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/12830/squiz/Peyriac-de-Mer 14th, May 2012 - Thursday 11th May 2012 - Relaxing, a little travelling and walking **** sunny and hot :) We had a really easy day, lie in and read then got up and did our exercises. The lake was like glass and so tempting Mag put my wetsuit on and went for a swim to the end of the camper vans and back. Rigged the shower in a bag into the tree near the van for her to have a shower with water collected from the lake with a bit from the kettle – perfect :) We had breakfast sitting in the sun – it is glorious today, no clouds just sun and 23 degrees by 10 a.m... It got to about 26 eventually. We read our books for a bit and I put the boards on the roof. Made the most of the internet and downloaded 3 more books from the library. Had lunch and a walk to the reeds then about 4 when we were just beginning to pack up a pompiers plane came to collect water from the lake – exactly the same as we saw at Serre Poncon a few weeks ago. We heard the siren go when we were on our walk but didn’t know what it was for and obviously it was for boats etc., to clear the lake before the plane came. There were a few fishermen and a dinghy still out when it arrived though. It wasn’t quite the same as before in that it landed on the lake! Then it went round in a circle on the surface before taking off again. Then it came and did the same a few more times and we assumed it was somebody learning to do it and practicing. Amazing to watch again though :) We left Salagou at 4.50 and drove to Gruissan taking about a couple of hours which wasn’t bad considering we avoided the toll roads and took the coast road for the last bit. Saw 8 hookers loitering on the road between Beziers and Narbonne – about the same as last time!!!! We went to look at the preparations for the Gruissan Defi windsurfing event which is on next week then drove to our favourite overnight spot in the hills above the salt flat area overlooking the etangs and had tea. Went for a walk afterwards over the hill and through the vineyards to another part of the etang. It was very pretty, especially with the sunset :) Monday 14th May 2012 - walking and relaxing **** We spent the whole day at Peyraic de Mer. The etang was like glass this morning with absolutely no wind at all but a breeze did pick up a bit later – nw to start. Beautiful sunny day. After breakfast Mag packed a picnic while I tied the gear on the roof – de-sanded and dried out. We walked towards the vineyard and round the track along the edge of the etang. We haven’t been that way before and it was very beautiful. You can even see the highest peak in the Pyrenees covered in snow! We haven’t seen that before either. The Chateau is set in the middle of the vineyard, surrounded by vines and with views over the etang towards Gruissan and Bages. It is just a stone farmhouse, no turrets but in such a perfect place. We found a nice place to sit on a spit of land out into the etang and spent a couple of hours reading and eating our lunch there. We had to move to a different facing bit of the spit at one point because the wind completely changed direction to se and got up a bit. Walked back and had a rest after coffee, croissants and jam then went for another walk over the hill and round to the port, through the town and along the duck boarding. We went to see if they have a tap at the aire on the outskirts of town and learned what we have suspected on all of our many visits here – camping cars are not allowed to park anywhere else in the Peyraic territory – whoops, we have been here for about 2 weeks in total over our previous holiday! The aire is 5 euros a night and we were surprised to see about 12 campers in tonight. Made us feel a bit uncomfortable knowing we’re not supposed to be here but we stayed tonight anyway – nobody has even looked at us before. Watched lots of little terns diving into the etang for fish and two storks flying past very slowly trying to make headway against the wind which has picked up ready for tomorrow! http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3406950485187.2141982.1012660562&type=3&l=bcd167dd5c http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3318687598670.2140694.1012660562&type=1&l=112c704a5a http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3245995981425.2139602.1012660562&type=3&l=1bf5305e7c http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.3129837677540.2137243.1012660562&type=1 Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12830/squiz/Peyriac-de-Mer Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12829/squiz/Gruissan 12th, May 2012 - Saturday 12th May 2012 – windsurfing **** then walking cloudy but sunny later After breakfast we packed up and drove to Gruissan beach. Instead of driving through the dreaded chicane we drove along the canal and parked at the end near the camper aire near the start of the Defi Wind which starts this coming Thursday and tents are up and the security jet bikes are here in force!!! And several sailors are here already- I’ve never seen so much expensive kit!!! The trouble with parking as most sailors did as Gruissan beach looks like something from the Somme with huge trees washed ashore and the beach looks soft to drive on :( is you have to rig in the car park and try and sail out of the small harbour in front of the windsurfing shop or swim your kit across the canal and clamber