Wednesday 5th - Windsurf ***** - River Orwell at Levington – sunny but chilly as early start.

Foil – 17.84 knot max, 16.40 knot ave., 9.27 knot hour, 13.56 knot mile, 38.60 km.,12.47 knot alpha.

Exocet RF AST 91 with Slingshot Hover Glide 76 with Tushingham Lightning 7m.

After yesterday’s mega winds, gust to 50/60 knots at Shotley I toyed with the idea of heading over to Levington Marina early today to make the most of the 7.30 high water and good WNW breeze but it looked pretty cold first thing, Rob and I had talked ourselves out of it on WhatsApp. Then when I woke this morning to a sunny day I decided as there is no wind until the weekend, I would head over to Levington, quick breakfast, wetsuit on I arrived at the marina at 7.20 with Mag saying she might bike over later:) Prime parking position and loads of water I quickly set up my foil, with the wind WNW which is slightly off on the launch beach I took a punt on sail size, with white water in the middle of the Orwell I went with my go to foil sail the lightning 7m, definitely seen better days and am looking for another as well as a 6.5! I had watched the Sam Ross gybing video loads recently I was keen to try to get my gybes sorted but being cold I was not going to push things too hard and, in the end, had a mellow session although I am getting closer with my feet changing. I soon hit the wind line and was up and flying in at least 20 gusts, sunshine too, perfect:) I started the session beating a little way up river trying gybing in the flatter water with slightly less wind each side, no flying turns but at least I was not falling in! With the tide about to turn I thought I would try down towards Felixstowe docks, usually I am not keen on sailing here with the tide going out but with foiling you are on a big board and can get upwind well if the wind stays up. Sailing downwind on a foil is just the best and I was soon down by the container ships flying all the way, very pleasing keeping it in the air even when the wind goes lighter. You can play with the swell all the way, just me, the odd bird flying overhead, one yacht and a coaster to avoid, sunny but gloves were definitely required but I lasted two hours in the end! I had several runs down the river in super flat water with a bigger swell on the corner where the wind was strongest, maybe gusting to 25 knots at times. With the tide now dropping and the wind at its strongest I decided to call it a day and easily beat back to the van where I was pleased to see Mag who had just arrived on her bike taking pics:) So a real bonus session, love the early start, could have been a few degrees warmer but a top session none the less:) With my gear drying in the sunshine, Mag having her breakfast in the van and reading her book I head to the luxury showers, for the best part of the day!

Walk ***** Orwell Country Park.

Back at the van Mag has the kettle and makes a delicious sandwich as I had very little breakfast. I thought we might walk to Levington Creek but Mag didn’t fancy the head wind so suggested another trip to Orwell Country Park at Nacton to check the bluebell again which sounded a great idea! Driving out of the marina turning left towards Ipswich we soon spotted a Muntjac close by, then a small herd deer just past Levington, I had the windsurf trailer on but parked OK and we set off to the bluebell wood and there are definitely more blooms about now. It is a small, quiet wood with some really old trees and we spook another Muntjac but it disappears before I can get a pic! We continue down to the River Orwell where we see a Jay but again can’t get close enough but fun trying! Down on the beach we walk back and we have never seen it so quiet, just lovely:) A squirrel, buzzard, a thrush and various finches later we are back at the van after a top stroll. I manage to reverse my trailer into a gateway and we head into Ipswich to check out B & M as I have lost both my windsurfing screwdrivers while Mag checks out the plants. No luck there to come back to B & Q where we get lucky, two screwdrivers and two plants for £12. We then take some narrow lanes over to the Tesco at Martlesham to fill up with diesel before taking the scenic route back to Felixstowe through Waldringfield, Hemley, Newbourne, Kirton, Trimley in time for a well deserved cuppa and cake, what a top day – definitely 5 stars:)

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