Eleanor G
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zaichishka.bsky.social
Eleanor G
@zaichishka.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1.4K following 5.3K posts
Welsh-Kiwi Japanese translator, chanoyu practitioner & host to a timeshare cat. Memorial Device ANT
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zaichishka.bsky.social
A very tiny quibble, but at the time of the promotion, Dyson wasn't a presence in the vacuum market - as I recall, Japanese brands like Panasonic and Hitachi were a bigger threat to Hoover, following inward investment into the UK (especially Wales) in the 80s.
In the early 1990s, the British division of Hoover had a challenge. The recession had cut their sales, and new rivals like Dyson were gaining ground.
November 21, 2025 at 9:36 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Eyewitness report from my bestie on the state of Beaujolais Day in Swansea
I’ve just driven back through the uplands and it’s carnage. High heels sparkly dresses, stopping traffic to rescue a suited and booted gentleman lain prone across the small central reservation. Police and paddy waggon parked up the road with what appeared to be an excellent conga going around it. Distinct lack of understanding of the difference between pavement and road was in full effect.
November 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Oooh, that's my happy place, too!
Snow on the raked gravel garden at Ginkakuji, Kyoto. Photo taken New Year's Day, 2006.
November 19, 2025 at 7:29 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
I'm assuming "a firm repost" was meant to be "a firm riposte"; at the very least, "in abstentia" must be a typo for "in absentia".

Is this AI journaslop or just SOP at the Guardian?
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Sculpture on the Shore is open Tuesday through to next Sunday and is raising funds for Women's Refuge NZ.
Black mosaic figure of a woman's torso decorated with yellow kōwhai flowers. Either side is a piece of black plastic bunting. One says "She rises by lifting others" and the other "Your story isn't over yet" Wooden sculpture of a magnificent peacock Bronze sculpture of some kind of robot-like thing on a sea mine with a cormorant Same sculpture from a different angle
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
The pohutukawa were bringing summertime vibes
Steel sculpture of an origami bird Me seated between some goddess-like figures Red pohutukawa blossom behind the sparkly sequinned fabric shapes of a piece called Lambs to the Slaughter Another view of Lambs to the Slaughter with the pohutukawa in the background
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
I'm so glad I got to go this year - I wasn't sure it would be possible after getting sick.
Huge wooden carving of a traditional Māori fishing hook Me on a bench, petting the ear of a bronze sculpture of a dog proffering a bunch of flowers Cast bronze sculpture of two huia birds, like two lovers White stone carving of a tiki with the Hauraki Gulf in the background
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Love the Rangitoto photo bombs, too.
Rangitoto seen through a circle of pink, blue, and white ceramic objects Rangitoto seen through a bronze sculpture of concentric circles set at differing angles Dima and me beside the inaugural Women’s Refuge NZ Sculpture of Strength, Whakaruruhau by Taranaki artist Daniel McKerrow, a 3m-high wahine cloaked in a flowing copper kākahu. Rangitoto is in the background Sculpture of a whale painted with designs reminiscent of sailors' tattoos. Rangitoto seen in the background
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
We were so lucky with the weather - sunny, but not too hot. Fluffy white clouds and lush green grass set off the sculptures beautifully.

The plump rabbit is called Bacchus, apparently.
White stone carving - like a donut with a segment cut out, with a blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds above Green stone carving like a half donut, balanced on another piece of stone Iron? sculpture of a big elephant and baby elephant Bronze sculpture of a plump, slightly stern-looking rabbit
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
So many amazing sculptures to enjoy. I especially liked the metal eel here, Lady Longfin.
Full-length pic of me in stripey navy dress and pink-peach straw hat in front of a tall blue sculpture of rounded shapes on a stem Metal kōtare in a crown, looking like it's wearing a blue jacket with medals Lady Longfin: bust of a metal eel with scales and a femme figure Stone (basalt and marble) sculpture of a tūī in flight, with white kōwhai flowers below
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Made it to Sculpture on the Shore this afternoon! Traffic towards Devonport looked horrendous heading into Takapuna, so we parked for free in Toka Puia and bussed up to the exhibition 😊
Selfie of me in navy striped dress and pink straw hat, in front of a sculpture of a silver ballerina on the palm of a huge ?iron? hand, with Rangitoto in the background Full-length pic of me standing under the ballerina sculpture Teardrop: A long silver metal sculpture with three teardrop shapes - looks a bit like a demisemiquaver with the tails facing the wrong way Teardrop from the other direction
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
The Observatory café is a favourite of mine when I'm back in Swansea - have spent some very happy times here with my friends 🥰💖
The Observatory at Swansea Marina in daylight Me and my bestie on the beach in front of the Observatory Observatory pizza and beer Looking up at the blue and purple lights highlighting the spiral staircase up to the Observatory dome
November 15, 2025 at 12:43 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Mangel-Wurzel?
Mrs Mangel off Neighbours Peter Budd, lead singer of the Wurzels, with cider, I assume
November 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Had an amazing time tonight at Harry Enfield & No Chums at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna. We both laughed so much 😊
November 13, 2025 at 9:41 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Apparently it's New Zealand's fault 😁

