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/20807/squiz/Falkenham%20Church 3rd, May 2026 - Sunday 3rd May - walks *** – Around Falkenham – sunny periods. Mag made the first morning drink and said there had been a lot of rain in the night and her water butt was full, so sadly I got up to take a pic of it to send to the TV weather. While out I decided to have a quick drive down to the seafront at 7.15 as it was still raining, I took a pic of the beach huts near the Spa theatre through the van window which was chosen as a BBC Editors Pics for the second day running and for the second day running it failed to make it on the telly:( Lazy start to the day with fruit bread and a cuppa in bed, then Mag got up to do her all time favourite thing, sieve compost while I did my exercises in the garden as the light morning rain had passed and the sun was making an appearance:) I then packed a picnic and with the Classic vehicle rally coming from Ipswich to park on Felixstowe prom which meant crowds and old cars neither of which we are keen on so headed inland, driving through the Trimley villages where the crowds were out watching the old vehicles heading to Felixstowe, to enjoy a peaceful lunch at the lovely Falkenham Church and boy was it quiet apart from the birdsong! We didn’t fancy a long walk today so did a short walk across the wheat fields spotting a buzzard being seen off by the crows! We returned to the church with several scarecrows which are part of the Kirton thing, some really good ones there was too! We then headed back to Felixstowe doing a quick drive past of the very busy prom with its massive line of vehicles and home for a cuppa and cake! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10236099616803340]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20807/squiz/Falkenham%20Church Sun, 03 May 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20806/maker/Llanfairfechan 2nd, May 2026 - Pleased to get up in such light wind but couldn't fly out of gybes. Lots of drifting about, but at least got a better feel for pumping up in light winds so an extra star for that. Rating: 2 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20806/maker/Llanfairfechan Sat, 02 May 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20805/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 2nd, May 2026 - Saturday 2nd May - walks *** – Around Felixstowe – sunny and warm but hazy on the seafront. I joined Mag on our early morning walk down to Felixstowe prom leaving home at 6 to take a few weather pics, the BBC chose one as an Editors’ Pick but it did not make it on the telly :( It was another lovely day here in Felixstowe, sunny with the wind now light, quiet too as we turned into the Spa gardens and the rose garden looked brilliant being full of cat nip! We headed for home for fruit bread and a cuppa in bed while I sorted out my pics while Mag did her many word games:) I then did my exercises in the sunny warm back garden before heading down to Lidl to do a big shop as we were out of everything. After putting it all away we made a flask and walked down to a hazy seafront and sat on our seat by the Spa theatre. [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10236099616803340]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20805/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Sat, 02 May 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20804/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe%20and%20Newbourne 1st, May 2026 - Friday 1st May - walks ***** – Around Felixstowe and Newbourne – sunny and warm. Walk 1 – sunrise along Felixstowe Prom. Being the 1st of the month and Maeva day when we don’t usually walk far I decided to go down to Felixstowe seafront to catch the sunrise. I left home about 5.15 and as soon as I reached the seafront I realised that I had made a mistake as the sun rises round the corner so I walked all the way to Jacobs Ladder which meant I actually missed the sun rise above the horizon due to the headland but the sky was still a nice golden colour! As the tide was very low I walked along a few groynes and got some nice pics of long shadows and deep blue skys before heading for home. Good news our seat near the Spa Theatre has been replaced, freshly vanished, then up through the gardens and home, I did not bump into Mags as she walked the other way to the big wheel :( Walk 2 – Newbourne with Maeva. I got up early enough to do my exercises in the sunny warm back garden and by the time Mag had picked up Maeva I had packed the picnic! Maeva turned up in her ballet gear, looking cool in a pink tutu and sparkly shoes :) We then had to take Maeva to have her fringe cut in Walton before we drove onto Newbourne Park and had it all to ourselves. Parking in the corner we enjoyed our picnic before we had fun on the swings before walking out through the willow trees along the wooden walkway to the little stream where we played poo sticks for ages. We then continued onto the next get before returning tickling each other with reeds, great fun! We then returned to Felixstowe taking pics of the many scarecrows being put up for the Bank Holiday weekend! Walk 3 – Felixstowe Ferry. As I had been out to see the sunrise I decided to drive down to a busy Felixstowe Ferry to catch the sunset and got a few nice pics walking through the boatyard:) top day! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10236099616803340]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20804/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe%20and%20Newbourne Fri, 01 May 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20803/squiz/Orwell%20Country%20Park%20near%20Ipswich 30th, April 2026 - Tuesday 30th April - walk **** – Orwell Country Park near Ipswich – sunny. The breeze continues but I could not make it out onto the water today, a bit of relief actually as it’s been pretty full-on, Mag had an appointment in Ipswich in the afternoon so we decided to head to Orwell Country Park near Ipswich for a walk, then visit our favourite Aunt:) We took the scenic route via Levington parking at 9.45 and headed straight to the bluebell woods which are past their best now but lovely none the less! We made it down to the banks of the River Orwell and turned towards the bridge looking nice under a deep blue sky with several swans out on the water! Under the bridge and up into the nice woods, really quiet, well apart from the noise from the A 14 with loads of birdsong too :) We stop at Lidl to buy some lunch before a quick stop at Ipswich waterfront to take some pics before having a nice couple of hours with Aunt Diane, Mags appointment was a bit of a nightmare and it took us an hour to drive home from Ipswich as there was hold-ups everywhere :( [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10235737233943995]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20803/squiz/Orwell%20Country%20Park%20near%20Ipswich Thu, 30 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20802/squiz/Wrabness%20and%20Alton%20Water 29th, April 2026 - Wednesday 29th April – Windsurf **** River Stour at Wrabness – sunny and very breezy. Foil – 19.30 knot max, 17.91 knot ave., 13.81 knot hour(year PB), 15.54 knot mile, 11.12 km., 14.65 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 (LW) and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Naish Nalu 4.25m. Windsurf – Wrabness. After yesterdays open sea session where it was full-on with the sea being pretty big and with even more wind forecast tomorrow I decided to head over to Wrabness for a foil on the River Stour. With high tide at 11.30 we packed lunch and left Felixstowe in wall to wall sunshine at 8.15 and there was no one in Wall Lane in Wrabness so got prime parking position. I set-up my foil board on the sheltered grass before taking it to the beach where the tide was still fairly low but there was lots of white water in the middle of the river, with the wind from the NE it is cross off on the launch beach so I had to walk up to the corner where the first beach bungalows are to gauge the wind strength which was gusting over 25 knots with more further out so for the second day running rigged my very old Naish Nalu 4.25m. I waded out at ten with no sign of anyone at Bradfield and soon realised it was pretty windy, probably gusting over 30 knots with a good swell running down the middle of the river made for some interesting conditions:) I did several long runs across towards Holbrook bay before I decided to head up river to see if the Bradfield crew were there? It was great fun sailing in such strong winds even if I was a tad overpowered at times, luckily the wind eased slightly both sides of the river and the swell calmed which made gybing easier. I made it as far as Bradfield launch beach where there was two cars but the sailers did not venture out onto the water and left! I then had a cool beat back and with the wind seemed to be increasing and I am certainly not getting any younger so decided to call it a day and had in. Mag had been reading and messaging our boys in the van and was only just setting off on her walk and was surprised to see me back after an hour and a half! Walks – Wrabness Nature Reserve and Alton Water. I decided to get changed and join Mag on her walk to the lovely Wrabness Nature Reserve which is full of bird song, trees with vivid green leaves set against a deep blue sky, just lovely! Mag pointed out that a kitesurfer had parked in front of our van and he was on the water in Holbrook bay where the wind was strongest! We did a complete circuit of the reserve, Mag bought a few plants from a stall before returning to Wall Lane, past the Natural forest burial ground to the lovely hedge arch leading to the van where we had a very welcome lunch as we were starving! Then I had to pack up, had a nice chat with the returning kitesurfer, a novice who had a good session on a 9m kite before leaving around 2.15. Being early we decided to make a small detour to the plant stall in Stutton, sadly