My principal occupation over the last weeks has been trying to please AMFIE, https://www.amfie.org/en
This lot look after my pitiful pension from CERN. They are dreadful. Apparently it is time to update my file. They demand a slew of documents amongst which are: a notarized copy of my passport, a gas bill, my last tax return in Japan, letter from OIST stating I have retired, my last salary at OIST, my end of contract letter from CERN, 23 years ago!, my U.S. Social Security Number, Japanese My Number, and so much more. They are insane. Do not go near them! I run around from office to office of confused Japanese administration, who are very suspicious. It is pure Kafka.
The boat resurrection has slowed somewhat as big business has to be done. The metal sleeve has to be placed over the top of the mast, not under my control. The new rope for the rigging has not arrived yet. Let’s not talk about the new jib and roller reefing system . I have faith in Mitsuda san.
The copper wraps around the mast to prevent wear from the gaff jaws, if you see what I mean. The copper sheet has a mind of its own and does not want to be wrapped. It springs away. It is happy laying pretty much flat and it is a struggle to get it wrapped tightly around the mast. It is a job that needs six people to keep the copper from springing away.
As the needle for my annual free flu jab slides into my upper arm, I mention to the doctor that my family in England seem to have had 7 Covid jabs. I have only had three. I feel inadequate.
“You want more?” the doctor asks a bit incredulously. Tomorrow I go for my fourth.
The Quiet Ripple Defines The Pond 
AMFIE may be Luxembourgish but clearly based themselves on the French model designed to obstruct and frustrate until you give up. Joëlle had the same oroblem but persevered and won in the day. By comparison, UK, USA and Belgium were easy. Good luck.
Hi Mike,
It has been so awful! The Japanese system is that any official paper has to be stamped by the highest possible authority in the organization, meaning that people are very reluctant to get into a situation where they have to take official action. AMFIE asking for a certified copy of my passport would mean me going to the Embassy in Tokyo! They have no idea. Fingers crossed that I have sent enough documentation to satisfy their craving. Hope you and famille are fit and well.