Soai Club Christmas Party

Its Cooking Time Again

They were all prepared to get their hands dirty! We are making rum balls and checking out what's in the trifle.

There were lots of aprons and checking of recipes - oh no the Japanese measuring cup is only 200 mls not our standard 250 mls. What is a ml anyway? There was great discussion.

Then we had to set the table - I think there were 15 of us.

We all enjoyed a great lunch and ate more than we should. There was a good atmosphere of ladies enjoying themselves.

The menu was rice and miso soup followed by Christmas fruit cake, mince pies, rum balls and trifle.

Jan was asked to tell the ladies how she became a Christian and Chiko - san did the interpreting.

November - December activities

The village of ancient Japanese houses in Takayama. Every scene is beautiful especially with the autumn leaves.

A view from the train on the way up.

A special day for these girls and their Mum.

This is the way to see the streets in style. It was raining and very cold.

Good parking skills are necessary just about anywhere in Japan. It was even closer on the other side. Aren't parking mirrors wonderful.

Our hotel picked us up in this beauty.

Somebody has a complex about big don't you think?

Ian and Pam

Early morning markets at Takayama. What a beautiful town this is, especially in Autumn.

You can't take him anywhere!

So it was cold and raining and Ian was hungry! Did he have to eat a whole fish on a stick? It was salted and he ate it head first, bones and all. the look on Jan and Pam's face says it all!

Heated toilet seats are the greatest!

Now that it is Winter weather here, I am really appreciating a heated toilet seat, especially in the middle of the night! In the shopping centres in the heat of Summer, I didn't think it was such a good idea, but now it is appreciated.

The toilet in our house has a remote control hand-piece on which the English translations have been written for our benefit. On two occasions now, when we have had Japanese visitors to our house, they come out baffled and say 'I have no idea how to flush your toilet'!

While on the subject of toilets, I am amazed at how well equipped toilets in shops and restaurants are. Every need is catered for. If you have a baby, there is a baby high chair in the corner, if you have a toddler, there is both a miniature toilet and a miniature urinal - sometimes all of these are in the adult cubicle so Mum can take care of the whole family. As well, of course there is the fold down change table, along with the disinfectant spray to wipe the seat and the hand dryer which really dries. Well done Japan!