he had no plants out so continued down the Quiet Lane to Alton Water to see the lovely highland cattle – top day:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10235737233943995]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20802/squiz/Wrabness%20and%20Alton%20Water Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20801/squiz/River%20Stour%20at%20Wrabness 29th, April 2026 - Wednesday 29th April – Windsurf **** River Stour at Wrabness – sunny and very breezy. Foil – 19.30 knot max, 17.91 knot ave., 13.81 knot hour(year PB), 15.54 knot mile, 11.12 km., 14.65 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 (LW) and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Naish Nalu 4.25m. Windsurf – Wrabness. After yesterdays open sea session where it was full-on with the sea being pretty big and with even more wind forecast tomorrow I decided to head over to Wrabness for a foil on the River Stour. With high tide at 11.30 we packed lunch and left Felixstowe in wall to wall sunshine at 8.15 and there was no one in Wall Lane in Wrabness so got prime parking position. I set-up my foil board on the sheltered grass before taking it to the beach where the tide was still fairly low but there was lots of white water in the middle of the river, with the wind from the NE it is cross off on the launch beach so I had to walk up to the corner where the first beach bungalows are to gauge the wind strength which was gusting over 25 knots with more further out so for the second day running rigged my very old Naish Nalu 4.25m. I waded out at ten with no sign of anyone at Bradfield and soon realised it was pretty windy, probably gusting over 30 knots with a good swell running down the middle of the river made for some interesting conditions:) I did several long runs across towards Holbrook bay before I decided to head up river to see if the Bradfield crew were there? It was great fun sailing in such strong winds even if I was a tad overpowered at times, luckily the wind eased slightly both sides of the river and the swell calmed which made gybing easier. I made it as far as Bradfield launch beach where there was two cars but the sailor's did not venture out onto the water and left! I then had a cool beat back and with the wind seemed to be increasing and I am certainly not getting any younger so decided to call it a day and had in. Mag had been reading and messaging our boys in the van and was only just setting off on her walk and was surprised to see me back after an hour and a half! Walks – Wrabness Nature Reserve and Alton Water. I decided to get changed and join Mag on her walk to the lovely Wrabness Nature Reserve which is full of bird song, trees with vivid green leaves set against a deep blue sky, just lovely! Mag pointed out that a kitesurfer had parked in front of our van and he was on the water in Holbrook bay where the wind was strongest! We did a complete circuit of the reserve, Mag bought a few plants from a stall before returning to Wall Lane, past the Natural forest burial ground to the lovely hedge arch leading to the van where we had a very welcome lunch as we were starving! Then I had to pack up, had a nice chat with the returning kitesurfer, a novice who had a good session on a 9m kite before leaving around 2.15. Being early we decided to make a small detour to the plant stall in Stutton, sadly he had no plants out so continued down the Quiet Lane to Alton Water to see the lovely highland cattle – top day:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10235737233943995]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20801/squiz/River%20Stour%20at%20Wrabness Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20800/maker/Llanfairfechan 29th, April 2026 - Was too gusty and shore dump for me at High Tide then magically wind went NE. Good rides on swells, wind increased so sailed along cob then wind eased to landed back at jetty. Wave jacked up on way in and drove nose of board into sand on way in, surprised it cracked but could have been me. Bit overfoiled at times but great fun Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20800/maker/Llanfairfechan Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20799/squiz/The%20Dip%20at%20Felixstowe 28th, April 2026 - Tuesday 28th April – Windsurf *** The Dip at Felixstowe – light rain first thing then sunny and breezy. Foil – 19.24 knot max, 16.38 knot ave., 5.61 knot hour, 14.64 knot mile, 11.12 km., 12.64 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 (LW) and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Naish Nalu 4.25m. The forecast overnight was a big disappointment as we are in desperate need of some, the roads were dry first thing, Mag even managed her early prom walk. Then we had a shower so I had a quick drive round at eight to take some weather pics, starting off on the prom near the Spa Theatre and finishing up at the Ferry, was pleased I made the effort as I got one on both the BBC and ITV, ended up quite a good month for pics on the telly! The