June 8th, 2010 by ASK
I thought I saw the Ghost of Marco Polo last week . We boated together along the canals of Venice.
That is what travelling does to me .
I was taking part in an amazing event called the Vogalonga http://www.vogalonga.com/eng/index_ing.asp
What a fantastic day .. I would highly recommend it .. I stayed in Bibione about an hour from Venice. http://www.bibionekayak.com/bibionekayak.asp?lingua=eng
I now love Italy. The food culture, the people and their civilised ways, and of course the sun. I met a lot of great kayakers while I was there. Shared some time with Maligaq Padilla from Greenland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maligiaq_Padilla
I then went on to Jersey and did a talk at the Jersey Symposium and of course ran lots of classes . Efficient forward paddling and efficient kayak
control in other words . Zen and the art of kayaking . http://seapaddleruk.blogspot.com/
I used my new Epic set of wings donated to me by Ivan Lawlor and they were terrific . http://www.ultimatekayaks.co.uk/newsdetail.asp?NID=14
I am now about to take a group of Swiss paddlers off for a few days kayaking around the islands of West Cork .
News is that the Mackerel are in and the Basking Sharks are plentiful. I will report in again .
By the way Congratulations to Shaun Caven on his new position in USA. Watch out for their haul of medals as soon as his programmes take effect.
Be safe
Jim
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May 4th, 2010 by Jim Kennedy
An Irish radio Guru died a few days ago, very suddenly . Alone .. I hope it was quick for him . Some day I loved him , Some days I hated him .. His name Gerry Ryan .
He certainly upped the bar in Irish broadcasting .
A friend once said to me ” See that guy , I hate him so much I wouldnt even ignore him ” ..
I sat in a coffee shop in Schull to day and had to leave because of some arrogant know all shooting Gerry Ryan down . Then he left to take some pictures.
To Gerry and to Hanne in Switzerland you are in my thoughts this week.
To all the loved one left behind everyday . Stay brave.
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April 5th, 2010 by Jim Kennedy
The sun that is . It was definitely here yesterday . cant see it anywhere to day . Now where did it go .?
For any of you who were visitors to Connollys of Leap. Paddy passed on a few days ago . What a great family and soo brave . Eileen you have great friends.
My family hopped on their magic carpet to day and took a lift on the West wind to Stockholm . Almost cheaper than Ryan Air. Here i am home alone. Revenge is sweet . I was away lately.
I look at my phones address book slowly disappearing while my Face Book is filling up . How all change.
Back to the DVD now and Che Guerava. Looking out for Victor Jara. IF ANY ONE CAN HELP .
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March 25th, 2010 by Jim Kennedy
Yes it is a bird rare in Ireland by all accounts .. Came across one yesterday . I believe we now have 4 in West Cork . The invasion is on . http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Eurasian_Spoonbill_%28Platalea_leucorodia%29_at_Bharatpur_I_IMG_5670.jpg
EART HOUR.
At 8:30pm this Saturday, March 27, millions of people around the globe will turn their lights off for one hour to mark Earth Hour 2010
Im off to make a Pizza in a few minutes. mmmm Cant wait.
Jim
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March 23rd, 2010 by Jim Kennedy
Poor Scottish kid got drowned here a few days ago made me think how fragile us humans are .. I see the whales are being attacked again what a disgrace, See http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/whaling-the-great-betrayal-1925387.html Tell the world .
I have just come back from a coaching course in Dublin . I am glad I live in the country I hate Traffick Jams. . Fergus and Lee were on the TV last night . What a great couple . What a musician. see http://www.rte.ie/news/nationwide/ and click singer fights MD .
I am sitting here next to my Son Adam as he signs on for his face book page . Wow I am feeling old and left behind by technology . At least I can read .
Goodbye for a few days from a double 8 year old grand father.
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January 13th, 2010 by Jim Kennedy
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 .
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January 7th, 2010 by Jim Kennedy
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 .
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December 8th, 2009 by Jim Kennedy
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
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November 27th, 2009 by Jim Kennedy
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 .
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November 24th, 2009 by Jim Kennedy
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 .
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