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Postcards (mostly Iwate prefecture)

Submitted by jono on 22 Jun 2024.

Using the outline of the coast as my guide (and with disregard for the actual prefecture names and boundaries) another section is complete! For me this last chunk has been the "Norway section". It is heavily inletted and deliciously wild.

Unlike for the majority of the headlands of the Norwegian coastline, there is no inside route to get round these. Every peninsula requires an adventure out into Pacific Ocean proper. Nature puts you in your place when you are out there. There can be no mistake that you are small. The ocean pushes and pulls, heaves and rolls. Even when tranquil, it is never quiet. And at any time the fog may come down to close the curtains on the world. Or the wind may die. Or a new swell may march in. The high ground plays games with the wind. Just for fun, it can conjure 30 knots from nowhere, and then it can say "enough!" and moments later the wisps of air lack even a direction of travel. It is a journey to reach these places, and frequently an ordeal of sweat and discomfort to return from them! Out there is another world! I well up as I write these words, and the realisation of the stress they invoked becomes apparent.

Anyway, the section is done! The reward reaped: those headlands are no longer barriers to look ahead to, but achievements to look back at! Now comes a section where the outer coastline is not so distant. No doubt it will be a test also, but before that I will allow myself some moments to pause, recover and regroup.

The scale is difficult to tell in pictures, but I have a few pics to share. My apologies to those who wanted action video. One lens of the camera got scratched-up on a difficult landing a while back. Another time I was fumbling with the camera and got tripped by a fishing net. The rest of the time it gives close-ups of my nostril hair, and little detail of the cathedral that is the natural world. Further complaints are the drain on phone and camera batteries when reviewing or preparing content. Also, I find that preparing words makes me think, whereas preparing video only eats at my time, and I am very clear that only the former is a positive!

So I have decided to offload the action camera somewhere, and default back to my preferred "old style" camera, which removes any indecision about which to reach for. How liberated I suddenly feel!

Regarding writing and thinking, I was going to comment in this post about the term "nature depleted" which is sometimes used to describe the UK, but could equally describe much of Europe. Having been immersed in Japan's "Norway section" I find it easier to comprehend the meaning of the term. It helps to see where nature has not been depleted, to really understand where it has been. That was the thought I wished to share when I began writing this, and we did get there in the end.

Camp next to "tsunami wall" at Yoshihama Camp next to "tsunami wall" at Yoshihama Fishing nets occupy vast acreages of what you might expect to be open water. Their floating lines are often highly tensioned (meaning they are difficult to sail over, and instead require a detour!) Fishing nets occupy vast acreages of what you might expect to be open water. Their floating lines are often highly tensioned (meaning they are difficult to sail over, and instead require a detour!) What's the point? (Favourite joke of a long distance windsurfer.) What's the point? (Favourite joke of a long distance windsurfer.) It's nice when people say hello, and fantastic when they return with a few goodies for the journey! It's nice when people say hello, and fantastic when they return with a few goodies for the journey! Into and out of the fog. Lighthouse on RHS of island indicates scale. Into and out of the fog. Lighthouse on RHS of island indicates scale. Kawashiro "fishing port" Kawashiro "fishing port" The sheltered inlets are a coastline rich for exploring The sheltered inlets are a coastline rich for exploring Coastal inlet. On another journey, I would linger longer and simpy be, rather than pressure myself to move on.. Coastal inlet. On another journey, I would linger longer and simpy be, rather than pressure myself to move on.. Lush, abundant vegetation is everywhere. Which gives a clue that it must rain a bit too.. Lush, abundant vegetation is everywhere. Which gives a clue that it must rain a bit too.. Still air one moment and a "stiff breeze" the next. Flat water here, but with breaking swells and a tidal race a few miles previous. Still air one moment and a "stiff breeze" the next. Flat water here, but with breaking swells and a tidal race a few miles previous. Rocks at a corner - bigger when viewed close up than when pictured! Rocks at a corner - bigger when viewed close up than when pictured!