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/20978/squiz/Levington 6th, August 2026 - Thursday 6th August – Windsurf *** River Orwell at Levington – sunny periods and hot Foil – 19.42 knot max, 17.83 knot ave., 7.34 knot hour, 14.88 knot mile, 33.36 km., 13.63 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 6.50m. After a good session at The Manor in Felixstowe yesterday the wind has turned wnw today meaning a trip to Levington and with low water at 11 my plan was to head over to the marina early arriving at 8.15, Mag came so she could walk here and we took breakfast :) We parked and were greeted by an unusual site as half a dozen motor cruisers were making their way up river from Felixstowe docks. The tide was dropping so after setting up my board I placed it by the marina entrance and it looked breezy enough for my 6.5 which I rigged. I ate half my breakfast but I am not good eating early so left it for later and headed out sailing straight out of the marina entrance and was soon up and flying in a good breeze, the wnw wind is cross off meaning the best wind is probably on the corner which is where I spent a lot of the session, heading further down the river a few times but you lost the wind. Once again it turned into a gybe feast doing 45 today and not going in the river once :) It was nice to be out with several yachts from the Netherlands and Germany, also the East Anglian dinghies were also out taking kids for a trip on the River! I had no trouble making it back upwind even during the lulls when I couldn’t get flying and I did quite a lot of tacking as the runs were short. I had been out well over two hours so I decided to call it a day and flow in up the marina channel with the tide probably at its lowest just as Mag got back from her 4 mile walk up and around Levington Creek. I finished my breakfast then walked for a shower before having a cuppa with Mag with some yummy Lidl bread sticks before packing up and heading for home! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20978/squiz/Levington Thu, 06 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20977/maker/Penmaenmawr 6th, August 2026 - Light wind so pleased I could get going at all, and in the end only coming in with swells. A few nice rides though dropping gybes in lulls and chop. Pen has bigger swells over sandbanks and chop than I used to in such light winds. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20977/maker/Penmaenmawr Thu, 06 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20976/squiz/The%20Manor%20at%20Felixsrtowe 5th, August 2026 - Wednesday 5th August – Windsurf **** The Manor at Felixstowe – sunny periods and hot Foil – 18.49 knot max, 17.16 knot ave., 13.00 knot hour, 16.63 knot mile, 46.33 km., 13.41 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 5.75m. With a moderate breeze from the wsw forecast today I decided to head down to Squiz Lane at The Manor arriving around 8.15 taking Mag with me for her second prom walk of the day! After saying goodbye to Mag as she set off for home I quickly set up my foil board and took a chance with my 5.75m which proved ideal for most of the session. I was on the water at nine to make the most of the 10 o clock low water and did several long runs out to just beyond the Wadgate post, not much sun with some cool dark clouds, even had a few spots of rain and had the whole area to myself as no one else turned up to play although one went out at The Fludyers just up the coast I believe. I had one cracking near three mile broad run up the coast then spent the rest of the session beating back:) The Wadgate break was just visable at times with some nice smooth water to play in and gybing went OK today not falling in once. With the wind going patchy I decided to call it a day sailing over 28 miles, one more run I I would have broken 30 miles but at least I got ashore before the wind went completely off but that would not have been a problem as I have foiled here in a westerly before! There was some top black clouds rolling in which looked great when the sun broke through, so a good session at The Manor with WSW being my favourite direction for this spot and I could foil right to the beach despite it being a fraction off! I was home for 12.30 to send a few pics to the TV weather, a snack in the garden before doing my exercises! PS - I drove down to Felixstowe Ferry to watch a lovely sunset:) [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20976/squiz/The%20Manor%20at%20Felixsrtowe Wed, 05 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20975/maker/Llanfairfechan%20 5th, August 2026 - Some good swell-rides in amongst the chop and gusty wind. First time with 750 for a while, took a while to get used to again Chilly for August. