Wet Weekend.

Logged a few training sessions the past couple of weeks but the surf kicked in this weekend so all good intentions to do another longish run were hung up, along with the trainers.

Swiftly home from work on Fri. afternoon and off to beside the seaside, beside the sea. Spots up around Berwick had shown promise but an easterly swell meant that things weren't really happening at Bamburgh, so it was a toss-up between back-tracking to what I'd seen earlier or taking a chance on Embleton and the opportunity to hook up with mate Rob who I'd not seen for a bit. That I did. Which proved to be a good choice I think. Waves approaching head-high and some friendly company. Another mate, Andrew, made it along later too and we braved the intermittent squalls and snow showers to get our fix of good rides. Snow was setting in quite seriously on the way home though, by which time it had got dark, and even the A1 was getting covered.

Sunshine and whiteness for Sat. Went out in the pm. accompanied by Sarah and Fynn out for a walk and with the motive of taking photos for a seascape commission Sarah has to do. Embleton again. The swell had picked up quite a bit from Fri. evening and was pushing in with gusto. Quite a few surfers out at various spots along the coast. I managed the paddle-out along with another lad, James, but spent most of that session getting caught by big rogue sets marching in from the horizon and got numerous floggings. Only managed a couple of decent waves and rode the second of those too far in, ending up floundering around in the whitewater mush unable to get back outside again. End of story. Retreated with dignity only partly intact. However, a nice sunset spurred Sarah and I to go up to Bowden Doors when we got back and take more pics which was a good close to the day.

This morning's efforts made up for yesterdays swatting though. I made an early start and braved -9deg (!) temperature and icy roads on the way to Embleton yet again. Everything was calm, clear and crisp. The sea had settled and shoulder to head high waves were rolling in, super glassy. A much more user-friendly scenario, and one which I took advantage of for the best part of 4 hours until, I think, even parts of my brain were being burned up for energy. I reckoned that made up for missing the Sunday mileage though. Gav and Sally and then Rob all arrived to take the opportunity too and waylay me with tales of reef action at Howick yesterday. It was a great morning's surfing.