Kitesurfing Augusta WA in surf and flatwater #570

Session 570. The first 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) meant we  changed our location to South West WA.

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 Augusta for our first session. 

The wind was light - I was initially underpowered on my 12m kite but it picked up.

The waves were good and the flat water lagoon was a hoot.

Then it was a long drive to our accommodation in Denmark.

 

Frankston to Mentone kitesurfing downwinder #569

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.

Kitesurfing Seaford in Winter #568

Session 568. Managed to get this session on a busy Saturday. My first session after the Pyrenees trip with a good 20 to 25 knots of wind.

It is always great to get on the water! 

Day trip to a fantastic castle and nice town of Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland

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 ferries arrive - one for Neuchatel and other for Yverdon-les-Bains.

I did a lap in the tourist tram cart to see the rest of town. It was interesting to learn that the lake level was lowered by 3.5 meters by engineering works with the rivers flowing in and out so the new water side is further out from the town than the old one.

There is also a cable water ski park - apparently the first in Switzerland.

Walking back in the town I visited the Dominican Convent then the small museum that had a curious collection of historical objects and the very strange Frog Exhibition where frogs were displayed in several human scenes.

The town was quiet with very few tourists about and the temperature was nice after the heat of Paris.

Returning to the car I drove to Portalban and recognised it as the location where we sailed with Pierre's roher in law during our visit in 2009!  I had a refreshing quick swim on the beach there.

The countryside in this area is beautiful and the roads were not busy. There are good cycling routes in this area too,

I returned to Estavayer-le-Lac to pickup Guy and drove back to Meyrin on the freeway in the hybrid Audi Q5 - a very nice car.