Monthly Archives: August 2013

Rowan Tree

Today I had the privilege of representing the university at the Shinto ceremony to prepare for the construction of our new Child Development Centre. Before the diggers rumble in, the spirits who inhabit the place have to be warned and … Continue reading

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Cobblers

My brother Ian, doyen of all things cooking outside, gave me a Cobb. Check: https://quietripple.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/cobb/ I have essentially done all my cooking on it since. I was much impressed by watching Algerian ladies in the early 70s, cooking family meals on … Continue reading

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Sunday, Sunday

You really have to love weekends in late August in Okinawa; especially if you have a boat. Up early and off to Zampa. I fish, I snorkel, I watch birds, I be in boat.    

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Get a Little Action in

Saturday night I hear the beat of the drum. Venturing out I see a big Eisa dance group doing their thing just up the road. Have a look at the video. This is 30 metres from my front door. http://youtu.be/dkmtBSuG_4kContinue reading

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Let the Hero, Born of Woman, Crush the Serpent with his Heel.

So little baby Jesus when not crushing serpents has sent my flute back to me after ten days in the wilderness. Thanks all for your prayers. Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His day is marching on. … Continue reading

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Callin’ out Around the World, Are You Ready for a Brand New Beat?

So, the cliché of the white man tossing and turning on perspiration soaked sheets  whilst the local drums pound, more or less  characterizes my last few attempts at sleep. The trip to Scotland seems to have permanently altered my sleep … Continue reading

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Pop Goes the Weasel

So having whined about growing uniformity in the previous post, I will now write about how that is pretty much rubbish. Here are brief profiles of two shops that I frequent that are  distinct to this part of the world. … Continue reading

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Globalization

So, I have gone on quite a lot in this blog on the changing nature of living abroad. Essentially you are everywhere wherever you are these days. In the previous post I talked about the authenticity of the Springbank distillery … Continue reading

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Springbank

So, whilst in the breeding grounds of the Calder, I visit the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown, town of my birth. I have the impression that all this malt whisky connaiseurship is a fairly modern thing and in a way alien … Continue reading

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Strong Juju

  The Sunday subsequent to the wedding provided great excitement. Unknown to me there was an examination to be held in the Kirk. A candidate for the post of Minister for the combined parishes of Kilcalmonell, A’Chleit and Gigha was … Continue reading

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