Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

After a truly wonderful time in Scotland, I am definitely moving back, I return to San Francisco and am immediately scythed down by Covid. Not so bad as I had son James to generally look after me, go shopping and … Continue reading →

I fly back to San Francisco, having had a negative Covid test before getting on the plane. A couple of days after arrival, I begin to feel bad, sore throat, cough, headache etc. I don’t worry about covid on account … Continue reading →

I leave Kintyre and spend time with university friends. These are people I met in 1970. Over 50 years of friendship. Will takes me to drop off my car as I am too scared to go alone. I then get … Continue reading →

The whole Calder clan unites in Scotland to sprinkle our Mother’s ashes. After a very long trip, Okinawa,Tokyo, Istanbul, Dublin, Glasgow, I find myself in a grubby Portacabin on a filthy potholed yard somewhere in Paisley. I am there to … Continue reading →

Last weekend we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of OIST. Well actually 11th; OIST was accredited in 2011. I know, I was there. As with so much else, Covid got in the way and the ceremonial had to be pushed back … Continue reading →

My driving license validity runs out at the beginning of June. Since I am now over 70, I have to go through geriatric driving training, vision testing and a supervised drive before they will re-issue my license. I am fairly … Continue reading →

50 years ago today Okinawa reverted, strange term meaning became part of again, to Japan. Since the 2nd World War Okinawa had been an US colony. The dollar was the currency and cars drove on the right. The Okinawans, after … Continue reading →

It is the rainy season in Okinawa. The weather has been very dull. I bumble around. The boat engine still will not start despite Kiyuna san efforts. He is in no way downhearted, gently eliminating each possible cause of the … Continue reading →

So, back in Okinawa I go through the backlog of mail that arrived during my 6 month hiatus. With invaluable help from friends, I understand that the majority of the mail offers free old people health help. There are offers … Continue reading →

12 hour flight from San Francisco to Narita, Tokyo. That’s where the trouble starts. Exhausted and hung over, we then spend 5 hours going through Covid procedures. We being Japanese citizens and permanent residents, no tourists nor strolling foreigners are … Continue reading →