Sorry for the absolute lack of updates.  Time has flown in the past 6 months and if I had a DeLorian I would go back and write some.  But the flux capacitor is currently not fluxing so there goes that idea.

On some actual news, Delly and Rabs (aka mum and dad) came over to the land if sake for 2 weeks over the new year break.  Their last visit took them to western Japan (Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Motts’s Bar) so this time we thought we would head north to the home of snow, beer and seafood – Hokkaido (also known as Hokado to some!). 

The 9 hour trip, which included an hour and a half wait for the lines to be fixed after a tree fell on the tracks (or so we were told by the Tony Greig wannabe) was a good time for us to catch up, and for Delly and Rabs to see some snow!  You see, born and raised in the country of Queensland (God’s Own), Delly and Rabs never had the experience of seeing snow.  Although, on the plus side, they grew up in Queensland which no Queenslander would ever swap! 

We arrived early evening in Sapporo, home of Genghis Kahn lamb, booze and snow!  Their first sight of snow was like 2 kids getting new bikes at Christmas which were hidden in the garage, one red and one blue.  Rabs kept touching it and scratching his head, “so this is snow.  Incredible”.  Delly was quite excited, and little did we know that this was just a taste of what was to come. 

The next day we headed to a small port town called Otaru, which is also Mina’s hometown.  A nice little place on the water which has a canal running through it which is the main attraction.  There are plenty of old buildings, including Mina’s house where she grew up and old fishing warehouses.  We spent a top day just walking the streets through all the little shops before it got dark.  Little did we know that the best was yet to come.  A 10 minute bus trip from the station gets you to a nice ski area…one big slope with several runs.  So up we go in the cable car just to check it out.  Upon arrival you could see the excitement in Delly’s eyes…all that snow to play in!  It was a top place to ski with pretty much just the locals.  We took some photos and then it happened.  “Hold the camera” says Delly to Rabs.  “Uh, ok”, he replies.  Within a flash, Delly had what’s cold a Brain Snap!  Off she goes running around like a rabbit in the snow!  Moving faster than a $2 Bangkok hooker!  As Rabs, Mina and I watched in….shock might be the right word, Delly was having the time of her life, until she started to sink in the snow!  She was trying to move as fast as she could, like there were a thooouuusand bombs about to come down on her.  After she managed to get out and come out of her Brain Snap, Rabs, Mina and I had to recover from laughing.  By far Delly at her Brain Snappin’ best and a moment that will no doubt be told for generations to come.  “Hey Pa, can you tell us about old lady Delly’s Brain Snap again?”  Sapporo is a great city full of great places to eat and booze, and home to many nice people who are more than happy to meet and greet you.

After Sapporo we made our way down to Hakodate, another port city on the very tip of Hokkaido.  Hakodate has quite a history as there is a lot of Russian and European influence as it was a major port open to the West years and years ago.  Hakodate brought Delly, Rabs their first ever snowman too!  Although Delly didn’t actually help, she was their to ‘supervise’ (as all women do) the making of it.  After a good 20 minutes our man was made, much to the delight of not only Delly and Rabs, but for Mina and me too as our hands were bloody freezing!  The city itself is located on a peninsula with a mountain conveniently located on the every end.  The churches, old buildings and old warehouses are a pretty good sight and are a major attraction for the city.  Unfortunately, Delly didn’t have one of her now famous Brain Snaps!

The rest of their holiday was spent around Tokyo and Nobbits, at either Cookie Bar or Motts’s.

The last night brought around Delly’s surprise birthday bash at Motts’s.  Her birthday was actually on the 5^th, but as Rabs and I were busy(?!), we just had a simple dinner at the Swish Chalet.  Delly’s party went off with a bang, with all the locals coming out of the nooks and crannies to join in on the celebrations.  Cheers to everyone who turned up….made a hell of a night and a birthday to remember!  Although I must apologize on behalf of Delly not performing her trade mark Brain Snap.  Maybe next time!

Smokey (R.I.P Smokey Dawson!)