Personal logs for windsurfing, surfing, kitesurfing and other sports. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php Copyright 2006. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21057/squiz/Felixstowe%20and%20Aldeburgh 16th, September 2026 - Wednesday 16th April - walks ***** – Sunrise Felixstowe and Aldeburgh – sunny periods and showers. Walk 1 – Sunrise along Felixstowe prom. Woke early as usual on what is Mags 66th Birthday but still no pension for another 6 months, it looked a nice morning so we decided to go on a sunrise stroll along Felixstowe prom, leaving home just after 6. We watched the sunrise above a small bank of cloud a fraction late before returning home to do the usual word games. I had a plan for a day out so we got up early and had breakfast inn the sunny back garden before I packed a picnic for the mystery tour:) Walk 2 – Aldeburgh seafront. Leaving Felixstowe at 10.10 we headed up the A 12 and Mag guessed our destination when we took the Aldeburgh road! We parked right opposite the famous Aldeburgh metal shell sculpture on the beach and got some nice pics when the sun peeked out from behind the cool clouds! With the wind dead offshore we decided to walk along the tight packed shingle beach towards Aldeburgh looking for heart shaped pebbles. We reached the fishing boats and huts on the beach with some lovely old buildings behind them making for some nice pics! I was looking for my favourite white fishing boat that used to be at Felixstowe Ferry but has now moved here and was supposed to be now launched off the beach but it was nowhere to be seen:( We stopped at the small boating lake near the Tudor Moat Hall and continued to the end of the town past Slaughden Sailing club where we used to windsurf race many years ago on the River Alde with its many moored boats. Past the more up market Aldeburgh Sailing club where we spotted the white fishing boat moored in the river:) We turned at the impressive clover shaped Martello Tower which we have been in when some friends rented it:) Then all we had to do was walk the two miles back to the van which was made easier when we stopped for an expensive sausage roll which we ate near the lifeboat station! We made it back to the van just before a heavy shower arrived and enjoyed a relaxing hour in the van with the picnic and dozing as we were both knackered! We then had a quick stop at the lovely Thorpness mere with its impressive selection of rowing boats before returning to Felixstowe. Then we had a visit from Maeva with her Mum and Dad to give Mag a homemade present and had a top video call from our Grandson in Devon who had the giggles with Maeva, so all in all a top day:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237627094549329]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21057/squiz/Felixstowe%20and%20Aldeburgh Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21056/maker/Llanfairfechan 16th, September 2026 - Another choppy day with some rideable swells.Some unexpected dropsin turbulence from x-chop then startedto get used to it. Another tough day but worth it for the few swell rides. Speed helping footswaps and gybes even intricky seas. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21056/maker/Llanfairfechan Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21055/squiz/The%20Manor-Felixstowe 15th, September 2026 - Tuesday 15th September – Windsurf **** The Manor at Felixstowe – some sunny periods. Foil – 18.91 knot max, 17.81 knot ave., 11.81 knot hour, 16.31 knot mile, 40.03 km., 13.73 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Tushingham Bolt 5.75m. A good forecast today with a moderate breeze from the SW maybe WSW and I was keen to get out early to make the most of low water so parked at Squiz Lane at The manor end in Felixstowe at 8.20 and my foil board was quickly set-up on the beach. Sail choice was harder as the wid was cross off but there looked a good breeze a hundred metres off the beach, I toyed with rigging my 6.50 but in the ed went with my trusty 5.75 which proved OK for the ear two hour session! Launching just after 9 I picked up the wind about a 100m off and once agai had some lovely long flying runs in some nice smooth water. The wind probably turned even more off as I beat up to Landguard beach and the wind did turn a little patchy but I managed to get flying on every run and didn’t fall in once, just my out on the water with several swallows out over the sea heading south for the winter, amazing to think that such small birds fly so far! After sailing nearly 25 miles it was time to call it a day and head in and was home by midday to unload as we are having a day out for Mags 66th Birthday:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237627094549329]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21055/squiz/The%20Manor-Felixstowe Tue, 15 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21054/maker/Llanfairfechan 15th, September 2026 - Some good rides but out of sync with chop and gusty wind. Underpowered on 3.5m so up to 4.5m and under too after a while Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21054/maker/Llanfairfechan