Ireland

The rain lashed against our faces & the wind bit at our finger tips as the absurdity of a surf trip to Ireland sank in rapidly. We were five in total, knowing each other from Maui, but all conveening from various parts of Europe to vacation in Kerry. It was maddness personified and the pre-trip promise of comedy value began to quickly wane, as we threw the boards on top of the cars. I for one was sure I'd never-ever-ever going to need them.

And yet, the morning broke with sunshine, surf and undisputable truth that 'Sharon would go'

Wetsuit, anorak, scarf & hat.....I'm ready!

Oh wait, I forgot my gloves.

Goofy long boarder on the left is me :-)

Despite what you may think I had a blast and in my shrink wrap casing, was snug as a bug in a rug. However, as my prone surfing isn't the best in peak conditions, it became quickly apparent that I was sadly out of shape.

Still, happy and pleased with myself I left the others surfing and embarked on removing my wet suit. I might well have been oxygen starved and half way up Everest for the amount of effort that every little movement took. Come to find out, the best technique is to drive home and remove it in the hot shower!

I moooooooned this lot whilst de-neopreneing.

So did these guys as I saw my fare share of tightly clenched white bums this trip, the byproduct of wet skin exposed in crispy air.

It's not called the Emerald Isle for nothing and the grass is norished by all the moisture that helps manufacture some of the greenest cholorphil I've ever seen.

And the best Guinness, in the best pub 'James Ashe' you've ever tasted.

Look North.

On my annual returns to the UK, my Mum likes to create as highly condensed a version of Englishness as possible. I think even she'd agree that she out did herself as we stumbled upon this particular vision.

Is he though...really?

An Englishman's home....

Classic sticker spotted on a naff van.

This trip I had a few incredible moments of knucklheadedness. The cost of forgetting my MAC power cord was $95 and a lot of time up and down the Motorway looking for it! The upside was having my bro as the chauffeur and as a consolation prize for all the running around, we took ourselves to York and had a walk on the old Roman walls.

"Do you want a cup of tea or anything" he said as our afternoon neared its end. "No thanks" I replied, "but do you fancy a swift half ?".....silly question really and like naughty school kids skiving off, we popped in the nearest Public House and splurged on two halves & bag of crisps. We know how to live.

It pleases me greatly that the sheep in the Dales roam about willy nilly like they own the place.

The gray weather sandwich contained a delicious filling of a few sunny days. The true Brits sat out as if enjoying a summer day, while I trogged about wrapped up against the weak October sun.

It's nice to go home but I crave new adventures, so for part two of my trip I planned to meet friends in Ireland. The cost of realizing that I'd booked my flight from Leeds to Dublin for the wrong departure date (6:00pm the night before leaving) was $450, for a ticket that originally cost $66... some lesssons are more expensive than others! The value of my Mum solving the problem and my heartfelt gratitude for her help was (as they say) priceless.

My weekly address.

Gecko sending out peace, love & grooviness.

Author swinging on trees and full of goofiness.

Dr. Goldin relaxing in beachy civilian dress.

Me falling in, with great aplomb and pure finesse.

Standing up involves falling down and getting back up, which (lets face it) is priceless.

Investigating seaweed gathering, who knew a county permit was needed so as not to transgress?

The simple pleasure of Maui's beauty and awesomeness.

Things you don't see everyday.

"Do you think anyone's called 911?"said Corina, who was born and raised on Maui. "Look at the color of that smoke" I said, "that's not a cane fire", "no way" she concurred.

We ignored work and stood in the corridor taking pictures of what was beginning to feel like an alarmingly close blaze. We didn't hear sirens & I felt guilty "I'm calling 911" I said, never having done so before in my life. Aren't you supposed to get right through to a person, I thought as I was put on hold by an automated voice. The efficient dispatcher (once on the line) asked me what the problem was "I'm sure you're getting a lot of calls" I blabbed on not getting to the point "but there's a really big fire in North Kihei", unimpressed she replied "I think there's a cane burn down that way". Think?.......I thought.

Just then Nancy arrived with our coffee and cool as a cucumber said "nice cane fire".

Mental.

Whilst waiting for the traffic light to change, I enjoyed this juxtaposition.

And talking of enjoying positions, this is my latest favorite on my new inversion table.

And while we're on the subject of things you don't see everyday, in my era's version of a sack race, at a birthday party I saw children jumping noisily and uncomfortably in large plastic bags! That's just wrong.

Yet to put all things right, in the shallow knee high shore break at Kanaha I was lucky enough to see a baby hammer head shark, it was maybe a foot long and was super-duper cute. You gotta milk the magical moments so they out weigh the crazy ones!

