Windsurf **** sunny :)

Didn’t fancy going in yesterday’s strong winds but miserable cloudy day so collected coal from the beach and watched the rugby, good result for England with Italy being very unlucky :( Today’s forecast was looking much better, a little less wind and wall to wall sunshine :) with the wind a strong sw and only 8 degrees I didn’t fancy an open sea session I headed to Levington early as it was high ware art about 10. Arriving at the marina at 9 the onshore wind was lighter than expected so initially untied the longboard and was going to rig 8.5 but the wind rapidly picked up so I went with the 7m on the 133. I then put on my lovely Gull winter wetsuit – toasty warm but with a back zip so I had to walk to the boat yard to find someone to do the zip up!!! Safely suited I launch off the small beach by the marina entrance and spend an hour or two sailing across the bay trying a few broad runs toward the far bay beach but it was pretty lumpy and going fast was again challenging! I was pleased with my 28 kt. Max and an ok average, with the tide now dropping and the wind gusting close to 40 kts I had one last run beating up river, gybing in Levington creek and then going for a mile run which was interesting in the river chop! With the wind now gusting close to 40 kts and with the tide turned really roughing things up it was time to head back to the van. There were a couple of other sailor’s out today Andy Marshall who started rigging near me but a gust took his 6.2 out of his hands crashing into his trailer putting a big hole in the middle panel :( he then moved to the other end of the marina, rigged his new 6m and had a good sail up and down the middle of the river:) Another sailor I didn’t know went out with a 5.3 but sadly he only had one run putting a big hole in his sail after a jump:( So I was the only one out here today who didn’t damage any kit! It’s lovely being out early sailing in the winter sunshine – nice morning :)

Hike ***

As I got home early we had time to go for a nice walk before visiting step mum Shirley who is very poorly in Ipswich Hospital:(

So after a top toastie cooked in our new toastie bags Mag and I headed to Falkenham where we parked by the lovely church. The churchyard was beautiful, full of snowdrops:) We then walked the mile and a half to the River Deben in the pretty Suffolk countryside. The highlight of the walk was the large flock of Brent geese flying overhead :) Then onto the hospital where Shirley was slightly improved :)