Ian, Tom and I decided to take on the three peaks challenge over the bank holiday weekend. We thought doing the 24 hour challenge would be pushing it with just three of us, so we took our time and climbed one mountain per day!

We climbed Ben Nevis first, taking the back route up the arete and had some fantastic views when the clouds parted.



Base Camp in the Lake District, day 1



Ian on the side of Ben Nevis



On the side of the arete



The views were fantastic!  :oP




The clouds did part occasionally



The top of Ben Nevis


Scafel Pike



This is near the top of Scafell Pike, we started near the lake.



The top of Scafell




Snowdon was the most pleasant climb



And the top of the final mountain! Hurrah!

    We decided to go on a bit of a roadtrip to South Wales and explore the beauty that is the Gower Peninsula.
Not much wind but good times, with some beer and a relaxed camping weekend!



Another crowded beach!



Catching a wave



Dave goes out

A festival. With beer?
Can't say no to that.

Kim and I went to the CAMRA beer festival at Earl's Court along with Adam, Gary, Lloyd and Holly.
Naturally we tasted some samples and got into the spirit of things  ;O)



Kim and Holly


Lloyd tastes some simple fare



Holly and Adam

Almost forgot to post this

I'm not quite ready for the world title yet :D

Once again we hired a boat at the Princes club
Great fun :O)

The weekend wind forecast was looking pants but Adam posted on kiteboarder that he though it might be windy at 5am in Hayling Island and was looking for partners in crime for a dawn raid.
I didn't need to be asked twice!

So we left at 3am, arrived at Hayling at 5am and had 5 hours of glorious kiting before the wind finally died!

I decided to make full use of the cable park (I am a member after all) and hire a wakeboarding boat for 15 minutes. Wow, it's a lot more tiring than the cable, especially since you don't get a rest during that 15 minutes, unless you fall off of course.
Great fun, Kim enjoyed riding in the boat despite me making her take some photos and video. :D

I'm definitely going to make this a regular occurance.





Hacking at the wake


"Resting"


Another run

The London Kitesurfers have been meeting every Wednesday after work for a session at the cable park. Ollie just sent me this video link which is hilarious in my opinion.
(I get a brief appearance, look for the idiot in the silver helmet and white/red boardies)

Just got back from trying my new kites at Hayling island. This was the first time I'd been to this spot and it rocks!
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. One of the best spots I've ever been to.

Big waves at high tide, then a sand bank becomes exposed at mid to low tide so you get a big area of totally flat water.
Everything you might want in just the one day at the same spot. Amazing.

I was too busy enjoying myself to take photos, but next time I'm down.....

Oh, and the new kites are fantastic, it feels great to be back on classic kites again. No depower, lot's of fun.  :o)

Well, sorry it's taken so long for an update. I will do better in the future! I've mostly been wakeboarding and waiting for my new kites to arrive. They're coming in from Cyprus and it's taking a lot longer than I hoped!

Since I last posted, Kim's Dad and sister have been over for a wedding in Wales (that we all went to). The wedding was good fun and I managed to embarrass myself on the dance floor, again.

We've also been to watch the UK National Cable championships at my local cable park. Unsurprisingly, it was the local riders who dominated the event! I took a few photos