The magnitude of events in Japan have even reached the front pages of local newspapers. The below story from the current edition of the West Highland Free Press gives the stories of West Highlanders in Japan. I am pleased to see they chose a very youthful picture of me.The story reads:
West-coast ex-pats witness horrors unfolding in Japan
17th March 2011
As the world’s eyes continue to fix on the horrors unfolding in Japan this week, the Free Press has found that some West Highlanders currently living and working in the far east have been caught up in the chaos, fear and confusion which continues to envelop much of the nation.
Kane Davidson and daughter Clara
Kane Davidson, originally from Portree, made the decision to flee his home in Tokyo this week amid fears of the radiation risk that he and his young daughter may have faced due to the ongoing problems at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Mr Davidson has been keeping a blog of his experiences so far, noting that he first felt what he described as a “very strong quake with constant aftershocks,” last Friday evening. Since then the picture has been one of travel gridlock, electricity blackouts and rising concerns about the threat of aftershocks and meltdown at nuclear facilities some 300 kilometres to the north.
“Desperate times equals desperate measures,” he wrote on his blog on Tuesday. He said he and daughter Clara were booked on a flight to Hong Kong the following evening and added: “Under the normal course of events it would seem expensive. Right now, I’d mortgage the house to get out.”
The 36-year-old, who works in shipping, added that he hoped his wife could follow in a few days’ time. “Sadly, Yuki has decided to stay put. It must be difficult for her with her family and the fact that Japan is her homeland, but my sole goal is to avoid Clara being exposed to excessive radiation,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Lewisman currently living and working in Japan narrowly avoided the worst effects of the quake as he was stationed 250 kilometres from the areas that suffered the main damage.
However, 29-year-old Colin MacLeod from Point, currently an English teacher in Joetsu City, on the west coast of Honshu, said the tremors could be felt far and wide.
“I was at school when the Friday quake struck,” he told the Free Press. “We just got the tail end of it here, so there was a gentle rocking. However, it lasted for over two minutes, so we knew that somewhere was getting hit.
“On Saturday morning at 4am we felt a major tremor which was centred in Nagano and there were a number of sizeable aftershocks following that. That quake caused minor damage such as bookcases falling over, etc. We also felt the Shizuoka earthquake on Tuesday night but there was no damage.”
Mr MacLeod said the country was trying to get back to normal as best it could, but said that people were constantly keeping “one eye on the news”.
“In my region of Japan there have been two major earthquakes in the last six years, so people are prepared for earthquakes,” he added. “Emergency drills are conducted regularly and people have a grab bag with food, water, clothes, a torch, etc. There has been no panic buying, but events in Tokyo means that supply lines have been affected.”
Dr John Adamson, a retired GP in Kyle of Lochalsh, was another keeping a close eye on events. His son Calum has been teaching in Japan for several years and is married there with one son. He is currently based in the university city of Nara, near Kyoto, some 300 miles south west of Tokyo
“They are some distance from the devastation, but they still felt a bit of a shudder on Friday,” he said.
Faye Mackenzie, who is originally from Dunvegan and now lives in central Tokyo, described the quakes as “terrifying”. She was yesterday (Wednesday) helping the relief efforts through the Second Harvest Japan appeal, which will be seeking food and supply donations for the people in the earthquake-affected areas.
Donations to help the affected citizens of Japan can be sent via the Red Cross. To donate visit www.redcross.org.uk
Kane Davidson, originally from Portree, made the decision to flee his home in Tokyo this week amid fears of the radiation risk that he and his young daughter may have faced due to the ongoing problems at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Mr Davidson has been keeping a blog of his experiences so far, noting that he first felt what he described as a “very strong quake with constant aftershocks,” last Friday evening. Since then the picture has been one of travel gridlock, electricity blackouts and rising concerns about the threat of aftershocks and meltdown at nuclear facilities some 300 kilometres to the north.
“Desperate times equals desperate measures,” he wrote on his blog on Tuesday. He said he and daughter Clara were booked on a flight to Hong Kong the following evening and added: “Under the normal course of events it would seem expensive. Right now, I’d mortgage the house to get out.”
The 36-year-old, who works in shipping, added that he hoped his wife could follow in a few days’ time. “Sadly, Yuki has decided to stay put. It must be difficult for her with her family and the fact that Japan is her homeland, but my sole goal is to avoid Clara being exposed to excessive radiation,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Lewisman currently living and working in Japan narrowly avoided the worst effects of the quake as he was stationed 250 kilometres from the areas that suffered the main damage.
However, 29-year-old Colin MacLeod from Point, currently an English teacher in Joetsu City, on the west coast of Honshu, said the tremors could be felt far and wide.
“I was at school when the Friday quake struck,” he told the Free Press. “We just got the tail end of it here, so there was a gentle rocking. However, it lasted for over two minutes, so we knew that somewhere was getting hit.
“On Saturday morning at 4am we felt a major tremor which was centred in Nagano and there were a number of sizeable aftershocks following that. That quake caused minor damage such as bookcases falling over, etc. We also felt the Shizuoka earthquake on Tuesday night but there was no damage.”
Mr MacLeod said the country was trying to get back to normal as best it could, but said that people were constantly keeping “one eye on the news”.
“In my region of Japan there have been two major earthquakes in the last six years, so people are prepared for earthquakes,” he added. “Emergency drills are conducted regularly and people have a grab bag with food, water, clothes, a torch, etc. There has been no panic buying, but events in Tokyo means that supply lines have been affected.”
Dr John Adamson, a retired GP in Kyle of Lochalsh, was another keeping a close eye on events. His son Calum has been teaching in Japan for several years and is married there with one son. He is currently based in the university city of Nara, near Kyoto, some 300 miles south west of Tokyo
“They are some distance from the devastation, but they still felt a bit of a shudder on Friday,” he said.
Faye Mackenzie, who is originally from Dunvegan and now lives in central Tokyo, described the quakes as “terrifying”. She was yesterday (Wednesday) helping the relief efforts through the Second Harvest Japan appeal, which will be seeking food and supply donations for the people in the earthquake-affected areas.
Donations to help the affected citizens of Japan can be sent via the Red Cross. To donate visit www.redcross.org.uk
4 comments:
Well I guess it makes a change from you being "papped" stumbling out a trendy London nightclub in the earlier hours with a page three stunna on each arm...
yeh it was a good piece actually, and I alway like that pic of you both xxxx
Hi Kane
I tried to post before but it did not materialise. When I saw your picture and before I read the story, I recognised the 'Davidson' in you - you are so like Jock Davidson who was a joiner in Portree in the 50's and 60's that I think he must be your grandfather. I don't know whether you are Ika's or the young Jock's son? I was in Calum's class at school and was a girl guide with Nan.
If you are Jock's grandson, then I have no worries over the trauma you are going through as you will get through it having his genes of strength of character and positive outlook on life.
Jan (Janette MacDonald of Ben Lee, Portree)
Thanks, Jan. Yeah, difficult times but they were not going to get the better of me or my daughter.
Yep, you are correct that I am one of Johnny Davidson's grandsons. He passed away a few years ago at a pretty respectable age.
Your kind words are appreciated.
Kane
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