And finally!

To conclude our whirlwind tour of England we spent some time (8 bloody hours of time) wondering up and down the entire length of Oxford Street looking for shoes and having a general look at shops. Must have come at the right time as there were loads of sales on and many bargains to be had. On the first side we walked down, the sum of our purchases was a big fat zero - I tried on one pair of shoes that were really uncomfortable. Shizuka went in just about every single shop and came out with nothing. The only thing that kept me going was that at the end of Oxford street is a Corvette dealership - so of course I went in and had a look and came away with a rather expensive looking brochure with some big numbers in it. Suffice to say I didn't buy one, but who knows maybe later eh?

After wandering down the other side of Oxford street Shizuka bought two pairs of shoes from the first shop we went in - 8 hours ago. Grrrrrrr. So we had enough time to nip back to the hotel, dump tha bags and head to Covent Garden to the Musical 'Chicago'. I thought that even if Shizuka didn't understand what was going on that the spectacle would keep her entertained. We both enjoyed it and we had really great seats in the Stalls. So that was it, one more night in the hotel then off to Heathrow to catch the plane home.

Your powers are weak old man.....

Had to visit the Star Wars exhibition at the London City hall near the London Eye. Very steep at £16 each but despite the lack of quantity, the quality of the exhibits was worth seeing. Of course had to take a picture of Boba Fett - one of the coolest characters (glad they managed to rescue the suit from the belly of the Sarlach) . Also took a picture of C3p0 and R2D2, but the most impressive other character was Darth Vadar - huge costume, very imposing.

My cousin Aimee worked on the last film making costumes for some character called 'The emporer' - not being a huge star wars fan she had no idea how significant the character she was in the film.

Misc London shots

Got to London, grabbed a tube and headed to Westminster where our hotel, The Westminster City Inn was. As we emerged from the station Shizuka's first sight of London was of Westminster tower - couldn't really think of a better welcome. However my enjoyment was short lived when the suitcase wheel decided to disintegrate and I ended up drawing lines in the pavement. Ended up catching a taxi for the 10 minutes walk to the hotel. The hotel was great. We had booked through Theatre Breaks, as recommended by my brother. For 3 nights at a 4 star hotel, in Westminster, with breakfast and the show came to £570 - not bad really! The hotel was excellent and the food there was so good that we didn't eat anywhere else. It was also perfectly placed for most of the things we wanted to see

Off to London

Wow, that went quick! No sooner had we arrived it was time to head to the capital to catch a show and see more tourist stuff - sorry, I mean our English cultural heratige. Said good bye to the folks at Rugby station.
I was dreading buying a rail ticket. Living in Japan, public trasnsport is very good - if not quite pricey so in Enland I was expecting to be stung for a packet and have to ride on some dirty old wreck that arrived late. Actually, I was quite surpised, not only was the ticket very reasonable but the train was on time and clean. Bully for you Mr Branson!

Long live 'Disturbing the Peace'

Popped into to Coventry to have a look around and show Shizuka the lady Godiva statue and the Cathedral and some of the shops. Then went to see Martin and Janie, some petrol head friends form the Drag team I was in. (that's drag as in Racing - not dressing up in women's clothing!) Unfortunately due to members of the team (including myself) working abroad and Martin's current poor health, they have decided to sell the team car, preferring that someone should continue to get the car racing rather than it deteriorate in the garage. A tough decision after all the work they had put into the car but given the circumstances the right one.

Hope someone will be 'Disturbing the Peace' soon!

Our last meal in Coventry was at the resaurant of my friend and training partner, Tumeric Gold. Inside the restaurant there are two areas called the Maharaja Suite (see pictures) THe restaurant is an amazing place set in a 15 century building complete with old oak beams. Somehow, Jay has managed to successfully blend indian style into an old watchmakers house. Food's very good too, not cheap but a great night out.

http://www.tumericgold.co.uk

Out with the mates - well most

Got to catch up with a few of my old 'muckers' in Rugby Witherspoons for a few drinks (actually I drove in - never mind)
L to R: Ash, Si, Mich, Moon, Evan and me. Sadly missed were Emma (delayed from working to hard) and Jamie through illness. Ah well, next time.
Note, I removed the surprise armpit photo someone took when I went to the toilet - Thanks yuk!

Warwick Castle

By far the best touristy thing we did was visit Warwick Castle - not just because we got in a bit cheaper with a Tesco's voucher. Not only is it extremely intact for an old castle, but the displays and exhibits are also excellent. Unfortunately there were not so many of the outside demonstrations, like jousting although we caught the end of a medieval archery demonstration. We also missed the Trochee being fired - apparently it's really impressive. Because the castle condition is so good you can clime to the top of the towers (if you want to brave the stone spiral stair cases) The pictures of Warwick are taken from the tallest tower. Although the pictures don't show it, it was a pretty miserable day.

After the castle we went to visit my German teacher, Anna, in Broadwell for some yummy tea and scones (with cream and jam) - well we didn't go for the scones but they were a bonus!

Stratford - well you've gotta 'avent ya

Yes this is the birthplace of a certain bard that wrote some plays or something. Not the greatest thrill for your hard earned, but you can't go to stratford and not visit the Shakespeare's.



