la petite-presse

Thursday, 19 March 2015

J Day +2 Noodles and tatami...

Last night we went to a traditional Japanese restaurant for dinner. We were apprehensive about sitting on the tatami mats to eat - actually the worry was more about getting up with a modicum of elegance! We needn't have worried as they have some tables which have a well underneath for feet and legs so it just looks like you are sitting on the floor!

Food excellent and all three of us ate for 2700¥ or about £15. Photographs to follow...

J Day +1. Visiting a Japanese school...

Today we were invited into one of Tom's schools to have lunch with some pupils and teachers. The aim was that we could meet some of Tom's colleagues but also speak to the children so that they could practise their English.

We were made very welcome and it was a pleasure to work with such lovely, open children. We noticed vast differences between how things are done in the UK and Japan. This will be the subject of a future blog, but In terms technology for teaching purposes British classrooms are far ahead of rural Japan, something we take for granted in the UK. The children serve and eat lunch in their classrooms and clear away after. They then have 35 minutes leisure time after which they CLEAN THE SCHOOL without supervision!

A brilliant day. Photographs to follow...

J Day

Arrived in Kagoshima, via Tokyo Haneda. Tom met us at the airport and helped us to pick up the hire car. His command of Japanese amazed us. Everyone we met was smiley and helpful. We've never been bowed to so many times. In fact I can't remember ever being bowed to before!

Our wifi hotspot gadget doesn't seem to work. Whether that is just here in Fukiage, or something more general we have yet to work out.

Photographs to follow...

Tuesday, 17 March 2015

J Day–1 Heathrow–Tokyo…

J Day -1

Due to the workings of the time zones, in the space of eleven hours flight time we leave Heathrow on J Day –1 and arrive in Tokyo on J Day, all in the space of a day – if you can work out what I mean!! My powers of simple scientific explanation are most definitely on the wane.

Luxury in the Sofitel bathroom means a cascade of water for a long shower with then not even a hint of condensation on the enormous mirrors.

Breakfast…

A ‘mocktail’ for the ‘guest of the day.

A taste of things to come…

Departures here we come…

See you on the other side…

Monday, 16 March 2015

J Day-2 Trains and tube and planes…

Japan Day -2

At Stafford station. Thanks to our lovely daughter for dropping us off.

At least my porter can now take advantage of the priority seating on the tube!

Not exactly a room with a view, unless you like planes.

30 minutes later, Tim having his afternoon nap. Anyone would think that lugging two 23kg cases on the Victoria and Picadilly lines to Heathrow is tiring!

Check out the TV screen in the bathroom! I’m planning my evening viewing - from the bath. No. I won’t be watching Deal or No Deal!!!

We decided that for ease tomorrow morning we would stay at the hotel at Heathrow T5. When we arrived at the Sofitel reception we found that we’d been selected as guests of the day, with an upgraded luxury room, and free breakfast. Our personal concierge, Clifford, will on hand to help. Tim is convinced that they tell everyone this, but I am happy to believe that I am a princess for the day ;o).

UPDATE:

Just to prove that I am a princess for the day Room Service has just arrived with these…

It would surely be churlish to point out that they haven’t quite got the name right!

Sunday, 15 March 2015

We’re getting very excited…

Japan Day -3

Tim thanks you for the good wishes he received via the blog, Facebook, email, post and in person. He reports that reaching 60 wasn’t too bad after all! His main birthday treat begins tomorrow.

I’ll try to make sure that you get the chance to join us on parts of our journey.

Can’t wait…

** Images from Google courtesy of the JTO**

Friday, 13 March 2015

A milestone…

Tim has reached the ripe old age of 60. We shall be celebrating with both Rhiannon and Tom over the next few days, but thousands of miles apart on different continents. More about the celebrations in a future post.

To mark his big day I’ve hunted through some old photographs showing Tim through the decades! Some are photographs of photographs, so the quality isn’t always the best. Usually, I would ask my resident IT expert to do it for me!

The 50’s…