Our journey north from Yakushima continued past the southwestern corner of Kyushu: the southern most of the four larger islands comprising what is considered the Japanese mainland. Our plan to stop in the western Kyushu port of Nomaike for the night, and then go out to an offshore island on the morrow, was dashed by the weather. Our stop alongside in Nomaike lasted only as long as it took to check the latest forecast and immediately decide to set a course for Naka-Koshiki-Shima, some 28-miles to the northwest.
The weather promised an approaching warm front extending from a developing and deepening depression. Within a day, we could expect gale force winds that would continue for two days: south, southwest, northwest. Friends in the UK will recognise this classical pattern of a traversing low-pressure system…we had not expected it to be quite so pronounced at 31-degrees of latitude. The approach of this system had speeded up; if we delayed, we might have to stay in Nomaike until after the weekend.
Mystic Moon was already at our destination, Taira. John & Kathy cheerfully stayed up late to welcome our 22:30 arrival in squally rainfall. Their help in spotlighting dangers in the harbour approach channel, directing us to a suitable wall in the fishing harbour and assistance to tie ourselves alongside was gratefully received: sterling service, well beyond the call of duty!