I am afraid that I have fallen behind. After the wedding I flew back to Okinawa as things had to be done. I also thought a few weeks of summer sailing would be a good idea. I have not written about any of this as I was waiting for the photos of the wedding from the professional photographer. Did not think I could post on Okinawa trivia before recording the amazingness of the wedding. If you see what I mean.

The first thing to do was to get a car. Tragically my great friend Kano san, who usually rents me one, had an aortic dissection in May. I am not sure what this is but it sounds bad. I am contacted by his wife who says she will bring me a car. I say forget it, you have more important things to worry about but she insists. Such kind people.

I have to renew my boat operator license; I cannot believe that 5 years have passed so quickly. I have to attend a refresher course that is in Japanese. The authorities insist that I come with a Japanese speaker. Kano san was going to do it but the best laid plans went agley. At the very last moment I contact an old friend and colleague, Teruya san, to see if he could help out. He can! Phwew!

Now I have the license I can get on with the main business of fantastic sailing adventures. Well no, when I go to the boat I see that the the Sampson post and the bowsprit have been rotted by Okinawa’s dramatically destructive climate and are totally busted.

I will have to get new parts hand made.

It is debilitatingly hot. It is pretty much impossible to do anything outside after 10:00 am. Dismantling the broken parts and re rigging various stays so the mast did not fall down was an ordeal.

On the bright side the food is as good as ever!