ctt’s statuslog

That moment when I flop into bed, tired at the end of a long day. ⚘

A storm that has been making its way down the Hawaiian Island chain is still battering Maui. At least here on the north shore where the wind is strong. It might be a very different story on the southern side of Haleakala? Yesterday was overcast, windy and very wet (here, talking to a friend on the south side…very little rain). Today not so much rain, though it has been putting in an appearance. ⚘

Listening to rain trickling down the down pipes from the gutters, still with just over 5 hours to go until midnight. ⚘

It's cloudy today and I'm pleased for that. It compliments how I feel. Not that I regard cloudy days as gloomy. I usually welcome overcast days here on Maui - we already get plenty of sun. A cloudy day gives me permission to go inside, both physically and metaphorically. Today I am just feeling a wish to be inside of myself and alone. I am struggling to feel motivated to do things, when there are plenty of things that need doing. So the overcast weather is giving me permission to move quietly, slowly and be with myself. ⚘

Boxing Day was just as the doctor ordered, quiet and restful. ⚘

Thanks to @[email protected] I now have quite the collection of Owl Avatars. With the Winter Solstice now past us and Christmas here, I have changed the owl to Winter Owl. He can now take me through the darker and colder months of the year. Thank you Andy. ⚘

My search for Mince Pies finally turned up trumps today here on Maui. I now have 9 mini mince pies and 6 standard sized pies in the house. Given that I am the only Englishman in the house and the only person in the family who likes mince pies, I stand to have an enjoyable and tasty next few days. ⚘

We are having very hot winter weather at the moment. Yes, I would expect warmer weather in Hawaii during winter than some more northerly latitudes, but this just feels very hot. Clear skies, strong sun. ⚘

We've woken up to a still and quiet Sunday morning. This is just what the doctor ordered after a busy second half of the week. The sun is out, the sky is clear, there's not a breath of wind. I am grateful for this feeling in the air (though pouring rain would have been a good excuse to just sit and watch a movie). ⚘

I saw by Liza Donnelly and it made me ask myself, why do I anthropomorphize our Christmas tree? I notice that I do that each year. I don’t give it a name as Liza does in her cartoon, but I find myself concerned that it has enough water, and that it is looked after well, and about its sacrifice for our enjoyment through the Holiday season. Why do I do that, I wonder? ⚘

Over the last two nights I’ve enjoyed seeing all the houses lit up with Holiday lights while driving by. Each year there seem to be more and more houses joining in the fun. While definitely not as meditative as from a couple of nights ago, I am experiencing the lights in a different way (as opposed to my "bah humbug, crass commercialism" perspective) - a letting in of joy and light as the days get shorter. ⚘

It's just started raining, hard. Unless it eases up or preferably stops, which I hope that it does, this evening might need a Plan B, or some reworking of Plan A.

Oh simple joys. I just found a jar of Marmite at the back of the cupboard. Marmite can no longer be found here on Maui, and I have not ordered any in a while. I’m now looking forward to breakfast tomorrow. ⚘

Looking out over a ghostly lit landscape as the Super Moon casts its eerie light across the land tonight. ⚘

Some days I seem to be able to get things done with clarity and all the time in the world. Other days I feel as though I am stuck in treacle, every job feels hard and difficult, and little appears to get done. Today I am having both days in one! ⚘

We live about 1½ miles from the ocean. You know when the swell is big when two things happen.

1. The surf can be heard breaking against the cliffs…1½ miles away.
2. The ocean looks corrugated, as the waves make their way in to the Maui shore…seen from 1½ miles away. ⚘

Those times when I arrive home but do not get out of the car as I am listening to something on the radio and don't want to miss where it is going. This time on . ⚘

That emoji might be a little extreme for the temperatures here on Maui, at least close to sea level, but the morning air has got a lot more chilly in the last few weeks. I for one like these cool, fresh mornings. It balances the days and means that I'm not constantly looking for shade or a place to cool off. Days are still warm, 76°F/26°C, before dropping off again as the sun goes down. ⚘

With the ”Holidays” now officially upon us, at least here in the US, for the next month if I am wanted I can be found in a remote hut somewhere on the side of a mountain. ⚘

One thing that I love about public holidays - quiet roads. The Hana Hwy, which runs near to our home and is normally busy at this time of day as visitors head out to the east side of Maui, is currently quiet.

The island is feeling full and busy at the moment - a couple of years ago. Visitors are here for the Thanksgiving week. However, at this early hour the highway is still very quiet, and with it the land, the 'āina feels as though it has a moment to rest. ⚘

Another full day. I’m missing writing. ⚘

Not a fun day, at least not in my book. I sit now at the far end of it wondering where it all went? Little was achieved that I wanted to get done...what little I have done was attempted at the far end of the day when I was definitely not firing on all cylinders.

What happened? A day of constantly moving pieces, and I was never sure where they were moving to. I hope that tomorrow will be better, though at the moment I'm not sure that it will?

I see that the Holidays are just round the corner. Maybe that has something to do with it?! ⚘

Saturday morning on Oahu, sitting on the balcony of our hotel having a morning coffee and looking out over the ocean, I saw my first whale sighting of the season. One, maybe two spouts of water blown into the air. The Humpback whales are returning to Hawaii's waters for the winter to calf. ⚘

Waking this morning, back home, with what I will call a Travel Hangover, that feeling I get after returning from time away involving a lot of travel. However, this was just an overnight trip to the island of Oahu with some friends, to support my wife’s son in an event that he was hosting.

Maybe it was that we were on the go for most of our time away? Or maybe it was simply having to navigate airports even though the flight was a quick hop, skip and a jump from Maui?

Whatever the cause, today will be spent landing back here on Maui. ⚘

I’m not a city person, but I notice and enjoy the stimulation that I get from visits to the big city.

In Hawaii’s big city, Honolulu. ⚘

The microclimates of Maui. We have woken up to low cloud, wind and torrential rain. I was in touch with a friend earlier who lives on the other side of the mountain, Haleakala, and he said that there is not a drop of rain there. ⚘

Struggling. Struggling emotionally for a lot of today. I could see myself in there, but could not find a way out. The later part of the day offered me some space where I could catch on some sleep and tasks that needed to be done. Now I feel fresher and more in control of myself.

A learning from this might have been to stop and create some space for myself. Perhaps to have taken a walk earlier, once an essential job was taken care of. ⚘

My wife and I are looking after the grandkids this weekend while their parents are away. Last night I slept in bed with one of them and received an unceremonious kick in the middle of the night as he turned over. I woke up very quickly. ⚘

Awoke to a clear sunny day. And it has that stillness that a weekend morning can bring. A nippy chill as well.

You know, after all the wind and rain of this last week, despite that weather being so welcome after the drought conditions of the last couple of months, this morning feels like a breather, a rest and is welcome in itself. ⚘

Famine or Feast. That appears to be our weather at the moment. Two weeks ago I was writing about drought like conditions, Stage 3 water restrictions, yellow straw like grass, and bushes and trees visibly struggling. Now we have strong winds and heavy downpours. I'll take it. In fact I like it. A familiar autumnal feeling. Even the temperature is down.

The water restrictions have now be lessened to Stage 1, at least in this part of the island. The microclimates are such here in Maui that some areas are not so lucky. Here's hoping that as we drop into winter some wet weather can be dumped across the whole island. ⚘

If I am up for driving there, I am having some acupuncture today to help with the migraine. I have not had needles for acupuncture before, not least because the two have not occurred together. I just happen to have an appointment today, and so hoping that it can help.

