Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

We head North to search for the Rail; we being Tim, Mary and me. The Okinawa Rail is a very rare bird that is only found in the dense forests of Yanbaru. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_rail Yanbaru was incidentally added to the Unesco … Continue reading →

For a few days now the Japanese media has been saying that as from July 26, those wishing to travel abroad can apply for a vaccination passport. The only proof that I have had two shots is a very Japanese … Continue reading →

Rain dominates our lives. It has been unrelenting. This is supposed to be Summer with long sails into the sunset. In fact I cower in my apartment worrying about my boat cover There is a typhoon hangin around South of … Continue reading →

A genial Englishman called Julian has shown up at the marina. He has lived in Japan for a long time and has much boating rules knowledge. I have very little. When I started on this adventure 3 years ago I … Continue reading →

As you know, my teeth are dropping out at a truly alarming rate. What to do to retain any self esteem? Dentures are old-making, bridge apparently not mechanically appropriate in my case. This leaves implants. An implant is a titanium … Continue reading →

In fact the weather has been perfect for sailing. Mild south westerly breezes, blue sea, blue sky, bright sun. We go out to watch the sun go down, an extraordinary experience. This morning I am up early to go to … Continue reading →

Generally bumbling along. The leather protection on the gaff jaws is now very dry and worn. I drench the leather with lanolin. I love lanolin. It comes from sheep fleece and is very greasy – very good on boils. It … Continue reading →

You will remember my beautiful byobu. Well, when I asked, at the celebration party, https://thequietripple.com/2020/10/04/ivanhoe/ what variety of flower was depicted on the screen, this was the reaction. Well, the reaction was not quite as strong but the company was … Continue reading →

Boating fun has been eliminated over the the last 3 weeks because my starter motor busted again. However great glee as Kiyuna san has fixed it. In fact he has installed a new one. The weather has been dreadful anyway … Continue reading →

During my self isolation in Tokyo in January, I scribbled, well on a computer, a brief history of the restoration of my Norfolk Gypsy. You can follow the whole story in detail on this blog starting around here.https://thequietripple.com/2018/01/09/then-the-tuckets-then-the-trumpets-then-the-cannon-and-she-comes/ The Marine … Continue reading →