from skiing in the Alps I didnt want to go far and was going to Levington until mate Neil Hurrel rang and said he was going to Alton as it was a balmy 10 degrees so I thought it would be better to sail with others so went to my favourite venue !!! I arrived at 10:30 and Neil was out with 8.2 but the wind was filling in and started rigging 6.2 so I took a chance with 7m. Alton was as gusty as ever but I put a small fin in and tryed for a 30 max - a series of 10 seconds here is very hard to get as the wind bands are small :( It was a case of wobbling over the lake and then bearing off broad on the far side and then struggling back with a little fin. I got a couple of 29's and the wind did seem to be dropping and I had dropped in the cold water and I did have to keep stopping to warm my hands up. Then I managed to hit a gust right and managed to get a 30 kt max for the first time here for me. The sun came out and the wind went so I packed up - not too bad for Alton.