Sunday 10th July - Windsurf ***** - The Dip at Felixstowe – sunny and hot.

 Foil – 15.53 knot max, 14.39 knot ave.,, 10.35 knot hour, 13.59 knot mile, 34.38 km., 9.25 knot alpha.

Starboard Freeride 150 and an Evolution Freeride foil with a Sailworks Retro 7.5.

After a top early morning bike ride and for the third day in a row the wind built enough to go foiling and after a two-month layoff while I sorted out new kit, I need time on the water to get my foiling legs again! A few were already there including Mark, Robert, David, Michael and Andrew with conditions looking really good, a tad breezier than the last two days. Mark was first on the water with 7.3, you had to take it easy for a bit as there was an area of confused water just off the beach but he was up and flying but it didn’t seem as windy on the water as it looked. I nearly rigged 6.5 but once again went for my new 2001 Sailworks Retro which I am loving as it sails like a sail that is much smaller, I can use my narrow boom which makes the rig feel light:) Lighter foilers Robert and Michael went for 6.5 while racer David went for 9.5. I am getting the hang of the different size bolts and soon had my Starboard 150 on the beach. Shortie on I was ready for the off and after a nervous first session the other day I was much more confident today. There was a group of youngsters out dinghy sailing over a mile out, I later learned they had sailed up from Waldringfield sailing club so headed out to see them. I didn’t get near them on the first beat but got very close on the second before beating down the coast feeling much happier on the board now, am loving it, much sportier an my Exocet and the sail handles well too, a great combination, just perfect being out in the hot sunshine:) There was loads of lobster pots which you had to avoid, I also hit something while sailing, must luckily a fish! I made it just short on The Manor and the broad 3 mile run back was just the past, perfect size sail just playing with the swell. I ended up out by the dinghies again before returning the The Fludgers and back as the wind eased, so time to call it a day!

So a much improved session than my first outing and we had a top day, early morning bike ride followed by a to windsurf, easily a 5 star day:)

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Sunday 10th July – bike ***** – Early two rivers, Orwell to the Deben – sunny and hot.

The heatwave continues with temperatures expected to reach 30 degrees during the next few days! So, we decided to get out early on our bikes to make the most of the peace and quiet with wall to wall sunshine:) We were down on the prom at 6.30 with not a cloud in the sky and the deepest blue too, definitely my favourite colour!  We whizz along past The Manor and through Landguard Nature reserve with rabbits running everywhere! We stop by the River Orwell for a bit watching a small red coaster head out before returning the same way, today Mag decides to carry on with me to Felixstowe Ferry. We counted 15 campervans stopping overnight at The Fludgers, then around to The Dip where we meet an old friend out walking her dog, stopping for a chat. There are a few fishing boats out and a couple had paddled over to the shingle bar in the River Deben to go fishing. It looked as lovely as ever at the Ferry so walked out to the end of the jetty to take some pics before heading out on the very bumpy River Deben path but we only had to go as far as Kings Fleet before turning inland, then through the woods at The Grove and home for a well-deserved breakfast.

With it supposed to blow 12 knots from the south I had one eye on Landguard weather station while I did my exercises in the back garden while Mag nipped up the town! Windsurfing mate Robert messaged to say he was heading to The Dip, I checked again and with winds gusting over 14 knots another foiling session was on! So after a quick lunch with Mag I headed down to the beach at 1.