Amelie Duvinage (20) is spending four weeks at Harbour Sports Paignton as a business intern. Amelie is studying commerce at the Lycee Carrell in Lyon, France and her placement has been arranged by the Training Partnership in Torquay. Here is what Amelie has to say..........................................

"J’ai commencé mon stage à Harbour Sports le 10 Janvier 2011, l’équipe fut tout de suite très sympa, l’ambiance y est chaleureuse. Comme en France il y a des similitudes, tous les matins c’est la meme chose. Néanmoins les clients sont plus sympa ici en Angleterre, moins renfermés sur eux, malgres le temps qui n’est pas très joyeux. Beaucoup de pluie mais on prend vite l’habitude. Mon chez moi me manque mais je suis contente d’être ici, c’est une super experience."

"I began my training course at Harbour Sports on January 10th 2011 and found a welcoming atmosphere and nice people who made me feel at home immediately. There are similarities with the start of the day in France however the customers seem much nicer here in England and much more communicative despite the difficult economic times. It has been raining much of the time but I soon got used to it. Although I miss home I am enjoying my time here and it really is a great experience."

Amelie x

It is a curious thing how good intentions slip past without us really noticing. That passing of time became apparent when I looked at the date of our last blog! Well we are still bobbing along on the stormy retail waters and living the life. But goodness me these are troubled times. It’s not just the economic mess that has buffeted us. We’ve had four bad summers, a confused retail market, increasing numbers of people living their lives in a virtual world and then the cold north wind before Christmas that brought the UK to its knees.

Well having said all that we are still working to provide the best possible kit at competitive prices and at the moment have 25% off ALL shoes and ladies clothing. Some of our newer lines have been so successful and include OLD GUYS RULE and the new TUCAGUA winter ranges (warm clothing from Nepal).
We had great fun with Facebook and really enjoy daily updates plus of course the occasion tweet on Twitter.
We will be floor painting at Harbour Sports Paignton this weekend which means that we will be closed this Sunday and next.
The days are already getting longer and it really is time that hibernation stopped……come on- LIVE THE LIFE!!!

Colder days and other places

New Zealand air.

Over the past few weeks we seem to have been unpacking box after box of ski clothing and accessories which means that all three of our shops are ready for action. Bolle helmets and goggles are already selling well as folk gather odds and ends together as ski Christmas presents. We've always, well almost always, kept clear of skis and boots but have loads of socks, gloves, creams, sunglasses, hats, caps, jackets etc. The photograph above is of one of our globe trotting team who is getting a little air in New Zealand.

The other thing that is worth mentioning is the new winter range of Tucagua clothing. This very warm rough looking clothing is made in Nepal and is so different from anything else around. Once you've worn one you will always been a Tucagua fan.

South Devon, like the rest of the country, has taken a battering today from the strong Atlantic winds and many ships are 'hiding' in Plymouth Sound and Torbay. The Channel is not a nice place to be and someone said that most of the ferries have remained in harbour rather than subjecting their passengers to a hammering from huge seas.

Oh well, that's enough. Off to light a fire and snuggle down for the evening.........

Cold clear days......

I guess that today has been the first really cool day since the summer with a crystal clear blue sky and little or no wind. It's a time to keep warm as Esme demonstrates in the photograph! Of course as our new government reduces spending, cuts jobs and generally sucks the joy out of life it really is a time to keep warm and guard against the utility folk getting ready to yet again lift the cost of fuel. So keep the heating down and the personal insulation up with kit that doesn't just look the part but actually does the job. frank.

Guy Shepherd and paddle friends...

This message arrived from Adele Matthews of the Lymphoma Association......"On behalf of the Lymphoma Association I would like to thank you for the help you gave to Guy Shepherd, Ian Travis and Dave Roberts by lending a paddle to Dave to enable him to complete his kayak challenge. The guys did brilliantly and have raised over £1000 for the Lymphoma Association which will enable us to further extend the services by those affected by Lymphoma cancer."

Guy Shepherd worked at Harbour Sports Paignton a little while ago before heading off to pastures new, which seems to include regular surf trips to foreign parts. Well done for doing this event Guy!


For more information ring Freephone 0808 808 5555 http://www.lymphomas.org.uk/

Foghorns in the mist.........

It's hot today and they say that the high may reach 30! Looking at the picture taken just after 11.00hrs on Sunday 27th June, you would expect the harbour at Paignton to be packed. But it's not! Where is the long queue of boats waiting to launch on the high tide, where are the family groups heading out to sea? It's quiet. Too quiet and the only sound is the deep thundering foghorns from the many tankers at anchor and now hidden from view by a sea mist that is so typical of these sunny days where the sun beats down on cool water.

This of course is a Sunday like no other as in far away South Africa the England Soccer team ready themselves to face Germany in the World Cup! Everyone appears to be captivated by the occasion and you can taste the excitement in the air.

Needless to say all our shops will be open but all our folk will be tuned in!

Now, about those foghorns! Have you ever been in sea mist? It is the most gripping experience as the world disappears,the cold imposes a very special loneliness and a feeling of vulnerability. The sound of a big foghorn blasting not far from your position is a fantastic cure for constipation! Enjoy the sun. frank sobey

HARBOUR SPORTS AND THE KUCCIA CATWALK

As part of the GREAT OUTDOORS EXHIBITION at the RIVIERA CENTRE on May 30th and 31st we will be joining forces with KUCCIA to show some of the stunning designs that make Soraya styles so very different from anything else out there! We love this stuff and it is fast becoming one of the most successful things that we play with. The energy in every garment will lift you to another place, a better place, a lovely place - where the sun shines and people smile with joy. Come and join us 'Live the Life'!!!!
frank sobey