Trip to Romania in Autumn

In the beginning of this Autumn we made a trip to Romania, and boy was it nice.

We were even lucky enough to see some snow in the high Carpathian Mountains when driving though the Transfăgărăşan, the same wonderful road Top Gear enjoyed (check the video, it really is worth it).

We started our stay by staying in this great mountain house. Doesn't it look great?

That was our base for going around, either by foot or by a old Suzuki Samurai.

We went to see a cave where there was Ice frozen for some thousands of years (or something like that) and to see the great Alps like mountains scenery.

If you have the opportunity to visit Romania do go around, don't stick to the cities. You'll enjoy it.

Three in a row

Three weekends in a row with wonderful conditions for windsurfing.

Today it was another great day. North wind, 25 knots (13 m/s) with gust reaching 30 knots (15.5 m/s).

Spent the entire afternoon, from lunch until sunset, riding. Perfect afternoon.

Unfortunately, again, I have no photos to share. Got to get a water proof camera...(hear that Santa Clause?)

Another good Autumn session

After the storm that hit most of Portugal, with strong wind and heavy rain, comes a great day for windsurf. At least that what happened today.

Monday is usually a working day, but today it's a holiday (a religious one) so I had a free ticked to go and ride.

The ocean was to ruff to go inside, although it wasn't as bad as yesterday (photos are of yesterday), therefore I (and others) decided that the Ria de Aveiro was a good choice.

This time I don't have any pictures of the windsurf session (no photographer available) but here is my report:

tide

high at 10:39, low at 16:50

wind

35 knots (18 m/s) during the morning, with gusts up to 40 knots (21 m/s), decreasing to 20 knots (10 m/s) as the afternoon progresses.

It was easy going and fun. The wind was mostly constant and the water was flat until the tide started to lower. Then it became more interesting, with the tide waves creating nice ramps for jumping.

In one jump a classic board and rig goes with the wind, rider goes down happened to me, with the front foot locked in the strap and being twisted in abnormal ways. It hurts a bit, but with daylight saving time gone (meaning sunset it's around half past five) and the wind forecast being rather dull I'll have time for it to get well.

First windsurf session Autumn 2010

After almost one month without any windsurf conditions were finally good for getting back on board.

It as a good opportunity to meet some friends int the best set possible with the good north wind providing for the fun.

Days like this make me feel alive and forget all the bad of the world at least for a while.

A great afternoon. Ride until night. Muscles aching, tiredness setting in. If only all days could be as fulfilling as this one.

Fifth and last day at Tarifa

I was so eager to go and windsurf that I woke up really early, before even the sun rosed from behind the mountains. I went for a walk in the beach and enjoyed a warm, windy, start of the day.

As the wind blew still too strong for my gear we (what was left of the team, as some already started their trip back home) decided to follow a tip about some spots that were less windy and off we went to the east side of Tarifa.

After going up and down the mountains we arrived to the first spot. It looked too commercial. A parking park with more people to received money than cars, houses and constructions until the beach. Not nice, not our vibe at all. So we kept going until we arrived at the second tip: Palmones beach.

Now, I was rather disappointed with the wind at the spot so my feeling about the place can be totally wrong. It was a bad smelly and horrible wind place. The wind was funneled in a tight channel by the Gibraltar Rock. In 10 m you would have some wind and then there would be a total stall. Then there was the current caused by a river that made strange, very short period waves. All this mixed with a constant sound of big engines (it's very close to harbors and industrial installations) and the smell of oily, badly burned fuel.

We were supposed to stay for another day but after this bad experience, the rain and cloudy sky we just decided that we would better start the trip back.

And that was it for this trip to Tarifa.

Tarifa, forth day

"Be careful of what you wish."

After a day of playful waiting the wishes for wind were soaring high and what do you know, they were answered. The levante had arrived in force. Wind blowing at 35 knots, gust reaching the 43 (measured in land, ou in the water it was for sure more). My smallest sail, a 5.4 m², and my medium sized board (100 litters) were far too much to venture some sailing so I just set my self for a photo session.

The focus of my photos and videos were the members of the team that had gear for such conditions.

Look in those pictures. Look at how the wave foam is being blown away by the wind.

This was the second time this year that I really felt that a smaller sail is needed. I think I have to get my hand on a 4.2 m² sail. Maybe a 85 l board would also be a good idea. Time to go out shopping...

Tarifa, third day

The day of wind change, from poniente to levante.

For most of the day only the slightest breeze would be felt. The wind was taking it's time to inflate the huge lungs that would then blow the strong levante of the nest day.

Without wind, and without one of our companions, has she had to take a trip to Faro to get a friend, we sat in the beach doing mostly nothing, looking at the nice scenery and building sand dikes...

Let me explain the motivation: two Dutch guys seeing the ocean tide rising to their spot on the beach. Moving is out of the question. A Dutch would not be a proper Dutch if we would not build a dike in such a situation. So a wall of sand must be built, thick enough to keep the tsunami waves out.

Well, the valiant efforts were not enough against the rise of the tide. It's was as if the biblical story of the great flooding was taking place. The pictures well attest the horror of the situation...

In the end of the afternoon the wind started to gather some strength. It was almost possible to go out and sail. Alas, it was but the wind gods breathing. The wind would blow for half and our to then stop for another half. It's something the for our kite surfers was a PITA. As the wind blew they would be happily riding out. Then, as the wind was all but gone, they would have to drag themselves and gear (kite, bar, board) to the beach, landing quite far from the departing place, looking forward for a big walk in the beach.

It wasn't a great day for sailing. But it was a great day to get the batteries all charged up and ready to go. Just look at the next picture! Don't you thing being in such a place is a bliss?