Wednesday, November 22, 2023
One of the things that made this month’s trip to Japan even more enjoyable was the weak Yen. Everything was significantly cheaper than on our last visit, back in March. It made food and drink laughably cheap and meant I could pick up a few gifts for family, as well as some clothes, without any guilt. And even though I wasn’t planning on it at all (honest), I also ended up upgrading my laptop while I was in Tokyo.Wednesday, November 22, 2023 →
Good morning from Canary Wharf.
Enjoying the beautiful skies over London as I have my morning coffee. Then, off to run a workshop and battle the remainder of my jet lag.
Hope to make it an early finish this afternoon.
Back in the saddle!
While it took an age to get home from Heathrow last night, we were super productive once we got to the apartment. All bags unpacked and laundry started with the hour, a delicious Thai meal ordered and all the post (mostly junk) dealt with.
Once I sat down to eat, the fatigue caught up with me. I didn’t sleep much at all on the 15hr flight back from Tokyo - due to a combination of being woken up by the cabin crew as they spoke to people around me, plus the incredibly uncomfortable seat. I won’t be dashing back to fly with British Airways when it comes to Japan any time soon.
On the plus side, I had a shower and slipped into bed just before 9pm. I could barely keep my eyes open and was asleep within minutes. And I didn’t wake up until my alarm at 6am this morning. Feeling great!
I had - for once - planned ahead and avoided over-committing myself on the work front today. I actually have a medical appointment this morning (wish me luck!) and a few things to do in the office this afternoon. No clients to speak to, to coaching sessions or webinars.
Looking forward to getting back into my routine today and catching up with what I’ve missed. A cursory glance at my email shows there were no emergencies, so it’s mostly just project updates and business opportunities.
While I felt the usual twinge of sadness leaving Tokyo yesterday, I’m now feeling overwhelming gratitude that I could go there once again and for the fun time I had while I was in Japan. Such lovely memories (and photos) to reflect on.
And only 90 days until I go back and do it all over again!
This was how tired I looked before take-off.
Just five hours sleep will do that.
We had to be up so early to get to Haneda Airport. And having been up until 3am and 4am most evenings/mornings, it was a struggle to get to sleep until after midnight.
I definitely won’t be sharing a post-landing pic!! The focus will be on navigating Heathrow and then making it home. For a shower and an early night.
Good morning from Tokyo
It’s a little before 6am and while we get dressed and ready for our flight home, I thought I’d share this view from our hotel room for the last time. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen a sunrise!
Saying goodbye to Tokyo
We’ve had the most amazing few days here after our visit to Okinawa. Catching up with friends, going back to favourite places and trying new things. Now we’re packed for our return flight and have a couple of hours left to enjoy what this city has to offer.
So it’s time to head to Shinjuku Ni-Chome and grab a couple of beers in our favourite bar. But as we have to get up in time for an 0945 flight out of Haneda tomorrow morning, it definitely won’t be a late one tonight.
I’ve slipped into a terrible habit of staying out partying until 3am and 4am this week, so it’s going to be a shock to the system when I have to return to work mode and start behaving like a grown-up again.
A beautiful autumn afternoon here in Tokyo.
Just arrived after a few lovely days in Okinawa. Back in our favourite hotel, in our favourite room, and I couldn’t be happier.
Apologies in advance for the inevitabley gushing posts about everything Tokyo has to offer…
A last look at this view before leaving for Heathrow Airport. Then: ten days in Japan! ✈️
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Productivity time! I just have a handful of important tasks to complete this morning, after which I can start packing for Japan. I’m always amazed at what I can achieve just before I head off on a trip. The deadline-induced focus is a powerful drug! Then a dinner of “it needs to be eaten” from the fridge and an early night. In excellent news, my cough has evaporated overnight. I feel so much better.It’s the very definition of a ‘First World Problem’, but the main thing I’m wrestling with now is managing to pack a suitcase with clothes for both tropical Okinawa and much cooler Tokyo.
Like, I’ll definitely survive. But I don’t think I’ve ever had to do this before…
Tearing through Season 5 of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ and my face hurts from laughing.
Not a fabulous start to my week, as it seems the hot water has once again broken down in our apartment building. The third time in as many days. Our management company is less than useless.
On a more positive note, I have just three working days left until I hop on a plan to Japan.
I recorded another time lapse of the river with my DJI Pocket 3 this afternoon. It compresses 30mins of footage into just 2mins of video. You can check it out on YouTube:
I’m already planning the similar videos I’m going to take once I get to Tokyo!
