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/20777/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 14th, April 2026 - Tuesday 14th April - walk **** – Around Felixstowe including a picnic in the Spa Gardens – sunny with a cool onshore breeze. Mag gave the early morning walk a miss today, had a bit of a lay-in before heading for a quick shop at Lidl, while I did my exercises after breakfast in a sunny and warm back garden, the onshore breeze made it feel a bit cooler on the seafront, probably enough breeze for some foiling but I had to sort out hearing aids in the afternoon so could not go today, old age catches up with all of us in the end:) We were going to see our old friend, Mary early today but she rang saying she was under the weather sadly so I quickly packed a picnic and we headed down to Felixstowe seafront heading to the pier first, the sky was blue and it was pleasant enough for a walk along the prom ending up at our raised seat in the Spa gardens just past the theatre and was quickly joined by a robin, pigeons and a magpie! We had a lovely relaxing time and were treated to a large halo around the sun before we continued on through the gardens with loads bluebells of various colours and ended up at the steps at Jacobs Ladder. Then back to Specsavers for Mag to pick up two pairs of glasses and for me to sort out the hearing aids, can’t fault the service, nice staff too:) Then home for a cuppa and cake, Mag had to water the garden with the hose, we are in desperate need of some rain! [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/20777/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20776/squiz/Felixstowe%20Ferry%20and%20The%20Grove%20Woods 13th, April 2026 - Monday 13th April - walks *** – The Ferry and The Grove – nice start then cloudy with light winds. Walk 1 – Felixstowe Ferry. The day started with very light winds, Mag had already set off for her walk down to Felixstowe prom so I decided to drive down to The Ferry to take some misty reflections of the boats on the River Deben arriving at 6.30 and was not disappointed:) I took both my cameras as you can get a variety of shots, one fishing boat was just leaving and I watched my favourite white fishing boat including the dog leave its mooring for a day’s fishing in near perfect conditions. The mist was still hanging low over the river but the sun was about to break from a bank of clouds making for some lovely pics once again. They looked ideal for the TV weather but once again they were not used, instead picking a dreadful HD pic of a fishing boat taken by someone else, the colours were just too much :( Still I enjoyed my time walking around the boatyard even if it was a tad on the chilly side! Once home I returned to warm up with the electric blanket and sort out my photos, I started my old laptop which is painfully slow so I actually went downstairs to get my new (secondhand) laptop which Mag has spent ages setting up and it worked like a dream, she is a star and my pics were sorted in a fraction of the time! Walk 2 – The Grove Woods, Felixstowe. Sadly the sun did not last long and it clouded over but the wind remained light but not very warm although we did manage to have a late breakfast in the back garden before both doing our exercises. I then made some yummy egg sandwiches for today’s picnic. As we were late setting off and the day was now pretty uninspiring and with Mag wanting some hazel twigs for the garden we drove to The Grove Wood for lunch in the small green, the bluebells of many colours were looking good and the wild garlic is coming. After a relaxing picnic we did a circuit of the lovely little wood before driving home via the seafront for another cuppa and Mag quickly knocking up a microwave cake with jam, we know how to live! [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/20776/squiz/Felixstowe%20Ferry%20and%20The%20Grove%20Woods Mon, 13 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20775/maker/Llanfairfechan 12th, April 2026 - Tired as foiled earlier but sand, sun and wind looked it so inviting I got 10m kite. Second time I have use it and this time was well powered. Loving it, think need to shorten back lines a bit. Cut session short as footstrap broke, otherwise lovely evening. