Icecream Headache Anyone?

Ric took me on a mission today to gear up for the new surf season. My aging Body Glove 3n2 had worn so thin that I could feel the wind through the sleeves and while I dearly love the mal which I have ridden since the '70s, its lack of a leg rope was a definite inhibitor to meaningful sessions. As I get a bit older, the swim back to shore after wiping out on the first wave tends to be a feat which can be only repeated so many times before I feel the need to beat a tactical retreat to the shore.
We battled the road works to visit Exit in Ferrymead and I am glad we did. I picked up an Xcel 5n4 for under half price. After I worked out how to get my feet through the very tight legs, it fit perfectly and is very toasty, just the thing for early Spring.

We then went back to Outer Island in New Brighton, where they were having their final day's trading. It was a day to mark the passing of one of our local icons, having traded from the same site in New Brighton (firstly as Gracie's) for longer than I can remember. So it was great to buy a board from Alan Cockburn and talk to him about his retirement, hopefully I will see him out the back one day on his 10 footer. So what did I get? A 9'1" X 23" 6 oz glass Na Papa board for about half price. It has a double concave in the tail and a single concave in the nose. The tail is a bit wider, just the thing for our sometimes mushy waves here on the east coast, but with potential to perform on the bigger stuff. And take note Kayla, it has the flower on it that you requested.

Tonight it has pride of place on my lounge floor. It has been lovingly waxed with a base coat and topped with good old Mrs Palmer's (and her five daughters) cold water wax. It looked so shiny before the wax.

Alan could not even sell us a leg rope, being close to shutting his doors for the final time, so I will have to wait to get one. Mind you, have not had one for 20 years, so would I really need one... I have this insane desire to go out now (at 10pm, freezing southerly howling in, snow to 300 metres) - barking.

To cap off the excitement of getting my first ever new board, I had two new experiences on the Bonnie today. The first was that lovely feeling when you are sailing along under full noise when you get the running out of gas sputter. No problems I thought, just reach down and flick her over to reserve... uh oh! She had already been on reserve when I drove her out of the shop. Good old Ric drove down and topped up the tank for me. Then fun times number two - I drove back through a southerly storm, got smashed by the rain. I had the choice to cut for home or just go straight to the Bach where I was meeting Re and Ric for dinner. When I got the bike I decided that I should experience whatever the elements threw at me, so the pub won. It was a blast going home in the rain and then drying off, I just felt so alive and glad I did it.

Although there is such a thing as too much life - memo to self, buy some leggings.