Kirsty Has Quite The Following On The Farm

It's time to feed the chickens, geese, and ducks on the farm. After Kirsty fills up the feed bucket and grabs some bread, she whistles for the chickens who are roaming about. They are quick to gather round as she heads to the coops.

 Kirsty opens the lid and lets in 3-4 chickens per coop.

 She gives them water and feed, and they give us great tasting eggs. Sounds like a deal to me!

Last fed are the geese and ducks. They (like the chickens), enjoy lots of guava and table scraps as well. They need to stay in a fenced area (with a pond), because the dogs would love a duck dinner and the male goose would have a run at the young dogs. Amelia is the only goose kept outside. No one messes with her!

Peace my friends!

Back on the Farm

It has been a hectic few days as we flew to Kona from Honolulu, then camped one night at Spencer Beach (north of Kona). We decided we liked Isaac Hale Park in Puna more, so we drove to Hilo and camped two more nights, then picked up the van and drove to Ho'Oli to stay with our dear friend Manono.
The rain has been plentiful here, so the Kona side of Hawaii is much more lush than when we were first here!

View to our house from the driveway.

 Looking towards the outdoor kitchen and retreat.

 Labyrinth.

 Looking southeast. Kirsty is going to plant a vegetable garden where she cleared the ground.

 Looking north towards Manono's house.

 Looking northwest towards the ocean.

The fabulous outdoor shower!

 Trees full of avocados. These are about twice the size of Haas avos.

 Tally me banana!

 This guava is the size of a softball!

 Kukui nuts abound.

 Papayas and apple bananas make for a grand breakfast!

Tamarillos are an odd fruit. The taste is a cross between a tomato and something...just not sure what that something would be.

 12 chickens with eggs that taste superb. They roost in the coops at night to stay safe.

 Figs!! We are already salivating over the figs as they start to ripen.

 Fig orchard.

 Patrick mowing the yard!

 Hot tub!

 Prince Kila, the young pup.

The grand dame, Makana. She likes her shade.

More to follow my friends!

Peace

Sometimes...

One just needs to stop and smell the hibiscus to balance out the craziness that this world offers up everyday.

Peace my friends!

Diamond Head Walkabout

We took a stroll up to the top of Diamond Head early in the morning (we entered the park just after 6 am) to avoid the hordes of tourists and heat. The climb was a mere 750 feet, but it was mostly up at a steep incline. Not for the out-of-shape or folks with disabilities. The sidewalk turns into a bumpy trail shortly into the trail, along with a very narrow tunnel or two, and steep stairs barely wide enough for two people.

The caldera is entered through a tunnel bored through the volcano rim. One can drive or walk, but hey, the name of this blog should tell you what we did.

 Inside the caldera. We are heading almost straight ahead (eventually), to the top.

Start of the trail up to the structures in the distance.

A lighthouse seen on the way up.

Observation post and anti-aircraft gun structure.

 These observation posts were just off the trail.

 At the top, looking east. The whitish dot you see mid-picture, about a quarter of the way down is the tunnel into the caldera.

View to the west and Honolulu. Seems a long way from the old swamp land.

Peace my friends.

Bits and Bobs in Waikiki

It is hard to get focused and do a lot of photography. Too busy enjoying the view and leaving the mainland behind. Here are a few pictures of the koi pond at the Sheraton:

Here are two beautiful flowers:

This is the Hawaiian Pink Ginger.

And this is the Ginger Island Girl!

Aloha my friends.

This Ain't the Mainland!

Yes, that isn't Bellingham in the background. It is Waikiki Beach. We have returned to Hawaii and are killing a few days on Oahu before we fly to the Big Island to stay with our dear friend, Manono. 

Diamond Head is in the background. We are going to hike that in a day or two. Many pictures soon!

We are enjoying a cup of coffee in the early morning hours on Waikiki Beach, watching the early morning swimmers. And by early morning, I mean before 6.

We are walking again my friends!

Peace.