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20775/maker/Llanfairfechan Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20774/squiz/Levington 12th, April 2026 - Sunday 12th March – Windsurf **** River Orwell at Levington – mainly sunny with one shower. Foil – 19.50 knot max, 18.27 knot ave., 11.67 knot hour, 17.26 knot mile, 28.63 km., 14.39 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 (LW) and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Tushingham Bolt 5.75 m. A good s to sw and sunshine was forecast today and sunshine, high tide was around 8 with low about 2.30 which would make it ideal for an open sea session around midday but I decided to give that a miss as the temperature is still only about 10 degrees and my hands are not brilliant so I took the easier option and headed over to Levington. I arrived at the marina fairly early around 9.15 and was pleased to see that the parking area is now mainly free of obstructions and there was still plenty of water to launch as the tide was dropping I know I would have the venue all to myself but being a Sunday the racing yachts were out starting their race in front of the marina, its always nice to sail with them:) I am giving the trailer a miss these days and am carrying my sails in the top box. The foil board was quickly set-up and as my wind meter needs a new battery I had to guess the wind strength but at a guess the onshore was gusting to 20 knots so rigged my 5.75m. I launched just after 9.30 straight into a shower, that wasn’t what I wanted as it briefly killed the wind but it quickly passed and the sun returned as did the wind and I had some cracking long runs from the corner down to Pin Mill, after about an hour and a half the wind dropped so I headed in for a snack and to take some pics of the racing yachts heading back from Felixstowe Docks to finish their race! The wind did pick up again but I decided to pack up, shower and head for home, having a lovely afternoon in our sunny back garden doing my exercises and having fruit bread with a cuppa outside with Mag who had been busy sorting out her plants, top day but I am looking forward to getting back out on the sea! [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/20774/squiz/Levington Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20773/maker/Llanfairfechan 12th, April 2026 - Maxed on 3.5m and overpowered a few times, think I need to sail even lower pressure in these strong winds as lower does help settle wing down. Only got about a third of footswaps, couldn't get comfy in gusts. Sailing a bit faster though according to GPS Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20773/maker/Llanfairfechan Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20772/maker/Llanfairfechan 11th, April 2026 - Dropping tide well onto sand so small chop for wind strength. Blustery with holes just about glided through, a surprise which direction gusts were from and how strong, offshore is rarely good here. Somehow I enjoyed it. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20772/maker/Llanfairfechan Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20771/squiz/The%20Dip-Felixstowe 10th, April 2026 - Friday 10th April - walks **** – The Dip, Felixstowe – sunny. Another wonderful Maeva Friday, we love them so much! Decided to give the early walk a miss today as having Maeva for the day is pretty full on, I managed to do my exercises in the sunny back garden, a quick breakfast while Mag went to pick Maeva up, she arrived a vision in pink including a frilly tutu:) We had fun with puzzles, Mag read after making her a tent with a blanket while I packed a picnic to have in our little campervan. Once again we headed down to our small windsurf car park at The Dip for lunch and spotted a fellow weatherwatcher walk past her her famous dog Betty! We all love spending time in the van having lunch watching the world go by as 8/9 sea kayaks paddled past, although the sun was out it was a little chilly. After a game of Hungry Hippos she made us get out for a walk, she did the usual 100m on her bike, then Mag had to carry it as we walked past her favourite beach huts, down onto the beach to collect stones and have fun with some selfie’s before returning to the van and home for biscuit time with a cuppa – great day was had by all:) [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/20771/squiz/The%20Dip-Felixstowe Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20770/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 9th, April 2026 - Thursday 9th April - walks *** – Felixstowe Ferry and prom – sunny with light winds until late afternoon. Mag set off on her early morning walk as usual, I then checked the weather and saw the wind was very light so I headed out in the van and although way after sunrise the sun was still a lovely golden colour which made a nice pic! I ended up at my favourite Felixstowe Ferry to take some nice moody photos with a touch of mist. Home to sort out my pics, breakfast followed by my exercises in a sunny, warm back garden while Mag pots some more plants and sort her much loved compost! I then packed a quick picnic and we headed down to Felixstowe pier, being a school holiday the prom was heaving, there were also loads of families on the beach. We then headed to a nice quiet spot in the Spa Gardens just past the theatre and were entertained by a robin, a pigeon, a magpie and a rat:) It