GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT REDEEMER
Additionally, what should we tell Jim? The temptation of a sick secret spot with a man-on-the-ground going out of his way to welcome us versus doing the honourable thing and heading home as we’d vowed? Jamie’s position was especially sensitive. He already knew that something special was being planned. Should he send back an advanced alert that he may not be coming back or should he stay quiet and see how the day and forecast developed? He didn’t want to cause unnecessary distress too early if the outlook diminished and was homeward-bound, but needlessly out of favour. Yet the early signs were loud and clear that he was heading for disaster. But, as helpless passengers in Timo’s van, it was ultimately down to him which way along the M4 we’d be headed in relation to the promised land of perfect waves.
With our quandary set aside for the time being, our first mission was to score the best of what the Pembroke area had to offer before the day was over. Finally, after a 200 mile drive we rolled over the crest of the hill into Newgale to the sight of perfect clean swell lines feathered by strong side-offshore winds below. It looked so darn good I had to ask Timo to park on the side of the road, just to capture the moment for the memoires. Down in the car park Lewis Merony was already rigged and heading-out. On closer inspection the conditions were not quite as perfect as they looked at the top of the rise. I’ll hand it over to Timo and Jamie here to talk us through their epic battle with the elements.