So sad to see such a magnificent animal in such a condition.
Sadder still to hear that people have been traveling from miles across the country to steal the valuable teeth found in its jaw. The teeth a rumored to be valued at around £800 per tooth, and there are usually over 50 in the bottom jaw.
I heard today that a local man has been ordered by the Home Office to go and remove the jaw with a chainsaw to deter further theft.
He should never have been here. :(
Im glad I got there before they started tearing it apart, it now looks much more horrific covered in blood and missing various parts…
So… Just back form a week riding the powder in Val Thoren. What a good week.
Crew
VT
The village has slipped into dormancy, happily, after a busy summer. The weather is cold, the days are dark and short. There is snow on the ground as I write this post.
The surf has been pretty average for autumn, a few clean swells but mostly junky cross-shore, small period mediocrity. Ive still been getting in, but more out of desperation than desire.
December was a massive month for surf news, with Hawaii firing with epic huge swells. The ASP tour was won by Mick Fanning after Parko stumbled in the Pipe event which was eventually won by Taj, for the first time, with Kelly coming second. Parko, although pipped at the post for the world title, took the Triple Crown Title for a second year, after Sunset and Haleiwa both produced quality entertainment.
And finally, the Eddie ran. 5 years in the waiting, with 30ft+ swell, it went off, massively, with Greg Long winning in the last heat to steal 1st place form Slater. Epic.
I watched all 8 hours straight on the web, one of the best live streams ive ever seen.
I was doing some tidying-up the other day and found these shots from the end of summer, and so thought I should share them.
Hope you like the flash-back to a warmer, sunnier Beadnell.
So, back to reality. at least the winter solstice has now passed, and its officially getting warmer and lighter everyday.