The beautiful Tomomi (centre). The lovely Aki and Maki (he he). Ben, what are you doing to Stu?! Check out the expression on his face, this isn't just for the camera is it Ben? Me and Mo - oh god, how hideous. And another hideous shot of the Mezzle and Jefe after Saza-e.

Last night in Himeji

Lauren, Pavla and Caitlin. Oh god, Tim and me, I'm definitely worse for wear in this one. Again, me, a little tipsy shall we leave it at that? Brian and Mimi, the cutest damn newlyweds in the entire world. The boys: Ben Tim and Christian.

Osaka Club Night

The lush surrounds of Saza-e, being enjoyed by the likes of Mick and Katy, water feature not for foot bathing. The aftermath at Kate's, reminds me of the good old days at Dave's place. Katy and Jefe were terrified of the mangy lion we saw in Tennoji park. Lauren, Jefe and Katy - Jules this one's for you: "Ahh, ma bum!".

More Kyoto

Sand shaped like a volcano at Ginkakuji - apparently from above it looks like the moon. I say apparently because the only way to get a birds-eye view is to be one. Anyone lost a giant torri? Stu and I by a stanky pond. Parasols are the must-have of any Japanese season, rain or shine. Geiko (remember: Not Geisha anymore peeps, it's rude and demeaning) in Kyoto, how apt.

Kim and I in her apartment as we wait for a second helping of Pavla's delicious casadillas. Kyoto, Kyoto, Kyoto, Kyoto, Kyoto.

Busy Times

Things are a little crazy right now. Tomorrow we move to Hakata, and today has been full of packing, posting, couriering and cleaning, all under the bleary spell of a tremendous hangover. Went out last night with everyone to say our goodbyes, fun, sad and drunken - lots of singing (I even treated them to a little ditty, how embarrassing, really, really drunk) and dancing. Free drinks from the owner of our local went straight to our heads. Stu in his kilt even gave someone an unexpected "viewing".

I have some photos of course. Also included are a couple we took in Kyoto last weekend, and some from Osaka last Thursday. Went for a couple of nights of clubbing, including an brilliant Jurassic 5 concert. They are fabulous live, seasoned professionals. Anyway, it's been a hectic and fantastic way to finish off our time here and prepare us for a big, exciting metropolis. Fukuoka is going to be fantastic. The only problem is it might be difficult setting up the internet, so it might be a while between postings and emails. For this, I must apologise in advance. Love you all, and I'm so sorry I won't be coming out to see everyone as planned in April, but I'll be home in June and I can't wait to hug and kiss each and every one of you when I see your smiling faces!

Two tired little ski bunnies, one deceptively steep slope.

Nagano is for ...

Nagano is for people more adept at skiing than I. As has been proven so many times in the last 25 years, I am far more adept at falling over. After three days on the slopes, not much has changed, except for that fact that I now know that hard snow leaves its fair share of bruises on a soft body. I've also pulled muscles I didn't even know I had, and I've had my share of ice down the undies.

Overall, I'd say the experience was worthwhile if only to remind me that somes things are beyond even the most positive-thinking people. As I am not always the most positive-thinking person, the terror I felt going down the slopes was difficult to rationalise into some kind of step towards enlightenment. It didn't help that Nagano was in the midst of one of the warmest winters on record, thus leaving any chance of an easy run on the gentler, lower slopes, an impossibility. Instead, we were left with the inevitability of a stomach-in-mouth almost-plummet down a slope riddled with obstacles. Bends and curves, ice patches, merging skiers, and those damnable snowboarders with their couldn't-give-a-stuff-if-you're-a-beginner-attitude. (Poor Stu assumed by just looking at them that it was a much easier thing to master than skiing, an assumption he quickly learned to rue as he tried time and time again to successfully slide down the slope. He was forced to give up when his coccyx cried "no more!".) After that, he stuck to the slightly less harrowing challenge of skiing.

Anyway, enough grumbling. The days were mostly sunny, warmish and full of worthwhile exercise. The nights were full of, well, exhaustion and soreness actually. I had a good time, took some pictures, and soaked each day away in the hotel bath.

Freaky baby Buddahs, all in rows. The Sacrificial Pooh. The misleading garden path. Lovely Torris. The bamboo forrest thickens, along with the plot.

Now Where Was I?

Ah yes, well, the shrine itself, complete with pagoda and temple-under-rennovation was beautiful, set amongst ponds with water-lillies, a line of red torris and any number of pathways partially hidden by abundant foliage. Most bizzare indeed were the mini-buddahs all lined up and the multitude of plush toys there were hanging from one shrine building, by neck or limb they were strung up what I can only assume heralded the nearness of some extraordinary soft-toy sacrificial occult practitioners. We were permitted thirty minutes to enjoy the site before we had to catch the last bus back to Himeji at a ridiculous 3pm. Stay tuned for piccies, just have to charge my camera, might not be until tomorrow.