Today we planted five fruit trees to create an orchard in the top field. Two varieties of old English Pears, two varieties of old English apples and a Plum tree.

Now, they are still baby trees and we will not let them fruit this year, but we should have a harvest in 2020.

Of course, our habit is to do something fab then move house! These will at least be lasting legacies of our time here (no, no plans to move honest) and in 20 years time so long as we don’t totally kill the planet, someone will be swinging in a hammock from the apple tree perhaps.

It’s a lovely thought that what we create here will be still there in years to come. Much like The Folks who planted trees in that there Ireland, we are giving something back.

We’ve also invested in another Magnolia tree, so I’ll be planting her tomorrow. Did you know Magnolias were here before the bees. They are pretty much prehistoric trees. Cool eh?

Having dug five holes, hammered five stakes in I’m now shattered. Time for a small glass of something nice.

With the days brightening its garden time. Today we put in four trees. Two Prunus and two Sorbus. They look lovely across the middle of the garden.

Then on to a baby border in front of the cabin. This is a conifer mix. There was definitely a building in this garden once, maybe a few. We found a concrete floor as well as a garden of glass. Makes digging very hard!

But a day well spent.

But such a a shame you can’t choose your neighbours.

A long time ago we had BamBam, a competitor for the UKs fatest man (sorry strongest, my bad), who put a “weight studio” in the garage and subsequently dropped his weights on the floor every night without fail. We also had Mr Chimes, the man who despised wind chimes since they hampered his afternoon sleep.

So all is nice and quiet here with a “you never see her” old lady on one side and a house still to be completed on the other, the only minor wrinkle is “Jamie”, our neighbour from two doors away who, without fail, goes out on a night time and shines his magic torch everywhere, ground, trees, windows, sky you name it, he puts a spotlight on it. Funny at first but at 11.30pm not so funny seeing a large spotlight shining through your window.

Tonight it appears that Jamie wanted to set a bonfire going at 10.30pm, lit it and walked away! Well it makes a change from doing it in a howling gale as is his norm.

Oh well, fun to watch but “Wordsworth” fails me (come on catch up, for those of you that ain’t Millenials).

Night y’all, lights out.

At Christmas, young Kevin gave us an awesome chocolate fondu set and last night with the help of the folks it was devoured. Unfortunately one of us struggled to stay clean

I’ve finally completed the jigsaw I got for Christmas from Mr Fogg. Thankfully it was easier than one he got me last year. It looks super now:

Unfortunately the next one is a 300 piece challenge. Not only is it a picture of rice but the puzzle requires you to use chopsticks to assemble!

Oh boy

Last night was our last in Japan and a final trip to Shinjuku. First it was a visit to the Park Hyatt where “Lost in Translation” was filmed. My two colleagues seemed to remember the film more for Scarlett Johanssen than what it was about. Still – a lovely view in a very expensive bar with a cover charge of ¥2,500 each before you start.

I managed to get us moved to a table right in the windows to better enjoy the view.

Then a trip into downtown Shinjuku and a Korean BBQ of beef which you cook yourself. Now don’t be shocked Mr Fogg but I was the cook. Well I am female and this is Japan so when in Rome!

This is my colleagues trying to bbq spiced cabbage. It’s not meant to be cooked!

Finally, lights of Shinjuku at midnight before we took the taxi back to our hotels.

Visited Arishiyama Monkey Park this morning. Very atmospheric in the low cloud and lots of monkeys to feed.

And we saw the first spring blossom too.

Lovely visit. Time for food now.

It’s so nice to be back at the Oil Street Guest house with Yasu and Burritto. A lot colder this time!!

Yasu asked after Nellie and was very impressed that she is training to be a vet. He said come over and stay again!

Burritto is an old lady now and very gray haired. She doesn’t get about as much now.

Last night we found a quiet restaurant in the Nishiki market area serving wushu beef. Simple and filling.

A wonderful restful evening, no karaoke, early night and delightful sleep on a very warm and cosy futon. Bliss

It’s really strange travelling without Mr Fogg but I am doing the tour guide bit so doing ok I think. Missing my partner in crime!

Today is raining and threatening snow but we plan to go to Arashiyama to see the monkeys. Woolley Pom Pom hat at the ready!

So, all our meetings are now finished and it’s Saturday morning so it’s Nozomi time to go do a brief visit to Kyoto.

The day did not start well – the JR ticket office on Thursday had not sold us the correct ticket (wrong day), so we had an initial debate with a different ticket agent. Only in Japan would it be changed in pen once we had said an error was made.

Then we dashed for the 8:30 train. Forgetting to grab drinks or snacks…..a 2.5hr train ride with no sustenance. Doh!! I need caffeine!

However, all minor. The trip has been brilliant so far. A full on set of days and nights. I’ll need a long rest at some point.

Yesterday we did a cultural tour of Tokyo. Visiting Asakusa, The river cruise and then Odaiba, a shopping area.

The photo of me is with our Japanese liaison officer, Yoko. She was our tour guide for the day and my translator for the week.

It’s been brilliant so far. Even Karaoke. I’ve learnt lots and also now know however bad my singing is – there is always someone far worse who can crucify Eagles songs in an instant. Japanese Hotel California is pure pain!