Category Archives: Uncategorized

So I write this at 9:30 pm. The temperature in the room is 30 degrees with 75% humidity. Summer is really here in Okinawa. The temperature essentially does not change- it hovers around 30 degrees day and night. At night … Continue reading →

Another important crop in Yomitan is the purple sweet potato (紅いも beni imo?), if not for its value as a cash crop then as part of the local culture and tourist industry; the town promotes itself as the “beni imo hometown” (紅いもの里 beni imo … Continue reading →

So as time goes by one wonders from time to time if one has lost the touch. Has your moment  passed or as the bard has it: That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or … Continue reading →

I previously played music in a bar in Marseille where there were sometimes 5 banjos. The banjo goes, danka, danka, danka, clanga, clanga, clanga, danka, danka, danka danka, clanga,  dank, clanga, clanga.  5 together made me lose my will to live. … Continue reading →

So I am now an official member of the band “The Islanders” Okinawa’s top Irish Traditional Music combo. We are 5 – Maho incredible fiddler and the best front end in the business – Yokay, also on fiddle and smile, … Continue reading →

Sunday after lunch is time to go for a walk. Not the overcoat the umbrella, the wellington boots but the tank of air, the fins, the mask. Just a couple of minutes from the apartment I have located a secret … Continue reading →

So through good luck I stumbled into the world of Shinman Yamada. https://quietripple.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/harry-potter/ We organized an exhibition at my place of work of ‘Hamon’ – ‘Ripple’ in English, his take on life entering the primeval sludge. These are 11 very … Continue reading →

So yesterday was the best day in my life recently. Many best laid plans did not gang agley and there were surprise events that injected unexpected happiness and joy. A visit to my place of work by the illustrious senior … Continue reading →

Starts on Saturday evening when I rent two tanks. Up very early on Sunday morning and off we go to Cape Maeda – 5 mins from the apartment. It is a perfect morning, blue, sky, calm, warm, blue, sea, sun. … Continue reading →

I have always loved going places by boat. My earliest memory is a trip from Campbeltown to Greenock on a steamer. I cannot quantify the excitement. Today I go from Okinawa to Tsuken, the island of carrots. Notice Carrot metaphor … Continue reading →