was a nice relaxing time before we headed up to Tesco for a couple of cream cakes which we enjoyed with a cuppa as the weather took a turn for the worse with it clouding over, the temperature dropping and the wind picking up! Then the sky cleared and we got a nice sunset so I drove down to the dock view point to catch it:) [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/20770/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Thu, 09 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20769/maker/Llanfairfechan%20 9th, April 2026 - Took a while to get dialled in to X chop and holey wind, then went well with a few swell rides. Tried Pabs 1050 Style on his 90l and 5m wing. Felt similar get up to my 900, similar glide, better turn. Main difference was Silk dampened effects from X chop to give a smoother ride. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20769/maker/Llanfairfechan%20 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20768/squiz/Bentley%20bluebell%20woods 8th, April 2026 - Wednesday 8th April - walks ***** – Bentley bluebell woods – sunny with light winds. The good weather continues with wall to wall sunshine with temperature reaching 25 degrees away from the coast but we decided to give the early walk a miss today, having a more relaxing start! Our plan today was to drive over to Bentley to have a walk in the bluebell wood which gave me time for breakfast and do my exercises in the sunny backgarden while Mag planted out her wall baskets with tomatoes and geraniums before I packed a picnic. You turn off just past Alton water on the Brantham road taking the quiet lane to park at Bentley Old Hall Lane to walk across farmland to the woods, a mix of conifers and beech. You enter the wood right where the large patch of bluebells are, just stunning with the sun shinning through the trees, so quiet too, Mag put on her bird song app and we heard a tree creeper but sadly did not see it! We find a nice spot to sit against an old tree trunk surrounded by bluebells to enjoy our picnic, a real pinch yourself moment! Well rested we do a large circuit of the woods where a lot of tree felling is taking place! Then back to the van, now down to T-shirts in the warm weather, we then take the route back to the A 12 passing a vibrant field of yellow rape and home for a welcome cuppa with a donut we just purchased from Lidl – another top day:) [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/20768/squiz/Bentley%20bluebell%20woods Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20767/squiz/Levington 7th, April 2026 - Tuesday 7th March – Windsurf ***** River Orwell at Levington – wall to wall sunshine:). Foil – 20.20 knot max, 18.69 knot ave (year PB)., 13.21 knot hour (yeasr PB), 16.24 knot mile, 49.11 km., 14.27 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 (LW) and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Tushingham Bolt 6.5 m. Walk **** - sunrise Felixstowe prom with Mag. For the second morning running I headed down to Felixstowe seafront with my camera to catch the sunrise leaving home at 5.45 with Mag meeting me by the peir a bit later! The sky was mainly cloud free but there was some plane trails which turned red which gave a bit of interest. We then walked to The Fludyers and saw the sun appear above the horizon, we wished a young lady a Happy 18th Birthday as she was on the prom with large balloons with her Mum taking pics! Then home to sort out my pics with the electric blanket on as it was a little chilly, there was a frost inland apparently! I did get a BBC Editors pick but sadly it did not make it on the telly:( Windsurf ***** Levington. There was a good breeze from the east forecast, a few were going to Bradfield for a foil on the Stour but the wind was slow building and I could not face another long drive into Essex so after doing my exercises I decided to head over to Levington to check out the conditions especially as it is a lovely day with wall to wall sunshine. I arrived at the marina at 12.30 and had it all to myself, managing to squeeze past the pipes and park right at the end near the launch beach. There looked a good breeze coming from the left so I quickly set up my board and took a chance with my 6.5 which proved absolutely perfect and I sailed just over 30 miles in super smooth water, just me and a couple of yachts with the wind probably gusting over 20 knots! I did loads of short runs in front of the marina as I slowly beat down to the corner, a real gybe feast, doing around 50 for the session. Then when I made it to the corner I did 6 brilliant mile and a half runs down to the dock, just lovely and was pleased to get a couple of year PB’s, best average and hour! It was definatly Levington at its very best and my arms certainly ache now, I was on the water the best part of two and a half