OK, one more from Jeju Korea before I head home on Sunday morning. The island “without beggars, thieves and locked gates” and with an abundance of “women, wind and stones”. Something for everyone then!

I mentioned that these guys are everywhere. This is Dol Hareubang, which literally translated means ‘Old Grandfather’. He is the symbol of Jeju Island.

Always one hand above the other on his tummy, pupil-less eyes and a wry smile. Three theories: brought here by foreigners from across the sea, symbolic of mushrooms (magic?), or a fertility symbol. Now do excuse me, a gay guy on the loose on Jeju but, if you use your imagination a little, maybe tip the picture on its side, doesn’t the pointy-hat bit remind you of anything? Maybe need to consult a wise scholar:

…or maybe a peasant from older times (this one is a dummy, an exhibit at the folk museum).

OK, enough showing off from me about my unexpected trip. An overnight at Seoul Incheon airport tomorrow after the short flight to the mainland and a train transfer, then it’ll be navigating the enhanced security just imposed on flights to the US. Happy days (?).

It’s been a great – and seriously unexpected – break for me after having to pull out of the circus tour because of my wretched leg. But I am definitely more mobile – walked four kilometres today, and the exercise seems to be working, if very slowly. Back on light weights when I get back, I hope. We’ll see.

I guess a pic of a Korean guy on dumbbells fits in well to this post…

Pull-ups should be OK…

Seated shoulder presses should be OK, too:

Cable pulls for the triceps will be fine:

…to balance the work on biceps:

…but I think I’ll be keeping my training pants on for a bit, like this guy:

I’ll need a while to get back into proper shape after nearly four weeks of relative inactivity, so I need the inspirational pics as much as any other reader right now! Here we are, then…

Before the last pic for today, let me just sneak in the usual blatant snare to persuade you to click on the book links!

Loving the Boy: ISBN 978-1-907732-30-0

The Power of Love: ISBN 978-1-907732-41-6

Against All Odds: ISBN 978-1-908645-35-7

There. Job done. Time for a swim.

It’s dark here in Jeju now, but that doesn’t stop the swimming at Dumjang beach. And hopefully no-one will notice my leg…