NE wind was building and the clouds disappeared, a few sailors were heading down to The Dip around two giving time for the tide to drop which gave me plenty of time to have breakfast in the garden with Mag followed by exercises. I then loaded the van and headed down to the beach around 1.30, mate Ian was already there rigging 4.2 for his fin board having already been to Bradfield for a wing on the Stour! It did look pretty windy but the sun was out so I set up my foil board and rigged my 4.25m and a few more sailors arrived, in the end there was 3-4 kitesurfers, 4 fin sailor's, 2 wingers and 1 windsurf foiler! I am always a little nervous when launching my foil on breezy days as I have done serious damage in the past but I made it off the beach with no problems and quickly discovered that the sea was fairly big and I could have done with a slightly smaller small. I did stick with for a few long runs out and managed OK on the gybes but with the wind gusting to 30 knots and more forecast for tomorrow I decided to call it a day and landed without breaking anything, not everyone was so lucky as one mast was sadly broken:( It was fun in the sun for a few runs but you defiantly need the right size sail to suit the conditions but it was nice to catch up with a few mates! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10235737233943995]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20799/squiz/The%20Dip%20at%20Felixstowe Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20798/maker/Llanfairfechan 28th, April 2026 - Felt cold again today. Missed high tide so walked on sand. Some nice swell-rides, more oomph in this direction. Good when wind was up but quite a few holes and a struggle to stand into footstraps when wind is light. Footstraps force me to stand in right place to sailed better. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20798/maker/Llanfairfechan Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20797/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 27th, April 2026 - Monday 27th April - walk **** – Early Felixstowe prom – sunny. As we were going around our lovely neighbours this afternoon for a catch-up chat I decided to join Mag on her early morning walk along Felixstowe prom leaving home at 6.15. There was a cool bank of cloud when we reached the very quiet seafront with the sun making some nice ray and with the winds light the sea was very calm making it very pleasant for walking! We walked past Mags usual turning point and continued to the end of the prom at Jacobs Ladder so I could get a few pics to send to the TV weather. Then back up through the Spa Gardens and home to sort up pics out with the electric blanket on with a cuppa. We then got a message from Maeva’s mum asking if we could take them to Lidl to do a shop at 11.30 which gave me enough time to have breakfast in the garden with Mag and do my exercises in the sunshine before heading round to pick up Maeva. We all started shopping together before I then took Maeva to Langer Park for a swing and pick daises before returning to see Mag and Jay in the shop. Meava had enough so I suggested we have a picnic in the van in Lidl car park as she had a nice chocolate donut, in the end we had a right banquet as Mag had a just bought a seed loaf, some salty butter, spicy crisps and some veggie ham which we tucked into, what great fun it was to, I then went to help Jay through the check-out before taking them home in time for us to head around to the neighbours where we spent hour putting the world to right over a cuppa and pastry – what a great day:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10235737233943995]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20797/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Mon, 27 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20796/squiz/Falkenham%20to%20Kings%20Fleet 26th, April 2026 - Sunday 26th April - walk *** – Falkenham to Kings Fleet – sunny periods. Mag did her early prom walk but I slept through it, then we had a really lazy start to the day before we got up for breakfast and both did our exercises. It was warm enough for me to do them in the garden while Mag potters with her plants which are really coming on well! I then packed a picnic and we drove over to the lane leading down to Kings Fleet at Falkenham. It was nice walking down to the Fleet with the hedgerows full of bird song when we heard our first cuckoos as well as Reed Warblers, Cetti’s Warbler, White Throat, Robin, Gold Finch, Long Tailed Tit ! The wheat was coming along surprisingly well considering now little rain we have had! We reached the quiet Fleet and sat on one of the fishing platforms for lunch but we were in the shade and the light chilly breeze was blowing straight into our faces but we watched a few swans and were lucky enough to see a Kingfisher whizz past! It was nice to get away from the water to warm up on the walk back! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10235737233943995]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20796/squiz/Falkenham%20to%20Kings%20Fleet Sun, 26 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20795/squiz/Felixstowe%20Ferry 25th, April 2026 - Saturday 25th April - walks ***** – Felixstowe Ferry – foggy start then sunny. With light wind and fog forecast again today I had a quick drive down to Felixstowe Ferry at 6.30 to take a few pics to send to the TV weather and was chuffed when the first photo I took was used on ITV’s About Anglia, my 4th on the telly this week! A quick walk round the boatyard and home to warm up as it was a tad chilly. I was keen to head down again once the sun started to break through I asked Mag if she would like a walk at the Ferry, she said yes so for the second time today I drove down parking by the small chapel arriving at 9.15 and walking over to the River Deben, the sun was there and the sea was like a mill pool, there was a paddle boarder out by Bawdsey Beach making the most of the conditions. We turned left and headed towards the Sailing Club and a large group of youngsters getting ready for their first Saturday sail of the year, the breeze was light but the sunshine was pleasant and the wind did pick up a little meaning they could sail up the Deben against the flow with no problem, it was great to see them on the water again! We ambled through the boatyard taking yet more pics of boats in blue water with a blue sky above! We then headed out on the very peaceful and quiet path enjoying the scenery, past a swan on the nest as we made it to Kings Fleet where there was several swans gliding about:) It was then back to the boatyard as the kids were sailing past, just brilliant. We meet a nice couple who recognised me as Squiz who actually live in our road and had a lovely chat before returning to the van after an amazing walk. We drove past the golf course and the old club house was being demolished, I had got as far as The Fludyers before deciding to turn round and return to take a few pics! By this time we were hungry so while I sorted out more sunny pics to send to the TV Mag quickly knocked up an egg and bacon sandwich which we enjoyed in the sunshine in our little garden! I then did my exercises in the back garden before I watched the Red Roses beat Wales in the ladies 6 Nations! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10235737233943995]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20795/squiz/Felixstowe%20Ferry Sat, 25 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20794/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 24th, April 2026 - Friday 24th April - walks **** – Around Felixstowe – foggy start then sunny but chilly. Walk 1 – Early foggy prom to Jaccobs Ladder. As Friday is Maeva day and we don’t usually walk too far I decided to join Mag on her early morning stroll along a very foggy and chilly Felixstowe prom, leaving home at 5.45! It was lovely down on the prom with a bank of fog with the rising sun breaking through, it was nice and quiet so we continued to the end of the prom at Jaccobs Ladder. In the end we were pleased to get home to warm up under the electric blanket enjoying some fruit bread with a cuppa while I sent some pics to the TV weather, I was chuffed to get two BBC Editors picks and Kate used one of them on this evenings Look East, my third telly pic of the week:) We then got a message from Maevas mum saying she wanted to go back to bed as she has been under the weather so arranged to see her later in the afternoon if she improved? Walk 2 – Spa gardens for a cuppa. So with no Maeva I had time to do my exercises in the back garden while Mag potters with her plants. We both had porridge for lunch then Mag suggested we take our flask down to our bench in the Spa Gardens near the theatre. We walked along the cliff top and once again the NE breeze had picked up enough to foil but remaining chilly! We reached the little raised area we have used of late and sadly our bench has been removed, hopefully it will be replaced soon!!!! We then carried onto option two, the bench near the prom walk and once again the drunken oafs had been here and Mag had to pick up loads more can, the idiots can carry heavy full cans down to the seafront but they can’t be bothered to take the empty ones away, sad world we live in and there is a bin a few metres away too!!!!! We enjoy our cuppa in the sunshine and receive a message from Maeva’s mum saying she is up for a visit, so we walk home and drive round. Maeva is in fine form and we have a fun couple of hours, I even get both their cats asleep on my chest for an hour! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10235737233943995]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20794/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20793/alistair/Llanrhystud 5th, April 2026 - Started on 5.0m and swapped to 5.3m when wind dropped a bit. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20793/alistair/Llanrhystud Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100