Oly had sent me an e-mail a few days before we left which read “Forecast looks a bit violent at the moment so we will have to see what its like....” Day two saw this prediction come into full fruition as (pre-breakfast) we picked up beers that had been chilling outside, but now lay wind whipped and strewn down the driveway!
The boys optomistically set about putting footstraps on boards but the weather turned bleaker with every turn on the screwdriver. Meanwhile, as it became apparent living room bay window was
the place to be, Renata observed "we need some windscreen wipers"and without further ado, became them!
There.....much better. As we all optimistically awaited the weather to clear, there was no need to de-pajama or go anywhere except baggy
the best seats in the house. Renata read a German mag, Giampaolo an Italian book.....
....and Oly found "a bit of a crowd pleaser"!
Yet fear not faithful readers, because not only did the sun shine, but the swell pumped and the wind evened out enough for the boys to have a fun afternoon windsurf session.
The decent weather brought everyman and his dog out.
And a small German fraulein with a desire to do headstands.
Better bring in the sheep to manicure this lawn.
Here's some they prepared earlier.
With the unexpected success of the day there was only one way to celebrate, jackets on and beers in, cheers!
Since returning from Europe my exercise flow has slowed to a trickle. In an effort to rejuvenate my mojo I've agreed with myself to exercise everyday for the next few weeks, even if it's only a few push ups. In this spirit of this pemature New Years resolution, I took a little bike ride from Sakamoto Pool to the Iao Needle. It's an appealing route as you start in a relatively urban surrounding and quickly get enveloped by nature.
The Iao valley is narrow and it's cliffs so steep, that it's next to impossible for the sun to spill on to the road that takes you to the needle. It's a sacred place to the Hawaiian's as not only was it was a burial ground for the ali'i (chiefs), but also the site of a bloody battle in which King Kamehameha fought the Maui army in his quest to unify and rule the Hawaiian Islands. Soldiers bodies were said to have blocked the Iao streams flow.......and now you have to pay to park there.
Blimey, I didn't mean to get all serious, but that's the energy of the valley-intense. Still, the steady up hill climb is well worth it to watch to taro grow and marvel at the grassy cliff fingers.
My reward was perfectly reheated carbo load of dashboard spaghetti.
Always room in a post for a classy palm tree.
At home things were not quite so energetic, look at these two lazy layabouts (oh the judgement from one who was just there)!
Lanai in the distance.