I've been getting migraines since I was in my mid-teens - wow, that's pushing 50 years. They have varied over the years in their frequency, how they show up, and their intensity. At the moment there is no certainty when they will appear, the last one might have been six months ago (I don't keep track).

This afternoon, while working, a migraine decided to move in. At first it felt mild, but as the evening has moved on the pain has increased. For now it is keeping me from sleeping. I'm trying to tire myself by reading. ⚘

Just sitting in silence. I find it so restorative. ⚘

It is Sunday evening and I am exhausted. The weekend has been long and busy, as well as being an emotional roller coaster. The introvert in me is running on a battery that is close to empty battery. I’ll be looking forward to turning the light out tonight, and hope that the week ahead offers me some respite. ⚘

OK so the leaves aren't changing colour here, but stepping outside this morning the air was beautifully cool and sharp. The weather will warm up as the day goes on, though we do have a front coming through the islands this weekend bringing rain. This time of year - autumn through to winter - is the time of year that I enjoy most here in Hawaii. For the cooler temperatures, the variety of weather and for the waves returning to Maui's north shore - even though I do not surf, I do enjoy watching the ocean's moods and feeling its power. ⚘

I can’t focus this morning. There are things on my mind and things that I need and want to do, and they are all fighting for my attention. No one is winning and nothing is getting done. My mind is not a fog, I can see clearly. More I am slipping and sliding, and deep down possibly avoiding as well? ⚘

Stepping outside this morning, pre dawn and the world illuminated by the full moon, I could hear the distant roar of waves. I love that sound and feeling the power of the ocean even from so far inland. Winter is here. The waves have returned to the North Shore of Maui. ⚘

Sometimes I sit feeling safe because I am not putting myself out into a situation and so not opening myself to criticism - and of course the flip side of that, praise or maybe simply indifference. However that safe place can in time become hiding place, a place that handicaps me by disabling trust in myself. Today I celebrate putting myself out there, for being vulnerable. ⚘

I used Apple's TextEdit app this morning for saving some text documents that I didn't want in Markdown or in a heavier duty text processing app...and it worked just fine for my usage. I've hardly ever used TextEdit as I've moved through versions of MacOS over the years, and I don't know why? My tendency to look to third party apps, really. While I like to support third party developers, this is being written on , I feel as though I should really look to see what is sitting on the machine that I have sitting right in front of me. What I need might already be there.

Another discombobulated day, ending what has felt like a discombobulated week. I’ve got to learn to manage these sorts of situations better. I definitely wasn’t putting out the best version of myself at times this week. ⚘

Sometimes I feel as if I'm losing control of everything around me. The reality is that I am probably rarely in control, though the illusion indicates otherwise. ⚘

There are some men working on our roof, a second story roof, replacing optimizers on the back of a couple of our photovoltaics. I do not have a head for heights and can't stand watching them working up there. Inside for me, or at least out of sight of the roof, just going out to checkin with them when their feet are on terra firma. ⚘

It's a still and moody evening. The weather has been building for a couple of hours now, building to a silence. And now it feels as though we are sitting, waiting for something to happen. Oh, there is a puff of wind, ...and now stillness again, the quiet broken by a passing car. Just waiting... ⚘

Life gets busy and frustrating, resulting in me not posting much to my blog this week. I feel uncomfortable and frustrated (twice in one post) not being able to do so, and I'm wondering why?

I think that it is a reflection of what blogging means to me as a form of self-expression - whether that is through writing or photographs shared.

I think that it is also about having the time to sit and create. When I that is unavailable to me for too long, I find the void that emerges just starts to eat away at me. Sometimes a piece comes out very quickly - create, post, done - other times (this post is a case in point), because of my frame of mind, what I am trying to say or convey, not having the right atmosphere around me, other (?), the creative process just takes time. If those are not available to me, nothing is produced. ⚘

Today has been the driest day in the last week, and I am so happy to be able to say that. With that said a has been issued for leeward areas of Maui through to Saturday. I'm fortunate to live in an area where rain has started to fall again, others are not.

Something has clicked in the air during this last week. It is not just the increased rainfall that I have been alluding to here, though that is certainly a part of it. No, the Trade Winds are blowing cooler, the water feels cooler, days are that little bit shorter (the difference between mid-summer and mid-winter light is not as pronounced as more northerly latitudes, but it is there), and then there's that little je ne sais quoi in the air. A switched has been switched and we are no longer in summer. The season has changed. Autumn has arrived in the islands. ⚘

Recently I've spoken a lot here about rain and the lack of it over the last few months here on Maui. Now it appears to be falling with more frequency, and it is a joy to hear. Yes, the sun is still here and yesterday was dry for the most part, but rain is falling as I write this. ⚘

Since the rains have returned to Maui, I am reminded of a phenomena that I experience here and have not experienced anywhere else (please let me know if you experience this where you are). I am outside. Above me there is a clear sky, sun out. Aways off I can see rain clouds, perhaps a major storm brewing, perhaps a squall coming in. But that is off to one side. Not above me. I am experiencing sunny, clear weather....except occasionally, I feel sprinkles of rain. It is clear sky above me, and I am experiencing sprinkles of rain. It is as though the rain in the distance is being blown to where I am standing, that is the only conclusion that I can come to. I have truly never experienced this anywhere else.

Wet with sunny spells. That has been the weekend weather since Friday and I am happy to be able to say that. May it continue... ⚘

A Stage 3 drought was declared yesterday on many parts of the island of Maui. So far into October and there has been little rain for months now. Dropping into autumn is usually the time for the rains to start.

...And at the same time as the drought is declared, maybe there are signs that the rains are returning? Last night and the night before it rained off and on through the night. Cloud cover yesterday cut the heat of the sun, even if rain was little. And now, as light appears here on a Saturday morning, rain falls. Here's hoping. ⚘

sounds surround me. My men's group has been canceled for the evening and so I find myself by chance out and about. On the way home I've stopped at a food truck for an unexpected dinner. I hear voices near me, music playing while people kick back for the evening, utensils clanging against saucepans as food is prepared. A day comes to end, an evening begins. ⚘

Life is crazy at times, throwing options at me both of which I can say "yes" to, but in a given moment one is getting in the way of another.

As I have written here a few times over the last couple of weeks, Maui is in bad need of rain. There have been showers, but what we need is a steady downpour over a number of days...maybe with the occasional break for some sun.

This afternoon we are hoping to get our solar system serviced, which sits on our roof. Today and the coming week (as far as I can trust the forecast here), looks like the best option that we have had for a while for a decent amount of rain. There was a shower this morning and the clouds are building. AND I don't want the solar engineers not to be able to work on the roof. We have been waiting a long time for this service.

Rain yes. Rain no. Service...yes please. ⚘

A quiet day is coming to an end. My wife has been off island for most of it, so I have been home alone. At least I was after taking my step-daughter's dog to the vet, and almost missing that appointment due to some work on overhead cables in the most inconvenient place - holding up weekend traffic heading to the coast or into town. After a week of feeling unwell, I have appreciated the time to rest quietly. And I also appreciated having my step-daughter's swimming pool next door. I sat in the warm water as the sun set this evening. I would still love some rain, but the clouds, sun, stilling wind and colours in the sky were perfect. I now sit waiting for my wife to return. ⚘

been a slow day. I'm still feeling under the weather. I've no idea what I have. An acupuncture appointment this morning caused me to rest deeper later in the day. Now I am at home, quiet, missing an invitation to dinner with some dear friends, but appreciating the silence and stillness of home. The socializing would have been too much. ⚘

The last few days have seen me achy and low on energy. The vog, volcanic fog, might be in part to blame. The Trade winds have pretty much died out this week, giving the chance for the vog to drift over from the Big Island of Hawai'i. However, while vog can create lethargy I don't think that it is totally to blame for how I feel right now. I hear that there is "something" going around, and I think that I have just become run down and picked up some version of that something.

