Took the train to Tokyo Station this morning and who should we bump into but neighbours from The Hallmark, Karen & Anthony! Small world! Decided yesterday we would take a day trip to Echigo Yuzawa - long story but an old mate of George from Scotch College lives there with his wife. Nathan & Jodi have been residents now for about 5 years, her father has owned a ‘lodge’ there for years and some of my family skied there a few years back. Jodi is back in Melbourne for a few weeks but Nathan picked us up at the train station, we travelled on the bullet train, and had a very enjoyable day seeing the sights of the ski area, magnificent mountains, a delicious lunch which was quite unique - 3 old ladies (the restaurant in their small house) serve several courses, no menu, you just get what they provide! Nathan eats there often and the cost was around $6 each! We then went to a 600 year old pickle factory - various vegetables, melons etc are pickled in saki lees and are very tasty! The mother and daughter are good friends of N & J and had us sit down in this very old beautifully preserved room and sample the pickles while drinking tea. Then they took us out back to see the barrels.
Nathan wanted us to see his house. He now runs a restaurant, can seat 18 people and is the chef himself. His menu is European and is more like a degustation idea. He runs both a regular and a Kosher kitchen. They had over 11 metres of snow last season and there is still snow around, particularly high on the mountains, but just enough around his house to make it difficult to walk to. And with G on crutches and me wearing shoes with very little tread it was actually a nightmare!!!!! Almost there & G realised he’d lost the rubber stops from his crutches!!! But worth it to take in the amazing view. Going downhill was much easier for me but not for G. Sometimes we have to accept our limitations.
Back on the 5.13 bullet train now and on our way to Tokyo.
Got off the bullet train at Ueno and had a long walk to get out then to go to the local line for our trip back to Asakusa. Normally not a problem but with dicky crutches it was very difficult on highly polished floors! Then when we got to Asakusa there was no elevator on that side of the platform so down stairs then up and up again - boy! do I need a big gin & tonic!!!!! Might have to wait as have now called into a small restaurant for some gyozas! Will sleep well tonight.
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