Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

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 →

One of the first things I bought when I came to Okinawa, getting on for 9 years ago, was a rice cooker. https://thequietripple.com/2011/02/19/in-which-he-buys-a-rice-cooker/ She has served me very well but has become very shabby. The top has rusted badly and … Continue reading →

Mummy died. We all got together to mark the finality of it all. There was never a better woman. We, my sister and brothers with partners met the day before the cremation to decorate the coffin with hundreds of photos … Continue reading →

I become aware of a grinding noise coming from the back of my X trail. It does not take me long to work out that it is coming from the passenger side rear disc brake. I stick my finger in … Continue reading →

One of the most pleasant activities during my stay in England was sitting around in brother Alan’s kitchen reading newspapers, something I never do here, and drinking lots of Lapsang Souchong tea. Cannot hope to read Japanese newspapers but I … Continue reading →