Flowers, fun and felines.

I got a message on my cell phone saying " Sharon, I have some beautiful flowers and I want to give them to you". My friend Kanara wasn't kidding and I so appreciated her donation of 'function flowers' into my home.

Talking of donations...I'm guessing most people won't know they've contributed to this collection.

Early Saturday morning I went to Kanaha and while I knew it was too big for me, I figured there had to be something I could play on. I figured wrong! It took 45 minutes of falling before I called it quits.

And lets face it no one wants to see this in the line up!

But I wasn't done so headed to the harbour sure it wouldn't be breaking, but for the second time in an hour I was wrong!

Good grief woman get up, up, up on the lip!

I was still falling but having sooooooo much fun.

Let me tell you - we've all done it, you come in off the water, go to grab the key that's around your neck only to discover it's still in the door. I went from panic to elation in one second when I discovered everything was still there. Phew!

And it's always nice to come home to a friendly face.

January so far......

January 1st 2012 and I'm greeted with a little rainbow for the start of my early glassy Kanaha session.

Wave one, dry hair and looking a little unsure.

Now that's better, clearly a good mental enama washes away all that ego nonsense and makes way for pure unadulterated fun.

This was without a doubt my biggest wave of the day!

I must have been out longer than I thought as I've grown a beard!

When Kanaha is too big for me, I know the harbour will be perfect.....and so it was for January 2nd 2012.

The harbour wave has a very distinct personality. It's flat, flat, flat and then an upwelling of energy shows up like someone has flapped a piece of silk. The watery step builds rapidly and it doesn't take much paddling to feel the push. I try to stay high on the lip for as long as I can and then swoop down to the right and then back up to the shoulder where (with luck) I repeat the manouver twice. Technically they call that a cut-back, but mines more of a loose swervey thing that thrills the pants of me!

After you... turtle crossing.

Posing with my favourite #8 buoy.

Charging Paley style which in truth is terribly relaxed.

These last few days the sweet water energy has given lots of smiles, yelps of joy and uplifted the spirits.... and that's just the people around me. Now imagine my feelings, the Yorkshire girl who couldn't swim until she was 39, got her first surfboard at 43 and made her first (and so far only) windsurf jibe at 50 (and three quarters).

Life is full of surprises.

Transition.

"Can't speak, struck dumb, inspiration won't come".....that's how I've been feeling for a while now, hence the sporadic posts of the past six months. I'm in transition and with that comes a lot of introspection and re-calibration, so I just keep taking the high road and being good to myself......fark let's hope it pays off!

Luckily I know from prior experience all the emotions line up eventually. As I look at this picture of myself, I know I'm getting there as I see the twinkle of my new and improved vibrant self and I don't mind telling you.... I've missed me!

Now that's a cracking good downward dog.

I'm happy to report that my spiritual/mental/physical/emotional practice is not just in the yoga studio, but also on the water. My turbulent windsurfing journey thus far has given way to me and my gear consistently blowing and flowing. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a mediocre sailor, but I'm really enjoying my emotional shift which is now enthusiastic, willing and curious .....oh and the tea really helps!

Let me explain the tea bit.....this thermos is my new best friend. I am a woman with cold extremities, ridiculous in this hot climate I know, but there it is. This predisposes me to not like getting colder, but back in September Mel introduced me to the luxury of pre and post session tea. Ladies and gentlemen this has been nothing short of life changing! I take a quick nip before dawn patrol to brace myself and on the water I always know when it's time to come in as my mind turns to what's waiting....a piping hot cup of divine chai green.

Collective groan (ribbit).

And let me leave you with the latest edition to the back of my truck. With thanks to my mate Jules for the inspiration..... pass the salt and vinegar would ya?

Pineapple express.

Not too shabby, my home in the middle of the sea.

A $20 reward, or beer of your choice for some lost yellow plaid board shorts, really? Though thumbs up for the drawing.....which helpfully gives you a perfect visual of what 100% of the one pocket version look like.

I don't think he's our man.

Maybe Cozmo knicked'um for the beer reward, because looking at his belly I think he's been overindulging. He needs some exercise.

Perhaps I should take him for a run in the desolate and fallow pineapple fields.

Clearly some of the fruit didn't get the memo that they are no longer a viable crop on Maui.

While others weren't so lucky.

You never know what beauty you're going to encounter on a ride, I love the amber, green and pink colors that seemingly appeared out of no where.

My ride back reminded me of the classic song by Supertramp "Take the long way home".

Thursday.

6:20 am and despite the web saying 'calm' the wind was already on the surf.

Of course the cat's at Kanaha don't give a shit about the conditions, just the perch opportunities.

A higher vantage point seems to be the order of the day, rise above and get a new perspective.

These guys are dialed in seasoned veterans and can play in anything.

Exhibit A, something out of nothing.

It's the real thing.

As is this, which is not two trees, but one taking the concept of branching out to a whole new level.

Spoil sports.

That's more like it.

Peace, love, ease and flow. Over and out.

No rain, no rainbows,

Heading down the hill to work.

At work.
Heading up the hill.

Haliimaile turn off.

Makani turn off.

Did you make your wish?

As a little postscript, Ulles sent me this link with the note "31 plus million hits for this shit, and you probably saw three today. God help us."