I Love Words

I just had to take a photograph of this young fellow named Devin and his cool t-shirt.  I think most surfers have this motto! By the way, "keikis" means children in Hawaiian.

The Perils of Surfing

Casey "hit the flats at Freddy's" and landed upright on his feet when he was surfing.  He'll have to wear that cast for awhile.  Surfing is lots and lots of fun, but it can also be dangerous.  Should you decide to take up surfing, make sure you have the right board and are surfing in the right place for your ability.  Take a few lessons first so you know what to do.  Better safe than sorry!

See you at the Pipe Masters next year.  Arf!  Arf!

Surf's Up.......and the First Contest's On

Yep, it's the Menehune Surfing Contest again, the 37th year!  About 400 groms on Oahu and many from the Outer Islands compete to see who's the best wave rider of all.  For many, this is the beginning of a career in professional surfing.  

Check out the website......the music is fantastic!!!  http://northshoremenehunesurfcontest.com/

The Next Kelly Slater? Carissa Moore?

Nathan, Kaile (holding me) and Olivia are ready grab their boards and surf in their heats.  Being a young surfer in the Menehune is fun and thrilling........it's a day to play at the beach with all your friends and family.

And When You're not Surfing..........

Go climb a coconut tree like Kaile and Olivia if your tired of catching waves.  The whole Menehune weekend is just one big beach party! and sometimes it goes for two weekends!

Looking West and Looking East

It's an all day event at the Menehune Surfing Contest.  Some of the parents are really putting a lot of their energy and effort in making sure their children do their best........ and for some it's very, very serious.

The Perfect Perch

Sitting on the stage of the judges' tent, Kayla and her Mom and Dad are in a great position to watch the Menehune!  In Hawaiian, menehune means "magic little people" something like the leprechauns of Ireland.

Up on Top

The judges have a perfect view of the hundreds of young surfers out to prove themselves.  Heat after heat determines the best wave riders 12 years old and under in Hawaii.

The Voice of the North Shore

Rocky Canon is always ready to give me a smile and a hug when we see each other, and so it was at the Menehune Surfing Contest.  It's such a pleasure to chat with this North Shore icon.........he's always announcing something somewhere!

You are the Change

Educating the children to take better care of the planet was on the agenda at the Menehune.  Here is Natalie of the Kokua Hawaii Foundation letting the young surfers know the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Artists at the Beach

One way to recycle is to use found pieces of glass and plastic from the beach to create a big, beautiful fish.  Try it sometime...........it's easy! 

And Speaking of Education

This was my favorite tent at the Menehune.............the Book Exchange.  Kirra, on the left, and Alohi were overseeing the activities.  Each child who wanted a book brought one to trade.  I love this idea!  It was the brainchild of Susie Milosky and the first year at the contest.

Look, I Found a Book!

I was so lucky!  I was able to take home a copy of Michael Pollen's book about eating.  I know that what I put in my body is important...........junk food equals junk body.......healthy food equals healthy body!!  Makes so much sense, doesn't it!

Command Central

These young women make the Menehune happen!  They are so full of love and goodwill and are happy to support young surfers and their dreams.

And Just for Me

Yes, the Menehune is really great for me...........kids, books, the beach, waves, and a bowl of water with my name on it!!  Perfect!

Ready to Conquer the World

Kaiser and his little sister, Kirin, are just two of the 400 children competing in the 37th Annual Menehune Surfing Contest.  They were excited to spend the day at the beach with their friends and ride waves to see who's the best surfer in Hawaii in 2013.
(You may recognize the building in the background, it was the lifeguard headquarters in the t.v. show, Baywatch, filmed in my little beachtown of Haleiwa.)

Heading to the Beach

I'm in southwest England in Cornwall.  It's a destination for those who love the beach.  The parking lot was packed and all the locals were there to enjoy the summer weather. The water was cold and the cool wind was brisk!

