I thought long and hard about making the trip to Southend but not having sailed for two months and feeling fat,unfit and with a dodgey shoulder decided a spin on the speed board was not a good idea and the thought of carrying my slalom board out just made up my mind - but can't wait for next time !!! With 20 + forecast I decided against the open sea at Felixstowe and went to my local res. Alton Water :( to see what the potential was like for doing 30 kts there and in the end I don't care as the sailing is crap and half an hour sailing here is like two hours on the sea with the wind all over the place and if thats windsurfing you can keep it !!! It was a nightmare choosing the right gear as what ever you picked would'nt be right,with no wind one minute and a ferocious gust the next !!! and my god was the water cold :( a new pair of boots required !!! I gave up floudering on the Xantos with 7.5 and tried the Isonic 133 but am not liking that as the out board straps are a nightmare to get into on the short lake runs and will be looking for another lightwind slalom,perhas a Fanatic falcon ??? Still it was good to be out again after a long break and things can only get better :) it was nice to meet up with a few mates and I got a pair of new boots when I got home and got 20 % off and then had a birthday meal with my favourite Aunt for her 70th birthday,so not all bad !!! and lastly well done to all those who had a good day at Southend :)
Also more good news as I got eight of my pic's printed in the local paper as a phto essay - sadly no fee involved :(