Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

I mentioned in a previous post that I had received a notification from the Japan Pension Service that I was going to get a state pension. It has been a complex business but is now sorted out. Here is a … Continue reading →

The propeller shaft passes through the stern tube and in the stern tube there are bearings that allow the shaft to spin freely, er I think. The tube has to be packed with grease. To do so, I use one … Continue reading →

Er, this is a pretty technical rigging post, feel free not to read. The shrouds on my boat are steel cables that are attached to the top of the mast. One goes to the port side of the boat, one … Continue reading →

I went to a dinner last night with great trepidation. That afternoon, whilst I had been sailing, Japan played Ireland in the Rugby World Cup. I was terrified that someone would blurt out the result before I got to see … Continue reading →

I open a letter this morning that looks very official. On the envelope, Japan Pension Service is written. Inside there appears to be some sort of cheque. I have made no effort to apply for a Japanese pension. It appears … Continue reading →

Great plans for sailing overturned by the still very churned up sea post typhoon. Not to worry as Okubo san comes for a very long lazy picnic on the boat. It is fun. People drop by for a chat. The … Continue reading →

No one was very concerned with the storm; until it arrived that is. It had been sold as a bit of a gale but it suddenly morphed into a full blown, pun, typhoon. Winds of 90 knots were recorded at … Continue reading →

More bad weather coming in. So, I rig my home-made tarpaulin cockpit cover which should keep out most of the rain. Apparently there will be gusts up to 80 knots and I dread the whole thing will tear off. I … Continue reading →

This is a high speed scrapbook of stuff from my recent trip to Europe. It is really a personal archive so I don’t forget. The trip was dominated by my Mother’s cremation nevertheless I got in a lot of other … Continue reading →

For the last few months I have noticed that the food I prepare has tasted strange. This was particularly evident in a pig’s foot terrine that I cooked last weekend. Each time I tasted it during the very long simmering … Continue reading →