over the rocks!!! As I have already lost 2 fins :( my choice of kit is limited to my speedboard or my raceboard with a big 40cm fin – not the best for fast sailing in shallow water!!! – I tried both shops that sell windsurfing stuff in Gruissan to get a fin with no luck so will have to try Leucate. You are quite sheltered in the rigging area so it is hard to gauge the wind??? It seemed to be picking up so was going to rig the 7m but when downhauling the sail the top section of my mast just snapped!!!!!!!!!! :( :( :( So I throw caution to the wind and rigged the 8.5 and had the dubious of having the largest sail on the water by at least one and a half metres and you not see many raceboards here!!! In the end the kit wasn’t too bad abit over powered at times and even under sometimes:( I spent over two hours reaching to Port-la-Nouville lighthouse which is good fun but the trouble here is because of the direction of the wind it’s a tight reach both ways and you are fighting to stay upwind both ways:( I landed in the corner swam the canal to met up with Mag for lunch – she had been reading after walking along the canal to Gruissan market and watching the antics of the French windsurfers :) I had another hour or so in the afternoon but the wind had swung pushing you farther offshore :( I had one blistering run to the lighthouse as the wind increased hoping that my gear would hold together!!! Gave up in the end and sailed past the harbour and tried the beach to the left but very gusty so beat back into the small harbour and packed up.We then had a walk along the beach and I had an interesting time tying my gear on the roof as the wind was strong now!! We then drove to our favourite spot by the small etang at Peyriac-de-Mer and went for a lovely walk along the wooden walkways to the town :) http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3406950485187.2141982.1012660562&type=3&l=bcd167dd5c http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3318687598670.2140694.1012660562&type=1&l=112c704a5a http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3245995981425.2139602.1012660562&type=3&l=1bf5305e7c http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.3129837677540.2137243.1012660562&type=1 Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12829/squiz/Gruissan Sat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12828/squiz/La%20Franqui 13th, May 2012 - Sunday 13th May 2012 – windsurfing ***** sunny Top night in our wonderful spot at Peyriac-de-Mer we will get into trouble for parking here one day as you are not supposed to camp here :( After breakfast we had to run into Leucate to check out the three large windsurfing shops to see if I could replace my lost fins and I managed to get two for 35 Euros: ) while Mag visited the supermarket. We then made our way to the wooden pier at the far end of La Franqui and had to park near the rocks as the beach was too wet to drive on :( It is getting a popular spot now and soon filled up with speedsailers – both windsurfers and kiters and several freestylers. It was not windy enough for my speedboard to start with and as I haven’t got a 6.4 speedsail anymore rigged the 5.8 and went out on the 100 lt. freeride board which was not perfect for speed but the best I could do. The first few runs I took carefully as I was not sure of the depth and there were no other speedsailors out, there were a couple of shallow places but you could sail close to the beach for over a mile. I managed to just get over 30kts – for the first time this year!!! But was having more fun sailing back upwind in the swell!!! By this time several other speedsailors were out including NED 35 so I was sharing the speedstrip with Jacque the world number one!!!! :) and he was flying with 6.4.Mag braved being sandblasted and had a walk to the sea and we managed to get a few pics of the action:) After a few more runs I stopped for lunch and walked back up the beach with Mag and had a word with Jacque and he even know who I was!!! that’s Facebook for you :) and also knew we had sailed with Hans and Ben – really approachable block who was pleased to have a chat:) After lunch I made the mistake of rigging my 7m as Jacques was rigging 5.5!!! so after a couple of way overpowered runs including abit of a walk back I de-rigged the 7 and took the 5.8 with my speedboard and sailed nonstop until 6:30 by which time I was dead on my feet!!! but I was having a great time, no great times 34/35kts not bad considering I haven’t been on the speedboard since last November!!! As usual the interesting part of speedsailing is starting off – getting moving forward, hooked in and both feet in the straps without spinning out before sailing up the beach!!! and I managed most of the time and then all you had to do was avoid the speedsailing kitesurfers!!!! I tried for a 30kt. + n/mile but didn’t sail far enough :( you need a marker on the beach to help you. We then just put all my sandy kit in the back of our van, said goodbye to Jacque – even got a pic with him – he is a giant!!! Sadly my camera lens was covered in salt water – can’t win’um all :( and headed back to our lovely spot at Peyriac to wash my kit in the etang and have a shower with our bag hanging from a tree – luckily no joggers came past!!! I discovered that the mozzies got me and I have loads of bites on my back:( So a top day and I hope there is no wind tomorrow – need a rest :) Then just as