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/21015/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 26th, August 2026 - Wednesday 26th August - walks ** – Felixstowe – sunny periods. After two full-on days windsurf foiling sailing over 60 miles it was nice to have a quilter day, Mag went on her morning walk and saw a nice sunrise, I snapped it out of the window! The forecast rain and thunder failed to arrive, these yellow warnings are a waste of time! In fact it turned out nice today with loads of sunshine, warm too, after my exercises in the garden Mag and I had a walk down to the seafront and back through the town before having a lovely afternoon with our neighbours. After tea I headed down to Felixstowe Ferry to catch the sunset which was a little underwhelming but the full moon was cool! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 2 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21015/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Wed, 26 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21014/maker/Llanfairfechan 25th, August 2026 - Luck with easterlies ran out today. Not enough for me in Colwyn Bay, Llan looked good but soon changed to very gusty flicking E and SE around mountain. Not used big foil for a while and took a while to get used to, and by then wind had gone so drift in. At least found stab in forward position and mast 11 works OK without shim Rating: 1 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21014/maker/Llanfairfechan Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21013/squiz/Wrabness%20 25th, August 2026 - Tuesday 25th August – Windsurf ***** River Stour at Wrabness – sunny. Foil – 20.41 knot max, 18.79 knot ave., 13.84 knot hour (year PB), 16.87 knot mile, 66.20 km (year PB).,15.33 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 5.75m. After yesterdays full-on bumpy but fun session on the sea at The Dip I decided to head over to Wrabness on the River Stour early to make the most of the 11.44 high tide and a good breeze from the ENE ! I had a quick breakfast and packed lunch, Mag took her breakfast with her as we left home just after eight, diesel stop before arriving at Wall Lane around nine in lovely sunshine, the foil board was quickly set-up but the little launch beach is well sheltered from the breeze in this direction so I had a walk up the beach to the bungalows with my wind gauge and camera and I found the wind gusting to 20 knots with probably more in the middle of the river, I was tempted to rig my 5m but in the end went with 5.75 which proved pretty much perfect for the 41 mile, 3 hour session:) A few were already out when launched just before ten with loads of water, a slow sail out to the wind line then I didn’t look back and was pretty much flying for most of the time! I had several runs across the river but it looked windier in Holbrook Bay so I slowly beat down river, I did have some brief company from a winger and a windsurf foiler but for the most part I had this whole section of river to myself ! To be honest my 5.75 was a little under to beat high upwind or go fast downwind but it was just brilliant mellow sailing just me in the sunshine! I did make it well past Wrabness before turning and doing some fantastic long broad runs down to see the others at Bradfield, I got there very quick too. I had some nice runs with several wingers and foilers but it was too busy for me so I beat back but was getting knackered now and with the tide now dropping it was time to call it a day and headed in just in time to see Mag out on her second walk of the day with a bag full of wind fall apples and her second tub of blackberries, it’s been a good year for them despite the lack of rain, that could change over the next couple of days with thunder and heavy rain forecast! After carrying my kit up to the grassy rigging area I went and made lunch as it was still only 1 o clock, a yummy ham and mustard roll, had a chat about the morning and enjoy the peace and quiet, this is a great spot! Time to head for home, I made a small detour to Alton Water where I walked to see the small herd of highland cattle and was lucky enough to see one paddling in the pond before reaching home for a welcome cake and cuppa, certainly a 5 Star day especially when one of the other foilers posted a video of me sailing:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21013/squiz/Wrabness%20 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21012/maker/Llanfairfechan 24th, August 2026 - Not much forecast then with sun a good ENE breeze kicked in. We had a nice hour then wind got a bit holey,II had to leave anyway so no FOMO.Got a few nice rides on swells too. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21012/maker/Llanfairfechan Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21011/squiz/The%20Dip%20at%20Felixstowe 24th, August 2026 - Monday 24th August – Windsurf **** The Dip at Felixstowe – sunny periods. Foil – 17.26 knot max, 16.10 knot ave., 12.15 knot hour, 14.08 knot mile, 34.84 km., 12.49 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 6.5m. The forecast was good for today with the easterly picking up around midday to a solid 20 knots and with high tide at 9.44 I was in no hurry to get to The Dip, people were planning to arrive from 12.30 giving you enough beach to launch! I passed on Mags early prom walk this morning but got up to drop Mag off at Lidl to do a shop then continued down to Squiz Lane at The Manor to take a few weather pics as it was wall to wall sunshine with a deep blue sky, I was chuffed when a beach hut pic was chosen as a BBC editors pick and used on this evenings Look East:) The morning then consisted of breakfast in the garden with Mag followed by my exercises, I started in the garden but we had a touch of very light rain so I moved indoors, this also seemed to knock a few knots off the wind strength but I loaded the van and headed down to the Dip at 12.30 being the first to arrive but the car park soon filled with mainly wingers but a couple of windfoilers also to join me! Easterly here is not a great direction being very onshore which lumps up the sea and it didn’t look overly windy either so was in no hurry to head out. I waited for a few wingers to set off on 4.5 and 5m wings and at this point struggled to get going, when another lighter windsurf foiler rigged his 5.8 I had no choice than rig my 6.5 which I was not overly keen on due to the state of the sea! There was a bit of a shore break but I managed to get out with no major problems and was soon up and flying doing long runs down the coast towards The Fludyers but the sea was very lumpy so no going fast today! All the wingers were staying in the corner near kite beach where there was some cool waves rolling in which was better than the chop further out which proved a nice spot to gybe but you then had to sail straight into some big rolling waves! The sun had returned so it turned into a nice but challenging session and after nearly a couple of hours it was time to head in and landing was interesting with lots of big waves rolling in, after disconnecting my sail I had to be patient to get in helped by someone holding my sail while I took my board ashore so nothing broken today! With the easterly continuing tomorrow but easing during the day several of us are heading over to the Stour for an easier session, hopefully leaving Felixstowe at 8 as high water is just after 11! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21011/squiz/The%20Dip%20at%20Felixstowe Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21010/squiz/Ferry%20and%20Falkenham 23rd, August 2026 - Sunday 23rd August - walks *** – Felixstowe Ferry and Falkenham – sunny periods. Mag headed out on her early prom walk and I headed down to the Ferry to take a few weather pics which was a complete waste of time as both stations used out of the area weekend presenters who didn’t use any pics:( but never mind as it was lovely out early with light winds, blue sky and sunshine so all was not lost! Once again no real plans, Mag wanted to paint the side gate and front trellis which left me free to do my exercises in the back garden. We had a surprise visit from our son Dan with Maeva dressed in an amazing blue Pokémon outfit with yellow socks and flashing shoes, what a knockout! I then packed a picnic and we headed out late heading inland to avoid the seafront crowds heading over to our Sunday favourite, Falkenham Church arriving at 3 for a late lunch which we enjoyed in very peaceful surroundings, not seeing another human :) We picked two containers full of some big blackberries, that's crumble for weeks before doing a short walk across the stubble fields and back to the van! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21010/squiz/Ferry%20and%20Falkenham Sun, 23 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21009/maker/Llanfairfechan 22nd, August 2026 - Swiung from N to NW as I walked onot sand so wind dropped. Got going a few times but continued to drop. Rating: 1 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21009/maker/Llanfairfechan Sat, 22 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21008/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 22nd, August 2026 - Saturday 22nd August - walks *** – Around Felixstowe – sunny periods. I joined Mag on her early morning walk and we were down on the prom just before 6.30 and it certainly was the best part of the day, sunny with blue skies with a light offshore breeze, quiet too :) We started at the pier and headed towards The Fludyers taking a few pics to send to the telly and back through the Spa gardens and home. Relaxing morning sorting photos before having breakfast in the garden and dozed off doing my exercises! I then packed a picnic and we once again headed back down to the prom and it had clouded over now with only brief glimpses of sun and busy too! We passed the row of beach huts and they all have a blue plaque on now of people with connections to Felixstowe and people were enjoying reading them all, top idea:) We sat at the quiet raised area just past the Spa Theatre and enjoyed a late lunch and watched the world go by from a distance with some cool black clouds out to sea! We then continued along the prom, up past Harvest house to the town to get a few things before heading for home for a cuppa and a freshly biscuit! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21008/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Sat, 22 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21007/mas/Bradfield 21st, August 2026 - Bradfield Session Report – Friday The Bradfield forecast didn’t look great, but with high tide at 6:30pm the trip was still on. I arrived at 3pm as Billy No Mates, with a teasing Northerly around 12–15 knots, sunshine, and flat water. Six others eventually turned up and the wind continued to build, though everyone went big — 8s and 9s for the windfoilers, and the wingers were on 6m+. I rigged the 8.2 and the 1300 front wing and more or less planed straight off, running parallel to the shore. It was shaping up to be full end to end Stour sailing — Manningtree to Harwich if you fancied it. The split was even between windfoilers and wingers, and us windfoilers headed down towards Harwich. The runs opposite Wrabness and into Holbrook Bay were superb, turning the corner to see the huge container ships sitting at the docks. I’ll admit I get nervous that far from base and always wonder what happens if something fails out there. The wind dipped slightly and I couldn’t keep the big sail foiling consistently, while James on 9m and Jasper on 7.8 never seemed to drop off — very frustrating. Minutes later the gusts returned, and if you hooked into one the run was brilliant: dead flat water and silent foils ripping back towards Manningtree. The wingers never dropped off the foil, and as high water approached the wind increased significantly. I was knackered and overpowered, so I headed in and luckily landed safely as the tide turned. The others stayed out, including another winger who arrived and launched right as the tide flipped. They were absolutely belting along on the white water river, but I was very happy to be on dry land. I didn’t manage a single dry gybe, but the long runs were excellent. I did get catapulted rounding the Wrabness bend after clipping a yacht mooring — fortunately nothing broke. The River Stour delivered far more than forecast today. Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21007/mas/Bradfield Fri, 21 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21006/squiz/Helmingham%20Hall%20deer%20park 20th, August 2026 - Friday 20th August - walk **** – Helmingham Hall deer park – sunny periods. No Maeva today as we had her yesterday so we had to make other plans, I headed down to Felixstowe Ferry at 5.20 to sit by the River Deben to watch the sunrise through a bank of cloud! I sent the usual pics to the TV weather before having breakfast in the sunny garden with Mag before doing my exercises and packing the picnic and I took Mag on a mystery tour. The traffic was heavy near Woodbridge again but we made it to the Grundisburgh turn off and things quietened down as we headed through lovely country lanes to Helmingham Church where we park for a walk around the deer park which is also quiet! We were surprised by how quiet the Hall car park was but then discovered it is closed on Fridays! The park lakes were very short of water, hopefully now we are getting some rain here in Suffolk they might start to fill up but the egrets and moorhens were still there! There was once again loads of deer both fallow and red as well as several sheep as well as some impressive trees both dead and alive! We stopped for aged watching the deer any with cool antlers and I was lucky to spot a fox in the middle of them! We continued round the park which leads to the large obelisk where we sit to enjoy the peace and quiet enjoying our lunch before continuing out of the park and back to the van before taking the back lanes home so I could look for my lens cap at Newbourne which I seem to have misplaced, sadly we did not find it! Home for a well deserved cuppa and I was chuffed when Aisling used one of last sunset pics on this evenings weather reports on ITV’s About Anglia:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21006/squiz/Helmingham%20Hall%20deer%20park Thu, 20 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21005/maker/Llanfairfechan%20 20th, August 2026 - Onshore wind so battle out, then sea much better than it looked with 5 loops of almost 1km riding downwind along cob. I had to use the wing several times on each loop to link waves and glide along, better sailors would not need to. Sea started to mess up a bit as it rose so shorter rides but still ace. Will go out earlier after Low next time. Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21005/maker/Llanfairfechan%20 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21004/squiz/The%20Manor%20at%20Felixsrtowe 20th, August 2026 - Thursday 20th August – Windsurf * River Orwell at Levington – sunny start then clouding over with showers. Foil – 16.27 knot max, 9.43 knot ave., 0.73 knot hour, 0.00 knot mile, 11.77 km., 4.79 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 6.5m. We are having Maeva the Granddaughter a day early this week and we are picking her up from play group at midday so I had an opportunity to get out on the water for a windsurf foil as the forecast actually looked quite good! I was down at a very quiet Squiz Lane with some lovely sunshine with some cool clouds. The forecast was wsw 15 knots which is a fraction off which I like at The Manor and there looked enough breeze on the water to tempt me out with a 6.5 but sadly the wind was nowhere near strong enough with the wind probably closer to westerly which is not a problem on a 150lt. foil board, I did have one good flying run but it was mostly floundering about:( So after a couple of hours I called it a day and headed for home, sent some pics to the TV weather, had a shower and walked to meet Mag who was pushing Maeva in her trike! We then had a top few hours, I packed a picnic, made biscuits, I made her a necklace out of bits of string and ribbon before we loaded the van and drove out Newbourne Park for a picnic in the van, fun on the swings before getting a few apples and blackberries before heading for home for some quiet time with Peppa Pig before taking her home! Had a quick drive down to Felixstowe dock view point to catch the sunset with a huge container ship in, the OOCL Wisdoms maiden voyage! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 1 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21004/squiz/The%20Manor%20at%20Felixsrtowe Thu, 20 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21003/squiz/The%20Dip%20to%20the%20Deben 19th, August 2026 - Wednesday 19th August - walk *** – The Dip to the Deben – mainly cloudy and warm with rain late. Relaxing morning in the garden cloudy today for the most part with heavy rain and lightning in the evening! I packed the usual picnic, picked up my new sunglasses from Specsavers before driving to The Dip for walk to the River Deben for lunch with some top clouds, really dark but only a few drops of rain as we walked back along the beach in a much better temperature than of late! We then had a bonus visit from Maeva and her mum and she was full of fun and we are having her again tomorrow! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21003/squiz/The%20Dip%20to%20the%20Deben Wed, 19 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21002/maker/Llanfairfechan 19th, August 2026 - Quite a x chop built but picked out some good swells rides. Tried to sail a bit faster today and that helped. Got tired so had to stop, good fun. About 15 wingers during the day,a few new ones learning after a slack last year. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21002/maker/Llanfairfechan Wed, 19 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21001/mas/Bradfield 18th, August 2026 - Bradfield Session Report – Tuesday Another five-star day at Bradfield on Tuesday, with a late 4:30 tide and a West / WNW breeze. Around a dozen turned up on a warm, cloudy afternoon. The parking field was completely windless, which fooled everyone into rigging big. Roughly three-quarters were wingers, the rest windfoilers. AI suggested a 6.6 based on a peak of 21 knots near high tide, but Keith called 8.0, so I split the difference and rigged 7.8. Wingers were mostly on 5/6m. Once on the water it was obvious Keith’s call was optimistic. The big rig was hard work in the gusts, though great in the lulls, so I stuck with it for an hour or so. Wingers were coping by floating the wing overhead when overpowered, and I headed down to Holbrook Bay where the wind was a touch lighter. A few went in to change down, so I followed. Pete switched to fin. It was properly windy at that point, so I grabbed a coffee, pondered life, and part-rigged the 6.6. Naturally, the wind then started to ease — perfect for me. I went back out on the 7.8 and had a brilliant afternoon. I stayed with the AI recommended 1100/330 Starboard wings on the 105 fuse, though realistically I should have dropped to the 900. That would have been a far quicker change than re-rigging a sail. The long runs from Bradfield beach all the way to Holbrook and back were superb — some of my best for distance and flow. The mid-river swell was big but manageable, and easy to run off during the lulls to stay on foil. Wingers barely seemed to drop off at all compared to windfoilers. As the tide turned the wind eased, and by then I was knackered, so I called it a day. Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21001/mas/Bradfield Tue, 18 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100