So a day of pacing myself and not overdoing it. ⚘

An early morning checkup scan means no food and only sips of water. I'll be going looking for food and coffee afterwards. ⚘

We are looking after my wife's daughter's dog while she is away. This morning he got out of our property through a hole in the fence that I have not been able to find yet. The morning started off hot and he was in no hurry to listen to us to and stop running further away from us - he had his freedom and was enjoying himself. Thankfully he did not get hurt and I eventually caught him (my morning shower was by then null and void - I was dripping in sweat). Next job, to seal every hole that he might have squeezed through, however tight that squeeze might look to be. ⚘

I joined a meeting based in the UK last night, via Zoom. I do so about once a month. Depending on whether British Summer Time is current or not, the meeting starts at 11:00pm or 12:00am Hawaii Time (the clocks do not change through the seasons in Hawaii). The meeting usually ends between 1:00am and 2:00am, sometimes going on for longer. I rarely make it past 1:30am and the following day, always a Monday, is pretty much a write off for me. Right now I am feeling exhausted. ⚘

An early start to my Sunday, taking family to the airport for a business & pleasure trip. Things will be quieter around here for the next three weeks. ⚘

Last night was late - 1:00am to bed, a time that my body was rebelling against - looking after my grandson while waiting for the rest of the family to return home from the Maui County Fair. Today has been slow. ⚘

We'll be heading to the 98th this evening with the grandkids. This year's Fair will be the first one since COVID. It will also be the first time that I have been to a County Fair here on Maui. So a new experience for me tonight. ⚘

First world problem. I am considering whether to replace my loved iPhone 13 Mini with a new phone. The battery capacity of the Mini is down to 81%. I had it on low power mode all day yesterday in Honolulu. It made it through the day, just, though I didn't use it too much and my wife dealt with Ubers on her more powerful phone. A battery replacement will cost me about $200 here on Maui, and though I haven't checked yet I believe I would get a good trade in deal if I were to go the 'new' route. A new battery will see me through another four years, should my older eyes still be happy with the size...and my mind not be craving new technology. Oh decisions! ⚘

Back to Honolulu today for another appointment. Sometimes I wish the big city was a short drive away, or a train ride away, but short of building a big tunnel, that is not going to happen. There have been attempts at inter island ferry services over the years, but they all have ended up shutting down for various reasons. So for now the only option is to fly. ⚘

I helped the parents out today by taking the grandkids to school. I have never had children - yes, adoptive grandchildren - and so I am finding myself starting to do the school run a little later in life. ⚘

We went to see last night. What great fun. The film was so well put together. It kept me engaged for its whole 2½ hour run time. Funny, action, twists and turns. Great acting by all the cast. A wonderful sound track. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⚘

It’s a Sunday morning and lightly raining outside. The clouds to the east are dark and look full of rain. To the west I can see blue sky. My hope, my want for today is to have a day of rain, even if it is sunny 20 minutes down the road (as it can be here). My wish is for a stay at home, rainy Sunday. ⚘

My grandson’s weekly football (soccer) game this morning. Though I am on dog walking duty. I’m appreciating the cloud cover and breeze right now. Keeping things cooler than they might otherwise be. ⚘

Because of my lifestyle and work I can go for days only seeing my immediate family. I am fine with that, comfortable with that, and occaisionally it feels good to shake that up a bit. So I’m looking forward today to catching up with an old friend. ⚘

Stepping outside this morning the air was fresh and invigorating. Hardly a cloud in the sky and beautifully clear. The coolest that I have felt the air since we have moved towards autumn. I opened the doors to let the outside in and freshen up the house. ⚘

Following concerning the bush fire on Maui's North Shore, I am writing with an update that as of this morning the fire is . No buildings damaged, and the evacuation order was lifted last night, though one school remains closed today. ⚘

This morning it is just so still and quiet. The Trade Winds, which keep the temperatures down in Hawaii, have been blowing very hard the last few days. That’s welcome, and I have wished that they could dial it down a bit. This morning they have. Just stillness now, which rests my heart. ⚘

Can anyone recommend a small book or simple website that explains what causes different cloud types? I’m not looking for a meteorological tome, just something simple and brief that explains what the presence of a given cloud formation is saying about the weather. Thank you. ⚘

I love picking up old books, ie previously read but long since put away, off the bookshelf. Opening the chosen book and reading through the pages feels like revisiting with an old friend. Such was my experience yesterday when wanting to look something up and I reached for Laurie Helgoe's . It is now sitting by my bed. ⚘

I’ve been mentioning rain a lot here recently on my blog, and with conversations with friends online. The reason? It has been so dry here on Maui. The west part of the island has a stage 2 drought and a PGA tournament was canceled due to the poor conditions of the course. Now I feel as though things are beginning to change, at least here on the north east shore. We drive home from my birthday dinner last night to pouring rain. It rained through the night. There are threatening clouds in the sky this morning and rain is forecast over the next few days. Fingers crossed. ⚘

Happy Birthday to me - 62 today. Another year older. Much to be grateful for. I have spent early morning catching up with family and friends from afar. I feel full.

I’m heading to the big city, Honolulu, today with my wife. She has an appointment and I’m going over to support her. Getting to the island of Oahu, even for a few hours, entails going through all the rigmarole of airports - security, etc. - though having no luggage makes it a little easier. ⚘

The sun sets on another day, and I find myself exhausted for reasons that I am not completely clear about? I did some work outside today, but really not a lot. I think that it is mainly a mental, emotional exhaustion. I’d like to find some space to just sit, be, still my body and mind, and write. ⚘

It’s 9:30pm and it is raining, finally. Thank you . Short lived, but it was something. Please keep it coming over the next couple of days.

Phew! After an hour or so of back and forth, installing one node/satellite at a time, I now have a new mesh system installed between a couple of buildings. This is our third configuration over…hhmmm, maybe 5 or 6 years? The other two started working fine, and then started playing up. Fingers crossed for this setup. It feels the most robust to me.

I love to occasionally visit the ever expanding world of . As of writing this the project is only 53% completed and so much development still to happen. All credit to the author of this project.

Sitting in a quiet house, beams creaking as the hot day gives way to the cooler temperatures of the night. The sound of crickets drifts in through the open windows.

I can’t get up this morning. In an attempt to leave my bed, I made some coffee…but only ended up bringing it back to bed! I’ve got to get up sometime, but right now I’m not sure when that will be.

A welcome reprieve with the weather this morning. Enough cloud to hide the sun, and a gentle but steady breeze. All adding up to cooler temperatures.

Summer is here - Wimbledon commentary is playing in the background.

Well that sudden but big downpour cleared my head. I’m constantly surprised how atmospheric pressure build up gives me a headache. I probably shouldn’t be by now. I think that it is more surprise that such happens. I guess that my head is just sensitive to atmospheric conditions?

It cleared the air as well. Everything feels fresher now.

Phew! It’s hot out there. Rain has been forecast for the last few days, but I think that the sun has been drying out the clouds as they form.

However, the clouds as amassing now, so maybe some cooling showers this afternoon?

A storm approaches. The thunder is getting louder and closer.

