biffa'sblog

Mt. Bandai in Fukushima

2011-09-19T06:49:00.006+09:00

It sounds dodgy, but the mountain itself is just as far away from the nuclear power plant as our apartment in Tochigi. I didn't bother to go out and buy a brand new geiger counter just for today's climb, lets put it that way!We climbed from Urabandai ski ground, which isn't as dull as it sounds. You soon get out of the desolate summer ski area and on to the first small sulphur lake below the main

Two more mountains and a new sofa

2011-09-04T05:58:00.011+09:00

This post is generally about my failed attempt at climbing Mt. Sukai on the border between Tochigi and Gunma. It was a real challenge and I was out of bed at 3AM to get cracking with it. At the trail head by 6AM and at the first peak, known as Koushin dake by 9AM. I gave myself a noon cut-off, whereupon I was to turn around and start walking back. Our new house (I wish!) This is the hut close

Summer trip to Aomori

2011-08-12T18:04:00.006+09:00

We went back to Hirosaki at the weekend. Though it reached at least 30 degrees each day, it was a cool contrast to the weather we have here now in Tochigi - 36 degs yesterday, and as sweaty as you could ever imagine. The humidity is through the roof, though we're starting to get used to it now. Aki is ready to jump on the train to Aomori city for some rasera! 青森市へ行こう！！　ラセラ　ラセラ！！ Shea is

Nikko - Shirane san

2011-08-02T22:09:00.008+09:00

The tallest mountain in Tochigi prefecture, at 2,578m. I won't bore you with the details, here are some pics I took though:The dodgy hand as proof I was there!A sound support strategy!

Garden Update - Alive with Creepy Crawlies

2011-08-02T21:42:00.008+09:00

This is creepy...and this is crawly!Not really, I actually do have some pictures of insects. If you're into that sort of thing, that is. The pic above is a night shot of a regular cricket who appears to be enjoying the eggplant leaves that I've prepared for him and his friends.This, I think, is one of the Bell Crickets which send me to sleep at night with their gentle clicking sounds. The

Climbing Nantai san

2011-07-18T08:54:00.013+09:00

Both Aki and I climbed the local 'hyakumeizan' mountain yesterday called Mt. Nantai. I thought it was a great day on the mountain, Aki thought otherwise. It doesn't seem that high when you look at it from lake Chuuzenji at the bottom, but the elevation that we climbed was equal to climbing Iwaki (about 1200m) and the altitude was higher (2486m).The weather was definitely on our side though, and

Unfamiliar Critters and Garden Progress Report.

2011-07-11T22:07:00.014+09:00

Our garden is crawling with insects which I am unfamiliar with. Yesterday I went to get some shots of those creatures but sadly, they were a bit camera shy and all I could manage were the following.Some sort of ladybug.The dragonflies are so tame you can literally pick them up and play with them.No, the third critter in this series is not me, though I'm probably responsible for most of the damage

Tochigi Skies

2011-07-05T21:44:00.009+09:00

Here are some photos from the sky above south Tochigi. I apologise for the lack of updates, I am a lot busier than I expected to be. Here are some pics though:And a few more images from the days when we mess about.Caught this guy messing about in my salad leaves!Messing about at Kegon Falls near Chuuzenjiko.A load of folks messing about on the combo birthday party we had at ours a few weeks back.

Kicked Out Naked

2011-05-29T07:04:00.008+09:00

Eggplant in the front row, mizuna, then broccoli at the back.It's been a while since I last updated this blog so I thought I'd capitalise on a brief pocket of spare time and post some pics of what we've been doing lately. I seem to spend at least 60 hours a week either at work or studying (I have a paper coming up which is keeping me super busy), so I don't find a great deal of time for anything

Last day in Hirosaki - and life in Utsunomiya

2011-03-31T14:22:00.015+09:00

I started this draft about three weeks ago on our last day in Hirosaki and I decided to keep it. I've asterisked the paragraphs that are old and added new annotative ones, along with some photos. We've been without the internet for a while you see, but we're now back online.*Well, it's been two months, but they've flown by almost as if we arrived yesterday. The snow has held out longer than I

A lack of certainty

2011-03-16T16:18:00.013+09:00

I have uploaded some shots here which give some idea of what Hirosaki has been like over the last few days. There has been a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the availability of goods and transport, following the tsunami last Friday. Fuel has been particularly scarce, and for a while it was being rationed out at 10ltrs per car at each gas station. I'm not sure what the real problem is behind

The Big Earthquake

2011-03-13T22:41:00.004+09:00

It's been a few days since the biggest earthquake on Japanese records took place, and even here in safe-old-Hirosaki things still seem quite weird. There's a lot of uncertainty in the air, particularly with regard to our power supply. I've just been forwarded a circular e-mail from the Tokyo Electric Company saying that we should be frugal with our use of electricity, and to expect further cuts

2011-03-08T07:59:00.013+09:00

It seemed to blend into the sky. The snow reflecting blue light into my eyes was a really dreamy sight.The top station at Hakkoda. Things have changed - there are now numerous screens with more information and photos than there were before. No shop selling cheap souvenirs anymore. Outside is still the same though!The entrance to Fukuzawa Onsen. Rustic to say the least.I just had to have my photo

