The NEW 2012 FT Blog

This Blog will remain for posterity but will forever be stuck in 2011. If you want new and exciting 2012 ramblings and repartee, you'll need to click here.

Last Ride of 2011

A pleasant run over the hills, taking in a few more technical sections set us both up for an evening of seasonal overindulgence. The bikes are looking more knackered than the riders now - something we are quite proud of!

Christmas Surf

The Christmas Surf was better than expected, with some decent sets providing dunkings and entertainment galore. Will and Jerry were familiarising themselves with new boards in the mayhem that ensues when double overhead winter waves provide the perfect post-feasting launch pad for full-speed fun and frolicks. The new Go-Pro refused to work so we made our first surf film with no surfing in it. 

Meanwhile, Grandad was enjoying a lovely Girls day out on Exmoor:

Christmas 2011

We warmed up for  two days of Christmas over indulgence at home, then sped South in time for a lunchtime feast at The Simpson's, followed by presents and Wii fun. On Boxing day we moved our eating operation to The Ebert's, where we piled into more Turkey and trimmings and did more present-ing and Wii-ing. We really enjoyed it all!

What We Wore When The Boat Went Down

Jenny cracked the BIG 5 0 and invited her pals to celebrate. The evening went well, right up the moment we hit the iceberg. Thanks to Mr Simo for loan of his RM blues and to Steve and Jenny for a great birthday evening!

Cowley

On a crsip winter's morning, with snow still lying in shady corners, we burned off Chris' excellent supper with a run across to Cowley.

Cathedral Carols

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas... wrapped up well, we met up with friends for a great evening in the most amazing building, all lit up and decorated. The Gospel choir were fantastic.

Roman Villa

A bike trip past Witcombe Reservoir led up to Roman villa ruins, then a climb through the woods. Deep mud and a snapped chain made things more interesting - a thoroughly enjoyable morning. Ta Tim. 

A Walk On The Wild Side

 On the first properly cold day of the winter, we walked the hill fort, among the Belted Galloway cattle. Dressed to blend in, Claire is confirmed as the one on the right.

Boys Bike Ride

Luring the younger males out with promises of snack bars at altitude, we 'brought it' on a full-on morning of climbs, tricky bits and descents to make your arms ache. Thanks Turtons for leading the way on all the dangerous parts!

Worcester

The opportunity to seek out beers with rude names in the Victorian Market in Worcester was too good to miss. We navigated the ancient streets and returned triumphant with Christmas gifts galore. 

Late Afternoon Walk

Last Autumn Ride?

With the leaves finally falling and making the climbs slippy, Tim & J stayed local for a cardio-vascular workout to blow away the cobwebs.

Daymer Bay

Another fine and mild weekend saw us in T shirts on Daymer Beach in late November. We went on to reccie Falmouth over the next few days, as a prospective re-location destination. 

Wow! Westward

With the MagicLieWeed giving 4 stars we grabbed a couple of hours sleep and set off in the dark to arrive beachside for breakfast at high tide. A massive effort was required to clear the whitewater, except for Simo who  powered through an easy section (see below picture)! 

With Josh out on his new aircraft carrier and Fin ripping up the beach, it was 'help yourself' time outback. With steady overhead sets and the occasional one and a half set, the boys pushed hard through the offshore wind to takeoff and land some great rides. The prize for noisiest rider went to Simo, who whooped his way through the morning. Jerry favoured lefts, Luke rights and Josh just charged for the beach. By concensus: Our best day at The Ho! all year. 

In the afternoon, we plugged in on site and then dropped down to the rock reef breaks West of Abbotsham. A small hard-core of guys were waiting for the incoming tide before dancing between the boulders on a long left break. 

We slept like logs despite a gale blowing all night. After a leisurely full English, we caught the tail of the Remembrance Day service at Bideford before heading back. A really great weekend. 

Walk Bike Climb

We enjoyed a walk locally on a warm November Sunday. Claire just had to paddle in her wellies.

After lunch J & Tim headed upwards on their bikes to traverse at low level the sun-warmed sandstone above the town. 