the sun was setting 20 flamingos circled our etang looking for a place for the night :) http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3406950485187.2141982.1012660562&type=3&l=bcd167dd5c http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3318687598670.2140694.1012660562&type=1&l=112c704a5a http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3245995981425.2139602.1012660562&type=3&l=1bf5305e7c http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.3129837677540.2137243.1012660562&type=1 Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12828/squiz/La%20Franqui Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12827/ash34/Cooden 11th, May 2012 - Nice session in the sun on kona 11'5 and XO quad 6.6 Wind a bit up and down , but good fUn in the sun for a couple Of hours . Wind dropped off in the end but packed up feeling good Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12827/ash34/Cooden Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12826/ash34/Bexhill 14th, May 2012 - Good couple of hours at Bexhill just after low tide 6.6 XO shark and kOna 10'5 Few bumps to play on whilst battling against the tide to stay upwind Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12826/ash34/Bexhill Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12825/mas/Felixstowe%20dip 13th, May 2012 - Best sail this year, although on 8.7M NP H2 / 155L RRD Fireride. This is a great combo for me (heavy weight) in light winds, and I was only out of the comfort zone, in a couple of gusts and the increase chop of the slight easterly wind. The RRD is slightly slower than the LTD Rocket, I had, but it rides very stable and comforable Only dropped in twice at the end when pretty tired, and well knackered at 6.30pm after 3.30 start. Makers tried the H2 on his hot JP slalom board an although wind was light, I think it needs a powerful sail. The H2 is really nice fast comfortable sail and rotates great. Several was out ripping, and Pete G, Vix and formula head Nick sailed the Manor end testing fins. Great Sunday, but a few regulars were missing. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12825/mas/Felixstowe%20dip Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12824/mat_thorn/Rhosneigr 13th, May 2012 - Day 3 (but first competition day for ams due to lack of wind on day 2). Got through my first ever wave heat! It was 1 jump and 1 ride to count in 8 minute heats. I have never sailed so hard and intense as that 8 minutes, very tiring. Actually managed to get some jumps on port tack and couple of ok backside rides. Did not do as well in 2nd heat, so did not advance any further, got 1 jump but no good waves. Others in my heat were forwarding. All in all, really enjoyed it and would like to do another event at some point. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12824/mat_thorn/Rhosneigr Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12822/pete%20b/Cwmcarn%20-%20Twrch 13th, May 2012 - Only one lap today but once again doing Freeride then climbing back up to do Airstream. Should have clinbed again for another repeat but whatever - another mindless blast! Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12822/pete%20b/Cwmcarn%20-%20Twrch Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12821/pete%20b/Cwmcarn%20Twrch 12th, May 2012 - 2 laps of the Twrch taking both decents: Freeride & Airstreamon each lap. Trails in top nick - just great mindless fun! Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12821/pete%20b/Cwmcarn%20Twrch Sat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12820/maker/felixstowe-Dip 13th, May 2012 - Got down for 3pm as wind was picking up, Mark S +D, Ian, Nick, Al, Phil. OK on 8.5m. Tried Mark's 8.7m twin cam which seemed much bigger; pity wind was down for that trial. Think I need a better sail for blasting, but no-cam is easier to sail. in chop and swells that picked up near river. Formula Nick turned; not usre how he got back to Manor as that seemed to be straight into wind. Good fun and felt like first summer sail. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12820/maker/felixstowe-Dip Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12819/paul%20s/Draycote 13th, May 2012 - Forecast came together as planned, providing a lovely bike ride this morning, and then some great afternoon sailing. Started on 8m but couldn't hold that down for long so moved down to 7m and that was just about perfect. Shame we had to clear the lake at 6pm, but I was well tired by then anyway. And what was that lad doing sailing in rashy and boardies. I know it was sunny but that's just silly. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12819/paul%20s/Draycote Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12818/mas/Alton%20reservoir 11th, May 2012 - Good session at the Ressy. The direction was perfect coming down the middle and the run were ½ to ¾ of the length. The others had a good afternoon. On the water at 5.45 others were on 6.5 and it did look windy. Rigged 7.7 and had a couple of runs then the poxy wind dropped for 20 mins and 8.5 would have been perfect. Most runs were 20kt best 24kt. Wind picked up again luckily so had a decent 30 mins good runs, and good practice gybing round markers at speed. Got kicked off the water at 7pm unfortunately. Would have been 4**** if I had rigged 8.5  Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12818/mas/Alton%20reservoir Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12817/paul%20s/Draycote 