A few more random shots of Stratford.

The master

Chopsticks: A technique used for thousands of years by millions of poeple, and now perfected! World, I introduce to you the Yorke Chopstick technique. Unfortunately, my attempts to convert the whole of Japan to the Yorke method has met with mirth and ridecule - but it works for me!

Picture taken at the excellent 'all you can eat' Chinese restaurant on the banks of the river Avon

Some you win and some you lose

Those that know me have had to put up with a number of my visiting foriegn friends from Russia or the Ukraine - and now Japan! One of my favourite attractions that I have taken everybody to see is the Butteryfly Farm in Stratford on Avon. In this 'farm' you walk into a tropical garden complete with waterfalls, coy carp, exotic birds, the occaisonal iguana, and of course lots of butterflies all flapping around you. Everybody I have take there loveds it. From most peoples pint of view, butterlies are beautiful deliacate creatures that flit from flower to flower. However, when they close their wings they're just as ugly and creepy as any other insect, especially if they're quite big - a point lost on me until Shizuka started sinking her nails into my arm and trying to hide in my T-shirt. Needless to say she was pretty freaked out buy the whole experience and we left quite quickly. Couldn't even see an Iguana - gutted :-(

Shizuka's Verdict: 20% Beautiful 80% Yuk!

Like nothing I've seen...since I've been here!

A view on an evening walk along the lanes near Churchover - very unjapanese

Soon got the hang of it!

Bella broke the ice with a joke and after a couple of carrots (and some Ice Cream?!) they were all the best of friends.

Horsing around

One of the biggest differences between Japanaese and English country side is that there is no live stock in Niigata. When you're looking it's surprising how many feilds contain either cows or sheep around the Rugby area. So Shizuka' s first 'close up and personal' experience with a horse was initially a quite frightening ordeal. My brother Owen's girlfriends has a horse called 'Bella', which is stabled with another horse called 'Tucker'.

The miracle didn't last

A nice family photo at the Old Lion near Rugby, one day the wind is going to change and Kieron will be stuck like that. Grrrrrrr - and he is the intelligent one!

Terrible driving - a world wide pandemic

Having spent the last 6 months moaning about how bad Japanese drivers are, I was horrified on returning to descover that actually English drivers are pretty hopeless too. We witnessed 2 accidents in a couple of days and I was terrified that someone would crash in to us and write off my fathers pride and joy. Still nice to drive around in a BMW for a while, much easier to drive than my scooby but not as quick.

Mission Impossible? Apparently not!

For some childish reason, my two brothers, Owen and Kieron, cannot resist pulling the most grotesque face whenever a camera is pointed in their direction. So many really nice pictures have been wrecked by a Quasimodo impression by either one or both of them. It was getting to a stage where it appeared impossible to getting a decent picture, see two attempts, then a mirale!

Meet the Parent's - Shizuka's turn

12 hours after leaving Tokyo, we arrive at London Heathrow - 4 hours after we left due to the time difference of 8 hours (did the maths for you) which is nice because it means you get another full day. My Dad very kindly picked us up and drove us to Rugby, where my parents live and our home for the next 6 days. This is because my house is currently under intensive retoration and has no bathroom as yet. So we arrive and I do a house tour, and the most exciting thing? The wood buring fire. One of the great things about bringing poeple from different countries to England is that you get a new appriciation for England and se it through new eyes.

Off on a holiday at home

Well, my hols are finally here. Shizuka and I head off to England for a 10 day holiday to catch up with family and friends and do some sight seeing and shopping. I took a note out of Glen's book and also learning from my own experience, that staying the night in Tokyo makes the moring of the flight far less stressful. It was a good plan, but we left late, missed the Narita express (Narita is the airport in Tokyo) and in the end it took a total of 6 hours to get to the Washington Hotel - at least they had nice dressing gowns!

Meet the parents, well one of them anyway

Just before one of her beloved was wisked away to far off places, I went to dinner Shizuka's mother, Sister and her sisters husband and two children. I must have given a reasonable account of myself as she gave her blessing for Shizuka to come with me to England.

Just to do something a bit different, we went to Niigata Aquarium. Believe it or not I am pleased with these pictures - my camera ha a 2 or 3 second delay before it actually takes the picture so I had to guess when the dolphin would jump and hope it was ok. I had some good guesses! Managed not to get wet despite sitting on the row up from the wet zone.

More Champagne (Tomomi , me and Peter) and then a rendition of Happy Birthday by Zin and Shizuka

Then my 35th - EEEEEKKKK!!!!!

Just before my birthday started and Peter's ended we moved to Immigrants cafe and out came the cakes. Very nice moment and glad they didn't put all the candles on, I would've needed a welding mask and gantlets

Birthday celebrations - first Peter's

The day after the anniverary celebrations I am back a gain for another celebration, Peter's 31st birthday. Peter is English/chinese and is fluent in Japanese. He normally works in Immigrants Cafe which is how I met him. Unfortunately he is leaving to mamnage a bar in Monaco soon, but before he goes he is doing Shizuka and I a great favour by covering the Shizuka's shift while she is in England. Cheers!

The Brownies are a speciality of the chef's - and are really good!