Poli Poli migration.

Poli Poli is a breath of fresh air any time of day, but at sunset it's especially calm and beautiful.

Other than the odd Bull in the road.

Friday night was the annual migration for our book club overnighter and once ensconced in our cozy cabin, my ego suggested a little fireside la-la-la-along. Kanara makes it clear one doesn't need to sing or play the Uke to have fun, oh-lay!

To the untrained eye we might look like a bunch of ordinary chicks, but believe me, this group of extraordinary & exquisite women can party, solve, debate, love, cook, laugh, run, support, la-la-la-la, read, speak their minds and welcome your socks off. We had a blast.

A short stroll from the cabin is a lookout where the Big Island pokes her head out of the clouds.

There might not be electricity in the woods, but that doesn't stop a light and delicious lunch for ten magically appearing. "Anyone fancy a another beer?"....burrrrp.

Sister Sharon and her bad habit.

Saturday saw the annual Cycle to the Sun race, which for a the chosen few means early morning aid station fun. We offered holy water, heed, bananas, gel and most importantly a little levity as the athletes rode by.
Having ridden up from Paia, Jami and Nancy's aid station is the first as the riders ascend 10,000 ft to the top of Haleakala. Heaven or Hell?, you decide.... was their theme this year.

A bondage sheep in lingerie? Why not?!

We're not as outlandish as you may think when you see some of the classic fans from the Tour de France. We have way too much fun with this gig, though I think it's safe to say Borat will never be our theme, that being said, any ideas for next year?

Scenery, skies and tiki man finds a good home.

Trust me, all of Maui doesn't look like this....so even though I live here, I still have huge appreciation when I come across a pocket that does.

His previous owners were regretfully leaving the island and selling their lock, stock and two smoking barrels worth of possessions. "I can give this handsome chap a good home", I thought, and assuring his prior owners of the same, did a quick clunk click every trip and off we sped. My new guardian now serenely resides outside my front door, with an chief like plant as his headdress.

There have been some neck strainingly good sunsets this last week.

Last night I as drove home I could see the sky starting to catch fire. I just had time to grab a glass of wine, my camera and a delicious moment with tiki man and the rapidly changing colors. Toodle-oo.

Play time.

I have a t-shirt that reads 'always tardy,' which is only amusing because I'm perpetually (some may yell anally) on time. When I wear it people assume I'm a latey, or a teacher or proclaim that they should own the shirt as it describes them perfectly. This blooming creeper was so stunning, that I actually gave my self permission to be late for work as I had to pull over to click a snap......and I still arrived before my business partner who truly is always tardy!

Ulli asked me the other day "So Shaz, whatcha been up to"? There's always a small part of me that wishes I had a really mind blowing answer to this question, but alas I'm a creature of habit. "Nothing unusual" I said, "but I'm really enjoying my summer sailing, SUP and Uke practice". The truth is, I'm having so much fun doing the same things, I just keep doing them!

Dry hair = not trying hard enough, GP does not suffer from the same affliction.

Untitled from Sharon on Vimeo.

It's been about three and a half months since I've been taking weekly Ukulele lessons. Every Sunday morning, Cyrus shows up (on time) to my house and my learning curve unfolds under his gentle tutelage.

He's a soulful chap who believes in having fun and allowing the music and my skills (for want of a better word) to dictate the journey. If you want a technical lesson, as a seasoned musician of 30 years, he can go there but he doesn't push it, which for me provides heaps of room to be creative verses academic. That's not to say he's not a stickler about learning the foundations of accurate chord changes, pacing and chart reading, yet within a few strict bounderies he provides lots of room to play.

And play we did.....here's a few minutes of last weeks lesson with Cyrus going seriously off piste!

Almost a happy camper.

As the sun went down, it gave the mountain slope a warm earthy glow.

We'd all gathered for our friend Ian's birthday and moved to the sands edge to enjoy the fading light, a cold beer and each others company. Jesus, that's way too poetic for us lot-rewind-how about 'we dragged our arses to the shoreline and haphazardly hung out for a so-so sunset'....mo bettah.

Meanwhile, with the wind blowing wildly off the mountain, Ian's five star lodging didn't quite hold up to the gale force conditions.

Not deterred our lad sat front and center on his plastic throne, essentially not giving a shit.

Ulli was here.

After being the generous beach masseuse that she is, Melanie wisely staked out her spot next to the fire.

Ian's happy ending. from Sharon on Vimeo.

In s stoke of genius (and being the good friend that he is), Ulli decided to mess with last few minutes of Ian's massage. Watch and enjoy!