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/21129/squiz/Levington 5th, November 2026 - Thursday 5th November – Windsurf * River Orwell at Levington – mainly cloudy. Foil – 15.62 knot max, 11.78 knot ave., 4.12 knot hour, 4.44 knot mile, 10.90 km.,9.99 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 5.75m. After missing a couple of days of windy days from the NE to E where the sea was big with some great waves but with temperatures of 10 degrees so an open sea session was not for me and the tides were not ideal for the rivers! With the east wind easing today to a forecast 20 knots I decided to give Levington Marina a try driving over around nine so I could make the most of the 8 o clock high water. Mag didn’t have anything to do so decided to come with me to have a walk there! The weather was a tad on the gloomy side and with the wind in the east it was difficult to judge its strength so went on the forecast and rigged a 5.75 which proved a big mistake and my 8.2 which I didn’t even have with me! I left Mag to have her breakfast in the van and sailed out, I did get flying briefly but I was way underpowered, I headed over to the far bank near Trimley foreshore but sadly it was no better, I wobbled down to the docks and back before calling it a day, not great:( I then packed up and headed to the shower block where I couldn’t turn the water off so had to tell the office, Mag was going to make a chicken sandwich for lunch but I had forgotten to take the butter and mayonnaise so we headed home for lunch! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238614550475110]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 1 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21129/squiz/Levington Thu, 05 Nov 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21128/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 4th, November 2026 - Wednesday 4th November - walk *** – Around Felixstowe – cloudy with a cool NE wind. I had hoped to head out for a windsurf foil but with an easterly gusting over 30 knots and a chilly 10 degrees and a dropping tide I decided to give it a miss today, maybe tomorrow? I did head out in the van for a drive round Felixstowe to take a few pics of the rough sea to the TV weather before returning home for breakfast and watch the Democrats success, one can only hope that this is the beginning of the end of the horrible Trump but sadly I think he will continue to cause mayhem for two more years:( I did my exercises while Mag spent the morning cutting back getting the garden ready for the winter! Despite the gloomy, breezy day I still packed a picnic and as we had to pick up some prescriptions from The Grove medical centre we walked to Abbey Grove, full of autumn colour for lunch on a sheltered bench. We then did a circuit of the Grove woods, picked up a bag full from the pharmacy and back through the town to the cliff top with the large waves still rolling in and home for a cuppa with a hot water bottle, sadly I had long trousers on for the first time in months! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238614550475110]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21128/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Wed, 04 Nov 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21127/squiz/Felixstowe%20and%20Levington 3rd, November 2026 - Tuesday 3rd November - walks **** – Felixstowe and Levington – Showery day with brief spell of sunshine with a cool NE wind. Miserable day for the most part so even Mag gave her early morning walk a miss, I had to head out to Felixstowe General for a 8.25 blood test which went very quickly so I took my mobile down to The Ferry to take a few weather pics, dodging the showers! The forecast was good today for a windsurf foil at The Dip with the wind swinging from N to NE and with low water around midday day making it ideal but there were a couple of negatives the frequent showers and the temperature of 10 degrees! I did drive down to The Dip around 10.30 but did not fancy it with some waves rolling in, wind gusting to over 25 knots with showers and at 73 there has got to be some enjoyment involved so I headed for home to do my exercises! I then packed a picnic and we drove over to Levington arriving at the marina around 1.30 with yet more showers! We enjoyed lunch with a lovely view down the River Orwell towards Felixstowe docks and with the tide very low there were loads of birds out feeding, we spotted a seal too! We were getting some brief spells of sunshine so we donned our wellies and walked through the trees to Loompit Lake which was full of swans, then down onto the beach walking to the yacht that is washed up before taking the top path back. A lovely walk and did not see another soul, just great then home for a cuppa. [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238614550475110]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21127/squiz/Felixstowe%20and%20Levington Tue, 03 Nov 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21126/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 2nd, November 2026 - Monday 2nd November - walks *** – Around Felixstowe – sunshine and showers, chilly too. After a bit of a late night I slept through Mags early morning walk along the prom but I did head out in the van around nine to take a few pics to send to the TV weather, first stop The Fludyers and it was lovely with sunshine over the water before continuing onto The Ferry, parking near the Ferryboat. I walked over to my favourite yellow wreck before doing a quick circuit of the boatyard before returning home for breakfast and sort out my pics as the first light showers arrived! Exercises complete we had homemade soup we headed out at 1.45 for an afternoon stroll down to Felixstowe prom which was quite pleasant despite the chilly breeze from the north and the rain was now out to sea, we made it to the turning bench just past the Fludyers hotel before returning home for a cuppa and a hot water bottle! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238614550475110]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21126/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Mon, 02 Nov 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21125/squiz/Around%20Ipswich 1st, November 2026 - Sunday 1st November - walk *** – Around Ipswich – gloomy and chilly with light winds. We had to be in Ipswich early for a 9 o clock appointment so no early morning walk today, nothing much missed as it was gloomy and cold, staying like this pretty much all day! We made your breakfast and set off for Ipswich at 8.30, after the early appointment which went OK we were free until we headed to my Sisters for a tea to wish her Bon voyage as her daughter is off to Austalia/New Zealand for a couple of years which started at 2.30 so we had a few hours to kill so I drove down to Ipswich Waterfront and were lucky enough to find a parking spot near the water to have our breakfast as a few boats headed to the lock to get out onto the Orwell. I took a few pics on my mobile to send to the weather before we set off on a walk walking round the waterfront first before heading into Ipswich town centre stopping off at TK Max and boy do we hate shopping so we made our way to somewhere more down our street, the lovely Christchurch Park full of Autumn colours. We made it to the wild lake where we sat for awhile watching people feed the gulls and ducks, cormorants drying their wings and rats scampering past with a friendly squirrel hoping for a snack, sadly we had nothing :( We then continued to the arboretum doing a full circuit of the park before stopping off at the Mansion cafe for a yummy toastie with a cappuccino before returning to the van having walked nearly 5 miles. We then headed to my sister for a top get together with the usual top buffet, so despite the cold gloom we had a great day! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238614550475110]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21125/squiz/Around%20Ipswich Sun, 01 Nov 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21124/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 31st, October 2026 - Saturday 31st October - walks *** – Around Felixstowe – sunny. Walk 1 – sunrise at Felixstowe Ferry. Another still day dawned so I drove down to Felixstowe Ferry at 6.20 hoping to see some fog over the Deben and there was only a hint. I parked near the chapel and walked over to the beach by the Martello tower and waited for the sun to arrive which it did at 6.50 when a big red ball slowly appeared, lovely it was too but the highlight was when a otter popped its head up right in front of me, the first one I have seen here! I then continued to the boatyard to get some pics of the sun on the boats with a touch of fog. Heading home there seemed more fog inland so I drove down Ferry lane stopping in a couple of places to get some foggy fields before returning home for a bit of a lay in sorting out my pics. Walk 2 – Afternoon prom stroll to The Manor. After a late breakfast I did my exercises and only dozed off for a short while, then after an even later lunch of some yummy homemade soup we had a late afternoon stroll along Felixstowe prom making it all the way to the end at The Manor which was probably a tad too far! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238081272143485]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21124/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Sat, 31 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21123/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 30th, October 2026 - Friday 30th October - walks **** – Around Felixstowe – sunny, still and mild. Walk 1 – sunrise prom. As its Maeva Friday and we don’t usually walk far I decided to join Mag on her early morning prom walk heading out at 6.15, making our way to the turning seat just past The Fludyers, getting to see the sun rise above the horizon which was lovely. Then home for a cuppa with fruit bread and sort out my pics before Mag drives round to pick Maeva up at 10.30. Walk 2 – The Dip with Maeva. Maeva arrived dressed in her Halloween dress and the fun began, I collected colourful leaves in the garden while Mag and Maeva drew faces on a large pumpkin. We then scraped the middle out and I cut up vegetables to make soup and packed a picnic while Maeva made yet more colourful potion :) Being another lovely sunny day with a light breeze we decided to drive to one of our favourites, the windsurfing car park at The Dip which we had all to ourselves for a very enjoyable picnic, we even had a visit from a windsurfing friend out walking his dog. Maeva then had fun with crazy caterpillars while we had our cuppa before we all donned wellies for a walk. We actually made it all the way to the end of the shingle bar having loads of fun splashing in the shallow water, throwing pebbles in and making holes to fill with water to jump in, Maeva now loves the beach now she is wearing her wellies and we have a job to get her away from the beach, she just loves digging holes with her hands:) We actually made it back to the van as the sun was setting and stopped briefly at the Fludyers to snap the sun dipping behind the dock cranes. Then home for some Peppa Pig with a cuppa before taking her home, another top Maeva Friday:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238081272143485]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21123/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Fri, 30 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21122/squiz/Prom%20and%20Felixstowe 29th, October 2026 - Thursday 29th October - walks **** – Felixstowe prom and The Ferry – sunny, still and mild. We have a huge high pressure over us for a few days so fog was suspected in the very light winds so I decided to join Mag on her early morning prom walk heading down around 6.30 where it was fairly cloudy with only a hint of fog, disappointing really but it was lovely to be out in the air, mild too, we then got a brief red glow in the sky as we headed towards The Fludyers before returning through the Spa gardens. I then sent a few pics to the TV weather before driving down to the Ferry hoping for some fog, I stopped at The Dip