Akiyoshi-dai Caves

Now what an arse! Yamaguchi Rear of the Year perhaps? Post your nominations! In the caves we payed an extra 300 yen for the privelage of putting our own lives at risk. We climbed up to the top of the cave with nothing in the form of safety precautions. Admittedly, they did provide torches but I guess that these were for the sole purpose of being able to find our insurance cards when we slip on the wet stone and break our backs. This is the view from above the caves. It really reminded me of the landscape at home- it was just like being back in the Brecon Beacons (minus the sheep).

Autumn

I have never really considered autumn as a beautiful season. Back home the sky is always grey and the leaves turn a shitty brown colour. Japan is a different story. The colours are vibrant and contrasting. I bloody love it! After our thanksgiving meal on Saturday we managed to lift our fat butts off the sofa and have a cheesey Dawson's Creek stylee frollock in the autumnal debris.

Thanksgiving

As I have never experienced thanksgiving before I thought, 'what the hell -I'll go to three in one week to see what this holiday from the US of A is all about.

Tuesday night was Anita's thanksgiving in Shimonoseki. Despite arriving late, there was plenty of food to go around. Managed to catch up with people I haven't seen in a while and had a chilled night. Thanks for being a great host Anita.Thursday saw a new twist on the Thanksgiving tradition: KFC, wine, beer and dominoes with Paul. Not traditional but fun nonetheless.Saturday I ventured into the inaka for thanksgiving at Chris' in Mitou-cho. I have a feeling that this was the closest I was going to get to experiencing the real deal. Chris' neighbours and students came and there was a real family atmosphere. We ate too much and had a mid afternoon slump but carried on til the early hours. It was really relaxed. Thanks Chris.

Awaji Soccer Tournament

Now it may come as a surprise to some, particularly to those at home, that I took part in the Awaji Football Tournament. Throughout my school years we never played football as rugby was the more predominant sport. As a result, my poor football skills became notorious and, whenever I have attempted to play, I was often laughed off the pitch (I had trouble connecting my foot to the ball even when it was stationary). Before this weekend, a football tournament would not have been my idea of fun but my stint in Japan has surprised me yet again. The supporters were great and team spirit was amazing. This weekend reminded me why I actually did sport in the years preceeding my acquaintance with alcohol. I'm still not very good at the old game but I've definitely improved.

The girls played really well and came away with third place! The main team didn't come anywhere but we did ourselves proud. A few other teams approached us to tell us how they enjoyed playing against us because of our sportsmanship and attitude. A big thanks to Crystal and Jeremy for organising everything!!!!! To captain Neal and also to our ringers Jay and Ivor. Dave was a force to be reckoned with in Goals - a true natural. This is after he won us the first match by saving all three penalties after the no score draw.The girls had to round up a few ringers from Mie prefecture as they had no subs. I had to lend my shirt to this particular ringer - her name turned out to be Jackie!! Saturday night we went to an onsen to soothe our muscles, the outdoor pools overlooked the Akashi Kaikyo-ohashi: the longest suspension bridge in the world (3.91km), connecting Kobe to Awaji-shima. We then got drunk.

Pitchside hangover.

On the way back we made a brief stop to the American base in Iwakuni for a Pizza hut. Keith and I had to be smuggled in as we didn't have our gaijin cards. I must admit I was slightly scared being left in the car on my own, covered by a blanket, knowing that there were some very scary marines very closeby with guns. It worked, though. Your security isn't so great is it? The Welsh and Mancunian terrorists infiltrated your base and could have quite easily brought the whole place down!

All the way from the depths of Mordor!

Now back in Warwick uni there is a poor bloke who ended up pulling one of my friends. (Pete wouldn't say he was a poor bloke after seeing pics of my friends but I'm referring to the aftermath). After this one night of tonsil tennis, he then became an integral part of our university life. This bloke was bloody everywhere!! Each day our group of friends would compete to see who could spot him the most times. (we had a lot of time on our hands). It turms out that almost everyone in uni had noticed this particular person and each had their own little nickname for him. Ours turned out to be 'Mordor' after a drunken night of quoting Lord of the Rings to randoms in a bar (including him). Anyway, this soon turned into a bit of light hearted harassment and everytime the girls saw him they would text him to tell him that they could see him. This stemmed away from university as he was later spotted on a train in London and the essex region.

Sunday am, the morning after the japanese hip hop gangster night before, I wake up to see a picture of 'Mordor' staring at me from Kat's wall. Small world or does Mordor just get about a bit?

"Hiroshima"

After surviving footie practice, the diablo and I headed for Yanai to meet Kat and then proceed to an Indie night in Hiroshima.

Things didn't quite work out as they planned. After a few drinking games and obscene conversations it took a turn for the worse/better. Arse licking, CD rimming, casual sausage, inserting objects, cooking oil, blinded by a ketai light, Japanese hip hop gangsters (Doggy and Kentaro), break dancing, a van, more booze and then back to Kats.

I think that it's safe to say that we had fun. Every weekend seems to be more carnage than the previous. Bring on soccer next weekend!

Louise - If you can't remember it, it didn't happen

Being the youngest in the Ken, I take great pleasure in telling everyone how old they're getting. But here's a few comforting words (to make a change). Quite often after a night out, my friends and I would live by the rule 'If you can't remember it, it didn't happen'. Louise, if you were any where near the level of drunk that I was on friday ( I have a suspicion that you may well have been) you will not remember any details from your birthday. This is good! this means that your birthday did not happen. You are still 23! (but that's still old)

The night involved drinking Guiness in the rain, a dodgy gaijin man dumping a body in his boot, potcheen (thanks to Pete and Tom), losing my jacket, and spewing in the street. What a great night!