I’m heading to bed tonight exhausted, but it is a good exhaustion. I was working all afternoon in the garden, made some good progress clearing overcrowding plants (hopefully the light of a new day will show that I did), and now just need to lie down. Good night 🌙

It’s one of those nights when I’m going to bed looking forward to tomorrow morning’s coffee.

We are still sitting in VOG here. The emoji is a little exaggeration on what we are experiencing, though the air quality is terrible. That along with no wind means that it can get hot outside. Today and going through the weekend the Trade winds are meant to pick up. Fingers crossed that they do. It will clear the air.

It is pouring. That came out of nowhere. I cannot see that far because of the heaviness of the rainfall.

It has suddenly become very quiet, and I am sitting in gratitude of that. As

…the chaos of this world, to be able to sit or lay in a room with no chaos to speak of is a luxury that can’t be overestimated.

We appear to be experiencing weather of extremes right now. After a dry spell (grass starting to turn yellow), we have moved to very windy weather (with intermittent rain).

I’ve been offline for a couple of days now. A bad migraine has taken me down. I haven’t had one this bad for a long time. I’m waking up on day 4 still feeling a throbbing, albeit a lessening to what it was. A humbling reminder of how quickly things can change - good heath, bad health.

We have woken up to wind and rain this morning. I am singing! 🎶

The wind is just beginning to pick up. I hope that this means that the VOG will be gone soon. Being outside is not pleasant. The VOG is just hanging in the air. It has been like this for two days now. Sometimes the wind dies down nothing at night, but I hope that this increased breeze is the beginning of change in the weather and clearer days ahead.

The VOG is intense this morning. No wind is not helping. has been busy.

I have not seen rain like this here for a long time. I find it fascinating and scary at the same time. I hope that everyone is safe out there. The grading of the land appears to be redirecting the water around our house with small rivers appearing. If not, I think that we might sail away.

Well the winter storm that was heading for Hawaii has finally landed on Maui, and we are getting a drenching right now. The power went out here for a couple hours today. Fingers crossed it stays with us over night. Upcountry Maui has not been so lucky - trees down and power outages since early this morning.

I went out for a walk at the cliffs again this lunchtime, checked on ...no new murals..., but the whales were jumping. I saw three water spouts, and then a big splash as one breached. This was followed by a fluke slapping in the water. Elsewhere I caught sight of a couple more breaches. This is all a long ways out, but clearly visible at the same time.

I feel as though I have missed a day somewhere. I could have sworn that today was Tuesday, but Wednesday it is. I guess that the week is moving faster than I thought?!

There’s a magic in the air this morning. There is not a breath of wind. The air is cool, with the rising sun making little difference as it sits behind whispy, mist like clouds. All is still. A distant hum of a lawn mower accompanies the bird song. Nothing else. Just the magic.

It’s Monday morning but feels like Sunday to me. I think because it is that week. The stretch from Christmas to New Year always feels like the longest week of the year to me, and I get completely disoriented. I can’t decide whether I just want it to be over, or to simply wallow in the holiday feel of it all?

It’s raining outside. I didn’t see that coming. We have had such a long dry spell. Still it is welcome and I’m grateful for it.

After four days, the migraine that I have been nursing finally appears to be dissipating. I’ve been getting them for almost fifty years. In that time their intensity and frequency has varied. What has remained constant is that they come out of nowhere, start with with an aura around my eye until I can hardly see anything, that goes and then a thud of varying strength makes it presence felt. Nausea is probably present as well, perhaps a weak feeling through my body. The best treatment is usually silence, rest and no strong light. I have never had any luck with medication, both allopathic or alternative.

Things change. After a few days of beautiful, still weather, Maui winter weather at its best, we now have wind and horizontal rain.

Sharpening knives ready for tomorrow…and it was an overdue job anyway.

Brrrhhh! Upcountry Maui is windy and cold right now, though those in more northerly latitudes might question my use of the emoji I chose here?!

Somethings up, I don’t know what, but I’ve just made my third early morning coffee.

“Oh the joys of jet lag,” he says typing away in the early hours of the morning while wide awake.

My bed had an iron grip on me this morning. It was quite a fight to get out. I gave into the struggle a couple of times, but eventually won through. Coffee is now being made.

A first this morning. I drove from Alcácer do Sal to where we usually park in Lisbon without using GPS (Apple Maps). I’ll need it to get out this evening, but I’ll chalk that up as a win for familiarity and knowing my way round.

I came across a British Sunday newspaper while out today, the FT Weekend for the curious. I love a Sunday newspaper but rarely see one these days (living in Hawaii, the weekend is almost over for most of the world by the time that we wake up). Being here in Portugal increases my chances of finding one, and today I found a source.

So this evening I’m sitting under a light with the paper spread around me. I’ll probably still be dipping into it at week’s end.

I’m a happy chap tonight.

Almost without fail, I wake up later in Portugal, sleep longer.

Well I didn’t ask for that, but I got a proper drenching getting out of the car. It was like being in a car wash. Water from all sides and a river rushing down the road to clean my shoes!

There has been a Severe Weather Warning hovering over us since this morning, and now it appears to have arrived. With that said, the severity of that warning is changing rapidly. The forecast thunderstorms have currently disappeared and it now looks as though we’ll have moderate rainfall into the night. Though even there it is now no longer lasting until the early hours.

I’ll take my weather app as a guide, and my gazing to the skies as the more accurate assessment of current conditions, and what might be coming.

Olá Lisboa. Olá Príncipe Real.

In Lisbon for the day with Maui friends. Saying goodbye to them tonight as they head home.

There’s barely any light in the sky, but I can hear the first birds of the morning singing the early notes of the dawn chorus.

Well jet lag did its bit last night. I’m up before six having a cup oof coffee having managed probably less than two hours sleep.

At least I can enjoy the quiet early hours…it’s beautifully quiet.

Jet lag sucks. Last night, pill aided, I slept for 12 hours, after a day of feeling delirious as I tried to stay awake following my early morning arrival.

Today (or yesterday, Tuesday, as I write this) fresh air, a massage and a good meal helped me relax and feel more back in my body. I went to bed feeling tired, but a little fearful that I was not tired enough…

Sure enough tonight, although pill aided again, I am typing this wide awake after maybe one hour’s sleep. I slept better on the airplane. I can feel the call to sleep knocking on my eyes. I feel a little lightheaded. However, so far no luck. I fear morning will bring a discombobulated day.

Waking up at LAX, or rather an airport hotel nearby. Heading to the UK to help see my mother and hopefully help with some water leaks in her apartment.

6:10pm and I am in my pyjamas. Well I am home, eaten, showered, I'm not going out anywhere for the rest of the evening....so I figured that I might as well get ready for bed (though I'm not going there quite yet).

It’s a misty, wet and muggy night out there. I didn’t expect this end to the day. Good night everyone.

Making coffee on a hot, muggy morning, and listening to the sound of rain as it dances off the concrete around the house.

It’s the today. A 52 mile race from Kahului Airport in Maui to Hana, along the twist and turns of the road to Hana. Teams of 6 compete with each team member running 3 legs of 2 to 3 miles each. Waking up this morning I could see a big group of vehicles parked up for one of the change over points, and competitors running down the hill. Good luck to them all.

Yeh! It looks as though the Trade winds have returned. They are blowing through the open window this morning. After a handful of days of very hot, muggy weather, hopefully as today moves on through the conditions will be a little more manageable.

Rain stopped play. I was outside topping the hedge and this cloud out of nowhere and dropped a quick but heavy shower. That stopped almost as soon as it started, but not for long. The rain is falling and I can see no blue sky in sight. So I've come inside now and am just seeing what is happening online.

