I'm closer today to getting a ferry ticket to a boat that really DOES go to #Tanegashima than I have been since I arrived here. But, I won't believe it 'til I'm on a moving boat. (Nice bogs, by the way). @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #Amami #Japan #Travel

When you're worried everyone you've ever known are all dead, you gotta make a call. Who're you gonna call? Geophysics Dept. #MakesSense @johnmoffitt.bsky.social @flojohorman.bsky.social #PaleoArt #SciArt #Fossils #Travel #PalaeoArt

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