A Stroll up the Cliffs

Along the coast of Cornwall, the views are spectacular.  A well-worn path above the beach led me up higher and higher.  What's that I see in the distance?  Can you make it out?

Leading the Charge

Victoria and I were trying to keep up with her dog.  He was tugging hard to get to the top of the cliff.  Jack Russell's are always ready to explore and get into mischief.  And her dog was no exception! 

A Fortress? A Castle? A Tin Mine?

What's your guess?  Well, the third choice was right.  This tall stone structure is the remnant of tin and copper mines that dotted the Cornish coast in the 1800's.  Before the mines, this area, known as Chapel Porth, was a medieval religious site.

A Closer Look

Can you believe there was a little dormouse entrance just right for me.  I was super impressed with all the stone masonry involved in building this tin and copper mine engine house.  Usually the piece across the top of the doorway, called a lintel, is horizontal.  Hmmm...I wonder where this will take me! 

Yikes! I Better Watch my Step

It was pretty slippery and I got a little nervous as I continued up the Cornish coast.

On the Back Side

Isn't this view just spectacular!  The coast of Cornwall just took my breath away!

And a Little More History......

Come visit the coast of Cornwall in southwest England......come during July and August for the best weather.

Heart to Heart

Victoria has made her home in St. Agnes, a small surfing village, in Cornwall, England.  She surfs and teaches young children to ride the waves.  I stayed in her charming cottage just a short walk to the beach.  She just had that door built.  Do you think my heart inspired hers?

Let's Go Surfing Now........

I love Perry, Victoria's son,  and he loves me.  We played together a lot when I stayed in St. Agnes.  He showed me the ropes when it came to surfing.  Hmmmmmmm.....which board will I choose to ride?  What do you think, Perry?

Rub a Dub Dub.......

Mary owns the Aggie Surf Shop with her husband, Chops, right in the heart of St. Agnes.  They rent and recycle wet suits for summer visitors as this surfing town's population explodes when the weather gets warm.  Mary rinses out the salt water and prepares this "Shortie" for her next customer.  Could that customer be me?

Uh, Oh.......

Yes, surfing can be a dangerous sport!  That's what Markie learned when he was riding a wave called "The Cribber" in Newquay, north of St. Agnes.  He was tow in surfing, knocked off his board, and the wave pounded it into his ankle.  Boooooo.....an impact fracture!  His friend, Mason, is keeping him company while they chat with customers in front of the Aggie Surf Shop.

Winter Surf in St. Agnes...Please Read

Although this is lengthy, please take the time to read it.  The surf in St. Agnes can be quite destructive.

That's what makes the waves so rideable and this town a surfer's destination.  Remember, you can click on the image and enlarge it!

From London, Southwest, to Cornwall

 I was heading by train to a town called Truro in southwest England and ran into a "convict".  Actually, this chap was getting married and heading to the beach for a long weekend with his friends for a "Stag Do".  That's called a bachelor party in the U.S.  What a wild group!  This poor guy had so many party rules to follow,  it seemed like a reality t.v. show!

A Word of Warning

When taking the trains in England, only ride during the week if you can.  On the weekends repairs are being done to the tracks and stations and it's often hard to make connections.  And, all the trains are owned by separate companies.  The system is not run by the government anymore.  The First Great Western leaves London for points in the southwest.

An Old Mining Town/Fishing Village

We stayed with friends in St. Agnes, a surfing community.  We visited this school for an Open House.  Mom and I had fun there, but never went into the water.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrr....too cold for a little Hawaiian dog!

England at its Best

 Old stone walls, ocean views, sunny days------summer in Cornwall.  It's anyone's guess how old this rock wall is and who built it.   St. Agnes is chocked full of history.

Fishing, Anyone?

The shores southwest England are rocky and the beach is covered with stones.  Maybe I'll just put on my wet suit and follow those surfers out to the waves, and forget about fishing.

A Little Nippy

The water was just a bit too cold for me to go surfing or just take a dip, so I spent my time collecting beautiful rocks.  Did you know that male penguins search the beach for a perfect rock and then present it to the female of their choice, hoping she will like it and start building a nest?  

