Monthly Archives: July 2018

There was a total elipse of the moon in the Okinawan skies between 4:00 am and 5:00 am on Saturday morning. I watched it from my balcony. Amazing, although no real hint of redness.  

Earlier in this story I mentioned a Mike Tyson comment that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.  My first punch in the mouth has been the center plate. First it was jammed, then there was … Continue reading →

I am champing at the bit. I can do very little on the boat until we get her off the high trailer.  We are almost there and today I discuss strategy with Kiyuna san. He has to; attach a ratchet … Continue reading →

At this time of year, Okinawa is awash with pineapples. They are small and very sweet. There are other things in season. It has been a sad day for me, but I go down to the boatyard because another typhoon … Continue reading →

I learned this morning that Burt Richter had died. It has been my great privilege that some very remarkable people have been my friends. We got on very well and I am truly saddened by his passing. Amazing man and, … Continue reading →

I get to the boat and to my great joy, I see that the center plate has been lifted. Lifted by what? By the cable of course; attached to the winch, attached to the rope that you use to lift … Continue reading →

Every time it rains: here it rains ferociously, the cockpit, the cabin, the bilges, the engine compartment, fill up with rainwater.  The boat is filled with half a ton of water. I do not know how other Norfolk Gypsy owners … Continue reading →

One of the first things I did when I came to Okinawa, now seven and a half years ago, was to go to the dentist. This is post number 3. https://quietripple.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/gaaargh/ Since then I have had a lot of tooth … Continue reading →

The boatyard talks of little else than the progress of Typhoon Maria. She is a category 4 typhoon, this means big boy stuff.   It looked as if she would come right over Okinawa, but as of this morning she has … Continue reading →

So tropical storm Prapiroon comes barreling through. The worst was during the night and it actually felt more like a real typhoon than a measly tropical storm – lots of wind, lots of rain. As you know, the boat is … Continue reading →