Lemnos

Arriving in 'moderate' winds (according to the pilot), we emerged into the baking heat of Lemnos and six days of force 7 to 8 screaming banshee winds, that put paid to our early plans on the water. The girls launched straight into tennis coaching, enjoying skills improvements every day, with Claudia reaching the finals at the end of week one and Claire the semifinals at the end of week two. Jerry and Simo got out bikes, exploring the local area and we collectively joined in all of the alternative activities put on by the excellent resort staff. Luckily, the calories required to sustain the level of activities was reasonably close to the calories consumed through three cooked meals a day. We could still get in most of our clothes at the end of the fortnight. Simo, went from beginner windsurfer to being signed off at RYA intermediate non-planing level in the second week, which was fantastic progress. Jerry also managed to get in the foot straps for some good blasts across the bay. The Watersports-fest video captures some of the best bits. 

Claire at her SUP clinic

Jerry on a mission

At the end of the holiday, Simo picked up the most improved wakeboarder citation and enjoyed 250 people singing happy birthday to him at the awards ceremony. Claire got out paddle boarding, crewed the catamaran and also had a couple of runs on the front of the tandem windsurfer. Claudia fed the fish from a kayak, tried lots of new foods and wore out her right arm tennis serving.

As ever, the boys invented new crossover watersports such as SUP towing from a catamaran. It was a katapliktikó (amazing) holiday where we relaxed as hard as we liked. The Relaxing Video is here. 

Our bay from the radio masts

Claire winning the crisp balancing comp

Simo blow drying his hair

 Claire crewing the 'cat'

 Jerry in deep water where the sky and sea merge in a blue haze

The Simpsons enjoying the bikes

Sunset over Mount Atos

Jerry having a blast

Winter's Leap

Tim took me to the amazing climbs upstream from Chepstow, with the (now) tidal Wye flowing beneath us as we set up on two pitches over the river. Despite the adverse forecast we were in shorts all day, taking in some tricky overhangs, lunching on the cliffs and fitting in a sketch too. To finish, Tim 'sports' climbed a route in the rain in the quarry, roping as he went. Awesome day!

Chasing Waterfalls

Dave and Liz took us on the Brecon Beacons 'Waterfall Walk' on a cold and damp Welsh day. Fighting off the midges whenever we stood still, we enjoyed a clamber alongside the peaty coloured river, past various magnificent cascades. 

We watched birds skimming the surfaces as they caught insects and enjoyed the lush colours of the ferns, leaves and pebbles, polished by the water. Walking behind the 'curtain' falls was amazing. The terrific day just got better, with supper at The Blakeman's and an end to the 4 day Diamond Jubilee. 

Windy Westward

With the offshore breeze building, we got in quick and ripped up a few sets before it became a full-blown hurricane. Jerry suffered multiple near misses (on the head) from his board as he attempted ridiculous peak dismounts. Everybody tried everybody else's ride and the best bits were captured by the new tour camerman: Go-Pro footage by Mr Simpson.