A party in Makinohara
A slightly sluggish start to the day. Managed to avoid going to the onsen (baths) again, with the ladies, but I have now run out of excuses and will have to waddle forth among the petite and slim Japanese like a Sumo any day now.
For some reason had an upset stomach this morning but this was fixed by a bowl of udon noodles in a delicious soupy broth. We went to Hiroko`s favourite noodle place nearby, not flashy but really tasty grub.
Home again after a spot of food shopping, and as Hiroko began her preparations for a party this evening, Toby Romy and me sloped off for a walk. Warm sunny weather during the day here, unlike the very chilly nights. Came across a couple of local temples and discovered a crystal clear pond full of beautiful koi.
Yet another nap, and Toby woke me up to join the gathering party. About ten of Hiroko`s friends including Mr Sizuki from last night, this time with Mrs Sizuki, and some other gents. Got talking to one very nice retired teacher, called Kenjiro Kasahara who Hiroko told me later had won a medal from the Emperor last year for his services to Education. He told me that Japanese is a very difficult language to learn. For example, the names of the numbers change depending on the nature of the objects you are counting.
Romy and me tormenting Toby about his email writing skills. My brother has a PhD in Literature but finds it hard to go beyond the two line mark. Today is Mum`s birthday, so Toby set about sending a long email. Things kept corrupting however on the computer, and after five attempts he gave up enraged. I managed to send one first time, which may not have helped. As I did so Mr Sizuki sang a Japanese version of Happy Birthday, which was nice of him.
He is a lovely man, although a bit twitchy and full of physical tics. He is very funny though. He was making pig noses at me companionably as we have both discovered that we are boars, and next year is Year of the Boar, which the Japanese have borrowed from Chinese culture.
Lots of lovely food, including scallops which were brought by a guest and were so fresh that they were still alive when Hiroko was cleaning them. She cooked them in a lovely white sauce, and also she made some lasagna for her guests, which was a much appreciated delicacy.
And so to bed, after another fascinating day in Japan.
A slightly sluggish start to the day. Managed to avoid going to the onsen (baths) again, with the ladies, but I have now run out of excuses and will have to waddle forth among the petite and slim Japanese like a Sumo any day now.
For some reason had an upset stomach this morning but this was fixed by a bowl of udon noodles in a delicious soupy broth. We went to Hiroko`s favourite noodle place nearby, not flashy but really tasty grub.
Home again after a spot of food shopping, and as Hiroko began her preparations for a party this evening, Toby Romy and me sloped off for a walk. Warm sunny weather during the day here, unlike the very chilly nights. Came across a couple of local temples and discovered a crystal clear pond full of beautiful koi.
Yet another nap, and Toby woke me up to join the gathering party. About ten of Hiroko`s friends including Mr Sizuki from last night, this time with Mrs Sizuki, and some other gents. Got talking to one very nice retired teacher, called Kenjiro Kasahara who Hiroko told me later had won a medal from the Emperor last year for his services to Education. He told me that Japanese is a very difficult language to learn. For example, the names of the numbers change depending on the nature of the objects you are counting.
Romy and me tormenting Toby about his email writing skills. My brother has a PhD in Literature but finds it hard to go beyond the two line mark. Today is Mum`s birthday, so Toby set about sending a long email. Things kept corrupting however on the computer, and after five attempts he gave up enraged. I managed to send one first time, which may not have helped. As I did so Mr Sizuki sang a Japanese version of Happy Birthday, which was nice of him.
He is a lovely man, although a bit twitchy and full of physical tics. He is very funny though. He was making pig noses at me companionably as we have both discovered that we are boars, and next year is Year of the Boar, which the Japanese have borrowed from Chinese culture.
Lots of lovely food, including scallops which were brought by a guest and were so fresh that they were still alive when Hiroko was cleaning them. She cooked them in a lovely white sauce, and also she made some lasagna for her guests, which was a much appreciated delicacy.
And so to bed, after another fascinating day in Japan.
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