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20975/maker/Llanfairfechan%20 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20974/justal/Ynyslas 5th, August 2026 - Loverly! Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20974/justal/Ynyslas Wed, 05 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20973/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe 4th, August 2026 - Tuesday 4th August - walks ** – Around Felixstowe – sunny periods and hot. Woke to a hazy morning and very dewy, must be the only moisture plants are getting these days as it hasn’t rained for at least a month now! So I had a quick drive down to my favourite Felixstowe for a walk around the boatyard to take a few pics of the boat reflections as the breeze was very light and very nice it was too:) No real plans for today although the breeze was supposed to build during the afternoon but with high tide just before 4 it was not ideal for windsurfing in Felixstowe so after having a late breakfast in the garden with Mag I did my exercises and pretty warm it was too! The breeze did build a little so I decided to drive down to Squiz Lane at The Manor end not expecting to be able to park on a sunny, hot day and I was right but I sat and waited and was lucky enough to get the prime position when someone left. I took my wind gauge to the busy beach but it was only about 11 mph, I had my snacks and did a short walk to take a few pics and with no sign of the wind increasing I decided to head for home and meet Mag at our old friend Mary for a cuppa and chat walking home together. The wind did pick up, gusting to 25 knots just after 5 but that too late in the day for me to be bothered especially as its going to be breezy for the next couple of days! PS - just got a BBC editors pick my first since 16th July but sadly it did not make it onto the telly:( [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 2 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20973/squiz/Around%20Felixstowe Tue, 04 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20972/maker/Llanfairfechan 4th, August 2026 - Nice to has SWish winds back. Dropping as rigged but enough for in gusts. Came back for some small swell-rides. Nice day. 8 wingers plus 2 wangers enjoying the nice sea. Back on the 950, comfier to sail and wondered if 1000 would have got up in lighter airs. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20972/maker/Llanfairfechan Tue, 04 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20971/squiz/The%20Dip%20at%20Felixstowe 3rd, August 2026 - Monday 3rd August – Windsurf * The Dip at Felixstowe – sunny and hot Foil – 16.52 knot max, 10.41 knot ave., 1.29 knot hour, 9.50 knot mile, 10.40 km., 5.26 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 5.75m. After yesterdays epic windsurf at Wrabness I couldn’t face another 50 mile drive so headed down to The Dip here in Felixstowe at 8.30 hoping for the wind to play ball! It looked promising when I arrived with enough wind to tempt me out with a 5.75m which sadly was nowhere near enough, my 6.5 would have too sail as well and I was not keen to take my 8.2 out on the sea as it was quite lumpy with the wind from the east. I did have one nice long foiling run but could not get going again so after a few floundering runs I decided to head for home to do my exercises in the sunny back garden and sods law the wind did build probably more than forecast so I missed a good session on the Stour I expect but with the tide coming in I would be short of beach at The Dip, can’t win them all! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 1 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20971/squiz/The%20Dip%20at%20Felixstowe Mon, 03 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20970/squiz/Wrabness%20 2nd, August 2026 - Sunday 2nd August – Windsurf ***** The Stour at Wrabness – sunny and hot Foil – 19.07 knot max, 17.68 knot ave., 13.36 knot hour, 16.18 knot mile, 54.37 km., 12.62 knot alpha. Starboard Freeride 150 and a Sailworks Flyer 8.2m. I had not got any plan for today as the wind was supposed to pick up in the afternoon which coincided with high tide at The Dip! I was going to give heading out early to take some weather pics especially as my face doesn’t fit at the moment but Mag came home from her early morning prom walk saying it was really foggy so I had a quick drive down to Felixstowe Ferry to snap a few shoots and very nice it was too :) I came home and sorted out my pics before getting up to have breakfast in the sunny back garden with Mag after asking a couple of mates if they were heading over to the Stour, one said yes and despite of a marginal forecast I decided to give it a try, it would give me a chance to try out me new 8.2 sail! We had enough time to trim the ivy and roses on the front of our garage, load the van with my windsurfing kit and pack lunch before leaving Felixstowe at 12.15. Being a sunny