@Giles said in The Iron Heart Baltimore Bash - September 18, 19 & 20, 2026:
@Tago-Mago said in The Iron Heart Baltimore Bash - September 18, 19 & 20, 2026:
@Giles doesn’t Paula take care of everything for you?
Yeah, but even I can sort out which flights are the best.
Yeah, by asking me to research 
On the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, great views of Mount Fuji
Alex goes shopping for small stuff part 2
Flights are booked for me and G
Wow, this is so exciting! Well done @endo and @Daniel-San the plans sound super. And (I'm sure I speak for @Alex too) it's always such fun to come to an Iron Heart party as a guest and not an organiser 
At Wolfman Barber yesterday, boys both looking sharp after their respective grooming sessions
@deadendpro it's wonderful to hear from you, I'm having a blast here in Austin and I will certainly give both Demitra and Kiya a big hug from you when I see them later. We had an emotional reunion yesterday, seeing them for the first time in too many years. The SEATX store is stunning, a beautiful and welcoming space with the usual amazing Self Edge attention to detail. We had a great time at Lolo last night, saw lots of old friends and was delighted to see @Chris who drove up from San Antonio specially. I'm missing Giles of course, he would be enjoying this so much, but Alex and @Danny-RnH are taking excellent care of me in his absence. Looking forward to what today will bring, @Clint_D we're excited to see you again later and to meeting Stella.
Thanks, all for your lovely comments and good wishes - we're having the most amazing time so far, can't believe we're only on day 6, it feels longer (but then 6 days on my own with Giles is bound to feel like a long time, hahaha). Giles has taken the dinghy out fishing, so I will sit in the afternoon sun and read my book and try to recover from the England game last night - was like watching a horror film, I could barely watch! Looking forward to setting off for France at first light tomorrow...
We met up with Olly, our friends' son/grandson, who is studying Japanese at university in Tokyo. He acted as our translator whilst we tried on vintage specs frames at an amazing store that Alex took us to, Solakzade, which has the most huge and amazing range of vintage eyewear and is run by beautiful and friendly staff wearing crazy and beautiful black outfits - we had a blast (and sad to say, Giles did not buy the green '70s sunglasses he is modelling!)
Yes, we're flying into Hamburg on Thursday 12th (BA flight ETA 15:55) and will get the train to Bremen, so should be there early evening. Bremen looks lovely so wanted to make sure we have plenty of time to explore.
We will leave on Monday 16th (flight from Hamburg at 14:25). Very excited, thank you for organising @Daniel-San and @endo 
Lovely to be back in Kojima, the view from the hotel of the inland sea is wonderful
Alex and Sam taking their pool contest very seriously
Great trip so far, my first time here with Alex and he is a wonderful organiser and tour guide, although I do often have trouble keeping up with him as his legs are considerably longer than mine!
My hickory stripe sample bag that Haraki-san gave me last November - has been well-used and washed once or twice:
@Filthy thanks for the thanks, delighted the jeans have arrived with you, really appreciate all the help and advice you're giving everyone here, and it's great watching your latest XHS adventure unfold 
Flat Head calf sneakers. I think @Madame Buttonfly had a pair too.
Indeed I do, well remembered! My first pair were navy, and looking pretty worn - my black pair look incredibly good considering length of time I've had them (5 years, maybe longer?) and the amount of wear they get. Incredibly comfy too.
(apologies for photo quality)
Sarina's kids, Keat and Mia, are very spirited, and totally adorable 
@twin I am sorry it's taken me so long to go back to this thread, such beautiful pictures - thank you. Miss you! Hope life is good for you and Bobby x x x
You will certainly be hearing more from us!
We consider diving a true privilege too, venturing into a world so close yet so alien and getting to see so much beauty and wonder, it's been a revelation to me.
Giles, Alex and I did a blue hole dive about 15 years back which involved going through a short cave tunnel and coming out into a large cave before reaching the deep part of the blue hole (which then became open water). I absolutely HATED it, and the experience nearly spoiled diving for me for ever. So whilst I'm sure Giles and Alex would have fun in the cenotes sadly it's not something I'll ever attempt - I'm a scaredy-cat, fairweather diver, and am happy to stick within my limitations!
Do post more photos when you have time 
