Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

So, I started to restore a Norfolk Gypsy, which was more or less a wreck, just over a year ago. It has been a wonderful project during which I have been much helped by many kind and skilled people. Today … Continue reading →

Harry comes down. It is Saturday, but apart from that it is a very un Okinawan day. It is spitting with rain, very grey, with high wind and an inexplicably broken sea. We take the boat out anyway as I … Continue reading →

Not what you are wrapped in for the last journey but the wire cable that braces the mast. My boat has two side shrouds and a front shroud, which is actually called a forestay. The correct setting of these shrouds … Continue reading →

So, here is a badly made movie about the boat. What a beautiful day! The water is already warm. The marina is so clean, the water is so turquoise. View in the highest definition possible. Okinawa

On Wednesday morning it rained like crazy. This very heavy rain is bad news as there is no self draining system in the cockpit and it fills up very quickly. The great danger is water pouring into the engine compartment. … Continue reading →

I give Kiyuna san a bottle of Islay Mist in thanks for his work on the boat. He blesses the boat by splashing whisky around and muttering stuff. The next day I find a package in the cabin. The package … Continue reading →

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 →