COLD CORNER SURF

Early one morning last week.

It was cold, a moderate E/NE wind adding a bitter slice into the air. This probably went some way to discouraging a lot of people from going in the water, the spoils went to those who ventured out. It's good to get a couple of keepers under the belt, they help you through the hours it then takes to regain body warmth throughout the day.

PYZEL SURFBOARD SPRAY (SHORT REEL)

It's been a sleepy start with surfboards in 2024.

The spray-jobs so far have been straight forward, unremarkable truth be told. Single colour all over, single colour deck and rails, single colour rails...you see where I'm going with this. All good with me, much needed bread & butter work, but of little interest or note to bang a drum about.

This week I sprayed black rails on a freshly glassed stock Pyzel surfboard. In itself not headline news, but I wanted to get the 2024 surfboard year and my sprays kickstarted. This stock board had been lurking around the factory without urgency for being finished, so now was as good a time as any to get it done and in the racks.

It had the paint-drag put on the foam way back in June last year, so to complete it and frame the colourful paint-drag to help it 'pop', black rails seemed fitting.

CLOSED FOR WINTER

My daily morning bike ride to Fistral Beach or the Headland, takes me past Towan Beach, and then further on through town.

Along with exercise, fresh air and light, there is the addition of seeing more of Newquay and its winter rhythm. As most of my outings are in the morning I see the town wake up – the late sunrise of each winter day slowly trickling welcome light over the quiet streets.    

When I say I'm enjoying winter, I can hear how strange it sounds in my own head. What da, who da, how da!?

This outlook is novel to me, and I sense at any given moment it may disappear without notice. So while it lasts, and I make it through each day without the usual muttering 'winter sucks' at any downpour, frost or long hours of dark, I continue to remain chipper.

So before I get to Fistral and the open view across the Atlantic, I see and hear a handful of shop shutters creakily rise among the many closed for winter shops.

MORNING TIME AROUND NEWQUAY

At long last some sunshine! However, below are some photographs from the previous week, in which there was plenty of rain.

Excerpt from monthly sleeplessink.com bulletin:

WET WET WET

Carrying on from last months bulletin, there is still a bike ride each morning. And yes, I have been pissed on a few times. The saying ‘no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’ is softly repeated to muster up enthusiasm before heading out. The expression is sustained as I pull on waterproof trousers and zip up my jacket, preparing to duel with the weather. But when the water has funnelled its way into the gaps, and the sound of rain pelting the jacket hood has amplified to a volume that drowns the mantra out, it’s time to go home.

The camera doesn’t like it either.

Still, I continue to benefit from the effort each day.

The route varies but I seem to get pulled towards Towan Beach most times. Whatever route is taken, I always make a point of seeing the ocean – to look out to sea has always, and I trust will always, captivate me.

Storms trundle over Cornwall at this time of year, with coastline headlands taking the brunt. Howling winds drive sea spray and rain around the cliffs, rocks and exposed grassy hillocks, leaving only the most committed to taking a walk.

Sometimes this is the chosen option. It works well to enliven dull, settled brain cells, like the flurry of snowflakes in a vigorously shaken snow globe.

Towan Beach, Newquay, is central and sheltered, so I usually pass it before branching off in another direction. Being shielded from many wind directions (but not the dreaded northerlies), means this place attracts most of Newquay’s shoreline activity during winter, and the harbour is a stone’s throw for further protection if the conditions really close in.

Each day, without fail, a number of cold water swimmers gather and enjoy morning dips. The thrill can be heard from a distance, the buzz provides a warmth on the coldest days.

So now 2024 is underway and already, with my morning bike rides and camera, there is an accumulation of photos from around Newquay, Cornwall, in the mornings. This is different then my approach of taking pictures over the past few years. Because there are other reasons for my morning outings; exercise, getting natural light in the depth of winter, I find myself cycling, stopping, and getting a shot before moving on. In previous years I would set out on foot for hours on end, with the prime intention of getting photographs.

I like the way things are going, and of course there is no right or wrong, just an alternative approach to be enjoyed.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, here we go! 2024.

So just like that, another year passes by, and with the blink of an eye, a new one is underway. I say with 'the blink of an eye', that is if you were awake when the clock chimed 12 midnight. If not, it was just a matter of waking up the next year.

I was up, but not out out. Safely at home there was a hug, a drink and then bed. I'm not going to divulge any numbers, but I have been in plenty of new years eve endurance celebrations, so staying in was just fine with me. This also added a welcome fresh start, not just to the next day, but the year...and this is still a novelty to me.

The hour struck midnight and the firework display in town could be heard, which lent to some idea of the event. Not being there squashed the chance of getting any photographs of the night, so this photo was found from some time ago. My attempt to having a visual to say:

 HAPPY NEW YEAR