Last weekend we got through a hurricane, tropical storm and tropical depression with no power outages. From my experience here, that is not what I would have expected.

Today has been a beautiful day and it ends with the power going out an hour before sunset. An hour and a half in and still there is no clear idea when everything will be up and running again.

I’m exhausted. Today was a long day.

It’s humid today. Muggy, like walking through a think cloud of invisible warm water. I think a prelude to Tropical Depression Gilma arriving here this weekend. Gilma is waning which is a blessing. Last week it was a hurricane midway between the US west coast and Hawaii.

Yeh! The sun is out. The first time for 48 hours. Hopefully it will remain so until the next storm arrives at the end of the week.

Meanwhile my stepdaughter’s partner and their son are off to find the good (big) surf thrown up by the storm. Island life.

Now it’s coming in. Sideways and every other way that it can manage. Wind assisted.

Charging lights, phones, etc and making sure that candles are at the ready, just in case the power goes out tonight as Tropical Storm Hone arrives in the islands.

Taking an outdoor shower with dark grey clouds rolling in, sprinkles of rain falling, wind blowing. Island life.

I had a bad night’s sleep last night. First I couldn’t get to sleep, then I had a few hours of fitful sleep, and finally I slept for a couple of hours and ended up oversleeping. Now I feel as though I am playing catch up and the day has hardly started.

Sitting quietly. Reflecting.

Yesterday was a five coffee day. I am already on my third coffee today, and it is not midday yet. Two is normally where I stop, apart from every now and again. A new pattern? What’s up? 🤷🏼‍♂️

Oh dear. It’s a three coffee morning.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts across the house this morning.

The last couple of days have been very humid. This morning outside it is like walking through a thick bath.

In other news, my eyes do not enjoy me driving at night. I’ve said it before on this blog, but my aging eyes find the glare of the car headlights, especially the bright LED lights, too bright for comfort.

I’m back from sitting in the fire of what was my men’s group this evening - at least for me. That’s not necessarily bad, in fact from my experience it is good, though it can be uncomfortable at the time…and require some wind down time afterwards.

Island life. The power went down an hour ago, taking the internet with it. And where we live, the cell signal can be weak. It is improving, but we couldn’t get by without WiFi calling. There is no clear indication when the power will be back on, so it is probably an early night tonight.

I was sat watching a movie last night and started getting a migraine aura. Within ten minutes the aura was interfering with my view of the screen.

The aura cleared and I waited for the pain of the headache. It did not come to much. I thought that maybe this time I am going to get off lightly.

This morning I have woken up to the dull thud of a migraine. Not the worst, but still making life uncomfortable. I’ve taken a tablet to try and take the edge off of the pain….that and a little more caffeine this morning. I have never found anything to completely remove these.

This migraine will probably be my companion for the next three days. That is the norm for me.

It’s feeling warm before the sun is up. A warning of what is coming today? At least the Trade Winds are blowing.

It has been a wet, wet, wet, wet day so far, and doesn’t look as though it is going to let up anytime soon. This is more like winter than summer.

I drove up to my acupuncture appointment this morning with the windows open instead of the A/C on, enjoying the tropical smells and humidity of the island.

After the dry heat of Europe, I forgot how hot & humid Maui can be. My gratitude for the Trade Winds that keep the islands cooler than they might otherwise be.

As we make our way back home, I find myself wanting to push back on the familiar sights, sounds and stimuli that are returning to us, and instead hold onto the tastes and experiences that the last three months have brought.

Letting go is not always easy.

We will soon be taking off from Barcelona airport. San Francisco next stop. Starting the journey home…though I’m starting to wonder where that is right now?!

My bed wouldn’t let me get up this morning. At least that is my excuse and I’m sticking with it.

Fireworks are going off all around us tonight as Barcelona celebrates the Summer Solstice and the lead up to the Festival of Sant Joan (St. John).

Waking up to a wet morning, the first for a long time. Gentle drizzle accompanying the sounds of small waves breaking. A quick glance at the weather forecast says that we won’t be going far for the next few hours.

Starting the journey home. Driving across Spain to Barcelona to catch a flight. Writing this from a hotel in Madrid. The sounds (mainly traffic) of a busy city rumbles below. The wind blows around the terrace. A different world. Change. Reflecting on so much.

I like how in some Portuguese motorway service stations they play the sounds of birds. After the noise and stress of highway driving, the sounds of birds I find relaxing.

Well the weather has finally broken this time. At long last. I just heard the longest roll of thunder that I have ever heard - a couple of minutes?

The air was getting heavier and heavier. It was feeling thick to walk through. Above the clouds were building. Dark clouds. Finally, just now, the impasse broke and there was a brief shower. Short, but enough to lighten the air and to allow us to breathe again.

Portugal, the home of straight roads. Seriously, I have never seen so many straight roads, even out in the countryside. They are a joy to drive, because you just point the car in one direction and go. Maybe a few ups and downs, but few turns. At least that has been my experience so far, and my kilometers are building up.

That moment when I think that I have lost my credit card and driving license, or they have been stolen. That’s when I see how I can loose all sense of sanity very quickly. ….
That moment, too many moments later, when I find that they dropped onto the floor of the car. 😮‍💨

Melting this evening (today). Today hit 34°C. The house is warm, at least upstairs (living area)…downstairs (sleeping) is cool. Windows open everywhere to catch any breeze that might want to blow through.

I find it a joy when I discover a really good plumber, or electrician, etc. That person or persons feel like gold.

It must be hot out there. There is no wind, and the air coming through the windows is cooking.

After just under two weeks of visitors, everyone has left. I sit here this evening in silence. I can feel my body and mind settling, like the snow settling in a shaken snow globe. And with the settling I can better touch my inner life, a place where I rest well.

After a cool week, the temperature is starting to rise again. Clear blue skies and warm sun outside.

There was one hell of a lot of honking car horns outside just now. That and a faint sound of horse hooves. I have no idea what was going on, and it stopped before I could get outside. There is a festival happening in the area this weekend, and so I wonder if the noise is related?

I am completely exhausted. Just too much going on over the last week, regardless of the good time had. I could spend this evening in and have an early night, but that is not going to happen. We have an event to go to. Maybe this weekend?

Well I have just managed to drive around a part of Lisbon without the aid of Apple Maps, or any maps for that matter. It was not big achievement, I did not travel that far, but I could not have done that a year ago. I’m getting to know my way around.

We spent some time this morning at the Farmers Market in Príncipe Real neighbourhood of Lisbon. I enjoy the community atmosphere of these markets. I also just enjoy stepping back from the market, sitting down and people watching. Families, individuals, couples even the pet dogs. Interacting, buying, chatting, playing. We are all so varied in looks and personalities (as well as one can know a personality from a face in the crowd). I find people fascinating.

Well today ended up better than I feared weather wise. No rain, some sun, though cool…especially this evening.

In the big city, Lisbon. Rain is threatening and it feels unseasonably cold.

I just took a look at a live flight map of aircraft over Europe right now. In Central Europe it was barely possible to see the map underneath all of the airplane symbols. I don't know how the Air Traffic Controllers keep their sanity with that level of responsibility?

Marmite peanut butter for breakfast. I haven't eaten that for a while, Amazon deliveries in the US turned out a mess. So I bought a couple of jars while in Britain and opened one this morning. Delicious.

I had a senior moment just then. I was staring at the computer unable to remember the web address that I wanted to go to. I could 'see' the site in my mind, but could not for the life of me remember its URL.