(No, that's not what OP or the article is saying; I'm just being flippant bc New Zealand is mentioned!)
Anime girl wearing a black hat with the silver fern logo and holding a Big Ben Pie in one hand and a bottle of Speight's beer in the other. Caption reads "New Zealand mentioned"
November 12, 2025 at 2:06 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Oooh, Suica penguin hanafuda cards! *covets*
The tote bag with a big hanafuda design is super cute too!
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
zaichishka.bsky.social
News that the Suika penguin will "graduate" from JR East at the end of its 25th anniversary in FY2026 has been met with great wailing and gnashing of teeth over on Japanese Twitter.
Ukiyoe-style picture of an Edo beauty in kimono crying and clutching her Suica card when gazing at a broken penguin as the penguin's ghost floats up to heaven. Tweet says "A common person of Edo laments upon hearing of the Suica penguin's departure." Tweet featuring photos of Suica penguin items bought by the poster, who says that their life's been saved by the Suica penguin, which has soothed them with its cute face, and begging JR East to reconsider their decision Tweet featuring a photo of the Suica Penguin statue in Suica Penguin Park at the back of the New South Exit of Shinjuku Station. Tweet reads "Upon hearing that the dazzling luminary of Mount Tanigawa, the symbol of integrated public transport and great leader of East Japan, Comrade Suica Penguin is to 'graduate', I made an urgent pilgrimage" Quote tweet of the news about the Suica penguin's retirement, featuring a photo of Saddam Hussein's statue being toppled in Baghdad and saying "Is this what's going to happen to the penguin statue at Shinjuku Station?"
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
zaichishka.bsky.social
JR East is retiring the Suica Penguin! 🐧😭
news.livedoor.com/article/deta...
November 11, 2025 at 10:04 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
The late, great Molly, very much missed ❤️
November 11, 2025 at 7:20 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Arigatou! My Swansea pals clubbed together to get me this blanket, along with a matching little cwtch cushion and neck/head warmer from Dinefwr Blankets in Llandeilo 🥰 I'd been quietly hankering after a Welsh blanket for some time*, so it was like they'd read my mind.
November 11, 2025 at 2:28 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Chemo status bar: 33.3333...% done, hopefully
■■□□□□
Selfie with the kimono cap I made yesterday
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
If you're in Auckland on Saturday 22nd November with nothing to do between 12:30 and 2, and you've ever wanted to learn more about the Japanese Way of Tea, why not sign up for the NZJS Aoteakai tea ceremony workshop at Rationalist House?
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Workshop details Date: Saturday 22 November Time: 12:30-14:00 Venue: Rationalist House, 64 Symonds Street, Auckland Cost: $25 for NZJS members, $30 for non-members The workshop will include an introduction to the basic concepts of tea ceremony and a demonstration of the art of tea-making. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice the procedures for serving sweets and tea alongside other attendees
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Chatting with a Twitter pal about head coverings yesterday got me to thinking about whether I could make something from any of the 2nd hand kimono I've bought for crafting purposes over the years. I've managed to improvise something from a kimono sleeve & scrunchie!
Selfie of me with pink-purple kimono sleeve head covering Rear view of pink-purple floral design kimono sleeve head covering secured with purple velvet scrunchie Rear view (different angle) of pink-purple floral design kimono sleeve head covering secured with purple velvet scrunchie
November 10, 2025 at 4:28 AM
zaichishka.bsky.social
Had a bit of a shock to see a tabby in the bird bath this morning - that was Molly's favourite perch 💖
Tabby cat sitting in a stone bird bath Better photo of tabby cat sitting in the stone bird bath and now looking at the camera
November 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
zaichishka.bsky.social
And here we are - in my Sinead O'Connor/GI Jane era! Treated myself to some new earrings to mark the occasion - I might have got a bit burnt, but there's life in me yet!
Shaven-headed selfie Shaven-headed selfie Earrings designed to look like matches - one burnt, one still live and ready to be lit
November 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM