Japan day 3

Today we ventured to the Philosopher's path. It is a path that follows a canal up and around some shrines and temples. There were lots of beautiful shops and cute restaurants as well as two beautiful temples. One was small with a serene garden and an art exhibition. We chatted to the artists about their art and its meaning and execution.. There are lots of funny looking bears( we later discovered they are raccoons,a mascot of the area it seems) outside the shops and restaurants. Along the walk there were three teddy bears propped on a seat. The larger bear was fishing. We saw this amazing paper place with the most interesting paper. I couldn't think of what to use it for but I am sure I will get some before I leave.

The last temple is called the Silver Temple  Ginkaku and it had the most interesting sand sculptures, and sand gardens( raked sand). There were a lot of children and it was quite crowded but still pleasant.  The Japanese know how to keep crowds moving- no seats or resting places for contemplation.

Bicycles  are everywhere in Kyoto and ridden by all ages. They use girl type shopping bikes without helmets and no Lycra in sight! There are lots of bike lanes as well as bikes riding the pavement. No one seems to be racing anywhere and no car friction. 

The pedestrian crossing lights are right outside our hotel window and they ding dong instead of clack like at home. When pedestrians cross they tweet like birds. i feel like Kyoto ( and Japan in general? )is a fairly quiet place compared to home. We hear sirens but generally people are very courteous and quiet in their demeanour. They are mostly very helpful and cheerful. We try to restrain our voices but it is hard.

After our days walking we decided to try a restaurant recommended by the hotel staff. The Sappoura, Kyoto is famous for vegetables and tofu so we tried both in particular. What beautiful presentation of all,the dishes. So Master Chef for every morsel. It certainly is a treat for the eye as well as the stomach. We get a lot of exquisite little dishes and think we won't be full but we are. The plum wine and sake is very good food.

Today we needed to go into the Kyoto station again and this time we found our way out. Finally we have our orientation. The Bermuda Triangle didn't win! We were going up to the 10 th floor for dinner and although we did lose David we eventually connected on the 10 th floor again. There is a huge auditorium / staircase that has lights which change colours in patterns. Very novel.

With our confidence boosted we decided to try the subway to get home. It is a whole new world of shops etc.absolutely massive. There are only 1.4 million people here but numerous shops.

Japan Day 1

The Kyoto Jetstar proved an efficient carrier though even I found the seats close and small. I watched the movie Revenent and a TV series (The worst?) which was quite funny and light relief after the movie. Arrived at Narita and managed to get the required trains without too much difficulty. We were all really tired and on the Bullet train I struggled to stay awake as they kind of lull you into a state of relaxation. Kim snapped both Bill and I with mouths open fast asleep!

Every thing is so efficient. It was pretty easy till we arrived at Kyoto station. This was hysterical because  we couldn't find the way out. There was no clear exit. This station is huge with 9 levels and two separate buildings. It has department stores and restaurants, supermarkets, speciality shops and a hotel, but how to get out was a mystery and despite the map given to us by the travel agent, we weren't even sure which side we needed to go to! The tension among the six of us started to rise as we all gave our opinions. We went up,and down escalators, ended up in dead ends and finally asked someone who understood our request and directed us to an exit whereupon we started to walk to our hotel. It was just across the road! We were so glad to finally escape the station.

After checking in we went off to find dinner as we had not eaten since 7:00 am and it was now about 6:00 pm. We came across a curry restaurant and that seemed to answer the call for a substantial meal that we were all agreed upon. The lady was very helpful and with a menu that assisted us to point out our preferences we enjoyed a delicious meal at a reasonable price. After a stroll around the block we returned to the hotel. I slept like the dead. Anne and I are sharing and we  are having fun. The Japanese bathrooms and toilets are an adventure with all their extras such as heated seats( David said he was nearly expiring he was so hot!), the spray front and rear, the air dryer, music or running water sound effects and then the bathroom itself is a module that you step up into. Good shower and small but deep baths though not much more than a metre square.

The Kyoto station- like Alice in wonderland we went in and got lost and almost never came out. When we did we were still on the same side we entered.

Living life to the full as usual

I have had the most jam packed period. I have been engaged with the ALIA organisation accreditation panel again and it has meant I have missed the last four book clubs! Mum went in to hospital for a chest infection and has been discharged five days later but just before I go to Japan. Of course I feel guilty that I am not up there looking after her. I feel like I always let her down because I am not near. My brothers are watching over her but when she burst into tears talking to my elder brother Peter I felt doubly bad. She is alright just felt overwhelmed. She wants me to go to Japan and I don't think I can get insurance if I cancel anyway now. 

Two of my travel companions are also nursing injuries so I feel like it is not auspicious. Silly thought really. 

Added to that there have been a couple of weekends away visiting Rob at Reedy Flat I have driven all the way in one go now and feel very pleased with myself. I love the calm of the drive. I am keeping a too busy schedule again it seems.  Those quiet weekends are very restorative. 

I have been to two operas over the last fortnight. La Boheme and the Pearl Fishers. Umm! I am yet to fall in love with this type of music and I will persist. I think you need to see them several times and become really familiar with the music to appreciate them. I am more a blues girl!

Then this weekend past I went to Blairgowrie for Tim Sabo's 60 th birthday party( that is down the peninsular beach area, about an hour on the freeway). I had baked desserts for lunch and dinner as my contribution. It was low key but a gathering of old friends who just seem to spark off each other so that we laughed and laughed all day and night. 

I felt a shadow for the lack of Peter and our hostesses husband Russel. They always enjoyed these gatherings so much. Tim's wife kept saying he can now speak confidently that you still have sex at 60! They are a hoot. He was feeling such dread about this birthday that his wife has made it so special with several restaurant meals and trips to wineries and then this weekend so I think his dread was really overcome.

We all feel the years gathering pace and our mortality seems to be just around the corner. Very dramatic I know but George one of the husbands has had three heart attacks and a stoke just recently. Of course he  is very ill in reality. His brain hasn't been affected fortunately , his wit is razor sharp and humorous yet the cloud hangs low around him. Tim has a pacemaker and some heart issues that are controlled, Paul the remaining male has only a bit of high blood pressure and his wife has recently achieved the five year clear from  breast cancer.  I am extremely grateful for my good health. All these elements drive me subconsciously to squeeze everything in. 

After Blairgowrie I drove across to Ballarat ( opposite side of the state) on the Sunday with Janine  for a day and a bit together as we are going in separate directions for several weeks and won't catch up otherwise. 

I returned to Melbourne for a couple of appointments and minding Ziggy before flying to Japan tomorrow.  I have a few bills to pay as you do and need to tidy things while I am away. Life is so full. 

I am finding keeping the blog going rather difficult. I don't leave enough time for it, or my other creative pursuits. My choices yet I am frustrated with myself.  After Japan I will be more selective with my time. 

Out on the town

I am at Cranbourne, an outer suburb of Melbourne, at a hotel named The Settlement. I am here for an accreditation visit for Chisholm Institute of TAFE. The committee have just had dinner after our meeting and I can't believe they offered Bogan Parmiagiana! I had Sweet lip snapper which came on a cold bed of chickpeas and potatoes. A singularly uninspiring meal. The sticky date pudding that followed was okay. Even more hilarious was the closing of the kitchen at 8:00 pm! At 9:00 they basically threw us out. I know it wasn't busy but they have pokies here which I am sure are open longer than that. It is outer Melbourne but even Warrandyte used to stay open later. It is Monday night so I perhaps it is fair enough. A whole different world. But Bogan Parma is hilarious. The weather has turned cold and I fear I haven't brought warm enough clothes.

Tomorrow we meet the staff and look at what they offer for the Diploma in Library and Information Services. I enjoy using my expertise and the committee is an interesting group. It will be a long day because there is a dinner after the day and then I will drive home. Only one glassed wine or none tomorrow as it is a busy freeway to return home.  I am fortunate to be staying overnight because the traffic would be horrendous if I had to come from home in the morning.

Today at the gym I did extra special training for my legs to condition them for Japan. I pushed the sleigh, a metal contraption that you push from one end of the room to the other. It is very heavy and after three lengths my trainer jumped on and I had to push her as well. About 100 kgs. It was hard but I did it. I will be stiff tomorrow but now after thefts and  wine tonight I am tired.

Reflections in the past

I was showing my grandson Ziggy the dogs that we used to have. My beautiful bearded collie, Cassie, a gentle giant, then came Poochie, a stray of mixed origins ( probably a terrier cross) that wandered into our home and our hearts. He used to get into bed with Jonathan( Ziggy's Dad). The photos of Poochie in bed with him are funny. I had to explain that Jonathan was sure Pooch was really a little boy. That dog was so tolerant of the kids. Jonathan used to put a Tshirt on him! Then there was Minty, the Maltese terrier who was a white fluff ball full of assertive small dog personality and a great companion.