where the sea was mirror flat with the sun making an appearance with some cool clouds! I had a nice walk round the boatyard taking a few reflection pics, the Ferry workman had just salvaged a small fishing boat that had sunk in the recent strong winds! I was then asked by the boatyard owner if I could take a few pics of the office which I did before returning home via The Fludyers where I stopped as a small inflatable was about to set off fishing in perfect conditions which made for some mice pics! Home to sort out yet more pics followed by breakfast as Mag did a quick shop at Lidl. I then did my exercises mostly in the garden, we had been invited round to our friend Linda’s caravan by her son Lee which gave us just enough time to head back down to the Ferry again to catch the high tide and with wellies on we had a quick walk round the boat yard, Mag even spotted a seal. We then headed round to our friends caravan for a top afternoon chatting, top day! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238081272143485]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21122/squiz/Prom%20and%20Felixstowe Thu, 29 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21121/squiz/Levington%20and%20Felixstowe 28th, October 2026 - Wednesday 28th October - walks *** – Levington Marina and around Felixstowe including cake – some sunny periods. After missing yesterday’s breeze I was keen to get out on the water today as there is no wind in the forecast for several days now but sadly it was looking marginal at best! A few said they were going to give Levington a look so I had a quick breakfast, put my biggest sail in the van and drove over arriving at the marina at 9.30 where the SW breeze was very light so I had a nice walk around with the camera before sending a few to the TV weather, the sun was out too:) The first winger arrived, saw the wind was light so headed over to Waldringfield to dinghy sail, then three more turned up these stayed longer and we had a nice chat before leaving and with the wind showing no sign of building I headed for home to unload the van. I then suggested we try Lotties again so we walk which is a fair distance, order cake and cappuccino and sit outside to enjoy it! We a nice relaxing time before continuing down to Jaccobs Ladder and walk home along the prom and headed for home having walked 4 miles! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238081272143485]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21121/squiz/Levington%20and%20Felixstowe Wed, 28 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21120/maker/Llanfairfechan 28th, October 2026 - Bit late after dentist but caught some good rides. Nice on 4.5m then maxed and more for last half hour, had even put big foil on as forecast to drop, but it did opposite. Enjoyed it. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21120/maker/Llanfairfechan Wed, 28 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21119/maker/Llanfairfechan 27th, October 2026 - First time on new 3m. Some good well-rides but found it very hard to get going again when I fell in. Some times wind was too gusty but mostly I was losing wing when swapping to underhand on knees. Better next time. I had a 3m wing a couple of years ago, they are much better now. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21119/maker/Llanfairfechan Tue, 27 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21118/squiz/Woodbridge%20circuit%20 27th, October 2026 - Tuesday 27th October - walks **** – Woodbridge including a picnic – rain early with sunny periods later. Went to bed with a pulled muscle in my back which was uncomfortable so gave Mags early morning walk a miss, she managed to get out before the short spell of heavy rain moved through! It was breezy today but I had to give windsurfing a miss today as I had to go to for a tooth x-ray in Woodbridge at midday so during breakfast I packed a picnic and we left Felixstowe around 11, still cloudy but it is starting to improve and we were lucky enough to get a parking spot near the tennis courts, we were early as the dentist was a short way away near the swimming pool which gave us enough time to walk down to the River Deben, first stop the small yacht pond where we actually meet some people we knew from Felixstowe! The tide was high as we made our way towards the mill with the sun starting to make an appearance, over the railway bridge and we followed Mags phone to the dentist which went really quickly, we then headed up the town to buy cake before returning back to the Deben and back to the van where we sat on a bench in the sun and enjoyed our picnic lunch with lots of sun now and sheltered from the breeze! Being nice now we decided to walk back down to the Deben again walking towards Kyson Point and back along the river path with several waders waiting for the tide to drop. We sat on a bench with views of the Tide Mill which was really nice before returning to the van having walked over 4 miles and Mag even more, we took the scenic country lane route back to Felixstowe to enjoy a cuppa with our Co – op cake, top day! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238081272143485]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21118/squiz/Woodbridge%20circuit%20 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21117/squiz/Sunrise%20prom%20and%20Felixstowe%20Ferry 26th, October 2026 - Monday 26th October - walks *** – Sunrise prom and Felixstowe Ferry – nice sunrise then rain. With sunrise at 6.40 this morning so I decided to join Mag on her early morning prom walk being down at the seafront around 6.20 with a bank of cloud on the horizon the sun was going to be delayed but there was some nice broken cloud as we headed off towards The Fludyers! The sky turned a lovely red/orange at 6.30 which turned out to be the best part of the day as the cloud rolled in with rain arriving around 10.30! We returned through the Spa gardens for a cuppa in bed so I could sort out my pics sending a few to the TV weather, getting my first BBC Editors Pick. There was a fresh breeze from the SW forecast today but rain approaching but as I