An unexpected brief shower of rain just happened. Last night it looked as though the heavens were going to open up upon us, but nothing happened. This morning it was overcast, but nothing threatening, and it rained. I’ll never make a good weather forecaster.

I saw my first snake here in Portugal a couple of days ago. It was making a quick dash, or quick sliver across the road.

Hayfever is no fun, even if I do try and put on a brave face when the attacks come.

We have just been to the supermarket and I was considering moving in permanently. The air conditioning filtered everything irritable out of the air, and for a few minutes I felt as though I was back to my normal self.

I think that the local, favourite football (soccer) team won last night? Just as I was about to go to sleep, normally a very quiet time here, car horns and fireworks started going off.

I’m exhausted and am not entirely sure why? There was a lot of walking around Lisbon over the last couple of days for sure, and I slept well last night.

Yes, but that was sleeping off yesterday’s walking. Tonight will be an early night.

It was as a joy walking through the streets of Lisbon early this morning as the world woke up. Few people around. A new day starting.

Where did that come from? It’s raining. The sun was out a few minutes ago.

Those times when you need a gas (petrol) station, but just cannot find one.

Yeh! I crossed the finishing line of the .

I woke up late this morning, for me. I went out late to listen to music and watch fireworks (after having already fallen asleep). It was a pleasure to see families out and about enjoying themselves. And the fireworks were good.

I’m waking up to one of those misty mornings that I sense will transform into a beautiful sunny, and maybe hot day.

Olá Portugal

It’s pouring outside, and not particularly warm either - Spring, from a few days ago appears to have taken a leave of absence. Right now I am grateful for a roof over my head, and heating in the home.

A lot of the clean up has been done, but as the final family members head on their way, vacuuming is what is needed now.

I’m up early enjoying a cup of coffee. After the birthday celebrations yesterday, my mother’s apartment is still and quiet. Outside a blackbird is singing its heart out. I grew up listening to and loving this bird’s song. I recognize anywhere - here in England, or while watching a movie set in this country. For me, it’s the sound of spring and long summer evenings here.

We are celebrating my mother's 90th birthday today. With my family having spread themselves out around the world, it feels like an international gathering with accents from the US, New Zealand and England filling the room. Happy Birthday Mum, and congratulations.

In the air. Traveling solo to England for my mother’s 90th Birthday celebrations.

I have, am having a busy few days. When that happens my mind starts to pull me onto the next task before the current one is finished. From that anxiety builds and patience can diminish. I must remember to stop, to breathe and be aware of others around me. Rest…my body will appreciate it and the jobs will still get done.

My coffee in take had been going down. One or two cups in the morning. However, in the last couple of days I have going back to another cup mid-morning. I'm not sure what is up?!

Digitizing slides. Reliving memories.

The new glasses arrived today with progressive lenses in them. My first pair of progressives and they feel a little disorientating at the moment. I sense that I'll get use to them, but for now I think that I'll be switching back and forth between the new glasses and the old.

I’m trying out various translation apps to decide which best suits my needs. I find apps that offer a slower play back of the foreign language helpful. Though finding an app that has everything I want neatly packaged, is not easy.

I wouldn't mind restarting today afresh. I've got things done, things that needed to be done, but I'm sitting here now at the far end of the day feeling a little dissatisfied, maybe frustrated as well? Such is life....up one day, down the next.

I’m waking up to wind and rain, hard showers followed by a wait for the next one, this morning. Yesterday’s sun appears to be an anomaly at the moment. It appears that we have a little longer before the winter rains recede.

Clearing in the garden today. Pulling out an invasive plant. There is still some to move, but it just got too hot….so I started work on a new blog post.

Hey, no rain today. That’s a first for a while.

Sun, blue sky and scattered clouds this morning. The world below can now dry out.

Well the sun’s appearance this morning was brief and short lived. Today it has rained and rained and rained. That’s two days now of steady drizzle interspersed with the occasional downpour. More tomorrow or a change?

“Here comes the sun,…” 🎶 Hopefully it will continue to make an appearance through the day, and dry things out. That’s a plus of living here in Hawaii. If it rains, once the sun is out the everything dries out pretty quickly.

The last twenty four hours have been overcast and seen more rain than I was expecting from the forecast. Low cloud, mist in places, localized flooding - driving home last night was no fun. And it looks as though we have woken up to more this morning.

Oh no. I just found out that daylight savings starts at 2:00am this Sunday. Clocks springing forward an hour = sleep messed up for a few days.

Those mornings when I just want to throw the sheets back over me and stay where I am…in bed.

Today has been an unexpectedly wet day. I saw that wind was on the cards, but it has come with a strong dose of rain as well, heavy rain. A very wintry day.

Slowing down at the end of the day listening to playlist on Apple Music.

Having a slow morning. Our wonderful family guests left yesterday and today feels like a day of rest and catching up on a few things that need doing.

My grandson was firing a water gun (UK: water pistol) last night. In an attempt to get away I quickly turned and walked straight into a glass door. My head is still feeling it this morning. Ouch!

We have family visiting for a week and so we’re heading out today to show them some of the island.

This small island is full of microclimates. Overcast and wet here, sun where we are heading.

Trying a third cup of coffee this morning as a remedy against this migraine that I have been nurturing since yesterday.

I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. It was warm and comfortable. That was as unusual for me, as I am not normally one to lie around in bed. I am feeling a little bleh as well, which surely contributed towards me not wanting to move.

This has been a strange weekend for me. The grandkids were off school on Friday and I kept thinking that it was Saturday.

On Saturday I couldn’t get it out of my head that it was Sunday, and then today I wanted it to be Monday.

With tomorrow being a public holiday here in the US, Presidents Day, I’m wondering what day I will wake up to?!

It feels good to see the sun this evening after a couple of days of cloud and rain. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy moody weather, but on this still evening, the heat sun brings some warmth and rest.

If someone redesigned the humble toilet brush, making it more hygienic, I believe that they would be onto something.

Before going to bed last night the sounds of waves crashing against the distant cliffs, a mile away, was loud. In the middle of the night it was so loud that we could hear the roar inside the house with windows and doors closed!

I have since read that a 30-50ft swell is hitting the north shore until this evening.

After a week living in a wind tunnel, last night the winds finally appeared to have blown themselves out. It was still when I returned home yesterday evening, and we are waking up to the same this morning.

I’m not happy with this strong wind. It has been here for a few days now, and it looks like at least another two more days. I’d really appreciate it stopping.

to reinstall a cover on my phone. I'd like it to last another year or so, at least, and don't know if I can trust myself not to drop it.

I feel as though we have been in a wind tunnel all day, maybe the last two days?! I hope that we wake up to a calmer day tomorrow.

I don’t think that my run today will be much fun, though it will be a challenge. Winds are currently gusting 20/25mph, with a forecast for stronger winds.

All is quiet right now, and I’m loving it. It won’t stay this way, but for now I am making the most of it. The quiet rests my body and mind.

Heading out for the second run of my personal .

I saw my first whale of the season this evening. Way out to sea, a few water spouts and the cresting back of the whale.

A frustrating day. I fix one thing (or update it), and something else breaks. I’m calling tech support tomorrow morning.

Despite the sound of it, this was not computer related, rather the front gate.

How to not make a cup of coffee…omit the ground coffee. Happy New Year!

Well no sooner do I write, than the power comes back on. And the rain continues to fall. It is wet out there.

Power outage. We haven’t had one for a while. The lights flickered while I was cooking dinner, but hung in there. Later we were watching one of the streaming services and all suddenly goes dark. Inclement weather can bring on a power outage and it has been wet since mid-afternoon.