Buying a Car

2011-02-23T07:45:00.012+09:00

The following shots are from my 5:30AM walk to a bridge in Hirosaki where both the Hakkodas and Iwaki can be seen in relatively good perspective. I have scattered them throughout the post.Since my last post, the most prominent daily concern for us has been purchasing a decent car. Initially, we had come to Japan with the idea of getting our hands on a little old banger that would see us through a

Snow, snow, and then a bit more snow

2011-02-13T11:43:00.011+09:00

The following pictures are from this last week. It's been a good week, with lots of things going on. We've got ourselves some mobile phones, which has kept us busy working out how to use them. We've also been car shopping, trying to work out what we can get with our money. We haven't bought anything yet though.I've started a routine of running, physical training at the gym and studying in the

Return to Hirosaki

2011-02-06T17:25:00.013+09:00

I've been in Hirosaki for five days now, and funnily enough the weather's been fine. It's plain to see that before I came the weather was quite different though.There has been a lot of snowfall in recent weeks, but now the temperature has risen and things are heading in the opposite direction. Lingering still, are the huge mounds of snow that people create when clearing snow from the roads.

Tokyo

2011-01-29T12:40:00.007+09:00

Yesterday, Aki and I arrived in Tokyo (or what seemed like Tokyo; it could have been anywhere we were so jet-lagged), and it now feels like we have moved up a gear in our giddying experience of moving to Japan for a long term stint. I know it will work out, but making the jump is unsettling and jet lag simply exacerbates that feeling. The streets of Minami Senju are even more surreal when you

Forgotten Draft

2010-09-30T05:46:00.036+09:00

Here's a draft post that I forgot I had from last summer's trip down south. I won't write much, but I will explain certain shots.Some familyThe streets of Deal, Kent.Me and my tash.Dave, Aki and a dead shark.The following shots are from the time we spent at Graham Wrigley's house and the local horticultural centre.Graham's place came with a wicked swimming pool, minute frogs and a huge pack of El

2010-08-08T01:05:00.009+09:00

This video is one of Chloe Charles playing I Wish I Were a BearThe other video, Salamander, won't load through Youtube or Blogger, which is a shame because it was a cracking song. I still have the video on my hard drive if you want it though.Some more photosAli playing; Chloe supporting.Alan enjoying the company.Chloe playing; Ali supportingAnd again.Mack Daddy Lukey.

Aly Tadros and Chloe Charles

2010-08-07T04:49:00.002+09:00

I would first just say that Blogger has cost me about six hours of upload time with the first video, due to some error (!**@%!). Most frustrating. However, I'm going to skip it and embed them all using Youtube instead.About this video and the shots.We went to Screveton on Thursday evening to watch a couple of North American girls play their guitars and sing at Alan's house. One of the girls was

自炊式の山荘に泊まったバケーション。

2010-08-05T00:20:00.023+09:00

こんにちは、日本語でブログを書くのはお久しぶりですね。　これからは日本語オーンリーです。　これからの写真はウェールズのバケーションです。一週間で素敵な自炊式の山荘に滞在してあっちこっち観光したり、バードウォチングしたり、暖炉の前で本を読んだりしました　（夏目漱石の’坊ッちゃん’を読み終わった）。本当に楽しい時間を過ごしました。カナーヴォン城を歩いています。スノードーニア国立公園で散歩したりバードウォチングしています。　（日本語のバージョンがなくてごめんね）彰チャンのんびり、暖炉の前に座ってゆっくりしています。羊ちゃんの親子、右の方は赤ちゃんで左はママ。蜘蛛の巣が見えなくて家の中がきれいでしょう。スノードーニア国立公園の一番高い山からの眺め。どこに行っても羊がいる！風が吹いたり雨が降ったりしても羊ちゃんが草を食べ続ける。空が暗くなって山登りが怖いよ。頂上に着いたら何も見えなかったびょん。

A Leedsy Day in Yorkshire

2010-06-06T04:07:00.003+09:00

English city centres are all pretty much the same really. Some are just bigger than others. Leeds is pretty big among the pack, and it's vibrant too.At least on a sunny Saturday afternoon it is. This is me getting restless as Aki sets up the perfect frame.Aki, framed at the Cornhill Exchange.

Of Late

2010-04-03T05:34:00.008+09:00

Deep thought and deep hairdos at Chatsworth House （チャツワースハウス）　Aki, observing history　（チャツワースハウス）Deep water and long noses in Hull （水族館）The old and the new in York　（ヨーク市）Improvised charity work in Lincoln　（リンカン市）

Trips to York, Nottingham, the Peaks, Hastings and Brighton.

