HAPPY 2011!!!!

5 minutes early: Happy New Year!!!!

Ultimate snow barrel

After a long search I found today a spot with nonstop superb lonely snow barrels ;-)

Super clean lines as far as my eyes reached.. So I had to ride them



Ready to go into the barrel..

Enjoying the ultime snow wave tube ride..

picture from the outside

Porto

While Holland remains white (thanks for keeping us updated David), here is some more news from Portugal. We headed to Porto today. Porto is one of the only major European cities (the urbanized area of Porto has a population of well over 1 million) that has a main beach which is completely exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. Most other cities are situated on the more sheltered banks of rivers and bays or off course the Mediterranean Sea. The ocean is one of the reasons why I like Porto so much. But there is more....

The famous bridge over the river.

The famous Port wines!!

The 'Francesinha', a typical Porto dish. I know it looks horrific, but you gotta try it. The spicy sauce makes or breaks this dish. If it's right, this dish is 'da bomb'!!

And off course there are other classic dishes. This is what the Portuguese would call a 'decent lunch' ;-)

Naturally, we headed to the beach today. The waves at the main beach were nice, real nice.

It's difficult to see in this picture (taken with my mobile phone), but these waves are a lot higher than they seem. About one and a half time overhead easily. There should actually be surfers in this shot, just the quality of the photo and the deceiving size of the waves makes it practically impossible to spot them. Saw some nice tuberides today.....

That's why I like Porto.....

winterday

Donut/ hamburger brought by mother nature..



Artic look just behind the house







Something that warmed me up. Spicey soup with orange

Nice waves ... of snow

X-mas in Portugal

While David is enjoying the snow and ice in Holland, we went for our annual x-mas trip to my 'parents in law' in Portugal. Due to a weird injury in my arm (can't raise my arm above my shoulder), I decided to leave my surf gear at home and take care with my arm. I don't want to make it worse and loose out on some good days in spring.

This has some benefits. During these two weeks I can spend all my time with my 5 months old little girl. Seeing her learn new things everyday is priceless. But still somedays it's difficult to not be able to hit the water. It seemed like the surfers had Santa's attention this year. He gave them a great present!

My two girls discussing the waves and enjoying some sunshine.

Nice clean lines.

The water was very low, making it possible for some decent sets to break pretty clean at the harbor mouth.

Decent overhead waves breaking at the beginning of the small jetty. A nice place to sit for a while and hope the arm heals quickly.... Gotta be fit for easter!!!! Brittany time!!!!

Ice & iciles..

Someone got lost, or a bad timing..



Superb ice for iceskating. It has been a long time ago that we've had such a nice true winter. Loads of snow, cold and ice. But also clear blue skies and sun. Best x-mas weather I can remember. Whole days outside, sporting/hiking. Deadtired+ hungry in the evening ;-)

Merry Xmas!

japan style

It was hard to choose(at the pics you see only 10%), so I went for all different sorts. Think I ate enough for 3 days ...
At the end of the evening I spoke fluently Japanese... This could also be the result of the Saporro beers ;-)

We became more of that cold white stuff

How dutch can you go..






True classic winter weather. Must admit that I like this way more than just rain and cold.
Walking in the fields/forrests is superb to refresh your mind.


Stampot andijve to ad some strength. A winterclassic