Hello!, I thought I'd add a few more comments about life in Japan. Things are rolling along very smoothly here with nothing radically new to report. My turtle and hamster are well. Life is good. It's getting a little cooler here now autmumn has developed and winter is fast approaching. The mornings are a little frosty. I bought a new green jacket with extra warm layers inside. It keeps me toasty on my scooter in the mornings as I bike through the mountains. I should say I've achieved one of my dreams. That is too see the maple trees in Japan in the Autumn. It really is beautiful. The mountains around my house are covered in evergreen japanese cypress with large areas of japanese maple and other deciduous trees. The autumn colours are really vivid and quite spectacular really. Just a little post. Send me an email about yuor life in NZ or whereever you are!