Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

I realize that this blog has become light on the joys of living in Okinawa and heavy on boat stuff. Let’s remedy this. Tou Cafe and Gallery is, as the name suggests a cafe and gallery. It is run by … Continue reading →

The boat has a fine cooker than burns what the Americans call denatured alcohol, whereas in Britain it is known as methylated spirits. Actually it is usually affectionally referred to as meths. Most of us grew up drinking it. I … Continue reading →

It is 7 years since the Norfolk Gypsy’s bottom was caressed by sea water. For 10 years before that she lay rotting at a mooring. Today was a new start for her. After over a year of restoration, we launched … Continue reading →

Some will remember that I have been plagued by a sore wrist and not being able to use my thumb. Pain is the result if I try. I go to the Onna clinic and they give me painkillers but say … Continue reading →

Essentially the boat is finished. I do a few final jobs. There are only two small jobs, make lid for sea water hole thing and weld nut onto center plate winch so I can use a ratchet to raise and … Continue reading →

Regular readers will remember that my much beloved bird lens, a manual focus Tokina AT-X 300, broke when I was in New Mexico. I tried to get it fixed in San Francisco but everyone said the lens was too old … Continue reading →

I have spoken frequently of the outrageously good luck that has characterized my life. There was another example today. The boat is now ready to launch and Kiyuna san and I go off to pick up my beautiful new cabin … Continue reading →

So, the Norfolk Gypsy is a sailing boat and thus needs sails to work properly. An important part of the refurbishment is a set of new sails. Today the mainsail is bent. Sails are difficult to manage as, even in … Continue reading →

So, Kyuna san, my Sensei in all things boat mechanics, went AWOL. This is disastrous as, although I can, sand, treat wood , mess around with gratings etc, without him I cannot connect up the engine to the electrics, which … Continue reading →

A grating is that to which you tie recalcitrant sailors before giving them a dose of the lash with the cat. A good grating is essential on any boat. I drenched the grating that came with the boat with wood … Continue reading →