Yesterday I was travelling down our hill at great speed in my kayak . A culture shock ahead as I travel to Baja in Mexico . I heard from a friend in Monterey that the Grey Whales are heading down there in great numbers at the moment . We are about to make our annual meeting in Baha De Magdelana . Steinbecks ghost , Mantra rays, Dolphins and many Ballena to keep us company . In the mean time my heart and thoughts are with the poor unfortunate people of Haiti who are suffering unfairly at the moment because of an earthquake.and who have been suffering very unfairly for many years at the hands of man .
January 13th, 2010
Oscar Wilde has discovered me or should I say we have met up .. I have been give the entire works of Oscar Wilde as a present. Every time I read some of it , it is as if his spirit is there next to me .. I find it hard to put down .. It is very challenging both for my mind and muscles as it is soo heavy .
Ireland at the moment is in the throws of a chill unusual for us .. But beautiful in its light and crispness.
Off to Baja and the Grey Whales in Mexico next week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiL-ILHRiIc
An exciting new album I have come across http://www.jimkellermusic.com/
Check it out it is great .
January 7th, 2010
Leonard Cohen and Liam Clancy , Tom Waites. James Taylor, Donovan, Jonie Mitchell , Bono , Sonny Condell
the philosophers of our time . Lucky enought to be able to say in Music what a lot of us are thinking . Steinbeck, Yeats, Hemmingway. Oh so many of them out there. The world revolves around their wisdom and craft.
We lost a great one yeaterday . Liam Clancy RIP . But I doubt if he will ever rest .. Has too much to say .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyOw07e-eQk&feature=related
Go neiri an bothair liam.
By the way speaking of special . Check this out . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo
December 8th, 2009
We are off to a friends house this evening to join them in celebrating thanksgiving. Apparently The traditional “first Thanksgiving” is the celebration that occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621. But like our xmas it has become an annual celebration . Congratulations to all our friends from the USA and indeed Canada .. I hear you celebrate it down that way as well. Canada is a country I would love to get to but as yet have not had the opportunity. Who knows what “2010 will bring .
Irelands Shame.
Findings released in ireland yesterday have uncovered just how warped the catholic church and indeed the police service ( not all) have been in the past . Frightening reading and revelations.. Horror movie stuff but in fact too heavy for the screen. Check out : most-murphyreport-priests-still-alive-435962
The sins of the fathers comes to mind when you see the floods we are having , the financial recession and all at the same time as these revelations.
Roll on 2010 so we can start with a clean sheet .
November 27th, 2009
Are we really sinking . Or is this just an illusion ..
We kayaked the Streets of Skibbereen a few days ago . Houses wet to the core , furniture ruined . Depression and fear in the eyes of the elderly trying to come to terms with it . The sins of the fathers they say are catching up . Lots of doom and gloom and killing movies for the kids to watch and play . What is the message . Hope, the future and love. Letrs get back on track . There is hope and the youth need to be told that not bombarded with zombies and end of the wordl movies.
Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F-rkqPg7Js
watch out forr the kayak appearance .
November 24th, 2009
November in Ireland… How the climate is changing .
Rain , Rain and more Rain. Windy as well . But cetainly not cold. Interesting kayaking weather .
Ireland seems to be splitting into the rich , the poor, the optomistic and the pessemistic. Ireland were knocked out of the world cup by france last night and Henry handled the ball twice and this led to the goal. Also two players were blatantly offside and it was not fouled .. If Ireland got through the Tv would have 4 million viewers if France got through it would have 50 million viewers.hhhhmmmmmmmmm. Ireland haas forgotten the recission, Ireland has got together as one and is asking for a replay ? All is not fair in Love and War and it seems sport.
What are the chances.
November 19th, 2009
Ive, just returned from a short misty walk with my wife and grand- daughter. The Irish mist dropping off us as we enter the house. Flash back of Manhattan two weeks ago . The old black man his shopping trolley weaving through the jumble of white and brown, yellow and red people.. In West Cork to day we are all Grey , like the whales on their way from Canada to Mexico . I hope they pass through Montera Bay and the waiting Orcas safely. El Diablos they were know as in the terrible days of the whaling. Now docile and forgiving of humanity they humble us in Baja. leviathan of the deep haunt me . In the Grey mist of West Cork my kids carve their pumpkin and get ready for tomorrows Halloween .
October 29th, 2009
From Boston to Marthas Vineyard to New York , The trail of the emmigrant, the poor starving soul fleeing the Irish famine. I see their ghosts every where . How different now, Here in 6 hours not 6 weeks . Fed on the plane , nice and warm … I was born in a very precious time . Long may it last, I bet my kids agree. I met some great people along the way . In Boston I toured a TV studio and stared starry eyed later in the hallowed halls of Harvard . Thank you Brian. Marthas Vineyard is truly the American version of West Cork . Incredible people , friendly , charming and great cooks. Trudys Corn bread delivered to us in person on the beach. The mad potters art surrounding us as we talked into the night . Chic and Jessies fireworks suprising us on our night trip. Fresh Oysters on the ponds. But most of all the magic the group generated when left loose on the Island .
A few days in Manhattan to visit some friends. Grab an incredible night of music and acknowledgement of a special Irish Man and then on to the Lanes of West Cork and peace . No rush , no yellow cabs beeping . The curlew the loudest sound in my ears.
October 15th, 2009
I am off to the airport soon , my final destination is Marthas Vineyard for a tour and then on to New York for a few days. I believe the fall in Marthas Vineyard is quiet something to behold? I will report when I get back . A blog is a strange place to find myself at this hour of the morning . I dont even know how I got here I just pressed a button. If the power goes could I find my mind trapped here for eternity?
Is it a suttle tool for some devious power to get into my head and take me over . Am I going to end up as a sleeper waiting for that special word to activate me? It is even counting the word write.. I think it is time for me to boot down and get out on the water for some kayaking Ive obviously been on the computer too long .
September 26th, 2009
Sitting in my kayak a few nights ago and watching a meteorite over head leaving a blue green trail across the sky, it dawned on me that I have met so many great people over the years through kayaking, that I am a very lucky person. I suppose at this time of year I do a lot of reflection . Maybe it is the golden hue of Autumn that triggers it off . Some deep down hibernation gene trying to resurface
Whatever causes it I really enjoy it . Warmer clothes collecting wild blackberries. Complaining about the shorter days. Having to get up out of bed early to get the kids to school . Watching the swallows gathering before they leave for Africa.. Taking the cold weather gear out of the drying room .
Bad as the weather in Ireland is .. I love it because it is alive and interesting and asks questions of me every day.
Good health enough to eat and all the rest is a bonus .
You see what sitting in a kayak can bring on .
September 21st, 2009
Previous Posts