Alishan in April part Bd

Like 2 years ago, we were invited to join a 

60th BirthDay Outing.

(60 is an important number in Japan)

This time it was Tominaga san's BD.

He is the "in-house" carpenter for all the Nogami fishermen,

our family here in Meinohama.

Like the previous trip we went to a hot spring ryokan in Kumamoto.

On the way, we stopped here and there for...you know:

Omiyagi, food, toilet and of course temples.

 

Ahhh, the Lady with the Nikon is on the look-out for 

Wings nd Things.

Shigeko san is happy with a cuppa tea and a bench to sit on.

Life of a fisherman's wife is not easy, it involves a lot of physical effort. 

Tuff on bones and muscles.

The Birthday Boy. 

Tradition wise he has to sit on a red pillow and later, after the first speech, he has to wear a red jacket and hat.

As always, meals at these sort of events are a major effort..So much.

Not to mention the amount of beer and sakeh ;-)

From L to R: Kunitoshi san, Tominaga san and Miyoko san.

Ha, today they won't phone me to help with Konoshiro.

Katsuyoshi san and Chitose san.

Together good for 160 years, usually out fishing together but today it's 

Swing Sing Along time.

Too bad, the next day was a wet one, but we enjoyed some nice stops along the road...for some more and always needed omiyagi = souvenirs.

The rain showed us something we seldom see in Japan.

Couples sharing an umbrella like this way.

Yep, it's Nogami san ( the Chair of our harbor) and his wife.

It was a wonderful trip, only 1 night, but it felt much longer.
And our Hakata Ban/ Fishermen Ban (slang) made a big improvement.

Plans are already made for the next 60th BD boy in the group: 
yes that's me...in 3 years time;-)

Salute

Alishan in April part A

The Shinkai family asked me to join them.

Hard to refuse, neh.

We're ready, all packed and wrapped...as there was a cool N wind.

Brrr, where is spring?

Anyway, what's gonna happen today?

We took the ferry to Nokonoshima.

There we had to go for a 30 minute walk.

That's nice, the sun was out and flowers all over the place.

Hmm, it looks too cold indeed to go for a swim..

More people doing what...?

What did you say......?

(see Fukuoka sky-line in the background)

Back on the ferry.
Happy to go home as it was hard work...and toes and fingers were sooo cold.

 But it was worth the effort, see the smiles.

So.....What's in the bucket?

Asari Gai.

Yummy.

Shinkai family, thank you for inviting me along.

After living in Japan for over 17 years,

this was a first for me.

And a good one!

Salute

Fu Kyo the Cat got Splashed

After months of planning, dreaming and more planning,

Fu Kyo finally got all the papers ready to go

Fukuoka Sunset Sailing.

The only thing that still needed to be done:

SPLASH.

Mitsuko san agrees: Fu Kyo is ready to go.

And here we go.

Takeshi is maneuvering the 15+ ton, 24 wheel trailer with great care.

Thanx! 

...a few more meters to go...

(i don't like this at all).

.....and.....we are floating.

Kuroki san is full smiles as finally 

Fukuoka Sunset Sailing

is On the Move.

And more happy faces as we are moving away from Uminonakamichi, across Hakata Bay, 

towards...

Fu Kyo's possy in the Meinohama Fishing Port.

Of course you can follow Fu Kyo's adventure at 

Fu Kyo the Cat goes Fukuoka Sunset Sailing.

and/or on FaceBook.

....we hope to see you on board one day!

Salute

Hit the road: Hakata to Hita.....a Fun Run

Hakata Station.

Normal people are rushing home,

but a bunch if runners are getting ready to 

Hit the Road to Hita! 

 

It's 0030, we're all smiles and ready to go.

Ready for what?

Well for me "that what" was still something crazy to do: 

Run 60 odd Ks to Hita.

But for most of the members it would be piece of cake as they all are into Ultra Marathons.

And this run was just a warming up for near future 150Ks and even 250Ks events.

Of course the first few hours...

were Done in the Dark.

So handy and conveny are the Conveny Stores

For toilet, juice or snacks...

and to share a few jokes.

As you can imagine, it was not a fast moving bunch of runners...

Hmm, 

CS curry...for breakfast....

After a stop for a quick breakfast at one of the many CSs  or Family Restaurants, daylight joined us and

it was time to enjoy the scenery.

Cherry Blossom Dance under the trees... 

With ballerinas Noriko and Honda san.

More or less @ this point i had outrun myself...

done more than the normal 42 K of a marathon.

So Easy....

Seen at a store window along the way...

Pink for her and Blue for him on display.

By times the Going was Good, even as the road to go was still a long one.

Super was: Early Sunday mornings...there is hardly any traffic on these roads

3 Sisters,

In training for a total of 640 Ks, to be run at the Hagi Ultra Marathon, to be held in early May.

Go Go Go!

Fruit trees in full bloom.

Here is Yumi san going strong. 

(i stole this picture from her FB).

Yes, we could smell Peach.

Spring neh...

Nope, the end is still not to be seen...

It lies somewhere past those hills in the distance...

And then suddenly, the last CS is there!

With loads of cool beer and ice cream.

Thank you all,

it was a great honor to run with You.

Do your best @ Hagi Ultra.

But first ...let's take a bath...Who's smelly?

And after that Good Soak, it was time for a Feed-Up.

Thank you Yumi san.....

Again i like to borrow your great photo display...

Oops, almost forgot.

The Fun Run was also to celebrate Kotake san's birthday.

Happy Birthday!

Ahhh,..... a Piece of Cake.

(btw, who's popular??)

The Road to Hita.

62 Ks according to Kotake san's GPS.

Was it Crazy to Do?

No not at all, the slow pace, the scenery and the members made it a Fun Run indeed.

Salute