2010-01-04T05:23:00.019+09:00

ブライトン市で彰子とデーブ伯父さんAki and Dave in Brightonブライトン市Brightonブライトン市でロイヤルパレスがあります。The Royal Palace in Brightonブライトン市の道を歩いてこういう美術が見えます。Graffiti on the streets of Brighton.ジェーン叔母さんと家族.Auntie Jane and familyブライトン市の桟橋.Brighton Pierブライトン市の桟橋Brighton PierHastingsのパブA pub in Hastingsお母さんのクリスマストリーMum's Christmas treeノッティングハムのワガママというレストラン。Wagamama in Nottinghamノッティングハムにいる彰子ちゃん。Aki in Nottinghamヨークの大聖堂。York

Garden Update

2009-07-05T05:12:00.011+09:00

ニンニクを収穫した！！　新鮮なニンニクは特に強いです。口が大変臭いよ。サヤインゲンはみるみる成長している。サヤエンドウは来週から収穫だ黄色のズッキーニーは緑のほうより遅いんだけど綺麗なんだ。彰ちゃんはのんびりだね。ブロコリーと黒フサスグリとラズベリーとイチゴとズッキーニ手つくりジャムです。畑の上の空だ。

The next big one

2009-06-26T17:42:00.002+09:00

I'm training again, clocking up about 27 miles a week. I had a difficult time after the Paris marathon with a lack of motivation to run and energy levels flagging. I've recovered fairly well now, though my performance is not quite what it was like three or four months ago.The reason for the continued training is straight forward: I have another big goal. The next big thing is this:Iwaki

Garden shots

2009-06-24T05:55:00.005+09:00

トマトちゃんはもう何個も咲いています。The toms are growing in numbers and I'm starting to lick my lips every time I walk in the greenhouse. That pesky mole better keep his wits at a safe distance because I won't tolerate any more attacks. If he such as lays one small digging claw on their roots I shall have no option than to resort to firm measures. Mole, if you're reading this, you've been warned!!ブロッコリーはあと二週間で食

New camera and new fruit

2009-06-14T05:20:00.009+09:00

We've had a spring clean in the Winn household this week. Out with the old and in with the new: laptop, camera, strawberries, tomatoes, raspberries, broccoli and one wild mushroom.The evidence is clear:This literally popped up overnight. It wasn't there yesterday, but stands at 6-7" this evening. Don't know what it is, and there's no way I'd eat it lest it send me crazy.Only about a week to go

Another garden post

2009-05-26T00:08:00.020+09:00

This blog may yet become more monothematic than it was when I was climbing Iwaki every weekend. The pass time in question is gardening. No, I should say hardcore gardening. Yep, gardening has gotten wild up at Canwick plots with no end of cut-throat action and drama. Read on for details.P.S. I have to practise my Japanese for mingling with the in-laws this summer, hence the funny writing below

Blood on my Spade

2009-05-10T23:14:00.006+09:00

Pak Choi, poorly grown.I had a new experience today. I intentionally killed an animal for the first time in my life. It gave me a desperate feeling that I don't want to experience again.Garlic, growing well despite the rich soil.I've been successful lately, with the mole traps that we put down, and there had been three clean trappings prior to this morning. I was really fuming though because the

Paris Marathon and Beyond

2009-04-23T05:08:00.003+09:00

Well, I did it. I managed to complete my first marathon, in a time that I am very pleased with. I haven't really been running much since the race, mainly because of this chesty cold that I have right now, but also because I thought I'd give myself a rest in the meantime. The meantime being until my next big run that is. I have marked my sights on a non-competitive goal for my next big run. It

Training Update

2008-10-10T06:20:00.002+09:00

Well, it wasn't to be on Sunday. I planned, as you'll likely remember from my previous post, to run a 23m extension of my usual route down the river. It was tough from the outset, so I trimmed it down a bit and did 18m instead. I did the following route:It didn't go quite so smoothly as the time I ran this distance before, and I'm not sure why. Maybe something to do with

Running for a reason

2008-10-03T15:18:00.005+09:00

Just to let those people who still occasionally read this blog know, I'm raising money for a leading UK cancer charity called Cancer Research UK. Through participating in two running races - the Hastings Half Marathon in March 2009, and the Paris Marathon three weeks later - I'm hoping to raise as much money as possible for a charity that is important to everybody in some way or another. My

1st Anniversary and Mablethorpe Half Marathon, and Cornwall 初めてのハーフマラ

2008-09-16T05:45:00.013+09:00

Just the shots, not a great deal of commentary. Apart from my 1hr 34min finish in the half marathon yesterday!!Just a note about this guy next to me. He has run 450 marathons/ultra-marathons and his mate has run over 270. They're legends in my book. It's funny, looking back at this shot I realise that I didn't even ask him if it was ok to take one in the first place. I think I know what he might

Ii nagama naa

2008-07-14T21:03:00.002+09:00

I made this short clip for Aki. Private joke, long-running. This mountain range is one of many in Niigata, where Aki's sister lives. The mountain I just summited was called ....... well I've forgotten now but it wasn't the one I aimed to climb. I wanted to climb one of the hyakumeizan mountains but there was a bit of a balls up in the organising side of things. Not to worry, I've still got plenty

