We booked flights, vehicles and accommodation at Geraldton for a kitesurfing trip. Six people came from Victoria (Dan, Mike, Garry, Tony, Anthony, Lee, Taz and myself) are three were WA locals (Gaz, Adam, Neil). The out-of-season heatwave with very strong hot easterly winds over Perth and up as far as Geraldton (our planned destination) resulted in a very poor wind forecast for Geraldton so we changed our location to South West WA where the wind forecast was much better. Day 1. Kitesurfing Augusta WA in surf and flatwater We drove to Augusta, arriving mid afternoon and setup for kiting.  ..read more

Session 575, 576A &B.  The wind was stronger at 30+ knots and with some North in it so we headed to Albany to check out suitable locations. First stop was Middleton Beach. The wind was over 30 knots and onshore with waves closing out. Nobody was keen. Second stop was Vancouver Beach. It was a hike out over sand flats and the wind direction was not good either.   Third stop was Goode Beach with similar conditions to Middleton Beach.  Too much wind! Christian from Kitebud was in the area and tipped us off about the Albany Shoal Bay Kite spot so we headed t ..read more

Session 573 & 574 at Parry Beach.  We drove to Ocean Beach first. The entrance to Wilson Inlet was flowing out fast and the wind was not getting into the launch zone.  Mike and Leigh kited there yesterday and said the launch was sketchy.   We then visited Hillier Beach - a lovely beach with a dramatic backdrop but there is a lot of reef in the shallows and the wind direction was not good. We headed for Parry Beach again where the wind was good.  We drove further along the beach to start kitesurfing. The full crew were on the water so it was busy at tim ..read more

Two excellent kitesurfing sessions today at Parry Beach.  There is ramp down to the beach and its allowed to drive on the beach. We headed along to near the inlet mouth, parked on the beach and setup for kiting in a good wind. The waves were a good size but not consistent size.  The wind was strong for my 8m kite, I could have used my 6 that I left at home. Memo to self: always bring a good quiver irrespective of forecasts! Kiting up inside the reef and boulders at the West end of the beach was interesting. The WA crew jointed us around midday and things got b ..read more

Session 570. The first session of our kitesurfing trip to Western Australia. The out-of-season heatwave with very strong hot easterly winds over Perth and up as far as Geraldton (our planned destination) resulted in a very poor wind forecast for Geraldton so we changed our location to South West WA where the wind forecast was much better. The most of the Vic crew assembled at Perth airport - Anthony, Mike, Garry, Tony, Tarren and myself - then drove from to near Bunbury to meet the Gaz and Adam from the WA crew. Leigh and Dan arrived later and headed directly to Denmark WA.  We drove to ..read more

Session 569. The wind and weather was good for a downwinder so we took the opportunity to kitesurf from Frankston to Mentone and weren't disappointed. The bay surf was good, the sun was shining and the wind was solid ..read more

Strong wind and good bay surf  ..read more

I drove Guy to Estavayer-le-Lac where he was opening and presenting at a conference. Five chaps blowing Swiss horns was quite a sight and sound. I took the opportunity to look around the town. I first stopped at a Migros supermarket from some yoghurt, coffee and Toblerone chocolate. I then walked to the fantastic very well preserved 12C Château de Chenaux. I walked the ramparts and climbed the Keep for excellent views across Lake de Neuchâtel. The building is used by the police and other local authorities. I walked through the mediaeval streets of the town down to the harbour and watched two ..read more

 The final day of our  tour across the Pyrenees. I was good to go after a big breakfast and our rest day yesterday. I got goiing just after 7 into the cool morning. Afeter a pleasant ride down the valley to long easy climb to the Col du Fortou started, entering dry forest and passing trhrough a mountain village,, The read was very quiet. There were good views back to the Pyrenees from the top, The descent was very rough and slow on a narrow road, then the panorama across the plains looking to Perpignan was revealed. I stopped for a coffee and Orangina to Au Pain Gourmand in Forbes wh ..read more

On the road  at 8:45 after a hearty breakfast the Chalet Hotel.  It was cool but not cold, The climb up Col de Pailhères started right from the hotel so I warmed up quickly. Lungs still a bit sore in the cold air after Covid.   Phil passed me first, then Greg & Mike, the George.  I was riding tempo with my heart rate at 130-135.   John caught up to me and we rode together for a while until he eased away on the final climb up ot 2,001 m for great views across the Pyrenees including a distant high peak with some snow. The descent was fast but horses ..read more