Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

The next big step before completion of the boat restoration is to install a new jib roller reefing system. This fills me with dread as it involves cutting a steel cable and an aluminum tube to exact lengths and finishing them off … Continue reading →

There has been a lull in the boat refitting. We have decided to restore the horribly split and rotted mast head by filling the damaged area with epoxy mixed with saw dust. Subsequently a stainless steel sleeve is to be … Continue reading →

This post has no story, theme, or anything else. It is just a record of things that I can look back on. The weather has been truly wonderful, warm not hot with beautiful blue skies. One day, surprisingly it rains … Continue reading →

You will remember that, as part of the original restoration, I had a grating handmade from exquisite Okinawan hardwood. It is a very fine grating but also extremely heavy. To remove it I have to lie walrus like on the … Continue reading →

The weather has been excellent – blue skies, sun but cool. In fact it was so cool one day last week that I actually put on a woolen shirt thing. I am invited to a 2 day Forum on Science … Continue reading →

Not much happening really, especially on the boat front. I have to wait until Kamiya san fits the sleeve on the top of the mast before I can rig the halyards, shrouds and forestay. Once that is done I can … Continue reading →

My principal occupation over the last weeks has been trying to please AMFIE, https://www.amfie.org/en This lot look after my pitiful pension from CERN. They are dreadful. Apparently it is time to update my file. They demand a slew of documents … Continue reading →

Son James comes over to get the lovely, little boat back on her feet again after near sinking and severe damage in the last typhoon. I am old, stiff, rib damaged and generally poor at manual things. James is young, … Continue reading →

A foundation of meaningful pleasure is contrast. I mean if you drink Champagne all the time, it becomes mundane. In the last two days I have had meaningful eating. Arisa’s birthday – we go to a tiny restaurant that has … Continue reading →

You will remember that Jack Aubrey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Aubrey has to bring his badly damaged ship to Desolation Island to make repairs. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grande+Terre/@-49.187292,69.3142365,82938m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0xb36b481ca16fd0e7:0xb9964abcebd3657f!8m2!3d-49.3948275!4d69.3544625!16s%2Fm%2F0lc9n1w?entry=ttu I am back in Okinawa and, having more or less recovered from the major bash I had, can get … Continue reading →