Well it is wet out there.

Waiting for some toast to pop up, and then realized that I had not put it in the toaster!

A misty, rainy Sunday morning. Those are the best..at least it feels like that this morning.

I have been unwell the last couple of days, though I really don't know what I have had? The main symptoms? Tired and achy, a slight and brief fever. I think that I am on the mend now. If you are waiting on reply from me, I hope to be back in touch tomorrow.

…and suddenly it is all over. The build up, the preparation, the day, the eating, the cleanup, and all that is left are memories and feeling of a meal well eaten.

Of course there is time spent with family and friends - appreciated and not taken for granted. For now though, Thanksgiving is wrapped up until next year.

The house has been vacuumed, the table laid, food prep is under way, family strife laid to rest - Happy Thanksgiving.

I'm grateful for the rain falling this morning, and wish that it would bless the rest of this island with its presence.

We are waking up to rain this morning, a lot of it. I hope that the rest of the island is getting this as it needs it. We live in the wetter part of Maui, and sometimes I can drive fifteen, twenty minutes from here and I go from rain to sun and blue skies.

Jet lag sucks. Needing to sleep. Trying to stay up so that I don't wake up in the middle of the night...which I inevitably do anyway. Trying to function, get things done, but not really. Finally surrendering and just going to sleep, to wake up whenever the body feels it's ready to....only to feel wiped out again in the middle of the day!

I'd forgotten how humid Maui can be.

Today has been off and on wet, but it is really coming down now. I hope that we don't sail away.

Heading to Lisbon today.

Woah! Now it is coming down. We got home just in the nick of time. A meeting canceled, but I prefer to be back home than out on the road in this. Be safe anyone who is out and about.

8:30am and I am just getting up. I never do that, this late in the morning, until I have just done so. I was tired...still feel that way. A slow Sunday ahead?

Feeling tired at the far end of a day moving around Lisbon. But getting things done, enjoying ourselves, and

A second test of a Drafts action

Testing a Drafts action.

Boa tarde Portugal

Sitting quietly.

Up early, did I go to sleep(?), for a jet lag informed breakfast.

It’s pouring in southern England right now. On my way down to Bristol from Heathrow airport.

It is so humid outside right now, that it just saps my energy.

A hospital goes from a place that I rarely see, to one that becomes quite familiar. A chest X-ray just completed this lunchtime, with a follow up doctor’s visit tomorrow morning. All to see how my healing from pneumonia is progressing.

Exhausted but happy after a day hiking through Haleakala crater today.

I was going to do something, look something up, and now (two minutes later) cannot remember for the life of me what that was??

It’s pouring here in Haiku.

I’m starting the journey back to Maui. I’m both wanting to be back home and anxious as to what I am returning to (though very gratefully, my home is safe).

More whales swimming past Sea Ranch this afternoon. We can see their spouts way out in the ocean.

Waking up to a foggy and damp morning. Perfect for moving slowly.

Tired after a day of driving.

I just paid a visit to , a herbal medicine shop here on Maui. I was looking for a something to help open my lungs as I manage the tail end of pneumonia. I’ve come away with a couple of options, and hoping that I see some results.

I’m drinking my first coffee for around two months. Being unwell just put me off the beverage, and then as I improved my acupuncturist suggested that I stayed away from coffee. This morning I felt as though I wanted to try some again. Right now it is feeling good.

Power outage - those times when I realize the value and/or importance of that which I take for granted.

Waking up to the realization that the weekend is over.

It’s Sunday. I need a Sunday.

I'm grateful for journalling.

Waking from an afternoon nap.

I am slowly surfacing, climbing out of the hole. I have not written on my blog for about a month. Much has happened, but I have simply not had the bandwidth to post. I've been unwell since May 20th, but did not get a diagnosis, of pneumonia, until June 7th - traveling saw to that delay. I've lost a lot of weight, and energy is up and down. But although I won't be exerting myself too much anytime soon, pneumonia can have a slow recovery time, I am sensing a slow improvement.

In Lisbon. My seasonal allergies are playing up. I don’t blame this occurrence on the city, rather they have been with me since last night. The wind is definitely not helping, though.

I slept late this morning. Very unlike me, I guess that I was tired? Having said that, I have notice that I go to bed later here in Portugal...and so tend to wake up later. However, this morning was particularly late. Not many plans today. A quieter day. Maybe the body knew that?

It’s a cool, misty morning, with a beautiful freshness in the air. The sort of coolness that only comes during spring and summer, as a precursor to warmer weather later in the day.

I’ve said it before, but will say it again, “where do all of these dust bunnies come from?” I vacuum in the morning, and they appear to be waiting for me again by the evening or next morning!! They are more prolific than the real thing.

I’m giving in to the third coffee of the morning.

Waking up to a quiet Sunday morning. This is so much appreciated, my big gratitude for the day. I don’t have to get in a car, navigate city traffic and load up. It was a fun two days, but happy to be home.

Phew! The temperature started at 16°C/60°F today. By 3:00pm it is forecast to be 35°C/95°F. Wilting slowly.

I'm either showing my age, or my disconnect from modern parlance…or both?This week I have had to look up a couple of acronyms that I had no idea what they stood for, but appeared to be being used quite liberally.

There’s that coffee that I was looking forward to as I went to bed.

It’s one of those nights when I go to bed looking forward to tomorrow morning’s coffee.

Oh dear, coffee number 4 this morning. I very rarely get this far…

I’m appreciating some quiet time this morning. Recharging and reflecting.

I’m tired after a day of driving and exploring the coast and inland countryside, south of Alcácer do Sal down to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Some beautiful scenery, and lovely weather for it…I can feel it on my face.

Now it's raining. The first true rain that we have had since arriving just under three weeks ago.

It’s a misty morning.

Keeping with the Portuguese practice. Three days now. My head is still close to exploding.

I activated the haptic feedback for the keyboard on my phone, and am really enjoying the experience. I’d tried it once before, but it didn’t work for me then. However, after using a friend’s Android with the same feature, I revisited it, and am now appreciating the feel.

I needed that sleep.

The morning after the day before, and what a lovely day yesterday was. Thank you all who were there for a great Micro Meetup 🙏🏻

Heading up to Lisboa very soon, for a Micro Meetup afternoon.

Sitting quietly at home at the end of a long day. Tired but much achieved. The church bells sound nearby for Easter.

A busy day of putting things up in the house - shelves, lights, etc - running out to pick up items. Getting there. Order appearing out of chaos. It’ll be a long day.

I spent this morning driving through Lisbon traffic 🤪. Outside the city now in Parço de Arcos. Rush hour traffic to manage later.

So far I am managing the jet lag pretty well. I slept well’ish last night. Though I’ll probably be eating my words in a day or two!

Bom dia Portugal.

It’s a beautiful start to the day in Northern California this morning.

On our way.

Getting ready.

Out for dinner tonight to celebrate a my step-son’s birthday.

Nurturing a headache and sniffles this morning. I could do with a a quiet Saturday, but there are things to do. I hope that this cold leaves soon.

I don’t know where this big has come from, but I am definitely running on a half tank at the moment.

We are being treated to the a light show on the horizon, as lightning flashes continuously. There must be quite the storm out over the Pacific Ocean.

That was an emotionally exhausting and challenging weekend. I’m hoping to carve out a bit of space in the week ahead.

I’m really scratching my head with a DIY project at home. I think that I am nearing a solution, but it has taken its time.

Well the visit to Lowes and HomeDepot were unproductive, but the nap in the car afterwards was welcome.