11th, May 2012 - Best wind of the day seemed to have been late morning while it was still clear. By the time I could get on the water shower clouds were around and the wind got rather messed up. Rather more relaxing than yesterday, comfortably powered up on 7m most of the time, but the gustiness got the better of me and I went home to cut the grass ! Rating: 2 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12817/paul%20s/Draycote Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12816/paul%20s/Draycote 10th, May 2012 - Wind not as strong as forecast, but blowing well enough. Em and I got in an afternoon session that was a great cobweb clearer. I started on 7m but soon realised that was a battle I was going to lose, so changed down to 6.2 and even that was too much in the gusts. Em stayed on 5.7 throughout but was wrecked by the end of the session. Good effort. Then biking and circuit training :-( Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12816/paul%20s/Draycote Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12815/squiz/Beziers 9th, May 2012 - Tuesday 8th May2012 (Bank holiday in France) travel with sightseeing Oh dear, Mag had a bad night :( Slept well until 4 got up for loo and just got back into bed and a car scorched past and hooted really loudly! She was really worried and her heart was pumping because she thought the car had stopped! It hadn’t but she then couldn’t go off again and just laid there with her eyes shut! Another car at 5.30 just to set me her off again – I sleep fine!!!We looked out at 6 and it was a glorious sun rise so there was some reward! Iwent out with his camera and went down to the edge of the Etang and Mag got up and packed the bed away and washed so if anyone did come we were just taking photos. We didn’t see another car – typical. Lots of mozzies so I didn’t even get out of van. We drove even further along the road we shouldn’t be on and are glad we did because the highlight of the day was seeing more bee eaters and in lots of details this time. They are gorgeous, so colourful. No sun today so we couldn’t see through their wings but beautiful all the same :) They are now officially our favourite bird! Drove to a bird watching reserve but it was shut as it’s a bank holiday. Drove into Aigue Mort and visited the shop. Had a walk round walled town then carried on along the coast. All modern and nasty :( Stopped for lunch at Palavas Les Flots then drove into Sete which was actually very nice for a big town. Lots of boats in a port on the sea side and also on the Canal. We visited the Sete McDonalds and did a bit of internet and had a coffee. Decided to go and have a look at the Ecluses de Fonserannes on the Canal du Midi in Beziers. It has nine locks in a row to take boats up nearly 14 metres! We saw the signposts to it last time we were here and Canals are always good for overnight stops :) We found the turning eventually (harder coming from the opposite way!) and parked right on the edge of the canal. Walked up and watched the boats going through all those locks (it looks very daunting for the holidaymakers on the boats and as it’s the bank holiday they had a big audience too!). We had a good look round then went back to the van for a cuppa followed by tea. We are staying here tonight even though the other 3 campers here have gone! Wednesday 9th May 2012 – walking **** sunny periods We had a good night’s sleep by the canel and when Mag woke up she left meto have a lie in and went out with the binoculars to look over at the next door sports field where I thought I saw a hoopoe last night and there were two!! Really special sight and they gave me a good display – they have a really big crest on their heads and black and white wings – they look more like they should be in a cage or zoo as they are very exotic :) walked along the canal and saw lots of birds we had seen before but are not very common at home. Had breakfast watching the boats in the lock and the ducks in the canal. We were going to walk to the aqueduct taking the canal over the river l’Orb and were surprised as it seemed to be just round the corner – it was apparently 3km but didn’t feel like that. We had a good look at that and the lock in Bezier canal port then walked along the l’Orb into Bezier old town. The first streets were very old and looked like tenements but as you wound your way up it got classier and finished with the cathedral on the top. We sat in the cathedral/monastery garden and looked at the views over the town and to the canal. There were some really scented plants in the garden and it was lovely to start with but then made me feel a bit sick!! Walked back through the more modern part of town and were lucky to find a really nice ‘park of poets’ which had a duck pond with lots of unusual ducks on it and some koi carp. Amazingly found the river again and retraced our steps but on the opposite side of the canal, back to the van for lunch. Afterwards we packed up and drove up to Lac Salagou. This is our fifth visit here and is a brilliant place to stop to sort everything out so planning to have a good sort tomorrow. We sat and read and had our tea outside watching the sunset (which was a bit watery). There are a lot of bugs but not that many mozzies. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/12815/squiz/Beziers Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100