Looking over the family photos and showing Ziggy his dad as a young boy brought back so many tender memories. It has left me feeling a little sad. I just missed Peter all over again. We were so lucky to have had such a complete relationship. I miss being cherished and cherishing him. Despite the freedom we experienced in our relationship that gave us room to follow our own interests there was always an invisible connection that bound us to each other willingly and wholeheartedly. 

Exploring the world without him is so different. I am stronger and more confident for the experience but  

the chance of finding another person and building such a relationship seems so daunting and just like  hard work. Am I as willing to fit in with someone else to achieve that meeting of two hearts now? Have I become set in my ways? Life has become more complex than when I was 20!

Having an interaction with my artist friend is very pleasant, and his company is enjoyable. He is a really nice person but he doesn't believe in love. Or rather he professes to never ever having fallen in love and is wary of commitment. I feel he is lacking a dimension but he thinks people get together because of societal pressures and nothing deeper. It is a fundamental difference which I find difficult to comprehend. Having said that, he has got his swag out for me to sleep in next time I visit because I wanted to sleep out under the stars which are so bright at his place. He is very thoughtful and kind and  rings often, so if deeds mean anything,  he is developing feelings. A long distance relationship is challenging and will develop differently to a relationship where you see each other several times a week. It just highlights  what I am missing since Peter passed away. I even had a bit of a cry tonight. I feel better for the release of pent up emotions. Time will tell and I resolve to enjoy what is as is.

The joy and sorrow

A friend from the gym was telling me how an open coffin at a funeral had disturbed her so she couldn't sleep the following night. I was a little surprised at her response. I have had a few experiences and feel that it makes the passing of somebody more real,  especially for those who haven't seen the person during their illness.  The swift removal of the deceased and then never seeing them seems to me like magic. I suggested that seeing the body gives you a chance to say final good byes or just place the event into something comprehensible. When Peter died I made sure the boys saw him before he was taken by the undertakers and then we had a viewing later so they could leave personal messages with him and also Peter's brothers had a chance to say their goodbyes. It felt like the right thing to do and a way to let go somehow. The memory is then of someone at peace rather than in anguish. It seemed to give her a different perspective and ease her unsettled feelings.

On the joyful side my friend Sherryn is walking the Via de la Plata and her posts on Facebook are bringing back such fond memories. I am so hungry for each new post. She seems to be having a fine time and has found some amenable walking companions. It has given me itchy feet again. 

Jonathan and Clare have decided to have a black and white wedding. That is, all guests are to wear either black or white or a combination of both. It is going to be a very elegant affair it seems. I have been looking on line for dresses to get an idea of what I could wear. It is going to be fun shopping and agonising too I suspect.

I am losing track

It has been the busiest couple of weeks. I had a lovely couple of days up at Rob's place and have begun to learn how to cook on the AGA or wood stove. Met a few more of his artist friends when we went to dinner at the local pub. Food was fairly ordinary but the company was good and we had a really pleasant evening. It was quite an adventure getting home. Thanks to Rob's experience we avoided all the kangaroos leaping into the road, wombats scuttling and rabbits darting. The night was alive with all these animals. Later the stars were magical. It is one of the things I love most about being at his place. Next time I am going to sleep out in the swag so I can really enjoy the view. It is getting cold now so I will need to take my warmest sleeping bag!

After my return Mum and my brother Peter came down for a Deppeler( my Mum's maiden name) family reunion. 150 descendants of my great grandfather John Freidrich Deppeler and his sister gathered to celebrate our heritage. It was a fantastic day and Mum was so thrilled to see everyone and her old home, primary school and local church. It was lovely to have time with my brother too. 

We took Ziggy out of day care too so Mum could have some time with him. It was a very busy but enjoyable day. On the Saturday I went to the local farmers market with Peter and we bought lots of colourful and unusual vegetables and some Jonathan apples for Mum. She is always complaining the apples in Qld are tasteless. She wasn't disappointed by the apples which was a relief. I was worried she had exaggerated the deliciousness of apples from her home farm.

I have had visitors for dinner this week and thoroughly enjoyed cooking a new recipe of Peri Peri Pork. I was really well organised and had everything in order  and time to spare ( most unusual!). I did forget to turn off the soup which reduced to a lovely concentrated green sludge!. I had it for dinner the next night with pasta. Three greens( spinach, kale and silver beet) and a green salad. 

I am on schedule for another accreditation trip to Brisbne this time after I return from Japan.

I am doing a 16 km walk around  the Olinda circuit, which is hilly as a training walk for Japan.