The weekend that was prophesised to be the weekend of the year certainly didn

Weekend's getting close, and there's nothing better than the prospect of a Rugby World Cup semi-final. That is great on it's own, but when Father Neptune decides that he's going to throw in some Atlantic rollers, and honour the Engligh shoreline with it's best swell in months on top of that it's set to be an all time mouth-watering classic!

All of us seem to be on the surf forecast sites every 10 minutes, checking that nothing's changed and the conditions are still set to crank up the coastline.

We're planning on getting some new banners and signs designed and printed; and with our Graphic designer being based down in Cornwall Will's leading the front running to hit the water first and get on that picture message to let us all know what we're missing.

Unfortunately I am unable to make it, as in true uncharactersitic surfer style I had pre-booked my weekend and am honouring my commitment (what an idiot!! - but I am going to be scoring South Africa for a month over November, so I'll have my hour.)

Anyhow whatever people are up to, with the prospect of epic swell, and the chance of England possibly getting to a second consecutive World Cup final, this weekend is set to be one of those dates that you simply have to remember just so that you can tell the Grand children how good life used to be.

So fingers crossed for the waves to come through, and for Jonny to find his firing line, and the front pack to be at their dominating best..... bring it on!

LL

Afternoon,

Bit of a slow day today where everything that has been put off and avoided over the last few months has now got to be done.

Lots more exciting interest for our 2009 adventures, and our university all inclusive packages to Portugal are flying out.

As far as marketing is going, it seems that there is no substitute for running top quality trips and getting the ttride word out that way. I'll book my Ticket.

However, in the meantime, there are lots of plans that unfortunately need lots of research and thorough documentation. Worth it if it means the call is made for more research trips. Now that is hard work!!!!

Spoke to some of the Jan 2008 Riders today, who are working in all kinds of different jobs in preparation for their trip, I am not sure who is more excited. Either way, we're set to go!!!!!!!

Better go nearly time to go home???

W

Having just spent a week on the west coast of Ireland taking on all the Altlantic could throw a me, i am back in the office and contrary to Linley's depressing winter fears, there seems to be a real buzz in air.

Bookings for all our trips are ticking along nicely and we are as ever taking our time to make sure that all those that sign on to our trips know exactly what to expect and are as excited as us about the prospect of spending the winter in the sun, sea and surf with Ticket to Ride.

Lots of school talks and gap fairs to go to meaning Tim is a busy boy going all over the UK in the TTRide Truck. Which if you see him or catch him on the phone, don't forget to ask him about his antics last night when he decided to put 20 litres of unleaded petrol into our DIESEL TTRide truck. Nice work Tim!!

Nevermind, though Tim is highly embarrassed, and at the end of the day we've all done it???? Well i haven't, Linley hasn't, but my mum has and so have a lot of other people's mothers.......!

Finally i have an added spring in my finger tips as I write this entry on my new macbook which is all part of our office technology makeover. Lots of wires, flashing lights and shiny new databases, printers, fax machines, just gotta work out how to use it all. All very exciting though.

Better go, Tim needs his error highlighted again.( I think an hourly reminder is best)

W

It's getting to that time of year when you slowly start to realise that any hopes of a late Summer resurgence have well and truly gone. The calendar's turned to October, the nights are closing in, and your journey home will be exactly like your journey into work, grey, cold and dreary (and perhaps your only time outside in the day.) The trees are now bare, leaving the pavements brown, skiddy, and damp. Your skins lost any hint of sheen, hairline more seemingly retreated, and your eyes start to sit upon a couple of dark little sacks.

The luxury of the "Endless Summer" lifestyle has not hit us here yet. We find ourselves inside, staring at computer screens, working past dark, pulling our hair out as our over worked computers fail to run at the same speed as frantic minds, and arguing over who has managed to spent the least on lunch but is sitting there the most satisfied (there's never an easy conclusion.)

October can be a tedious month, probably because September can be such a great month, the last chance to savour some sunshine, and ride the waves you've been waiting for all Summer; but with October the reality that you will not be able to take to the water without your 5mm, hood, and booties is starting to sunk in, and with the exciting prospect of a few Summer months ahead still fresh in the mind, it really can feel cruel.

Still we're not in the best position to complain, as we're fortunate to have the prospect of a few sun drenched months in the the Southern Hemisphere ahead so things are never that bad.

Will (fresh from his triumphant return taking on monster swells and litres of the black stuff in Ireland) and I are off to see our friends at the Surrey Enterprise Hub tomorrow, and Tim's taking the truck to Wellingborough School to find a handful of recruits, in the hope that this time next year we'll be riding the best of the Southern swells, and guiding people into the start of another Summer.

Linley, over and out...