Kerrygold

Every now and then Ireland really delivers.  You fall asleep to the sound of rain and wind and wake up expecting a winter day only to find the skies washed clear blue and the waves clean and crystal clear.  On days like these I can appreciate the 11 degree water that keeps the crowds away, and as I float out behind the waves and watch rainbows appear and disappear over the dunes I wouldn't trade west coast days on this little Island for anything.  It's only when you climb out with numb toes that the idea of warm water and warmer climes seems like a worthwhile trade for crowds!

Last weekend was spent in the company of a wonderful crew of friends and new friends thanks to my friend Emmet's band The Beautiful Rooms.  This group of friends has started a wonderful tradition, now in it's 3rd year, of gathering everyone down in a small Kerry town for a long weekend of music and surf.  It's always a weekend to look forward to and so far has not disappointed.  This year my little brother flew over from Lyon to join us, as well as a few Swiss friends of Emmet's so it really was an international affair.  We were spoilt with one of those magical summer days that somehow appears in late october.  Sam's camera, in the hands of Sam, Rory and Kathy, capture a bit of the sunshine and smiles from the weekend.

This weekend, after a busy week, not much sleep, and a mediocre forecast, the Kerry debate was on again.  At the last minute Sara, Natalie and I decided to hop in the van and drive down to a beautiful little corner of Kerry for a kitesurfing get together.  The weekend was perfection.  Sunshine and blue skies both days, wind that didn't really deliver for kiting but was perfect for surfing, 4 lovely shoulder high sessions on empty waves over the two days, and a small group of really lovely new people.  Bbq and wine on the beach in the evening followed by hot whiskey's in the local, and the next morning by coffee in the sunshine after a morning surf.  It was with serious difficulty that we dragged ourselves back to Dublin on Sunday evening.  

Magic light

Morning coffee

Skelligs

Days like these, I love my Ireland.

While out in Dublin

When studying for exams...

Stress relief methods become more and more creative!

Old friends and adventures of the past

2005 - July - Crater Lake, Oregon
About 4500km cycling down and 350 left to go to the Pacific

2000 - Bowron Lakes, northern British Columbia
First summer trip with the girls

2009 - January - Cypress Mountain, Vancouver
Nightskiing in the fog

2004 - June - Mt.Rainier, Washington state

Summer in Canada from the Sky

One of my favourite views -hay bales on the fields midsummer in northern Canada.

What happens when you go a winter without snow time -

Land of Colours

"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye."

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Morocco


I don't remember exactly when Morocco snuck into my head as a travel destination but on my 21st birthday my mum gave me a lonely planet 'morocco' book that led to many hours of daydreaming in my final year at Cornell.

2 1/2 years passed and Morocco never seemed to make it into the travel plans until, sitting in the guides' house on a rare afternoon off between trips down the Orange, my friend Scott put on a random Taylor Steele film - "Sipping Jetstream".

In the opening scene the camera waves through a crowded souq, early morning sunlight reflecting off brightly coloured carpets and cloths, while chickens, children and dogs dodge between stalls overflowing with olives, almonds, and spices.

"The world is a book, and those who don't travel read only one page...What no one tells you is that the book is no easy read. There's one thing I can say - whatever it is that you're looking for - beauty, salvation, enlightenment, danger...or just to disappear - this will only be a fraction of what you find. I'm just trying to read the whole book".

And so began plans for the next adventure...