Morning watch

This Yoron family had a long wait

for the new sun of 2014 to appear

sUnspectacular

Rather an unspectacular start to 2014 .  

Deep cloud banks on the sea's horizon 

blocked out the birth of the new sun.

It peeked out briefly an hour later but 

didn't make a full appearance until 

well after the morning's marmalade.

Morning walkies was a little disrupted 

by an unusually crowded beach.

On my return leg, these sun seekers, bored with waiting

for its appearance, were playfully tossing a coconut husk 

between themselves, much to Duke's consternation.

For the last few weeks it has been his favourite

pee target.  

Hope they washed their hands before morning o-mochi 

(traditional New Year rice balls).

  

Island security

For some of the geriatrics 

who work the fields on the island 

it's often a long trudge back 

to the homestead.

So they leave their gear 

lying around at the work place.

This strimmer has been craftily hidden under a bucket.

Japan has numberless associations 

where bureaucrats can find a lucrative niche 

for their many years of retirement. 

Typical is the JBA, the Japan Bicycle Association. 

A recent report reveals that it pays one retiree 
as much as ¥2 million a month (plus expenses)

to reside in Europe and keep an eye on developments 

in the German bicycle industry.

Another lucky fellow in the high ranks of the JMBBTAO, 
(but perhaps not as highly paid) 

marched into our Yoron hostelry over the holidays 

and was toasted by members of the YUBAW 

(Yoron Union of Brits and Allied Worker).  

He declined our pleas to demonstrate with some chopsticks.

However, a rewarding outcome of his visit 
was that YUBAW members
have received official sanction to undertake 
non-profit twirling within specified borders.

Identity deleted on request 
(as his wife believes he was attending 
an international twirlers' conference.)

Once more a solemn but animated Christmas meeting

of  YUBAW (Yoron Union of Brits and Allied Worker). 

Again we are pleased to report  the attendance of the full 

committee and, to give a bit of variety to the gathering, 

we switched things around from last year's seating plan

(and switched hats). Colin also switched drinks.

We are pleased to report that membership numbers 

have remained stable throughout the year (2) . 

There have been no reported sightings of the Oz 

whose membership was under consideration, 

so further discussion on the matter 

was tactfully tabled.

         (P.S. Things livened up later)

A Christmas Gift from Duke

Fallen idol

Looking slightly bewildered.

Bits and pieces broken in October's 

bad typhoon are still being resurrected. 

Latest is the Shisha, atop my late wife's hakka. 

 After surviving 20 years of horrendous storms

 it eventually succumbed to the blasts of T24. 

Miraculously, it was saved from destruction

by a thin wire cemented into its base.

Now it is back on its perch looking out to sea,

 its only injury the missing tip of an ear. 

Looks like it's been in a dog fight.

Morning fields

Winter Dawn by Erina

I must attribute this wonderful picture 

to my talented wife.

(otherwise I'll be in big trouble)

Dawn Of December

An unenthusiastic sun 

drags itself up from the sea.

With the ending of the year 

all its ferocity has dissipated.

 Now it delivers just a friendly warmth 

as I work outside. 

No more sweat-soggy undies. 

Time for a warm fleece at sunset

 and cosy 'jamas  at night.

I love it.

Autumn blaze

One area of  Yoron is basking

 in the glorious colours of autumn.

Here  it is.  

The spot surrounding this blaze of crimson 

from Yoron vegetation has not yet 

become inundated with tourists.

So now is a chance to enjoy its beauty 

in  total solitude.

(chairs provided on request).  

Hillbillies?

Just back from a trip up 

to the hills of Karuizawa

and down memory lane.

This historic snapshot shows 

the whole family gathered at a 

shack last used by the Brackins 

over 30 years ago.

Amazingly still standing, 

albeit a bit wobbly, 

it has been turned into a cute teahouse. 

A delight to see in this

age of destructive development.

BLACKOUT!

'Orrible October

2 bad typhoons. 

9 days without power

20 days without communications.

(NTT are a disgrace)

Cocktail time was a wash-out

 Starting the barbecue was a challenge

                                         And the aftermath

It was as if an artillery shell had burst through the wall, followed by a huge spout of rain and sea spray.      