Canon Steve

After putting up the new 'Kingdom Hall' (shed) at Steve's, we were treated to supper, with the obligatory firing of the Guy Fawlkes canon between pudding and coffee. The echos were still reverberating around the normally quiet community some hours later. Lucky really that Steve had only loaded a half charge!

Phenomenal Friday

A day of thunder at the Ho! captured beautifully on the Turtino Blog. We never actually got the camera out because we were too tired trying to push through the white walls of water hitting the beach. Having eventually made it out-back, Jerry bottled it a couple of times as he paddled into the face of 15 footers (which with the 'standing up' height makes them feel like 20 foot walls of water). An excellent male-bonding session though, with everyone returning safely, including missing a massive pile up northbound on the M5 in horrible road conditions.  

A Walk In The Park

 We met up with the Eberts for a walk in the park on Sunday.

Zoe at 21

Somehow another godchild has snuck through 21 years: Zoe graciously returned to Mum and Dad to enjoy her party with friends and family. A great excuse to update the older generation's dance moves - thanks for all the tips girls. 

Grandma FT

On a beautiful sunny Friday in Sidmouth, all the FTs were able to share lunch at The Victoria with Grandma.

Hockey

Hannah was in action at Newent on another sunny October Saturday.

Porpoises & Paddleboards

A mid-October scorcher, on a weekend, combined with rideable waves was too good to pass up. Arriving at The Ho on a falling tide, Hannah joined us for her first go at stand-up surfing. Tim and Chris also came to make the most of a beautiful day. In 1-3 foot swell Hannah impressed us by staying vertical brilliantly. The morning session ended with 20+ minutes when a porpoise mother and calf gracefully swam near us as we chilled out-back. After lunch, Tim and Jerry decided to have a board shorts session (on the 15th of October!!). Simo turned up with his new 8'6" SUP and proceeded to rip up the increasingly large waves, while Mr Grills put all of his 2011 experience together in a fine display of watermanship, with some lovely long right handers across shoulder high faces. We stayed overnight locally and enjoyed a walk on Sunday morning and then meeting lots of Simo's friends before heading back to see all the relatives at Taunton and 'Rio' the 12 week old collie. A superb weekend.

Corsica

Check out 'our' plane: 1 x 737, 6 x passengers! (Arranged specially for Nigel's birthday). After a short hop south we picked up our 'Scenic' and carefully drove into Calvi on a beautiful morning, collecting essentials like cheese and wine. Our villa was superb, with views out across the bay, with the mountains beyond. Mon: Around the Golfe De Calvi to Lumio and down to the beach below. With cool beer at £4 a small bottle, we opted for a crate on the way home.

Tue: We took off early with a picnic around the coast road hairpins, South to Galeria. Lunch overlooking a white sand beach and then back through the interior valleys over the Col de Porcarello. We walked around the citadel in the afternoon.

Weds: Short walk along the cobbled streets to buy lunch, then to Baie d'Algajo, a wonderful little beach with azur water and white granite rocks. Dinner at U Minellu of small crustaceans in an amazing sauce, accompanied by awful accordian playing! Thurs: Finally having worked out the airconditioning, we had a lovely sleep to preceed a tour of the mountain villages. We enjoyed dangerous ravines, coffee with a view,coffee shop owner with an attitude, red kites with altitude, followed by a flop on the white sand near L'ille Rousse. Fri: Pool, beach, kiteboarders.

Sat: More lazing on the local beaches. We captured The Island Of Beauty in pictures ahead of our drive across the high bits to Bastia for the flights home. As ever, we made a film of the week.

Oxford

Collecting Grandma from her Uni weekend, the girls posed under the spires.

Aussie Hannah Returns

Loaded with pictures, memories, experiences, new friend's contacts and tacky gifts, Hannah returned to the Northern hemisphere. Our quiet 3 months is well and truly over. Great to see her though.  

Tom's 21st

Godchild number 1 reached the big 21, calling for a 'surprise' party at Knowle, a few tales told and old friends to  meet. Now running his own company and his own car, we felt our work was done! Congratulations Tom!!