Heat wave.

Whilst I was out playing in the water, I stuck the bottle on the dashboard of my truck and let the tea brew itself. Not the milk and two sugars kinda tea you understand, but a herbal formula for coughs (ugh-huh)and 'twas delicious.

The long windless spell of Maui weather caught me in it's magic and I finally bought a SUP board I can call my own. "Look at you" I said to myself, "just an ordinary girl from Leeds, who'd have ever guessed this is how your life would turn out?". I've always enjoyed my own company, but these last few mornings gently paddling over the reef, catching small waves and chasing turtles have really been "how long have I been out on da water?" kinda fun.

You already know the coastline can look like this....

....but there's a lot of this too. No less beautiful, but the rugged outline is much harder to launch from.

Still, those rocks are handy for breaking open beach snacks.

Plus, mo'bettah for fishing.

Later, I sat at Paia Bay and enjoyed the slight onshore breeze that cooled me from the stifling heat of midday. I expectantly pulled out The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and devoured a couple of chapters, while watching the beach action (or lack thereof) go on around me. 

Three day weekends are good.

Upcountry to sea level.

This little house always looks so idyllic to me. It's actually part of the Tedeschi Vineyard property and I suspect it's appeal is partly due to it's age and construction. I miss very little of mainland life, but homes made of bricks and mortar can make me quite nostalgic. My house in comparison feels like one constructed by the three little pigs, it's all wood and sticks - a flimsy affair that the wolf could huff and puff and blow it right down.... if he wasn't busy with Red Riding Hood.

I popped over to the winery not to sample their wares, but to photograph the extraordinary Jade plant in bloom. It's conveniently located on a lovely arbor above their public loo's and for the record, Tedeschi has excellent latrines. It's always such a pleasant surprise to find a bathroom that someone has put thought into rather than provided by necessity. I shall have to add them to the sitorsquat.com website! TG: Take note, you can add this application to your iphone!

And while we're on the subject of toilets, take a moment and enjoy these fantastic creations. 

Sunday afternoon I perched on a cliff with a Jack Russell (whose name escapes me) and waited for the Olukai stand up paddle board armada to come by. Trade winds are your friends in these races as they push you from behind, however, we haven't seen those for about 2 weeks so peeps who did the race knew it was gonna be a slog from Maliko to Kanaha.

Cape Maliko-T minus 30 minutes.

90 or so paddlers were out on the water, including the amazing Michelle Crompton who despite a gammy knee and carpel tunnel syndrome made it look like a doddle. There was also Danny (what an athlete) Keevil, who'd been out on the piss 'training' the night before until 1am. As he drank his post race Coors Light he said "it's a sports drink," and inhaled deeply on his fag, I can't say he didn't earn either one. 

MChumbie here's your girl and three of her many fans, Melanie, our star, Renata and moi. Meesh even came first in her division of 35-39 on 12ft -ish board, nice one Cyril! 

Weekend summation.

My walking on water skills are coming along nicely, my tan (on the other hand) is not.

My life is divided into 'up the hill' and 'down the hill'. It's bizarre Maui-speak, that when you live here often explains why you won't be attending a scheduled event "Uffff I'm so sorry I can't make it, I'm knackered and am already up the hill" the reverse of course works just as well. This is normally met with knowing comprehension and sincere understanding.

That being said.....I was heading down the hill and pulled off to snap the late evening sunrays.

It was worth the trip as I attended a delightful soiree to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the Tamara Katz store. The tango demonstration was a hit, leaving those of use without Argentinean blood (OK me) slightly envious of the sensual and dramatic dance floor rhythms.

Even Ms.Katz's husband (aka the lovely and talented Francisco Goya) showed us his Buenos Aires home town moves.

Switching countries to Venezuela, Diony gets this afternoons vote for one of the best set of obliques, blimey mate not too shabby. Meanwhile, the reason Diony and all of us were at the beach was this....

Sir Jeffrey Henderson had organized all of us that love his Superfreak sails to come to the beach and play. The lack of wind didn't seem to phase anyone and gave rise to this magnificent spectacle. Plus, Jeff had graciously organized nosh and bevies for everyone at his pad just down the beach, which is a slice of ocean front perfection.

Post lunch Tammo and buddy head out - double Dutch style.

The beach walk back to my car was just as enjoyable as the rest of the day. What a lucky bastard I am!