BULLSEYE!

The eye of the storm over Yoron

 A most uncanny feeling to stand in the garden 

and look heavenward。

directly into the eye of a typhoon. 

Once in a lifetime ?  Hope so.

The camera cannot catch the whole eye ~ 

a vast circle of clouds dead above.  

My wife described it perfectly -- 

"A colosseum of clouds"

A light breeze, where ten minutes earlier there had been

maniacal , shrieking winds.

The eye closing

Then, a warning blast and bedlam returned.  

We fled inside.

Thar she blows!

T24

The eye should pass over us just after lunch.

Dammit! Siesta time.

T24 - On Target

Now: 965 PS 

Wind gusts 105 kph

T23 swung west at the last moment but this one looks like it's nailed us.

Storm Dawn

The sun manages to peek out between two typhoons. 

They have got us coming and going.

T23 past overnight and T24 is due tomorrow.

And just as we thought we'd escaped this year.

You old goat!

In the Middle Ages 

the devil was often depicted

with a goat's face - 

not surprising, looking at this 

one's physiognomy.

The old fella has probably managed to avoid starring 

on a Yoron menu by the clever ruse of showing more 

bones than flesh. 

(Please Note: no animals were harmed, abused 

 or in any way maltreated in the making of this blog)

Bags of protection

Thousands of new bags, huge bags, line the seawall

on a northern beach front. 

Guess what they're protecting?

Grandpas, Grandmas and those before them.

They've recently been put there in response

 to last year's typhoons which washed away a 

lot of ancestors.

Japan still hasn't heard of artificial underwater reefs

Beach challenge

This morning I stepped on this weird 

and wonderful piece of coral rock. 

It resembles mountain ranges (also a fish)  

There's a track through its valleys to reach the exit. 

Watch out for the volcano!

       Uh! Uh!

Just as we thought typhoon season 

was going  to give us a break....

On its present course 

T23 will hit Yoron right on the nose

and getting bigger every day.

Dawn flight

October opens with a graceful flight of egrets winging 

their way south. The camera is lying about their colour,

in reality they were snowy white, much more vivid.

(I told you not to spoil that dog!)

                                             

How to put some foam ...

in your beer.

I don't usually have one before the sun goes down

(maybe I shouldn't be so tough on myself),

but with huge seas on the reef last evening this shot 

was asking to be taken.

Sunset catches the breakers in this close up.

A human comparison shows the size of the waves. 

Don't worry, after my beer I called the rescue services.

Green, Green & Green

Nightly rain squalls 

have given the fields a vivid new life 

after a long summer drought.

Nearly every shade of green 

can be found in the fields and foliage.  

The sugar cane fronds in particular are an 

exquisite shade of green, almost luminous.  

Rare visitors

An unusual congregation of Eurasian Curlews 

on the beach this morning (seven in the photo,

more hiding behind the rock).

Only an occasional one has visited previously. 

With typhoons No. 19 and 20 straddling the area 

to the north and south perhaps they're using us 

as a temporary sanctuary.

Big breakers from the storms can be seen on the reef.

Cane Lane

Riding a moped down these lanes needs a 

suit of armor - a slash of one of these stalks

can mean a nasty cut.

Two weeks of powerful winds have been

playing havoc with the overgrown cane.

Still four months to harvesting.

Eye in the Sky

Ever get the feeling that some clown's watching you?

28 Lost at Sea!

Anyone looking for a 28?

It was washed up on our beach in the mighty waves 

of the latest typhoon, now passing on its way to Tokyo. 

An extensive search turned up no sight of 27 or 29.

Any claimants must submit proof of ownership.

Perfect fit.

Geriatic Gypsy fits snugly inside her new bed.

Great Balls of Fire!

Opened a new pack of charcoal last night.

Made in Indonesia.  

As usual, put a few blocks on the brazier to start

the BBQ and boom! kerpow!  Fireworks!

The stuff was almost explosive. 

Sent sparks shooting high and wide.

Cinders as big as cornflakes. 

Black burn marks everywhere - 

on hat on patio on acrylic undies. 

If Duke had been around 

he'd have been turned into a Dalmatian.

Dangerous stuff. Beware.