Spring is in the air here in France. The cherry tree in our garden has responded to yesterday’s scorching weather and erupted in delightful white blossom, filling the garden with an aroma so sweet not even a triple blackbelt wordsmith could approach its description.

Meanwhile, yesterday saw some great waves in Capb and some tow ins at solid, blue, glassy La Nord. After surfing really dirty water on wednesday I was struck down with a nasty virus which saw me sweating out of the soles of my feet for 48 hours and puking dry black bile. The bottom of my matress looked like the turin shroud and at one point I’m sure RJD thought about calling for a priest.

I did summon the energy to stroll down rue des basques to check it in the pm though, and saw the dude from the Pull In underwear ads getting some nice tubes and turns by the hospital. Then I drove over to the Gravial and watched Didier Piter and Seb St Jean take it on on dusk. Really, really heavy. There was even some wildman out there on a stand up paddle board, the crazy mo-fo.

In other news, the first Surf Europe issue of 2008 is about to drop! The magazine has had a wicked new redesign by the amazing Ruth Roberts, who’s also made history as the first bird ever to work on your favourite surf mag. Look out for the well sharp new logo and all kinds of visual radness goin on inside. Please form orderly queues outside your local newsagent, and if you must camp out overnight on the pavement Wimbledon-style to avoid crushing disappointment, remember to drink plenty of water and bring extra blankets…

In other news, x-rugby fan Archi ‘dickhead’ Jaeckin was recently seen attempting to swan dive off the Bourret bridge wearing concrete booties after the crushing, humiliating trouncing the French received at the hands of the mighty Land of my Forebears! Vive le Wales!!!