can’t do tomorrow as I have a dentists appointment in Woodbridge at midday I decided to head over to Levington arriving at the marina at 10.30 just as the rain arrived and I do hate windsurfing in the wet! The wind at this point was light too so I took a few more pics and sent them to the TV on my mobile and got my second BBC Editors Pick. It didn’t take long to think I did not wont to go sailing in the gloom so I drove over to Felixstowe Ferry in time to catch the very high tide walking around the boatyard in my wellies taking a few more pics and got my third BBC Editors Pick of the day, I am on a roll! It was now pretty unpleasant as I headed for home with good rain and an increasing breeze! I then spent the rest of the day with a hot water bottle sorting out my photos as I have got behind as a broken windsurfing gps has set me back but my new one arrived today, can’t wait for Mag to set up up for me! I have had an amazing day for both the BBC and ITV featuring my pics, in the end I got 6 BBC Editors pics taken over the last couple of days, 3 actually made it onto BBC’s Look East while ITV’s Chris Page used a couple of my pics on Facebook while the BBC used a couple online and Instagram :) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238081272143485]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21117/squiz/Sunrise%20prom%20and%20Felixstowe%20Ferry Mon, 26 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21116/squiz/Levington 24th, October 2026 - Saturday 24th October – Windsurf * River Orwell at Levington – cloudy, wet and chilly. Foil – 17.41 knot max, 13.59 knot ave., 1.32 knot hour, 4.28 knot mile, 13.60 km.,8.81 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 6.50m. With my windsurfing gps units playing up I have got behind in posting, I managed to retrieve this session, more by luck than judgment, I have now ordered a new Garmin gps watch so hopefully that will sort things out! I arrived at Levington Marina first in sunshine first so took a few pics for the weather, then wingers Robert and Ian arrived but the sun had gone and it was chilly and with the wind patchy at best but the breeze picked enough to tempt us out into the gloom so I rigged the biggest sail I had with me a 6.50 while headed on his 4.5 and he did actually get flying after some strong pumping while I for the most part just floundered up and down in the light south westerly! Robert and Ian quickly decided to call it a day and left so I was out on the water by myself, the wind did pick up for a couple of flying runs but quickly dropped as light rain started so I returned to the beach just as the Harwich lifeboat arrived at the marina as they have a boat sale weekend here. I quickly packed up, showered before driving to the far end of the marina to walk and take a few pics of the now moored lifeboat! A complete waste of time really! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238081272143485]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 1 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21116/squiz/Levington Sat, 24 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21115/squiz/Levington%20to%20Trimley%20foreshore 25th, October 2026 - Sunday 25th October - walks ***** – Levington Marina to Trimley Foreshore – sunny and very windy! With all my windsurfing GPS units broken and with Storm Boelo passing through today with a westerly gusting over 50 mph + I decided to give windsurfing a miss, a couple of wingers went to Levington apparently and said it was too windy to head out! The clocks went back and Mag headed out on her early prom walk which I spent right through, we then had a relaxing lay-in and I pushed the boat out by ordering a Garmin GPS watch which was recommended by a Dutch speedsailor now all I have to do is set it up and learn how to use it, not easy for an old person! After breakfast I did my exercises for the first time for several days while Mag was sorting in the garden being battered by the wind but it was lovely and sunny! As we had a really late breakfast I just made a flask and packed some snacks and we headed out, I had left my windsurf boots in the showers at Levington Marina so we headed over there via Felixstowe cliff top car park to look at the sea, luckily the wind was offshore which meant the sea was fairly flat despite the strong wind! We arrived at the Marina at two and boy was it breezy with the wind blowing straight down the Orwell and I was pleased that my windsurfing boots were still there, we then parked up to the left of the marina for cuppa time with the only boat on the water being the RLNI inshore inflatable! As it was such a nice day I dragged Mag out of the van for a walk, starting off being sheltered in an avenue of trees but when we reached Loompit Lake where it was a job to walk into the wind, it certainly made you feel good to be alive! The swans, coots and ducks were having a rough time on the lake with waves rolling down the middle, many were sheltered behind islands and trees although several were braving the strong winds by feeding in the middle of the lake! Turning the corner we now had the wind on our backs, There has been a wreck of a yacht near the marina there is now another one on the beach at the far end of Trimley Foreshore which we walked too, just lovely! It was nice on the beach as the wind went straight over our heads and we returned along the high path watching the RLNI boat which was still out on the river and we now had the wind in our faces and boy was it strong! It was not that far a walk but it was brilliant and it was home for a hot water bottle and a cuppa. With sunset now earlier I had a drive down to Felixstowe dock view point at 4.15 to watch it and the breeze was still strong as I got some nice shots of the sun setting over Landguard Fort and Dovercourt. I then looked behind and spotted the Hunter Moon rising slowly over the docks, that was great too! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10238081272143485]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/21115/squiz/Levington%20to%20Trimley%20foreshore Sun, 25 Oct 2026 01:05:00 +0000