Japan Trip

2008-06-21T06:34:00.009+09:00

Yes, me and the missus went back to Japan for a three week trip this year in May. We had a wonderful time, and I've gathered some shots here to share with those few people who still check this blog. To summarise, we first arrived in Tokyo and spent a night there, waking early and heading out to Tsukiji fish market before getting the Shinkansen up to Aomori. We stayed in Hirosaki at Aki's mum's

My first 10 K

2008-04-23T02:24:00.004+09:00

Since returning to the UK I've had to substitute the lack of climbing I can do here with another less interesting, but altogether satisfying sport, which is running. It's not only a substitute for sports inaccessible to me now, it's also an incentive for me to continue with my abstinence towards smoking. Yep, it's been a year since I last sparked up and I now feel that I can give myself a good

Long needed update

2007-12-06T17:39:00.000+09:00

日本人の読者は英語の勉強として読んで下さい。時間が少なくて英語しか書けないからね。番長，これ読んだらもうちょっとで写真を送って上げるよ。I know it's as if this webblog has long ben defunct and out of use, but my excuse is that a lot has been happening since the last update. Aki and I are now married, which took place on the 15th Sept of this year. It was a good day with lunch at a nice restaurant on Steep Hill after the ceremony and a barbeque in the evening at

More Sun in Lincolnshire

2007-08-06T18:19:00.000+09:00

More sun, but more importantly than that I had a birthday and got myself some new runners. You may not be aware, but I've got pretty keen on running lately, and I'm doing quite a bit of off-road/cross country stuff. The shoes I'm sporting in this shot are Asics Moriko, and they did me proud yesterday when we went to the beach for the day. I went running southwards along the Lincolnshire coastline

Sunny Lincolnshire

2007-08-01T20:16:00.000+09:00

Coming back from Pleasley Vale.There are three or four different power stations lined up along the Lincolnshire Trent river. From certain viewpoints you can see them all. I could see just two from this layby between Tuxford and Darlton. Aki says that days like this one in Lincolnshire remind her of the Simpsons. Aki's trying to ignore my lens, walking back along the peer at Skegness. Skegness can

Pleasley Vale のクライミング (this post includes weird translation)

2007-07-28T16:59:00.000+09:00

時に日本語能力のために日本語でブログにアップロードしないとだめ。すごいへんだけど読み我慢してください。I have to practice my japanese quite a bit because I want to be able to get on well with Aki's family when they come over late rthis year. After they've left I can forget all about it! 最近、クライミングに行く所はもうちょっと近くなってなかなか便利ですよ。pleasley vale といわれる岩場はかなり小さいけどオーバーハングとかいっぱいの難しいトラバースもあるから色々なチョイスですね。上の写真は、不良のクライマーと言えば。。。。この場所までは５０分，車で。ピーク国立公園に行くより３０分早い。イギリスでは

Climbing in the Peak ピーク国立公園でクライミングについて

2007-06-14T04:18:00.000+09:00

Peak grit is like nothing i've ever layed my mits on so far. Super grippy and full of volume, with the occasional crimp thrown in for good measure, the bouldering areas I've visited in the Peak have been great days out and have taught me just how weak a climber I still am. ピーク国立公園の岩場は厳しいぜ。でも，とても楽しいです。A huge garden of boulders. でかい石のある庭。Another great thing about the Peak is that you climb in the

クライミング

2007-05-06T04:31:00.000+09:00

イギリスに戻ってからクライミングできる所を見つけるのは難しいです。僕の出身は平たいから岩場絶対ないね。嫌だよ！！でも、リンカーン市から近い都市で面白くてラットみたいな屋内のクライミング場あるのでそこに行く。ここだ：毎週１回しかそこのクライミング場に行けないから、自分の壁を建てたいです。もと近くに自分で壁を作れば安いんだと思う。ガソリンとかで一回分は二千円だからね。作ってから写真をブログにつける。次は、伯父さんの車だ。こっちはRadicalという車だ。伯父さんはスポーツカー馬鹿なんでやっぱりこういう速度早い車がある。乗るのは怖いですよ！！！最後に、僕も伯父さんになった。ラストの写真はグレースイーファウイン。可愛いでしょ？でも毎晩彼女がすごく泣いて大変ですよ！！

The change: what's going on.

2007-04-22T02:01:00.000+09:00

This was taken on my last visit to Mt. Iwaki just before I left Hirosaki earlier this month. I knew I wouldn't summit the old girl, but I wanted to get to at least the Devil's Ring before turning back. The Devil's Ring is the most photographic spot on the mountain in my opinion. I didn't feel too sentimental that day. I really didn't feel like it'd be my last encounter up there. A couple of days

The Engagement Party

2007-03-27T13:26:00.000+09:00

The Kudos. Sunday was a brilliant day and everything turned out better than I'd expected. The sun came out in spring fashion at around noon which meant that folks could head outside. Aki wearing her kimono, and a very geisha-like pose.The party wasn't as tense as I thought it would be, and there was plenty of time for people to eat and drink without being bored to death by speeches and

Farewell frenzy （クレージな送別会）

2007-03-23T11:38:00.000+09:00

Last saturday there was a leaving party for four guys who regularly frequent the Rat Walls climbing gym. Fujimoto, who is going back to Hokkaido after completing his degree here at the University of Hirosaki; Rider, whose real name I've never learned, is heading down to Yokohama to start a new job; Cris, who by now is probably taking off from Narita heading back to Australia, and me, who will be

Chillin with my girl

2007-03-09T12:58:00.000+09:00

Sitting down to watch TV with the missus. We've both had seperate complaints so the masks are just a simple precaution, Japan style. A quick shot that I took on my way out to pick up Aki the other day.Three weeks left and it's starting to get wierd. Looking forfward to seeing my new niece though.

