12 February 2010

Thanks to meticulous forward planning, Emily and I were ready in plenty of time for our journey to Hakuba, where I intended to find out once and for all if I could ski. As I had sent the heaviest luggage ahead by courier I could manage the carrier and one bag easily (Japan is blessed with an excellent network of private courier companies -takkyubin - who will move just about anything around the country overnight for a very reasonable fee). At Tokyo station we hooked up with Bettina, Steve and Tim. They had all been ill and looked very under the weather so I was amazed they had made it, but I think they were very overdue for a break and determined not to miss it.

Again, the shinkansen ride was over very quickly and without any major breakdowns on Emily's part; Tim screamed the last 10 minutes or so but otherwise no hitches. In Nagano we transferred to the bus for the final hour. There was more snow in the city than last time and it was snowing as we travelled, so that boded well for the ski resort. Emily got really fed up on the bus and I was convinced she would be sick. It was hideously overheated and did not have opening windows, so I had to fan her the whole way. After the longest time we finally pulled in at Happo bus terminal, where we were greeted by Sean from the hotel, who ushered us to the minibus and took our bags.

Soon we were in the warmth of Double Black and being welcomed by the very friendly staff. After a quick lunch we went off to our rooms and settled the kids down for their naps. After their reviving sleeps we all went for a short stroll outside in the snow. Emily was obsessed by the icicles and insisted on snapping off every one she could reach.

I had to get down to the equipment rental place so we soon had to go back in and wait for the minibus. At the rental shop the young Japanese guy who helped kit me out was very impressed with Emily's rendition of 'ooki no kuri no ki no shita de' and got her to repeat it for the car park attendant as we went back out for the ride home. In the playroom we entertained them with some DVDs I had brought, then, only too glad to have an early night, we all ate tea together. Afterwards Bettina and I took the children for a play in the communal bath. As before, the onsen water was still far too hot, but we had fun with the showers. By 9pm all were asleep, except me. I went back down to the lounge for a glass of wine and some quiet reading, but I was flagging by ten.