48!

Turning 48 might be a bit hair raising for some people, but I don't care....or do I?

Pennies, People, Peacocks and Presidents.

I randomly found a machine at the supermarket that will count all my loose, furry, tainted, sticky old change, so I'll feed the hungry beast this week. I'm sure it will extract it's pound of flesh from my stash, but it will be worth it just to have my water jug back and a few extra bucks in my pocket. Any guesses as to what I'll walk away with?

I spent part of my Wednesday hanging out with good friends cooking, eating and chatting. It was no hardship at all given that this was the garden. When I saw this photo it made me think how many millions of people don't even get to see this kind of a view in their whole life (or for that matter have that many pennies in the jar). Case in point, look at this poor cow.

Straddle it, swing on it, climb it, jump on it, sit on it, pose on it, what can I say-they did it all, boys will be boys. I was happily watching all of this post vertigo, which I'd had for over a week. I was cured by the Epley Maneuver within two days. So pass it on to any one who experiences the room spinning effects of too much alcohol without having drunk a drop!

....and talking of seeing double how about this two headed peacock?


It's a new day, it's a new dawn and as a non believer I thank God we have a new President.

15 minutes of fame.

Don't blink or you'll miss it! Just be sure you're on the international version of the site BBC.co.uk and open 'the big picture of the day'. Look familiar?!

Sunshine state.

I had to work today while the perfect storm of Kona winds and a giant swell were going off, so instead of nuclear pics here are a few calmer shots.

Baldwin beach perfection.

Portrait of the author as a giant.

Foot fettish, moi?!

The point is an excellent perch for a sketch.

Sweeeeet tuck.

Flat stanley on a wave.

Half for free.

Nice style brah.

Dude, behind you.......

........ufffff.......don't worry he was OK and I'd love to see his helmet-cam footage of that one.

Love, love love the colors of GP's 'borrowed' ultra light.

Phew-no plumbers crack!

Leftovers.

I really like this pic that my bro took and I notice I always call him 'bro' in my scribblings.

Here are a few of my reasons, beginning with his actual name which is Redvers. So first ‘Red’ implies he's a ginger and he’s not (see proof above). It’s also a bit of a hick name here in the US and he’s not that either! Finally as his name is unusual everyone gets the 'Red' bit correct but they always screw up the 'vers'. So here’s my handy guide in case you ever come across another Redvers on your travels. Pronounce the 'vers' like ‘vurs’ or even ‘vuz” but definitely not ‘fuss' with a mysterious ‘f’ thrown in as it’s commonly mispronounced - Redfers! Anyway.....where was I......oh yes posting on the blog.

Here's one of my bro's pici's from one of our park walks.......he's learning!

Lano (after correcting my spelling) in a previous post reminded me of this ridiculous article I read when I was home. Good grief, what is the world coming to when a teacher can't mark a paper with red pen for fear of offending her students? It's a bunch of bollocks and I'm with the traditionalists on this one, barmy is right..........and for the record any one can correct my work in any color (or colour) they like.

My favorite (or favourite) Christmas gift was waiting for me when I got home was a woodbine smoking baby, spectacularly inappropriate. Thanks F & M, you never cease to amuse.

Back on home turf (or maybe that should be surf).

Ahh yes, it's good to be back in the land of scantily clad youth!

This past Sunday I sat and watched a good show at Hookipa.

Here's Kai who's now 15.....


......and Bernd who's 12. Supreme confidence and an ability to really feel passion are (to me) the obvious perks of being such a good young sailor. Not to mention having so many big brothers and sisters at the beach looking out for you and treating you as a pier and not as a munchkin. Oh I'm sure there are a few challenges, but overall in the personality development department I think these two can thank their sailing for some traits that will serve them well in the future.

As always the hill was dotted with clusters of eagle eyed armatures, all (like me) wanting to get their own personal best shot.

Look out below....

I always wonder on these really high jumps if they get 'elevator stomach' on the way down? There's so many great sailors but in my limited observation only a handful really go for the super high ramping jumps. Is it too rough on the equipment (or the body) if they stuff it up, too lame a manoeuvre in this day and age of triples or do some of them just not have the stomach for it?

As an aside I love watching Luke sail. He sits on the shoulder in first gear waiting for the water to pitch up perfectly then he blasts down into the face of the wave and you can see him turning on the power, quickly into 2nd, charging into 3rd.... naught to (not exactly) sixty in a very short space of time. Then from 3rd he meets the lip and pulls out some insane manoeuvre and cruises out smoothly to sail to the rocks and do it all over again. And that ladies and gentlemen is about as technical as I'll ever get about anything-ever!

Now here's something you don't see every day (and the award for the most stylish wet suit goes to........)

Nor this....

T'was great to leave and 'tis good to be home.

and finally......

My Bro is a bit of a camera buff and pre-trip he's promised me some time to go over the intricacies of my Canon "should take all of 5 minutes" quipped the cheeky bugger. We wandered around parks and along river banks where there was plenty of picturesque scenery to photograph.

Bridge over the River Wharf.

Spooky tree.

Outhouse or bike shed?

Church at Collingham, St. something or another. 

Anyway, suffice to say we had a blast and as my trip came to a close my best buddy Jules came to pick me up and start the journey back to another Island over 7,200 miles away.

Jules and I were like a couple of giggling ninny's on the M1 as we headed down to London. Goofy stuff just made us laugh, case in point we slowed to 50mph to tail gate a Reliant Robin, or Reliant Rocket as TopGear sees them. However, the trip highlight had to be stopping at the Watford Gap for a wee (another  location of genius vending machine) and road supplies (namely Hula Hoops and Munchies).......just gotta be an ex-pat to appreciate the finer things in life!