Selection of photos

2007-02-09T10:44:00.000+09:00

I haven't used my camera much over the past few weeks, and I seem to lack the initiative to write a blog without photos. Something very memorable has happened though; something important to me that I haven't felt like wailing about to others. I'll write about it now though, since I do have some photos to accompany the things I say. Most people close to me and Aki know we got engaged last weekend,

Happy new year

2007-01-05T12:00:00.000+09:00

Happy new year to all. These are photos from the three day stint I had with Aki's family over new year's.Aki's mum and dad on her mum's 60th year party. Similar to the coming of age tradition for all 20 year olds in Japan, it seems that the major celebration can be held on a date seperate to one's actual birthday. We went to Iwaki Sou in Asobe no Mori for a night of reraxation and fun.More into

Christmas at Aoni Onsen

2006-12-24T12:10:00.000+09:00

Well, not quite Christmas yet but there's only a day left to go. While snow on the ground was shallow compared to our visit two years ago, when we had it up to our ears, the fun was plenty and there were Christmas presents too. Aki in her yukata.A right royal Christmas breakfast!A rare glimpse of Aki with her new glasses on. A rare glimpse of me with nothing on. No really, this onsen had a sign

More climbing shots.

2006-12-15T11:12:00.000+09:00

I tried some action shots but didn't quite catch the effect.

青森代表 Representin' the North Side

2006-12-11T16:03:00.000+09:00

This coming weekend I'll be heading down, with other representatives of the Aomori climbing world, to Morioka, where there's going to be a regional bouldering competition. It's going to be tough, since I've been advised to enter the experts group, full of 50kg vein poppers and muscle bandits. Don't be fooled by the use of the word 'expert' though, since in Japan it's used very casually to

Photos from the weekend

2006-11-24T10:29:00.000+09:00

Aki and I went together up the mountain on Sunday for what could well be my last chance to climb high this year. Snow is forecast soon, and I'm not sure if there'll be another chance to climb before the snowpack settles next year. Well, it was a great climb at least, even though it was a tough one, especially for Aki who only had tiny crampons attached to her shoes in thigh high snow. We didn't

My Traverse

2006-11-11T10:47:00.000+09:00

I promise not to post any more random climbing clips in the near future. Here's my traverse.

The Jumper - Hikaru Magic

2006-11-11T02:37:00.000+09:00

This man can jump. The distances in these shots look pretty short on camera but I assure viewers they are long. Now I know there are some folks out there knocking monkies on their blogs these days, but I've got to say I'm a big fan of our primate cousins. More vids of yours truly coming soon, when I manage to shoot something impressive with me in it.

2006-11-08T14:02:00.000+09:00

The mountain resembles a woman of an almost translucent grace and beauty

2006-10-30T23:20:00.014+09:00

Well, those were Osamu Dazai's words in his book on the Tsugaru peninsula, and the mountain, of course, is Iwaki. He writes of old legends which state that where the mountain can be seen at it's most beautiful throughout Tsugaru, namely the towns and villiages of the central Tsugaru plain, the women of those towns and villiages also possess great beauty. This doesn't say much for the girls who

4am wake-up for 紅葉

2006-10-16T18:12:00.000+09:00

I got up at 4am today for an early morning hike. My idea was to catch the sunrise from the rocks and to get some shots of this year's autumn leaves. As the old saying goes, the earlly bird catches the best light. It was lovely, but I was about fifteen minutes late to the rocks for the sun. That didn't bother me though because the light in the woods this morning was great. I got to the rocks at

Some of my favourite shots from the past week or so.

2006-09-27T00:00:00.000+09:00

There's been a lot of sun overhead these past few days. Here in Japan we're moving into my favourite time of year; the anticipation of snowfall and the sharp bite of the wind are what satisfies me the most from season to season. And it's only just begun!!I've taken a few shots of the susuki grass that grows along the railroad near my house. I tried them out in B&W and thought they looked pretty

Bi-annual mid year pilgrimage to Hakkoda.

2006-09-16T12:43:00.000+09:00

I climbed Hakkoda with a girl called Naoko the other day. She's an old friend of mine who I've known since I got here to Japan and I haven't climbed with her since our excursion to Iwate-san last year. In fact, Ihaven't been up high for a few weeks now due to the stinking hot weather throughout the summer and the over-abundance of bugs and snakes on Iwaki. It was a good day, though, last Monday,

Summer bike rides

2006-08-19T10:59:00.000+09:00

While I was riding out to Ajigasawa on Tuesday I saw this small field of yellow flowers planted behind a convenience store along the road. I stopped for some water and a couple of shots. Grief is a unusual thing. Until the flowers I'd had my mind focused on the heat and the mountain in the background. But I couldn't help but think how my dad would've appreciated those flowers, so I stood there

Starting to look the number?