Tue, 15 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21053/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 13th, September 2026 - Monday 14th September - walk *** – Around Felixstowe – Sunny periods with some drizzle and warm. I missed Mags early morning prom walk but did decide to have a drive down to Felixstowe Ferry at 7.30 just as the sun made it above a bank of cloud and the sky turned blue, there had been overnight I think as there were lots of puddles! I had a walk round the boatyard taking the usual boat pics as the tide was very low and stopped off along The Fludyers for more pics to send to the TV and got a few nice shots of beach hut reflections one of which was used by Kate Kinsella of this evenings BBC Look East :) After sending my photos into the telly, Mag headed to Lidl while I did my exercises in the back garden now cloudy with some drizzle. Mag and I then had a walk round the town separately before I packed a picnic setting off to our spot in the Spa Gardens just past the theatre with the sun returning, it was very pleasant being warm with a light onshore breeze! We then had to pick up our Granddaughter from playschool a bonus visit which we enjoyed, she helped Mag plant loads of bulbs for next spring and loved having worms in her had from mags compost and enjoyed making bead necklaces before she was picked at 7.30 by her mum and dad! PS - I was chuffed to learn that one of my photos has been shortlisted for the National Historic Ships UK Photography competition :) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237627094549329]Photo Album here[/url] [url=https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/photography-competition/shortlist]National Historic Ships UK Photography Competition Shortlist here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21053/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Sun, 13 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21052/maker/Llanfairfechan 14th, September 2026 - Felt like summer's back. Wind gradually increased through 4.5m to 3.5m, hanging on to 4.5m for too long. Good rides on swells and packed up tired. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21052/maker/Llanfairfechan Mon, 14 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21051/squiz/Christchurch%20Park%20in%20Ipswich 11th, September 2026 - Friday 11th September - walk ***** – Christchurch Park in Ipswich – Mainly cloudy. Another brilliant Maeva Friday, after doing my exercises in the back garden I packed a picnic while Mag picked her up and we then drove to Ipswich for fun at Christchurch Park, being lucky enough to get a parking spot close by! We did a circuit of the lovely park full of some fantastic old trees, past the round pond to the Mansion house where we flew our spinning flying saucers before heading over to feed the ducks, geese and pigeons. Then onto our seat by the old bowling green for our picnic and were quickly surrounded by a dozen friendly squirrels, lucky we had bought a bag of peanuts! Then onto the adventure park where Maeva enjoyed the slide, the highlight was a fire engine had to be called a get a young lady who was stuck fast in a kids swing! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237627094549329]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21051/squiz/Christchurch%20Park%20in%20Ipswich Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21050/squiz/Ipswich%20Waterfront 13th, September 2026 - Sunday 13th September - walk *** – Ipswich waterfront - Rain early then sunny periods. We woke to more rain in Felixstowe, I did have a quick drive round to take a few wet weather pics to send to the telly, then the sun appeared so we could have breakfast in the back garden, warm too! I had a message on Facebook saying there was a Heritage day at Ipswich waterfront where you could visit the old customs house and some old barges so I packed a picnic and we drove the 11 miles to Ipswich arriving at one and were lucky enough to get a prime parking spot next to the water just in time to see the Victor motor out full of people for a trip up the Orwell, we watched it disappear through the lock gate! We decided to leave the lunch in the van and walk right round the waterfront, past the Customs House with the old barge the Thalatta and an old sail fishing boat continuing to the Fairline workshop on the far side of the marina! Then back to the Thalatta where we went on board for a tour, they do sailing trips around the local rivers which would be great even if the sleeping arrangements are 12 hammocks in the galley area :) They were a lovely bunch of people on board who know me from my photographs and that I windsurfed and have seen the boat out and about many times! Then a quick look around the Customs house before returning to the van for a picnic lunch before returning home where we had a surprise as our son Dan and Maeva were waiting for our return and we had fun with beads and we also get o pick her up from playschool tomorrow! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237627094549329]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21050/squiz/Ipswich%20Waterfront Sun, 13 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21049/mas/Bradfield 12th, September 2026 - Bradfield - Saturday 12/09/26, Forecast: 10-20kts S/SW, gusty, sunny. High Tide 13:30. Reality gusting 25kts. Another good, although not quite great, day at Bradfield today. Only eight sailors turned up, with others seemingly taking advantage of the variety of venues available across Suffolk and Essex. Interestingly, there was just one winger and seven windfoilers, which is unusual these days. With a southerly wind being offshore at Bradfield, conditions were deceptive on arrival. At around 10:30 the breeze felt quite light on the beach, but the racing dinghies out on the river were already well heeled over, showing that the wind was sitting further offshore. After the usual discussions and head-scratching, the Formula foilers rigged 8m+, while the rest opted for sails from 7m downwards. I even consulted the AI reference chart before rigging. Its advice was quite clear: If the gusts only briefly reached 20kts: 7.3m E-Pace, 1300/330, 105 fuse, shim at -1. If it looked obviously windy before launch: swap the 1300 front wing for the 1100. Mast track in the middle. Unfortunately, Bradfield managed to deceive me yet again. I rigged the 7.8m sail with the 1300/500 setup on a 105 fuse and, to make matters worse, forgot to change the shim from +0.5. Ignoring AI proved to be a tactical disaster. Just before launch the breeze noticeably increased and whitecaps were clearly visible towards Mistley. Keith, who weighs very similar to me, correctly chose a 7.0m with a 900/295 setup on a 95 fuse and proceeded to have a great session. Watching him happily blasting around while I wrestled with my poor life choices was a bummer. Once on the water the gusts were simply too much. Any attempt to sheet in properly resulted in over-foiling, so much of my first session was spent not applying any power to the sail. It worked for a while, but progress was hardly rapid. Meanwhile, everyone else seemed to be having a much easier time. Mike, on a 5.8m, had what can only be described as a five-star session. Graham and DC were still flying around on their big 8m rigs, while James, on his 6m wing, sensibly came ashore and changed to a smaller wing. In hindsight, that was probably exactly what I should have done. Despite the challenging conditions, the gusty nature of the wind also produced some enjoyable lulls. I decided to stay out and make the best of them, enjoying long runs all the way up towards Mistley, only turning occasionally to avoid the racing yachts and dinghies. The equipment wasn't entirely cooperative either. My Duotone ratchet unexpectedly released about an inch, destroying the sail shape, and I couldn't persuade it to downhaul any further. To add to the entertainment, the mast foot jammed fully forward. Fortunately, in the 20-25kt gusts that actually helped keep the nose down, so I left it where it was. It was definitely a physically demanding session. My Garmin watch confirmed that around 50% of the time was spent in the moderate-to-vigorous heart rate zones, with about 5% straying into the red zone. My arms are now completely shot, but will sort that out with a good steam sesh. Oddly enough, I'm still giving the day 5 stars. The conditions were better than my sailing might suggest and, ultimately, the biggest problem was not rigging the right kit on the beach before launch. The science and Keith were correct, I, however, was not. I also tried my waist harness again today, which was probably not the best day to revisit the experiment. It confirmed what I've thought for a while: I much prefer the seat harness. Being able to sit into the harness unloads a huge amount of pressure from the arms, making long sessions considerably less tiring. Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21049/mas/Bradfield Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21048/squiz/The%20Manor%20at%20Felixsrtowe 12th, September 2026 - Saturday 12th September – Windsurf **** The Manor at Felixstowe – sunny periods. Foil – 19.34 knot max, 18.18 knot ave., 12.66 knot hour, 16.32 knot mile, 36.62 km.,14.09 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 5.75m. There was a good forecast today with a WSW increasing during the morning to over 20 knots hopefully, ideal for The Manor in Felixstowe. With high water at 1.11 I wanted to get on the water way before then so headed down to Squiz Lane with Mag for her daily walk parking at 8.45 with the wind well offshore and fairly light at this point. So after waving goodbye to Mags and taking a few pics as the sun was out with some top clouds I walked up to the caravan park to have a word with fellow windsurfer Al Wiz hope was hopeful the wind would come and was going to set up his 7.5 with a 130 lt. board after he had his breakfast! After a chat I headed back to set up my board, at this point my 6.5 would have been right been right but with it expected to build I rigged my favourite 5.75m and launch around 10.30 with sadly the sun long gone! At the very time I set sail the wind increased and