hours, pack-up, shower, drive to the far end of the marina to take some pics of an old yacht washed up in the small lagoon before heading for home for a welcome cuppa with Mag – top day:) [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/20767/squiz/Levington Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20766/squiz/Felixstowe%20and%20Orwell%20Country%20Park 6th, April 2026 - Monday 6th April - walks ***** – Sunrise Felixstowe prom and Orwell Country Park – sunny with light winds. Walk 1 – Sunrise along Felixstowe Prom. Mag woke me at 6 to say the sky was a lovely red, too late to make it down to the seafront so I snapped a couple od shots out of the back bedroom window:) I then decided to join Mag for her daily early morning walk down along the seafront, the sky was a lovely golden colour and we had just made it to the prom at 6.16 when the sun peaked above the horizon, we then continued on towards The Fludyers and for a change we had a Bank holiday with pretty much wall to wall sunshine with light winds! It was certainly the best time to be on the prom to enjoy the peace and quiet before the holiday crowds arrive! It was then home to sort my picks with a cuppa in bed, great way to start the day! Walk 2 – Orwell Counntry Park near Ipswich. I then did my exercises in the sunny, warm back garden with Mag pottering, sieving compst and sorting plants:) I then packed a picnic and we headed inland away from the crowds to Orwell Country Park near Ipswich although the car park was pretty full but you actually don’t see that many people while out walking! We started through the small section of bluebell wood but although there were a few blooms out we were a little early for here but still very lovely, spotting several squirrels along the way! We reached the River Orwell looking lovely with many blossom trees and loads of boats out on the water:) We had not had breakfast that long so walked past our usual spot opposite Stoke Sailing Club, under the Orwell Bridge to a seat we great views down the Orwell, sadly that seat was taken so we sat on the grass a little further along to enjoy another yummy chicken sandwich watching the yacthts sail under the bridge in a nice breeze! We then ambled back along the busy and noisy A 14 to the van before taking the scenic Levington road back to Felixstowe, a top Bank Holiday! [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/20766/squiz/Felixstowe%20and%20Orwell%20Country%20Park Mon, 06 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20765/maker/Llanfairfechan 5th, April 2026 - Wind dropped faster than expected so soon under, at least learned how much more the 800 needs to get flying than 900 which I should have taken. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20765/maker/Llanfairfechan Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20764/squiz/Levington 5th, April 2026 - Sunday 5th March – Windsurf **** River Orwell at Levington – sunny periods with a heavy shower. Foil – 20.08 knot max, 18.19 knot ave., 12.79 knot hour, 17.88 knot mile, 29.73 km., 14.93 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 (LW) and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Tushingham Bolt 5 m. After yesterdays nice session on the Stour the wind contined to blow, today from the WSW to W which meant I could stay local and after my exercises I headed over to Levington arriving at the marina around 10.30 and managed to squeeze past the pipes and park right by the little launch beach. There seemed loads of wind so took a chance with my 5m and there was plenty of water to launch and the 5m was pretty much ideal. There was a good swell running down the river and I had some fun in the waves, another bonus was the sunshine and the fact I had the whole river all to myself:) I then had some top long runs down to Felixstowe docks and was pleased to get a near 18 knot N/mile, in fact the session was much faster than yesterday mainly because I had a sail to match the wind strength! There was some black clouds passing over and I did get caught out in one heavy shower when the temperature dropped! The rain did make the wind patchy so I started to head back and it was particularly lumpy in front of the marina but it did smooth off near each bank which made gybing easier. I had been on the water nearly two hours so decided to call it a day, packed up and headed to the top showers, so Easter weekend ended up a top time for windsurfing on two local rivers! [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/20764/squiz/Levington Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20763/maker/Llanfairfechan 5th, April 2026 - In amongst the big x-chop and gusty wind had a few great rides on waist-swells. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20763/maker/Llanfairfechan Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:05:00 +0100