And so there it is, the Saffa's pipped us at the post. But at least we went down fighting.

It was a strange one, even though we lost the pubs were rocking into the early morning and there was a real party atmosphere wherever you went. Everyone seemed to bond with this team that fought to the end and made England proud which is all you can ask - something that has been so lacking in English sport for a while (I could go off on a rant here about English Football but it's been done to exhaution in the papers so i'll let it go).

We've obviously been taking a bit of a battering from our friends over in SA today. Not only have they regained the cup but they are also in the middle of one of their best swell seasons in years. Every e-mail seems to arrive with some Pom baiting text and a photo attached with one of our "friends" tucking into a perfect emerald barrel shimmering in the sun.

All's not lost though. Linley is preparing to head off on our November Roadtrip in a couple of weeks. I was in SA when they won the World Cup in 1995 and it was memorable to say the very least, Linley and the Crew are in for what should should be an unforgettable 4 weeks.

Meanwhile Will and I will be manning the office doing our best to stay friends. Without Linley here to mediate this could be a tall order so we'll be hoping the phone's stay as busy as they have been lately. We've had lots of interest in our trips for next year so the TTRide gospel is spreading....

And that's monday.

Another good week for ttride in the London HQ, getting some really exciting people on the trip and by this i mean, the kind of people that can't wait to join us out in SA, the kind of people that ring just because they feel like talking about their ttride trip. We love that, it gets us super excited aswell.

I am in Cape Town for New Year this year, taking my girlfriend, brother, sister and parents on a bit of a ttride expedition.
Can't wait!! Apparently the locals know what they are doing when it comes to celebrating New Year in Cape Town.

Been working from home today, because my poor girlfriend Lottie has had to have a minor operation, all a bit soar and if i could spell the name of the opp i would, but i can't. Anyway, I know she was cheered up a) by the gourmet lunch i cooked her and b) by her 7 week old nephew Max coming round for the day.

Now, obviously I am all man, and don't do babys, or atleast i thought i didn't. Little Max is gorgeous, loads of hair in a funky punk, really smiley and already signed onto the Jan 2025 trip, I told mum Louise that she couldn't even think Schools until the Gap Year is sorted especially as places on ttride trips are always in high demand.

Enough joking. What i actually said was that I would put a place on hold until Monday. "Cant wait to have him on".

Half-term this week for some schools, lots of potential riders booking a slot to come in and see us, will have to remember to buy a big box of biscuits.

Still holding my breath for saturday,

it's in the bag, even Max knows it.

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