the sea state started to build and I could have easily been on 5m now but I stuck with it and had another great sail in what proved at times some challenging conditions especially further out where the sea became pretty big! After a few long runs I had a spell closer in near the Martello Tower where the sea was smoother and the wind a fraction less but it was great fun sailing broad out and with wind against tide you could easily get back upwind! By this point Al Wiz had joined me on the water but no one else in sight??? With high tide approaching I was getting knackered so I decided to call it a day after another great session and headed in, once again I took yet another chunk out of my leg on my foil wing while getting my gear ashore! I then got changed as it was a little chilly in my old shortie wetsuit which has more holes than neoprene, time for the bin me thinks! I had a snack and went to take a few pics of Al Wiz as a large container ship slowly headed into Felixstowe was home by one :) This gave me the afternoon to send a few pics to the TV weather and have a shower and then walk back down to the prom and walk to the Seayou cafe for a yummy cream tea, the sun had returned and the breeze was up and it was pretty warm which meant we could sit outside and enjoy the biggest scone I have seen as the wind eased back. We ambled back along a busy prom with some interesting colour in the sky in a hole in the clouds, top day :) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237627094549329]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21048/squiz/The%20Manor%20at%20Felixsrtowe Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21047/maker/Llanfairfechan 12th, September 2026 - Very gusty, too strong at times and wobbly lulls at others, but the good swell-rides more than made up for that. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21047/maker/Llanfairfechan Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21046/alistair/Llanrhystud 4th, September 2026 - Should probably have been on 5.3 as overpowered at times with some chunky waves. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21046/alistair/Llanrhystud Fri, 04 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21045/alistair/Llanrhystud 3rd, September 2026 - Windier to start with today then dropped a little, Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21045/alistair/Llanrhystud Thu, 03 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21044/alistair/Llanrhystud 2nd, September 2026 - Float and ride to start with then picked up a bit. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21044/alistair/Llanrhystud Wed, 02 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21043/squiz/The%20Manor%20at%20Felixsrtowe 10th, September 2026 - Thurday 10th September – Windsurf ***** The Manor at Felixstowe – sunny periods. Foil – 19.21 knot max, 17.75 knot ave., 13.95 knot hour (year PB), 16.81 knot mile, 42.62 km.,12.94 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 5.75m. The day started with very light airs so I had a drive down Felixstowe Ferry to catch the sunrise, as there was a big bank of cloud out to sea which would delay the suns appearance so I parked by the jetty at 6 for a quick walk round the boatyard to get a few pics before driving to the small chapel to walk to the Martello tower to watch the sun reach the top of the cloud before returning to the jetty for some photos of the sun on the boats. I was chuffed when Kate used one on this evenings Look East and also got an Editors’ Pick :) The forecast today looked promising for a windsurf foil with the breeze building to 15 knots from the SSW around midday so I had one eye on that while I did my exercises in the sunny, warm back garden and only dozed off at the end! The tide had been dropping for awhile and the wind was building nicely so I decided to drive down to Squiz Lane at The Manor at 1.30 taking Mag so she could walk home, I managed to get a prime parking spot as was in time to see a old barge motor past! I waved Mag off then realised I had left my little spares rucksack at home so returned to get it before setting up my board, there was definitely more wind than forecast, the SSW gusting to 20 knots so I went with my 5.75. Launching at 2.15 I was up and flying straight off the beach and didn’t look back, this was The Manor at its best, especially the first hour where the sea was super smooth and I did my long runs out and beyond the Wadegate post up to two and a half miles out, just brilliant sailing in the sunshine, just me and one winger who started on a 6m but quickly had to change down! It was wind and tide together but there was no problem staying upwind and I managed a years best hour and with my hands beginning to ache it was time to call it a day and I headed in after sailing a top 26 miles! PS - I nearly forgot, I spotted hare on the golf Couse and a kingfisher on the jetty at the Ferry this morning:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237627094549329]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21043/squiz/The%20Manor%20at%20Felixsrtowe Thu, 10 Sep 2026 01:05:00 +0100