Ta ta 2010

It's our first New Year's Eve here at Gul Bude, and we'd just like to say a quick thankyou to everyone who's helped us find our feet over the last year. Our 70% Sale is ongoing so you'll have noticed the dearth of blogs these last few days - I'll keep this brief.

To all the crew down at HQ in Bodmin, for setting us up and being there every time we (mostly I) have needed them. To our esteemed colleagues in the other Gul stores across the South West, all a good bunch of people. To associated friends and acquaintances for all the support in our first year. To all my staff for putting up with my inconsistencies and penchant for long winded blogs.

And to our customers, without whom of course we wouldn't be functional.

Thanks everyone, hope you have a very enjoyable start to 2011. Photo above is at dawn this morning. Looks like it's going to be a nice one.

C

YAY

Bude - Crooklets Surf Report and Forecast

Sales and Mariachis

I'm afraid we're still rocking the 70% SALE here at Gul Bude. It's awfully busy so unfortunately the blog is going to be short snippets until the crowds subside.
But, a spot of good news: Our very favourite band, Mariachi El Bronx now have their own website. And for a short time you can download a free track if you sign up. Mariachi fan? Head to www.mariachielbronx.com as soon as is feasibly possible.

BOXING DAY SALE

We've begun our grand sale: Up to 70% OFF on many, many lines.

We'll update you on our Christmas when the crowds and the turkey subsside a bit....

Until then, pop in and see us instead?

C

Tracking Santa # 3

Santa is getting steadily closer. We just watched him deliver to P'yongyang in North Korea, which goes to show that Santa cares not for borders or DMZ's. Let's just hope the North Koreans don't mistake him for a US drone.
We bashed off a letter to NORAD to check on his ETA to the UK. Here's the email I got in reply:

Cai,

We are currently tracking Santa over Kobe, Japan. We anticipate his arrival
in the UK between 2100 and 0000 hours (9:00 p.m. and midnight).

Make sure you are asleep well before he arrives.

Regards,

NORAD Santa Tracker #57

Simply amazing. Well, we're going to take heed of this advice, shut up shop in the next couple of hours and head straight home to bed. It just remains for us to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at Gul Bude. We're back open on Boxing Day. Hope to see you then. C

Tracking Santa # 2

At last count, Santa has delivered over 1,124,500 presents.
He also seemed to spend more than enough time at 'Bikini', in the Marshall Islands.
Well, why wouldn't you...

Tracking Santa

We have a live feed in the shop this morning, direct to Santa, courtesy of NORAD.

We think that Santa might have had a heavy night on the Christmas ale as he appears to be running a little late. But we're certain that if anyone can make up time, Santa can.

Very much looking forward to following his travels throughout the day.

We'll update you later...

The Male of the Species

Funny how our clientele today has been predominantly male folk, buying lady folk stuff... I wonder what lessons can be drawn from this.....

Busy though. Just how we like it.

We're open again tomorrow. Just in case you like to live on the edge.

2 MORE SLEEPS!!

Waking in a Winter Wonderland

I was at a friends Christmas party last night, and after one mulled cider too many, decided that driving home was no longer an option. So I stayed put and my friends revved up the electric blanket, so I was so toasty and warm that I didn't notice the fresh snow that came down during the night. It fell on top of that which we already had - it hadn't been especially deep, but it was prevalent, extremely icy and dangerous. Last nights snow compounded this, to the point where I got stuck in a hedge on my way to do the morning surf report. This morning the boughs weighed heavy with snow and icicles. Hedgerows were blanched and blanketed and the whole landscape North of Bude was white. Completely beautiful.
These last few days have been Winter-tastic. In a mission to take provisions to my stranded friends and their newborn, myself and a close friend ditched our car on a dangerous back road and walked the several miles further, with shopping bags, to get to their landlocked, snowbound house. Would have all felt quite heroic if we hadn't been passed en route by about ten cars, none of which was a 4x4. They all waved.
I've driven over a moonlit, glowing Bodmin moor, encountering only one car in twenty or so miles. I've been out collecting wood for my voracious woodburner. I've donned some Gul check and chopped said wood. I've had a small Christmas party for my neighbours and eaten my own bodyweight in Mince Pies.
There is no question that Summer is missed, intensely. I miss everything about it. But I'd be lying if I didn't say there are times that, even on sweltering, swell-jammed mid-August days, I didn't miss the romantic allure of a deep mid-Winter.
Here are a few shots from the last week.
C

Merry Xmas From Gul Bude