Sat around the fire pit last night with the grandkids, roasting marshmallows, while their parents partied at a wedding next door. A game of night time tag. Shower, movie and then bed. The evening went well.

Sitting in the dark, baby sitting the grandkids, while music from the party that their parents are at, booms loudly from across the road.

I said it yesterday, but the warm sun feels so good. I think that it is the contrast after weeks of wind and rain.

The warmth of the sun feels just so good today.

Returning home last night it was still and dark, and yet I could hear the waves crashing against the cliffs over a mile away.

The first morning waking up to sun for a long time. Much gratitude.

We just put a heater on. It's cold this evening, in our corner of Maui.

I haven’t seen so much rain here. Since I landed back on island a week ago, there has been rain with short breaks, and a lot of wind. I just drove home with wipers doing double speed, and rivers forming alongside the road.

It’s pouring out there. “Out there,” is outside of my truck. I have come to off load the recycling, but it is raining so much that for now I am not venturing out.

Doing a little testing of omg.lol's status updates.

The spam bots appear to be on overdrive for the last couple of days. The amount of junk e-mail dropping in has significantly increased.

I’ve just had a massage to ease two days of travel out of me. I’m still less than 24 hours home and feel as though I have a leg in two continents.

Getting there. I’ve not long landed in Honolulu. Waiting for my final flight, to Maui. What time is it?!

Up, up and away.

The morning cloud and mist is burning off. It feels as though it will be a warm afternoon.

It’s tomorrow. I’d better go to bed.

Where do dust bunnies come from? My current thinking is from “thin air,” and that they are very prolific!

Making lists for things I have to do in the next 24 hours before leaving.

Another ssslllooowww start to the day. Not often for me, but sometimes they just feel right…and nourishing.

Sitting outside on a mild February evening in Alcácer, enjoying listening to the sounds of the local crowd and relaxing after a busy week.

I’m having a sssllllooooowwww morning. Things to do, but I’m trying to recognize that one of them, hiding in the corner, is “take a rest.”

I needed that lunch. The jitters were setting in.

Blessings for the sun this morning. It might not be the warmest sun, but it is the sun in a blue sky.

I landed in Portugal last night. This morning I am heading out on roads that I know, from a previous visit, but don’t know. Always brings up anxiety in me. …Breathe…

There’s a frost outside this morning. Food tops are white, grass is white and crispy. I haven’t seen this in a few years.

Just woke up, mid morning, after not sleeping most of the night. Jet lag is no fun.

Lightning lighting up the sky tonight.

Watching eggs boil.

Well I guess that is the end of the dry spell that we have been having? It’s pouring outside.

Waking up feeling a little drugged this morning. I’m putting it down to the acupuncture that I had yesterday. I’ll ease myself into the day.

Sitting in the darkness and silence of early morning.

I'm feeling sad this morning.

Having another attempt at sleeping.

Up early this morning. The full moon lighting up the countryside.

A massage that I was gifted for Christmas, I had this morning. I came home afterwards and fell fast asleep.

Hitting the ground running this morning.

I’m throwing the towel out in. I’m not going to make it to midnight. Happy New Year, everyone!

There’s some intense drumming party happening out there, somewhere. In between the bangs of fireworks, the beat drifts through the stillness of the night.

When the smoke from the fire appears to follow me around, regardless of which chair I sit in.

Fire pit set. Fingers crossed that the wind quietens down later.

Pandemonium in the house this morning as a huge centipede appeared out of nowhere.

The morning after the day before.

Feeling refreshed after some acupuncture.

My grandson is asleep in the car. At this rate I will be as well, pretty soon. We are parked!

Taking one of the grandkids to the Aquarium this morning, and then to lunch.

Sitting quietly before the day begins.

Windy day.

The power has just come back on after a 10 hour outage.

Power is out now. Rain still falling. Wind blowing.

The rain still falls. The wind still blows. Thunder, lightening. Yesterday evening’s brief reprieve brought beautifully clear skies.

Relaxing alone at home.

Back from a good early morning walk. Appreciating the fresh air of Upcountry Maui.

It has been an exhausting day. Bed comes gratefully.

The heavens have opened. I might be rowing out this morning.

Headache since last night and not through lack of coffee. I’ve plenty going on but will rest up when I can.

Listening through open windows to the sound of rain gently falling.

Getting lost on omg.lol

Some days I just can't seem to shake tiredness out of my body.

Tired after an afternoon in the garden.

All is quiet and still.

Listening to Classic FM while working - UK in Hawaii.

Beach day.

Watching .

I'm surprised that we haven't floated away following the rain last night, and this morning for that matter.

A day of sharing food with good friends. What more is needed?

afternoon listening to the latest version of @hemisphericviews

Am writing. It feels good.

I keep thinking that it is Friday...

That moment when the penny drops.

A morning of research and sitting on the telephone.

Watching sun light shine through misty rain.

Busy about the house this morning.

I think that I slept too long this afternoon, I can’t sleep now.

testing a shortcut…on my phone.

Feeling lighter after an email cleanup.

Wow! It’s Thursday already. We’ve been back a week…a busy week.

Tired, oh so tired. The last few weeks traveling and a busy return have caught up with me.

Home.

Getting ready to leave for the final part of the journey home.

Looking out over Heathrow on this sunny morning as we wait to board.

Starting the long journey home today.

I’m appreciating the clocks going back last night. The extra hour came at just the right time.

Resting after a sauna and jacuzzi. We had a long day’s drive and I needed a break.

Exhausted after a day of driving. Resting before heading out to eat.

Testing omg.lol Status Shortcut

Relaxing on a misty morning.

Waking up to a misty morning.

Resting after a day of sightseeing. That can be exhausting.

Wedding time - my wife’s nephew.

Decompressing after a day of travel, and meeting up with family. Florence now.

I’m leaving on a jet plane…thank you Portugal. See you before too long.

Relaxing after a good day of walking.

Watching a cruise ship spin itself around as it comes into dock.

Reading with cool air drifting in through open windows.

Enjoying a quiet rest and a piece of cake.

An unexpected morning of rebooking flights after our Wednesday flight was canceled.

Cleaning and reading operating manuals. I find it irritating when instructions manuals don’t have the answers that I’m looking for.

It’s a roady sort of day.

We slept in. Haven’t done that in a long while. We were tired.

On the road to Lisbon.

An early start.

Making sure things work.

Waking up to the sound of sheep this morning.

We’ve arrived at Alcacer do Sal. It’s late. It’s dark, but we have arrived.

Awaiting big the calling of our flight. Portugal next stop. This is a long trip.

Finishing off the final bits n pieces before we leave.

Packing and getting ready to move on tomorrow.

Those steps through Bristol yesterday gave me my first good nights sleep since arriving. Grateful.

I apparently have walked 22,069 steps today. I’m taking the evening off.

Waking up to a wet, wet, wet Sunday morning.

“Those feet were made for walking…” and now they are ready to fall off A day of city walking.

Up late waiting for my sister to arrive.

The rain is pouring outside, the temperature has dropped and this is the first true autumn weather that I have experienced in a good number of years.

Updating and fixing bugs on mum's iPad

Arrived and very jet lagged

Awaiting final leg

Resting between flights.

Up, up and away.

This is a test.

This is a test. Posting to via Drafts.

Oh boy, a visitor showed up before sunrise...a longer day than I planned.

Trying again. Good night.

Well best laid plans and all that...not to bed yet.

Long day tomorrow. Early to bed tonight.

Testing Draft's action for

Trying my first status post