Friday, November 3, 2023
Like thousands of others, my plans were obliterated this week by Storm Ciarán. For my part, I got stuck down in Exeter, where all trains northwards were cancelled due to flooding. I had to spend another night there, in another hotel, all the while feeling like death warmed up. A cough that was giving me the mother of all headaches and sore ribs, combined with aching limbs. All I wanted was to be in my own bed.Wednesday, November 1, 2023
I made it to Exeter, after nearly coughing up a lung on the train here. Given all the weather warnings and the predicted travel disruptions, I swapped to a train leaving London two hours earlier. I’m glad I did! Now that I’m here, I have been given what must be the smallest hotel room in Western Europe, but just don’t care. It has a bed and that’s all that matters. With my bed so close to the door, I’m glad I packed ear plugs.I just made my first time lapse video with my new DJI camera.
Lots still to learn, but I really like this very rough early result.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
My new camera has just arrived! The DJI Osmo Pocket 3. And it’s a beauty. I opted for the ‘Creator Combo’, as I’m just going to end up buying all these accessories separately later anyway. I have just over a week to figure it all out, then I’m off to Japan for ten days. Expect plenty of footage from Okinawa and Tokyo upon my return. I’ve never owned anything like this, so I have a lot to learn.Tuesday, October 31, 2023
While yesterday’s Apple event was super slick, there was nothing in it to get me reaching for my wallet. Which is a very positive thing! Don’t worry, I didn’t watch it live. I’m not that dedicated to the cult of Apple. I caught up on the news this morning. The new Macbook Pro models look lovely, but it’ll be quite some time before I have a definite need to upgrade. A ‘want’ yes, but no objective need.I spent the whole night coughing, so will be taking it very easy at home again today.
I have contractors calling over any minute to investigate a leak (aaargh) from upstairs. The only reason I’m out of bed and dressed is to deal with them.
Hot drinks, flu tablets and rest. It’s all I can do.
Good evening from Canary Wharf.
Have had to take a nap as my symptoms are getting worse. Got virtually no work done but thankfully I had no client meetings today.
Sadly, I’ll have to skip Japanese class this evening. Can’t face going outside. And I definitely want to avoid coughing all over everyone else in the room.
Hoping for an improvement after a good night’s sleep.
Monday, October 30, 2023
After going to bed last night feeling a lot better and pretty much free of my post-COVID booster symptoms, I’ve woken up this morning with a thumping headache and a cough. A proper chesty, deep cough. I just hope it’s a hangover from the immunisation. I’m going to work from home today, to keep warm, and knock this (whatever it is) on the head. I have a business trip later this week, and don’t want to be ill for that.Sunday, October 29, 2023
I’ve finally started organising my many years of travel photos. After looking at all the fancy and somewhat complex options, I’ve decided to put together albums in Google Photos (all my photos were backed up there anyway) and listed them on a Travel Memories page here. I’m going to fill in the blanks with the missing travels in the coming weeks, and then organise a new album after each trip. Starting with Okinawa next month.Your (almost) daily reminder of how changeable the weather is in London. After torrential rain and winds yesterday, we’re back to clearer skies and much better visibility.
We’ve put an armchair next to this window and I now spent a lot of time there, reading and watching the vista change.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
I was lucky enough to get my COVID booster yesterday morning. One of the very few advantages of living with epilepsy is that I get prioritised when it comes to immunisations. And while I was incredibly grateful to get it, last night’s side-effects weren’t so welcome. The painful shoulder started within an hour, but that comes with most jabs. As I headed to bed about 11pm, I was aching all over and started to feel like I had a headache coming on.Love the shadows this afternoon sunshine casts across my apartment…
After an early start this morning, I wrapped up work early this afternoon and came home.
It seems my timing was perfect. The sun came out and I’ve spent the last hour on the balcony. Fully clothed: it’s sunny, but it’s definitely not warm enough to sunbathe. It’s still incredibly nice though.
Catching up on my podcast listening queue and enjoying a Diet Coke.
Awake before my alarm this morning, so I did the only sensible thing and started work.
(Your definition of ‘sensible’ may differ…)
So far, I’ve published and promoted this week’s podcast and compelted some YouTube admin. Heading into the office soon to write this month’s newsletter and plan some webinars.
I’m definitely planning to wrap up early this afternoon as a reward.
Happy Friday! 🎉
This evening, I got some exquisite side-eye from a Shiba. Judgement from a dog is a terrible thing.
22yrs since I met this one. And we’ve never been apart since. Happy Anniversary! 🎉
This day two years ago, enjoying some October sun on the beach in Sitges.
