I'm still having difficulties getting a ferry ticket for a trip to #Tanegashima. No luck today (except I did succeed in getting a refund for the ticket for the delayed boat that's now cancelled). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amami #Japan #Travel

If a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, maybe we'll just micro-dose for now. (nano-dose, even). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

Obama gave back 1.7 B in confiscated Iranian funds in exchange for suspending their nuclear program & the Gulf remained open. Republicans bitched. Now Trump pays 300 B of American taxpayer money just to open the Gulf like it was? Republicans are going to HOWL! @foreignsubstance.bsky.social

AT LAST! I've finally escaped from the tiny tidal island I inadvertently crossed over on to. I was able to swap the ticket for the "delayed ferry I missed because it wasn't delayed" for a future one that may also get delayed. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amami #Japan #Travel

"When the entire fucking hamper is missing..." This is going to take a while. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

I'm still stuck on the tiny island (the size of a small saucepan). I'm gradually getting to know it intimately (17 new blades of grass grew last night & a leaf fell off a tree). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amami #Japan #Travel.

The characters on this tiny island- It must be so idyllic being so completely unaware of anything and everything. Shame they're about to get educated! @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

Wales is now officially my favorite country. @flojohorman.bsky.social @brianbrachiopod.bsky.social

I have now spent three days trapped on this tidal island. (Every time I climb down onto the little beach, I seem to just miss the tide). Tomorrow I may get lucky. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Amami #Japan

When an emergent community starts believing in the existence of life beyond the horizon, that's evolution of sentience in action. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #FossilFriday (see- I remembered). #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

The reason I visited this tiny island: because I was killing time while the ferry to my next destination is delayed. The reason I spent the night here- Cut off by the tide. Now I missed my ferry! Seems the ferry wasn't delayed @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amami #Japan #Travel

When inviting random strangers who wandered into your area to become citizens- Well, at the very least, think very carefully before deciding. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

This bit of land that becomes an island at high tide is apparently called #Chiringashima. And, I'm stuck here for HOURS (because the tide's just come in). And there're no shops here (not even a supposedly ubiquitous vending machine). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

When you go on vacation and discover that the locals are clinically allergic to the truth- That's a tough challenge for a holidaymaker who is obsessively honest at all times. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

Britain has its very own island that isn't one at low tode (St. Michael's Mount). France has one too. Now Japan has one of its own (which I have time to explore because my ferry to #Tanegashima has been delayed). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amami #Japan #Travel

The newcomer was perfectly happy to meet all the locals, but he could have done without the very serious optical assault he suffered. He deserves some compensation for that. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

I was hoping to get a ferry ticket yesterday to visit the next island. I was also hoping for this minor miracle today. (Maybe it's a bank holiday here as well). The most interesting thing today: Kerbstone paint. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amami #Ibusuki #Japan #Travel

In case anyone was wondering what the characters in my stories actually looked like in real life ... @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #PalaeoArt

Having now got to know #Ibusuki a little bit over the past few days, I decided I'd try to explore the next island over from #Amani ( #Tanegashima), so I've made up my mind to really push the boat out (decided to try to book a ferry). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

Contrary to popular belief, yes, I really DO know what these characters REALLY looked like! @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #PalaeoArt

Still getting to know #Ibusuki. Either I have wandered into an upmarket suburb, or the entire town is upmarket. - I'd better start wearing a suit & tie. (Maybe not, given that I am currently perilously close to the equator). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amani #Japan #Travel

Introductions are in order. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

Very pleasant walk along the coast road here in #Ibusuki today. One day I will learn how to play that local game with those giant concrete playing pieces. Met a couple of local folk today (shame they didn't feel like a conversation). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

Don't mention the 4.5 x 10^27 other lifeforms on the planet- Folk will thing it's getting a bit crowded. Talking of which- Time to meet the rest of the community. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #FossilFriday #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

Another day getting to know #Ibusuki. Much of it is so quaint. - Not the seaside though- that's VAST (brutally vast). (Nice though). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amani #Japan #Travel

