How Much Is That Doggy in the Window?

Not much happening really, especially on the boat front. I have to wait until Kamiya san fits the sleeve on the top of the mast before I can rig the halyards, shrouds and forestay. Once that is done I can raise the mast, attach the boom and gaff; then bend on the mainsail. I have also tracked down a Japanese sailmaker who can make me a new jib. Good friend Mitsuda san was going to do this but could not get hold of tan sail material. The new place also say they can get me and new furler, https://www.yuukoumarine.jp/collections/smart-collection-120/products/sel549-100-12

Chatting to Kiyuna san about why he never gets tired. ” Easy Neil san, I never work, I only play!” At the moment I pretty much serve by standing and waiting.

I do a few things.

Grating in place with complex automatic bilge pump system taking shape.

I mostly bumble around and gently enjoy living in Okinawa in November. It is now reasonably cool but still sunny with blue skies. I no longer use the A/C.

A guy from Okinawa Gas installs a new gas leak detector

Komesu san from the Ginowan Health Service contacts me. She explains that she is a Public Health Nurse and has been looking through my health records and would like to talk to me. We have a special appointment and she spends an hour going over my potential health problems as an old timer.

She has done a lot of preparation, producing English explanations. Her English is limited but we get on like a house on fire.

She sets up a series of tests for my arterial health and other stuff. Everything is free! She explains with the help of Google Translate, which has changed the world, that Japan takes preventative medicine very seriously and they keep track of the health records of everyone in Ginowan over the age of 40.

I go to buy some wine from Hamada san for my stomach’s sake. She looks different and we realize it is the first time I have seen her without mask! She gives me a Xmas bird.

The goose is getting fat

On the less positive side, my face swells up horribly again. I look like a monster and little children burst into tears when they see me. I go to see Kinjo sensei.