Night time at Dōtonbori, Osaka. Another night, another fab city.

One of those great days. Having spent my first day driving the R34 GTR in misrable (but incredibly enjoyable) conditions, I was delighted to be able to stomp around Mt. Fuji & Tokyo in the sunshine for a day. Starting the day on the shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, I then headed over to the famous Hakone Skyline – though thanks to Google maps, I managed to make my way to the top via an even better driving road. After a pocari sweat at the toll plaza, it was time to head back up over Hakone Skyline and hit on for Tokyo via Yokohama.

In life, what you want and what you need are rarely, if ever, the same thing. This was one perfect morning where both aligned and a dream came true. I can still remember hearing the birds singing and breathing in the cold air. An experience I’ll never forget.

Another icon – the Castrol liveried NSX GT from the 2000 All-Japan GT Championship (JGTC). This 2000 GT spec car ran approx 480HP @ 1050KG – the ultimate iteration of the NSX GT as far as I am aware.

Photo taken @ Honda Collection Hall, Motegi – October 2019

Not the most successful McLaren Honda to wear the Marlboro livery, but an icon nonetheless.

Photo taken at the Honda Collection Hall Museum, Motegi, Japan – October 2019

One of the most beautiful race cars ever built in my opinion. It ran a 1.5l V12 with 4 valves per cylinder… built for the 1965 season. One of the many immaculate cars on display at the Honda Collection Hall museum in Motegi. A great place to spend a few hours on a wet Autumn afternoon in Japan.

We took in a trabant tour while in Berlin. It was brilliant – really enjoyable. I have a little tradition whereby I try to drive in every country I visit. So far, apart from Austria and the US (I was not of driving age at the time), I have managed to do it! I’ve even managed to drive in the exclusion zone around Chernobyl… but more on that again!

Stopped at services in Belgium only to notice the worlds talles boat lift (to the left of the photo).

Taken on Ko Samui, Thailand

Taken on Ko Samui, Thailand.

Two posts in the one week – and they said it couldn’t be done! So I was lucky enough to get to travel to Edinburgh last weekend for Kevin’s (Kevoto.com) stag weekend. Now stag weekends aren’t my thing, but this one was excellent. We sat around, drank tea and ate shortbread (we were in Scotland after all) for the weekend. Between the furious tea tasting sessions, I managed to get a few shots on my way home while sight seeing.

Shannon to Edinburgh in the blink of an eye with Ryanair. No complaints about the flight – just Ryanair at their least offensive.

Cockburn St. – snakes uphill to join with High St. The buildings are just amazing, I don’t think I’ve done any of them justice. When you walk along the streets, you can’t help but feel that this place has real wealth behind it.

Just off Rose St. I found this sandstone building with a dome. There was light spilling in from all angles, playing off the cut stone. I don’t think this crop tells the story unfortunately.

Right in the heart of the city, if you look behind the magnificent old buildings, you find lots of places like this. It’s like the setting for a crime scene – like something out of Taggart… but set in Edinburgh obviously.

A classic line stencilled onto the foot path on North Bridge.

Cobbled streets and shadows cast by the morning Sun.

When I saw this building, I immediately thought of 1984 by George Orwell. In particular, the Ministry of Peace (Minipax in Newspeak) – which was mostly concerned with War.

I love finding random little bits of grafitti. I’d love to know what this is about.

This place is full of odd angles, curves, shapes and lines all intersecting each other in odd places and ways. I’m sure it all made sense as these buildings were being constructed. Every angle has a purpose.

Every side street links to a close – or another street. I could get lost here if I had the time.

All I can say is what a city.

Best of luck to Kev and Edel who are getting hitched today – I hope you two have a long and happy life together. 🙂