When you're trying to reveal to the locals at your holiday destination that they are NOT the only inhabitants of the universe, while struggling to be mutually intelligible- That's tough. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

This morning, as I continue my exploration of #Ibusuki, I saw giant towers and kiddies' playparks. This afternoon though, was quite unsettling- I couldn't get my head around a building with half its roof missing for some reason. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

It's so nice to meet the locals (when you wake up in a strange and distant land, and discover you've been kidnapped during the night). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

My third day here in #Ibusuki, and I'm starting to know where all the important shops are. I have failed to find a store that sells Marmite, but I'll keep trying. (Twisted barley sugar & parma violets are scarce here too). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amami #Japan #Travel

If in doubt- - ask a silly question. That usually sorts matters out. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

My first full day in the tropical paradise known around these parts as #Ibusuki. Claim to fame- The most northerly city where cycads grow naturally. I'm now exactly 50 kilometres south of #Kagoshima where I was last week. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

"Hello?? If this place is inhabited and anyone can hear me- I'm new around here. My name's Brian, and I'm now in charge!" "... ... (oh, and I know physics n' stuff)." @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

Just arrived at #Ibusuki railway station. My main goal today was to get ferry tickets to #Amani. That was the plan anyway. I'll try again tomorrow. (May be it's one of those 'weeday only' oddities). #Japan #Travel @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social

When fairies get involved in science fantasy, ANYTHING suddenly becomes plausible. The only caveat: You have to justify including fairies without looking ridiculous. (I tried). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #PalaeoArt

This was my last day in #Kagoshims. Tomorrow I will be in #Amani (according to my travel tickets). The journey continues. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

When you wake up and find everyone you've ever known is dead, and then decide you don't actually know what 'dead' actually means ... ... scary. (& nobody left alive to share your fear). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #FossilFriday #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

I cannot stop chuckling. This is delightful🖤💀🖤

I indulged in yet another jaunt along the coast road just outside of #Kagoshima today. I have decided this is nearing the end of my epic stay in this city. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

When you go one night, to your nice warm cosy bed, and wake up the next morning in a completely different part of the planet ... ... ... This is going to be one of those days. I just know it is. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel (again) #PalaeoArt

Looking forward to it!

You know how, in Britain & USA, they have Chinese, Indian & Japanese restaurants? Well, here in #Kagoshima, I saw a British restaurant (for when the folk here feel like having some exotic foreign food). TBH it was all a bit over the top. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Japan

LONG long ago, when the earth was very young, there were little critters who could predict the future. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #PalaeoArt

Lastest sticker. #TrilobiteTuesday @flojohorman.bsky.social @brianbrachiopod.bsky.social @foreignsubstance.bsky.social @drstevenhobbs.bsky.social @nancypope.bsky.social @fossildaddy.bsky.social

I went for a stroll along the coast road just outside #Kagoshima today. I saw some abandoned houses damaged by geological activity. And, looming in the distance like some massive boil on the face of the planet- one of the things that caused it all. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social

So, the last 1587 pages, (covering 529 days) was JUST A FLEETING DREAM? Well, that's a 'bit' of an anticlimax! Oh well, at least it was fun. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

I've been all over #Kagoshima today- Quick look at the arena I saw yesterday (It's still there), then over the rail crossing to the coast road, then a quick jaunt up to the hills. Busy day. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

Something is very very wrong with the world when a time-travelling spaceship can suddenly turn into a bog-standard flying VW Beetle. (It doesn't bode well for the Laws of Physics either). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

I spent the day wandering around outside #Kagoshima Arena. There's a good reason for this- It was because I was unable to go inside. Oh well. At least I can say I've seen it (unless folk start asking awkward questions). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan

Getting further and further completely lost is very very bad, but when, in the blink of an eye, you are suddenly finding yourself almost completely home, that is even more worrying. Maybe it's a mirage? @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

I decided I didn't like yesterday's photos of a random toll booth, so I made an effort this morning to recapture the scene- inject a bit of faraway atmosphere. (It worked so well in theory). Then on to a fake castle beside an arena. @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Travel #Japan