15 April 08

The warmest day of the year so far, though the light breeze was refreshingly cool. Emily and I went to meet Nick at lunchtime. I kitted her out in a very pretty dress and felt like a child playing at dressing up a doll.

Poor Nick: the timing of our meetings is never good for Emily's routine (such as it is) and she invariably starts crying.

This country must be the world's biggest buyer of flesh-coloured tights; Nora Batty would be in seventh heaven! Despite the warmer weather, the majority of women of all ages still wear them.

Afterwards I took Emily to Shiba Koen again. Now the cherry blossom has finished it is a lot quieter, though there's still plenty to look at, with the plentiful azaleas about to bloom and the maples resplendent in their new foliage. I went to look around outside Zojoji temple and found a graveyard at the back. Japanese graves always have these bundles of engraved stakes.

After another al fresco feed on our favourite bench, I made her endure yet another trip to the supermarket. I wish I didn't have to take her as she always gets upset, and I always feel under pressure so can't browse to see what products are available. Though Japan is admirable where recycling is concerned, I get cross by their obsession with wrapping. If they could wean themselves off plastic it would do wonders for the environment. It doesn't seem possible to buy veg and fruit loose here. Even if you only want one of something it is wrapped. I suppose I can understand when it is something with edible skin, but not a vegetable that will be peeled.