Sachi

As Jonathan pointed out, Sachi looks a lot like Phoebe. So much so that Dad has referred to her as such a few times. Actually Sachi is a combination of Phoebe and Sahara. Phoebe's colouring, but Sahara's finer hair. Not sure who's brains she has, as we have yet to see any sign of the existence of said gray matter.

Mum and Dad have apparently reached Kyoto. This is after traveling to Hakone yesterday by train, and staying at a hotel that we booked online. It was apparently fine, although I have yet to hear whether it was a hotel with a shared bathroom or not.

The next milestone is on Friday, when they have about 9 minutes to transfer between trains at some remote outpost of Japan. If they miss, then it is possible that they will have to find a place to stay overnight - somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Where they probably will not speak any English. Could be quite an experience - even more interesting than trying to eat noodles with chopsticks for the first time.

Spring has come, so too have the parents...and a picture of the cat

Well even though we sent Kyla a whole collage of pictures I'm still getting asked for a picture of the fluffball (just shows she does not read her email or our blog!!) we'll happily post one here for you. Actually you probably don't need one....just imagine a smaller Phoebe....

Here she is trying to look cute and innocent....

And then for an action shot...

She actually thinks she is a dog. She will fetch that stick with a fluffy bit on the end all day and bring it back to you to throw again. She also makes a weird 'woofy' noise. I am convinced she is confused.

Andrews parents arrived on Saturday just in time to see the last of the Cherry Blossoms. We managed to exhaust them walking around on Sunday which pleased Sachi no end - it meant there were unlimited laps to sit on on Monday as a quiet 'home day' was had by all (except Andrew who had to go to work). She seems to be pretty laid back around new people unless they are Japanese men - I have the scratches to prove she was not impressed with the guys who arrived to replace part of our bed this morning!

Cherry Blossom season is very beautiful in Tokyo. The locals like to celebrate the arrival of spring with a picnic under the blossoms. Much sake is drunk, and you can find out how someones party went by asking 'did you sing?'. If the answer is yes, then 'did you sing loudly' will give you a good indication of just how much sake was drunk :-). We preferred the more demure approach of wandering under the trees by the river (well walking pretty quickly actually - it was freezing!). Here they are in all their glory

By the time Mac and Joyce arrived the blossoms had been 'ruined' by green spring growth appearing, but we still thought they looked pretty cool.

Spring weather is however notoriously changeable. 28 degrees on Sunday turned into a bitterly cold and wet day yesterday. Roll on summer!!