2006-08-08T12:32:00.000+09:00

I turned thirty last week, but I don't think I look it yet. Regardless of what people say, my hip's been giving me trouble and I don't have the energy I used to have. Here are some shots from the last couple of months:Banchou on his way to the sofa.Cris on his way to the floor.Steady hands.One of the Aomori climbers who must've turned up way before we all did.Hikaru, the ever-playful, doing what

From the last couple of months.

2006-07-20T11:47:00.000+09:00

Mum and dad.Me and dad.Dad, mum on the right and Jane on the left.

The Morioka Mission

2006-05-02T21:37:00.000+09:00

It was my day off yesterday so I went down to a climbing gym in Morioka, called One Move, with a couple of regulars from the Rat Wall. These are the pics:This guy was doing most of the same stuff as me all day. A married couple getting ready for some lead climbing.They were both strong climbers, and they seemed to know very well what they were doing.Me, trying to come to terms with my body weight

Open Mountain Hike

2006-04-30T10:59:00.000+09:00

From the south, last autumn.I finally did it yesterday. I arrived at the top of Mt. Iwaki for the first time this year. I took the usual route for the first half, and then cut across mountain, avoiding the upper ridge. It was easier that way and cut around thrity minutes off the length of the hike. The weather wasn't what I expected it to be. It was supposed to be sunny, but the whole sky was run

Using the ropes

2006-04-24T18:40:00.000+09:00

The highlight of my week this week was when I successfully completed a route on the Rat Walls known as Junne. Junne comes with a red sticker, which means it's not as easy as routes with yellow or white stickers next to them. The tricky bit is a long monkey leap from one hold to another, leaving you in mid air having to hold your body weight with your arms stretched right out each side. After many

You go, no, I want.

2006-04-10T22:23:00.000+09:00

And believe it or not, I took these as wise words today. A lady dressed in almost expedition level mountain wear greeted me on the upper ridge and somehow convinced me that the snowpack was unstable. Even though I could clearly see that there was no fresh snowfall. I followed a couple of middle-aged climbers up most of the upper half of the climb, making use of their tracks for walking stability.

Akakura Gorge: different angles

2006-03-27T16:01:00.000+09:00

I say 'gorge', but I'm not really sure what kind of mountain term you'd use to describe the area I photographed today. The word 'gorge's is often used synonymously with 'canyon', but I wouldn't go so far as to call this place one of those. Whereas a canyon is either created by a river over time, or has at least got a river running through it, the Akakura area was created by volcanic eruptions in

Scarecrow, my old man and the new guy in town

2006-03-22T23:14:00.000+09:00

Be on the lookout, Hirosakiites, for a big, unfamiliar-looking, blond haired Canadian muscle man roaming the streets. He's the new boy in our office since Jeff's leaving this month, and he's not hard to miss because he's twice the size of any Japanese person. And he's got blond hair, which is also a dead giveaway. Haven't had the chance to talk to him in length just yet, but he seems like a good

Another completely indifferent week passes by

2006-03-12T22:18:00.000+09:00

This is me on a route which is written in kanji (Chinese characters), one of which I don't understand, but the first kanji means woman so I just call it exactly that. So, this is me, on 'woman'. Ozzy Chris, also on the same route. It's good now. I've been training regularly for the last six months and recently I've got to the level where I can do pretty much all the stuff that he does. It's

Back to the old house

2006-03-05T23:06:00.000+09:00

An indifferent week has passed me by once again, and I'm sat here trying to stay focused on a movie starring Bob Dylan which really isn't turning out. Dylan can't act, but I knew that before I even contemplated him as an actor. He doesn't need to be able to act, I guess. The week in pictures:The bottom ridge of the North face, Akakura. Cornice to the left, trees to the right; it's a tight one to

Tree hugging, and other winter sports

2006-02-27T21:00:00.000+09:00

Just some stupid shots from last Monday's day out. The cameraman told me to hug a tree, so I did.Like I said before, I got really excited that day and when I get really excited I sometimes have the urge to take off my clothes. Not really, but it all stemmed from a joke passed between folk on the ropeway about what a lovely day it was and how you could almost whip off your gear and ski down in the

If only a day at the office.

2006-02-21T22:29:00.000+09:00

I won't even begin. I'll just say this: couldn't take the grin off my face for hours after the last ride on Monday. It's probably even more of a buzz on days like this for the regular mountain slaves like myself. For every one day like this you have to go through at least ten where the wind and snow rip the skin off your face. This kind of visibility at Mt. Hakkoda is like being married to an

The times they have changed.

