14. Figeac - France

Found a few French skateparks - in true style some I found only once on the way out of somewhere, (despite looking and sk8loc8 etc, and google maps best help), when it was too hot and the family were needing to float in a pool, (me too), so despite some 'oh how lucky is that there seems to be a skatepark over there' coincidences - this is the only one I truly skated.  I found a tiny one in Rodez but couldn't see how to get to it, and the main one in Bordeaux was right by one of the main roads along the river, with like 6 lanes of traffic alongside.  If time and patience had allowed it would have got onto the list but...

Anyhow  - Figeac - standard kind of set up, a range of quarters either edge with a range of fun boxes and rails in the middle.  Still I enjoyed saying 'oui' in a 'yeah' kind of way and hitting the tail in appreciation of some good skating - but most of the locals were just hanging out.. but they were chilled and friendly so all good

13. Partridge Green

Interesting set up of a small - say 2ft mini on top of platform on one side of large mini ramp / midi ramp.  Short escalator up to extension on other side. Pretty battered and bit spongy, some delaminating going on too.  Nothing else near it to skate but good kids playground on the way in next to tennis courts.

12. Small Dole

Another overdue post from some time ago - good spot.  In quiet village of Small Dole, sat in the corner of like a grassy meadow is a U shape of small, slightly weather beaten ramps. Good fun and pretty location  compared to many spots.

11. Henfield

Long overdue Delayed Post Number 1, spot 11.
originally written a month ago...
Didn't have long but seemed like the first warm dry moments in over a month, so bombed over to Henfield concrete skatepark, then to Small Dole ramps on the way back.

The skatepark is on the far side of the leisure centre car park.  It's small and not a great layout BUT it was all mine and although some lines seem to go nowhere, it was a fun spot that if it was your local I think you'd get pretty creative with.  Not a lot of footage for either park as getting used to new phone and how to do timers and things- worth another visit and will fit in Partridge Green mini ramp a bit further on.

10. Ilfracombe skatepark

Really varied and unpredictable weather made it tricky so when the window of 15 mins or so arose I snuck down to Ilfracombe skatepark while staying at friends house nearby.  Great little park with LOTS of possible lines - kind of tricky to judge some of the angles - reminds me a little of uckfield or good old wicksteeds for finding lines to try out.  Quick video of the place below.  Good but too brief little session.  I'll add a couple of links and found pics another day to give a bit more detail.

9. Burgess Hill and some returns and some history

Been a poor few weeks, too much work and some parent and child ill health BUT
Another few returns to Haywards, Crawley and Cuckfield as well as the ever wet metallic Burgess hill ramps - still wet and no footage but I'm calling it in and will post footage another time.

Have sussed out I can take the boys to hove lagoon to play in the playground or join me in the skatepark for a run around or a roll on boards, and got a heads up that Peacehaven (unvisited by me yet) is also good for kids.. so win all round, might manage the same at Burgess hill when they are warm enough to be dry early in the morning.

To help me encourage me, and keep posting I figured some of Jono's footage from our last joint outing a few weeks back and some back in the day pictures would help.Me at Romford bowl - with beginnings of dreads - about 18 I think - so erm... 22 years ago OMG LOL etc..

Crawley mini ramp....

If the weather holds for me down in Ilfracombe there's Braunton bowl, Croyde and Ilfracombe skateparks pretty close together so fingers crossed I can get to play on them too.

8. Crawley - with repaired and clean cuckfield and quick stop at haywards heath

Sunday 26th - got to Crawley with some frost still about, skating in gloves and not for downhill - flippin freezing but good times and soon warmed up - panorama is from top of the mini ramp at the slightly higher end of the park.  Great place.  Lots to ride, mellow and mental parts to it - distances good and lots of lines.  Also a good group of fellow mature skaters there most weekends - they liked the sound of the challenge..   Had good time and forgot to take any other pics - will be there again though.

Headed to Cuckfield and then Haywards Heath on return to Brighton.  Both very quiet so plenty of play to be had.  Kingpin's DIY issue this month may have inspired the people responsible for mending Cuckfields transitions - much better ride - much respect to the mender.   Helped me land this sweeper.  Ta.