My hearing is impaired. I recognize the symptoms. Ear wax! I go to a nearby Ear Nose and Throat clinic hoping to get it removed.

” So sorry Neil san, reservations full. You will have to wait.”

” How long?”

“About one hour, I am so sorry.”

This seems pretty reasonable seeing that I have just walked in from the street.

“If you can come back at 09:00 tomorrow then the doctor will see you immediately.”

I should point out that this conversation was done on an iPad with a very good translation app. This technology has completely changed the experience of being abroad. You no longer need to speak a foreign language. Sad really.

I go back the next morning and sure enough I am seen straight away.

The doctor inserts a hollow probe that is connected to a suction pump in each ear and gently sucks out wax. There are six nurses who engage me with iPad conversation.

” Are you happy Neil san?

“Do you feel any pain?”

I am then taken to a side chamber where drops are , er, dropped into each ear. I have to wait 5 minutes on each side and then back to the doctor. He fiddles around with probes until he extracts a huge lump of wax from each ear. I can hear again! They charge me 800 yen.

Lustre Cleaning come to make the apartment sparkle. https://thequietripple.com/2020/09/27/baby-foot/

I go to find birds.

After my period of illness earlier this year year I am very feeble. I lost 20 kilos, principally muscle.

I used to go to a municipal gym that was just down the road.

Baby Foot

Unfortunately the building closed to undergo total refurbishment. However, I find that the city has opened a much smaller gym in an adjacent building. Here I go to do very gentle exercise to try and regain strength. Mainly leg stuff.

Apparently a new gym will open at the end of the month.