Making Sure Everyone's Safe

Guarding the Trevaunace Cove in St. Agnes are Tony, holding me, and Trevellean.  I asked them why this spot was so good for catching waves.  Their response, "It's sheltered and there's pretty good surf from the end of August until October.  What's not so good is the boat traffic, novice surfers, and caves in the cliffs from mining tin in the region." 

Summer in Bowes Park - North London

Yes, it does get warm enough to bring out the pool and play in the water in the garden.  Harriet and her friend are making the best of the sunshine. Although when Mom and I were visiting, a cold spell hit the next day and brrrrrrrrr....Luckily I was in my fur coat!!

Bend it Like Beckham?

Phoebe was playing soccer, or as they say in England and around the world, "football" instead of joining her sister in the pool.  Now a note about the pool in the previous picture.  It is really a birthing tub.  Both Harriet and Phoebe were born in it!

Our Hostess Extrodinaire

Emma and Jasper took very good care of me when I visited them.  Emma is fabulous cook!  Best of all, I had an inside view of what it's really like to live in London.  They are renovating their home and there were construction materials all over the garden so we made two dump runs.  Now, mind you, in England a dump is called a "tip".  They laughed when I called the tip a "dump"!

I Love Dean! He's so Much Fun!

Dean Willars is an architect in London and the leader of the Willars clan.  He was so helpful and told me where to go and what to do.  He also played music at the drop of a hat, with his IPod and surround sound in his house.  He even led me to this overground railway through a beautiful park to catch a train to the King's Cross station so I could ride the Great Western to Cornwall........but that's another story.  Stay tuned!

Be Careful When You Travel

Well, I fared pretty well as Mom and I traveled across Europe, but one time she awkwardly brought her suitcase, her carry on, that's all she took and me, of course, off the steps at a weird angle and gouged the side of her foot.  Ouch!  Lucky she "minded the gap" and didn't fall through the crack!

She kept me safe, secure, and comfy all the time  We sure do enjoy ourselves as we travel around the world!  Lots of people we meet and know want to be in my shoes, oops, I mean paws.

It's the Big Red Dog and Me

Clifford and I met up in New York City.  We have a great working relationship----we both entertain and educate children (and adults).  I met him at the Scholastic News offices because Mom's an advisor to the 3rd grade newsletter.

Anyone for Some Blush?

It's fun to travel and stop in little shops, especially ones that give away products.  LUSH is an Engish company with stores across the U.S.  Stephen and I made friends and he told me that his company buys 1/10th of all the roses from Turkey to make perfumes and soaps and creams and more.  When you visit NYC drop into LUSH at 529 Broadway and tell them the dog sent you!

In All Her Glory

Grand Central Station in New York City is having a birthday........she's 100 years old!  Mom and I love to travel by train.  It's our favorite way to get around!  Just make sure if you ride the rails, realize there are many cities, especially in Europe, which have more than one train station, so plan accordingly.

Along the River

Yep, I'm traveling by train again.  It was just a short day trip outside of New York City.  I loved the views of the Hudson River.  Ever heard of Henry Hudson?  Look him up and find out why this river was named after him. 

My Good Pal, Eva

Eva is an old friend who moved to Croton on Hudson.  We met up when I was staying in The Big Apple.  I just hopped a train and headed north along the Hudson River.  It is so easy to get around on the East Coast using Amtrak and the local rail companies.

Build a Rock Wall?

I'm in a small, quaint town north of New York City called Croton on Hudson.  It old and had great gardens and fences.  This rock wall caught my eye.  I bet the rocks came out of the Hudson river.  I think it would be fairly easy to build.  Want to give it a try?

New York's Getting Green!!

Hooray for Composting!  Hooray for The Big Apple.  Being sustainable is important to everyone.  The planet needs more green awareness to stay healthy.  Are you composting?  It's easy and there are several ways to reduce your waste.