2006-02-15T12:19:00.000+09:00

A friend of mine sent me this picture this morning, which he took back around 87/88. It knocked me over when I downloaded it and gave it a good look. I couldn't resist posting it on this blog. Nick was into photography at school, as I was a few years later. In fact, his photos were probably what inspired me to take photography as a subject. His own black and white processing was fantastic

Itching to climb

2006-02-14T14:06:00.000+09:00

Temperatures are up, and for the first time in what seems like months the weather forecast is showing some sign of decent weather ahead. I am getting the most I can out of this season, having just bought a brand new snowboard and a brand new month pass for the ropeway. Hakkoda mounds get no smaller, just bigger and bigger.There's one thing I'm starting to miss though, and that's the quiet, hidden

Not a lot

2006-02-04T01:36:00.000+09:00

I haven't been doing anything different lately from what I was doing this time last year. And I know I flooded my blog last year with shots and tales of the deep, deep snow. However, just to let you know that I haven't quite been snowed off the face of the planet, I've compiled some shots here that probably resemble closely those that I took last year.This shot was taken on route 7. It was

Look at the cathedral

2006-01-08T13:56:00.000+09:00

Here's what makes Lincoln city Lincoln city:The old cathedral, which dates back as far as the Iron Age, or somewhere around then, still stands in all it's glory. Actually, the building in this picture was erected more recently, but only because the original was knocked down by an earthquake. I don't know much about it's history so I won't even attempt to offer one. Look at the people on the

Back to a wierd Japanese normality

2006-01-05T23:37:00.000+09:00

As my brother put it, even though you thoroughly enjoy the time spent during a visit back home, the experience, on the whole, is unsettling. The traveling and the jet lag; the different environment, and the prospect of having to make a regular life in it somewhere down the line; the return home to Japan, and the thought of not seeing family and friends for quite some time. Everything gets you

Christmas at the Winns'.

2005-12-28T19:57:00.000+09:00

Me, having fun with my Christmas presents on the 25th. I treated this shot for red-eye, but it seems to have gone a bit wierd. Uncle Dave, very pleased with the Kamikaze headband I'd brought back for him. He's a big fan of Japanese motorbikes so he says he's going to wrap it round his helmet or something.My old man, and my mum. Doesn't he look nice in his new Christmas shirt that Mum bought him.

70cm of fresh

2005-12-19T22:27:00.000+09:00

Well, I'd say my ideal snowfall is around 40cm. On top of what's up there already that's enough to keep things smooth underfoot. Today was another one of those ridiculous days when you could barely move unless you had a good bit of steep and a freshly waxed board. It was good though, so long as you didn't run off the main drag and end up in quick-snow. I had to do some swimming on my first run

The season begins

2005-12-12T19:29:00.000+09:00

Going through the motions of Marubatsu on Sunday. For some absurd reason, amidst all the random Christmas kissing that was going on at Angie's annual Christmas rave-up on Saturday night, I remember actually kissing a guy on the lips wearing a rasta wig. Being upside-down was a good way to rid it from my mind. Sweat and grind; it's the only way to overcome such traumatic flashbacks.This is the bit

Interesting view

2005-12-08T09:13:00.000+09:00

Ah, the Hakkoda mountains. They always look so wonderful from my apartment window.

Bit of 'ard work never 'urt nobody

2005-12-07T22:19:00.000+09:00

So far this week I've had four classes observed by parents' (predominantly mothers) as part of 参観日 sankanbi, and each one has been a relative success. I still have six more to go, including the dreaded Friday Let's Go 2 class, for which I would ideally like to call in sick on the day. Once this week is over I'm in cruise mode until I fly back home for Christmas, whereupon auto-pilot will take

Chevy Chase comes to town

2005-12-04T10:57:00.000+09:00

I haven't seen him yet, but I've a good feeling he's living close to me, just down the road. It started snowing proper yesterday, and still the roads here are coated with a thick layer. Last night was really pretty. I attended a singing session with local JETs at Santa Monica, the best karaoke in town. Outside, on the way to fetch more alcohol, the streets were covered with about 8-10 inches, and

Welter weight

2005-11-23T23:38:00.000+09:00

The course I'm doing here is called ウエルター級、or 'welter weight'. It's the first course I've completed in the henachoko section, the translation for which I have no idea. First, you've got to crawl up from under the bulging wall and then drag your body to where I'm at above.Then, as you can see, you've got to get jiggy with the wall. One giant leap, and you're out of desperation territory.Wriggle

Halfway up

2005-11-22T13:18:00.000+09:00

Well, I only managed to get halfway up yesterday. The snow was about a metre deep at around 850m, and the section of the trail that I refer to as 'the rocks' was looking shaky since there was snow covering hidden crevices. It's definitely ripe for boarding up there now, and I kicked myself for not taking mine up with me. Sun breaking through the trees. The Hakkodas, looking just how I like them.