Sunday in August the limited parking at Wall Lane in Wrabness was full so I parked in the turning circle at the end which Mag was not happy about. I set up my foil board and took it took the beach, the tide was already pretty high and the wind and looked marginal so I set-up my new Sailwoks Flyer 8.2, a twin cam sail that was easy to rig. I didn’t bother with my shortie and put on my rash vest with neoprene shorts, I was ready to set off when two people returned to leave so I managed to park at the end which pleased Mag! I then launched, the big sail was not too bad to up-haul but I had to use my heavy carbon slalom boom which has a thick diameter which my old hands were not keen on! The wind was light as I set off across the River Stour but I managed to get up flying and to be honest I didn’t look back, hardly coming off the foil, only when tacking which I did alot today as I had long beat back from Mistley, gybing too is harder with a big rig and you have to heave the sail to get the cambers to switch but all in all I really enjoyed the sail especially as the wind filled in to at least 15 knots! I quickly sailed downwind past Bradfield were several were sailing from and continued down to Mistley Quay in time to see a small coaster about to dock! There was also several dinghies out racing as there was a regatta at Manningtree! It was a lovely beat back doing long runs across the river, I made it to Holbrook bay where I did my last runs before calling it a day as the tide was now dropping! I had been on the water over two hours covering over 33 miles, so I came ashore and had a late lunch in the van and hear about Mags day, she had walked to the nature reserve and picked some blackberries before dozing and reading in the van, so a top day all round with the Stour at its best! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10237229307404899]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20970/squiz/Wrabness%20 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20969/maker/Llanfairfechan 1st, August 2026 - Good range of conditions to test big foil. Very light to start and could only get going coming in with swells. After big lull ashore sea grew large chop which was manageable but uncomfortable. On inshore sections without cross chop foil was fine. Got a few tips on toeside riding which was better. So, think foil will be good for gliding in good F4 as long as not too choppy Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20969/maker/Llanfairfechan Sat, 01 Aug 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20968/squiz/Felixstowe%20and%20Levington 31st, July 2026 - Friday 31st July - walks **** – Felixstowe and Levington – sunny periods and hot. Walk 1 – early prom walk. Being Maeva Friday and we don’t usually walk far with her I decided to join Mag on her early morning prom walk leaving home just before 6 as the sun was just breaking through the cloud! It was lovely down on the prom as we turned left and headed towards The Fludyers and actually made it all the way to Jacobs Ladder being quite a pleasant temperature to walk in, nice sunshine with a light breeze! Back home to send a few pics to the TV weather although I haven’t had one on lately :( Walk 2 – Levington Marina to Loompit Lake with Maeva. We had enough time to have breakfast in the garden followed by my exercises and I packed today’s picnic while Mag went to pick up Meava who was fit again and full of it, a real joy to be with! We had loads of fun painting pebbles and playing tunes on the floor piano before we got in the van with half the toys from our playroom we headed over to Levington Marina to park by the Orwell for today’s picnic in the van, Maevas favourite and it had clouded over with the odd glimpse of sun and the breeze had picked up from the east. We had a brilliant time in the van with Maeva eating loads of lunch before playing for ages with paper and pens. It was then walk time, well walk for us as her ladyship went in the buggy with strict instructions not to go on the beach as she didn’t want to get sand in her shoes, what a drama Queen she is! We reached Loompit Lake and I don’t think I have ever seen so many swans. We did get Maeva down on the beach but she would not get out of the buggy and we had to pull her in damp sand as the tide had just turned to the large piece of driftwood for photo time before the walk back home via The Dip to check the conditions. Home for a welcome cuppa with a few epsodes of Peppa Pig before taking her home, another top Friday! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10236846437953402]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20968/squiz/Felixstowe%20and%20Levington Fri, 31 Jul 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20967/maker/Llanfairfechan%20 31st, July 2026 - Wind up and down so good to try 1000 foil. Standing more over board helped stability and+0.5 Deg shim tamed take off and smoother flying. Got some glides on small swells too, so pleased. Pumping board more than wing helped in lightest winds. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20967/maker/Llanfairfechan%20 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20966/squiz/Newbourne%20Springs%20 30th, July 2026 - Thursday 30th July - walk *** – Newbourne Springs – sunny periods and hot. I passed on the early morning walk today as Mag headed down to Felixstowe prom, the wind was supposed to be light today so had a relaxing start to the day, breakfast and exercises in the sunny back garden before making a picnic. It wasn’t until we got in the van around one that there was a good breeze, certainly enough to foil but it was approaching high water so I couldn’t sail at The Dip and probably could not part at the Manor so was not bothered. Being another hot day despite it clouding over now so I decided to drive over to Newbourne Springs Nature Reserve so a walk and picnic in the shady woods! It is pleasant to follow the clear springs through the woods and stopping at a seat on the far side of the reserve with a bed of reeds in front for a yummy picnic. We then continued to the Newbourne Fox to admire the amazing hanging baskets and back to the van. We took the scenic route via Waldringfield with one eye open for a combine, sadly none, we stopped to look at the pigs before heading back to Trimley. As usual I take the Gulpher Road home, first to see if the field I saw being harvested earlier and secondly to check out the windsurfing conditions at The Dip. Sadly due to the drought, we haven’t had any meaningful rain for a month now there was a small fire in the middle of the field I watched being cut with one fire engine on site dealing with it, so I stopped off the road and took a few pics with my long lens and at no point was I in the way as the road was still open and all the emergency vehicles were parked in the middle of the field, we are in desperate need of rain now and there is a major incident at Dunwich with a huge heath land fire which is very sad:( Then home for a welcome cuppa, hopefully it is getting a little cooler now and we can have some fun once again with Maeva as we didn’t get to see her last week! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10236846437953402]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20966/squiz/Newbourne%20Springs%20 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20965/squiz/The%20Dip%20to%20Felixstowe%20Ferry 29th, July 2026 - Wednesday 29th July - walk **** – The Dip to Felixstowe Ferry – sunny and hot. The hottest day of the week was wall to wall sunshine with for most of the day a light breeze, it did pick up late afternoon but it was too late to tempt me out and only looked marginal on the webcam but I have treated myself to a lightwind 8.2 Sailworks Flyer foil sail to help on those light days! Mag and I decided just to make a flask with a snack for this morning’s early walk and we parked at The Dip at 7.30 and it was already pretty hot, we should have come much earlier! It was quite busy as we made our way to Felixstowe Ferry with the light breeze just enough for small ripples as the sun sparkled off the sea, it was lovely! Our plan was to sit on the bench near the jetty but the tanker had just arrived to fill the boats diesel tank so we returned to the bench where Gillian from the BBC weather did the interview with me for our cuppa and had a relaxing half hour before starting the return journey, a little better with the slight breeze in our faces. Then home to sort out my pics, have breakfast outside before doing my exercises, I had to come indoors in the end as my yoga mat got too hot to stand on! Then at 12.30 Sue our lovely hairdresser arrived to perm Mag and give me a trim and we had the usual lovely time! Then some crackers and fruit bread for a late lunch before dozing off on the settee watching crap on Youtube! [url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10236846437953402]Photo Album here[/url] Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20965/squiz/The%20Dip%20to%20Felixstowe%20Ferry Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:05:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20964/maker/Llanfairfechan 29th, July 2026 - Very gusty so good day to try new foil in range of wind strengths. Gets up in light winds (main attribute I was after), turns much better than expected for a spanny foil, and does not feel draggy. Less pitch stable than expected but might be I had smaller stab than recommended and I will get used to it. Good first outing. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php/view_entry/20964/maker/Llanfairfechan Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:05:00 +0100