Bits and bobs.

At nearly 65 he's still an amazing showman. The Rocket Man launched into three solid hours of extraordinary music and I've not enjoyed a concert so much in years.

Elton John played two nights on Maui and I was instantly transported me back to my youth as he walked on to "Funeral for a friend". His voice is still very powerful and he has a cheeky charisma that made it impossible not hard to have a great time.

And now back to my regular life, pretty huh?

Drunk again.

Inspired by his blow torch, the new Julia Child of Kuau (Ulli) whipped up some creme brulees with a acetylene finish. They were bloody delicious.

Those tiny black things near the horizon are actually whales. Their hulking graceful bodies came to within 15 feet of us and it's really a wonderful experience to be in their presence.

Michelle and Ulli scored an incredible close encounter a few weeks ago, take a look. Thank goodness they're here a little while longer as I've not yet got my fill.

Hot and cold.

With all the intense snow on the mainland and in Northern Europe, I feel a bit sheepish in stating that we have had one of the mildest winters that I can remember. Notoriously the rainy season starts around Christmas, but so far we've had just a couple of precipitous days followed by one gorgeous blue sky after another. Oh Jesus, caught again in weather talk......the English part of me could go on and on, while the American part wants me to STFU!!!!

While my purchased Poinsettias are wilting and ready to be planted, the wild ones are thriving. None more so than the patch opposite Grandma's at the start of Thompson Road. In my tiny mind where plants contests live, these win first prize in the 'redest red competition'. They are so ridiculously vibrant I defy anyone not to feel better just looking at them.

I've always enjoyed being able to see the edge of land, especially if you can see the 'map' in its contours. This lovely view is from Keokea toward the West Maui Mountains.

Meanwhile the surf keeps pumping and dudes like this are in a perpetual state of stoke.

And talking of pumping.... this classic gem comes courtesy of Michelle, as an example of the British doing their best to cope with all the snow! Someone commented "Popping in for a cold one"! Stay warm people.

Early bird.

My latest sleep pattern is to awake around 5:30am (waaaaaaaaaaay to early) but as I'm all sleeped out, there's nothing to be but get up. The tide was low at 7:00am this morning so a SUP sesh was crossed of the list and replaced happily by a bike ride.

I might have been up early, but as I strapped on my helmet and looked up, it was apparent this person was up much earlier.

"Blimey mate, you might wanna cut back on the sunflower seeds, you're looking mighty porky around the petals" I thought, as I'd peddled barely 2 minutes before dismounting to stop and snap this swollen sunflower. It's a stunning route from Rice Park to the end of Thompson Road that greets you with the incredible smells of eucalyptus trees and doesn't stop feeding the senses, including the sense of humor.......

.....quick, quick, somebody distract him!

Oh deer.

I stopped to feed the horses and was drawn to this one because of his long fringe and one empty socket. It made me think of a scene from The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, which is an extraordinary must see movie.

As I was in the neighborhood. I decided to pop in and see the ducklings and like any good Auntie my first thought was "my, haven't you grown?" .

Goodness gracious me.........having freckles I can relate to this one. And now for a duck joke: A duck walks into his local 7-11 and says "give me some chap stick and put it on my bill"!

My end.