Riding round the mountain, and the first snows

2005-11-16T23:33:00.000+09:00

I opted out of the mountain trek on Monday due to a crappy nights sleep the night before. I gave myself an extra hour in bed that morning and went for a slightly less time consuming jaunt. It takes roughly six hours to climb, there and back, whereas the circumvent by bike takes around five. Just a few pics of stuff I saw along the way.This is a Buddhist statue that I'm sure all those who drive

Staring at the wall

2005-11-13T01:51:00.000+09:00

I've taken the shots out of this one now. Sorry if it's confusing.Don't know why these shots take so long to load, but they do. I've been really getting into the walls over the last few weeks. It's a great form of exercise, and it's graceful. If you ever watch professionals climb, you can see the cool way they move their body weight and preserve their energy whilst on the wall/rock. The best

The first frost

2005-11-02T22:29:00.000+09:00

No, it hasn't got that cold in Hirosaki just yet, apart from one small spot located 1400m above sea level. One of the reasons I climb so often is that it bares more starkly the process of the seasons, which I like. At 8:30am I was in autumn, then some two and a half hours later I was walking through what could only be described as winter.As seasons change over a length of time you often pay less

The people of Akakura Mountain

2005-10-18T13:54:00.000+09:00

Another Monday, another fantastic day out in the sticks. At the top yesterday I met the Ghents from Itayanagi church. They happened to be at the summit when I turned up, and they had a big group of young folk with them enjoying the view. On the way down I decided to take a few snaps of the religious figures that endure the weather up there twenty four hours a day, three hundred and sixty five

Human fulfilment and the worst ending I've ever witnessed.

2005-10-15T01:34:00.000+09:00

I'll start by telling you that this Wednesday saw a great personal achievement. For weeks now, I've been trying to complete what they call タカ, or, the route that seperates the novices from the beginners. I've been getting my strength together lately, and right down there at the Rat wall I proved to myself that things can be done. Taka is a climb that most people take a while to get under their

2005-10-12T13:00:00.000+09:00

I wrote out a whole long elaborate post about all sorts of things the other day, and when I came to post it it screwed up on me so I'm not in the mood to write much at this minute. I went climbing with some local gaijin the other day. We went up the north side and down the south, having dropped one of the cars off earlier that day. These are the guys:I bought a huge apple and ate it all in one

城西保育園運動会 The mother of all battles

2005-09-28T00:19:00.000+09:00

Yes, this last weekend saw a major showdown between the reds and the whites of Jousei Kindergarten. I, myself, chose to side with the reds because my favourite kids were on that team. I was invited to sit and watch the kids do their stuff, sat with a panel of worn-out old ojiisan (grandads), conveniently positioned directly opposite all the parents, so they could see that the school had gone all

My new Sunday afternoon hangout

2005-09-11T00:35:00.000+09:00

The Rat Gym, where I will now be spending my Sunday afternoons. The two walls you can see in this shot are too difficult for me, though I have tried, and pulled some muscles in the process. I'm making gradual progress though, and with one or two regular visits to the Budokan traning room each week I'm slowly getting some strength back in my upper body. My arms shrank substantially after the

Too many eggs, and car crashes

2005-09-03T23:30:00.000+09:00

I've had a penchant for yude tamago 湯で玉子 just of late. That's hard-boiled eggs for the likes of you and me. An ex-girlfriend of mine told me that I shouldn't eat more than ten a week for my health, and I'm sticking to that quota, but the damn things are so good and so available at Japanese covenience stores that it's hard to stick to my limits. Here's to eggs, and there simplicity. Hell, here's

Peace out.

2005-08-28T22:47:00.000+09:00

Today my old mate Hugh Je left bound for Tokyo where he's going to spend a few days before he goes back to Toronto, Canada to start a new exciting life. Hugh was the only other Hirosaki JET who came over at the same time as me and stayed the full three years. And although we've rubbed each other up the wrong way in the past, he's always been a good mate.I'll keep in touch Hugh, but the best

Yamagata trip: Hawks along the beach

2005-08-22T16:50:00.000+09:00

Yep, I've been internet forsaken for a while now, and to be frank I haven't been doing an interesting deal with my time. I did, however, take a short road trip down to Yamagata prefecture to bag a couple more of Japan's hundred most famous peaks 百名山. First, if you want to look at some of the shots I took down there go here. I've stuck a few along with this post as well.The first thing I want to

Three years complete

2005-07-27T15:15:00.000+09:00

A photo of the Tsugaru plain, where I'll be spending the next 18 months.Just a quicky to say that I won't have regular access to my email or blog for another couple of weeks. I move into my new apartment tomorrow and Yahoo Broadband usually take a couple of weeks to set things up for new customers. I'll be away for the beginning of August as well, climbing peaks down in Yamagata ken. I'll give

Bizarre carcass on the beach

2005-07-25T10:22:00.000+09:00

Going to need a bit of original thinking with this one. I have no idea what this creature is, or was, and it's been puzzling me since I found it at Shariki beach yesterday, close to Inari shrine.It was about six feet in length and it's rear end resembled some kind of sea creature. However, it had a huge great rack of ribs around it's side, and if you look closely you'll see that it had furry skin

I'll eat my words.

2005-07-20T08:46:00.000+09:00

Yesterday was a holiday. The sun was shining, unstifled like April - very rare for late July, and I had too painful a headache to go outdoors (I'd ducked into Hugh's the night before and had some shots of his still bloated liquor supply). Anyway, towards the end of the day I came round and dragged myself outside to get at least a smidgen of the rarely impeccable summer skies.There's a whole