Eating Lunch on Top of the World on My Birthday

It has taken a while for me to pick up the metaphorical pen and post some of our last adventures in Japan…moving halfway across the world isn’t easy! Anyway…now for the story of my birthday… November 2021 saw me turn 3-5. My birthday is never the easiest time of year, so I often seek out…

Turning 34 in Saitama

I turned 34 (in age, not mind) this year at an eco-lodge we’ve visited previously in Saitama. It’s up in the mountains and surrounded by bamboo. We’ve visited a few times because it’s peaceful, surrounded by nature, and, importantly, cheap! This year was a difficult birthday, the first to pass without hearing from my Dad….

Dan’s Birthday 2020

This year was not a “big birthday” and it was one Dan celebrated during the Covid pandemic physical distancing, but still, I wanted to make sure it was one to remember. Dan deserves a celebration and I wanted to provide it in a socially responsible and physically distanced way. So, I took to Google to…

Takezawa, Saitama

For my birthday, I turned 25 for the 7th year in a row (I know, it’s a miracle…) Dan and I went to Takezawa in Saitama. Now, this was a trip I had very little hand in planning (alarm bells). So imagine my delight when we arrive in Takezawa area at the local train station…

Tunes and Birthday Beats

On Sunday 20th November we attended a music performance at The Beat Cafe. The singer Satoko san joined a very intimate crowd of ten in the beautiful and relaxing beach side setting. The music was inventive and delicate. Crowd interaction was encouraged through home made coffee bean shakers and rocks against wood for a solid…

Where’s Whally? A Weekend of Fun!

On Saturday 10th September we celebrated Dan’s 30th birthday a mere month late! We did this by visiting Tsuwano on the infamous Yamaguchi steam train. Before the steam train weekend away I experienced my first full week of teaching. They have kept me busy! More on that to follow…a relaxing weekend was just what the…