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?

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.

A busy week.

Having surfed and attended a yoga class, my day was already an eight. So when I got the invite from Mel to come and eat lunch prepared by a private chef and launch from his house...well it jumped to a ten.

And talking of jumping, I had to before rigging up!

Team Italia & Team Swiss are in town and Renata's birthday was a perfect excuse to congregate and appreciate.

Doh! I didn't take this grasshopper pici (I wish), but it makes me smile every time I look at it.

I didn't take this one either and it was forwarded to me with the comment "one of your friends I'm sure", again, I wish!

The third and final pici I didn't take was this one forwarded by Meesh. Here's the story morning glory. More shocking is that this beautiful photo was taken with Ulli's iphone!

It's a tradition to have a pre halloween party pici taken in Ulli and Michelle's kitchen.

Gotta have the contrast before things go quickly down hill!

And finally, spot the windsurfing pioneer!

Miracles do happen.

I went surfing today at Hookipa and had a blast (and Tavares last week but I only have a witness and no text as proof)!

Danny owns a brilliant cafe.

Our lives change but the beauty of rainbows...

.....and sunsets are constant.

Oh and I now own a watch......something I've not done in about 20 years. It tells the tides.

Sunny afternoon.

It's summer time which means flat water and that's great for my sailing.

My commitment free days off are driven by the question "should I sail, sup or bike ride"? Lately, if the conditions allow, windsurfing has been my first choice. For so many years this sport has frustrated me to the point of tears, but lately I've been having a lot of fun and realized part of it is being at a level where that exasperation doesn't show up. Which, I don't mind telling you is nothing short of a fucking miracle.

At the risk of stating the obvious, Maui provides weather that allows you to frolic outside year round, but the long summer days provide more play hours and less intense water conditions, and for me that equals more smiles.

Say "Pee" (which I'm not)!

Post sesh like a total nit-wit, I'd packed up leaving the Gopro on my paddle and still in the 'photo every two seconds' mode. One Mississippi, two Mississippi....

.....three Mississippi, four Mississippi....

.......five Mississippi, six Mississippi.

Testing one, two, check-check, testing one, two, three.....

Good evening Wembley!

I've been plucking away now for a little over a year now and am of the belief that I don't have much ego around it. The sheer joy of learning a new chord pass or mastering a strum is enough, it really is one of those simple pleasures which makes it easy to find gratification in the journey. In his infinite wisdom, my teacher, sound engineer and producer, Cyrus, had decided it was time to set up a recording session. Blimey, it's a good job I'm easy about the whole thing because hearing myself in headphones really exposed the areas that need more work. Plus there's definitely an added sense of pressure in wanting to get it right (enter stage left, the ego). At one point (having just botched my solo) my inexperienced recording fingers started trembling! That being said, I could have done it all day because the thrill of getting it right was ridiculously satisfying.

As it's sunny afternoon, I thought of this song and hope you're enjoying your summer.... peace, out.

Chilling out.

Everyone needs a place where they can contemplate undisturbed, this is my friend Jana's reading, meditation, napping and general chill out shack.

In case this dude chills out too much and forgets where he's from.

Now that's a labor of love, I don't think I've once rinsed my sail off with fresh water, let alone scrubbed it properly.

Cleaning the head....

....down the luff...

...opppps missed a bit behind the ears.

Bet'cha this sail doesn't get the same love, but they certainly looked chilled out.

As opposed to these guys, chicken ruuuuun.

Phew-after all that I'm hungry and having always wanted to make homemade pasta, the opportunity arose last week. With Ian as head chef and Cheyenne with all the tools in his kitchen (God bless the kitchen aid) the spinach and ricotta ravioli effortlessly manifested.

As this was Ian dipping his toe back into his non existent Italian roots, he did a bloody good job. I can't wait for the next refinement of the same recipe.

And finally, a few months ago a friend made me a palette of colors to match my tones, they're as dull as dirt, but luckily I'm not!