Just gone noon, half-past monsoon: The family that Surfs together.....

stays together, dudes. Having always fancied myself as a surfer dude and being slightly jealous of young T who went surfin' in Kenya I booked the family for a mornings lesson in Cornwall, surf capital of europe.

All kitted up in wetsuits and with Mrs T mumbling about "the things she gets roped into" and that "other women are relaxing on the beach" we happily carried our boards down to the surf. After 10 mins instruciton we leapt into the rather pleasant Atlantic gulf steam.

It was great fun actually, particular watching other in the family getting wiped out by some of the big waves. It was quite exhilaranting when you caught one but by the time you had realised you were riding a wave, remembered to the process of getting onto to your feet you were already on the beach! This was because the waves were not that long due to the low tide....We had a great laugh and promised to do it again when the waves were bigger.

We came back on the last day of the hols. Like true Surf-vets we check the weather - lots of wind, coming onshore so some rather and fear-inspiring large waves that made me feel a little apprehensive. Mrs T had a cold coming on (really, it wasn't tactical, although she did say she would not have fancied it after seeing the height of the surf) and so pulled out and so was available as official photographer, but the boys were still super keen. Surprisingly we were now in the improver group!!!!

The waves were large (the photos do not do them justice) and it was quite a struggle to get out but once again a fantastic experience and amazing how fast you go catching a biggun'. I was exhausted after 20mins and with a rapidlly crocked shoulder spent the rest of the time helping little J our through the crashing waves. Young T was in his element (always been a water baby) and was riding the waves and getting on his feet occasionally. Very tough, but great fun.

Heres a selection from the official photographers portfolio....taken with dry feet!

Young J washes up on the beach