sapporo

Asking around the city is another problem in itself as everywhere has their heaters on full (especially the subway!) WALKING not Asking!!! Bloody fat thumbs!!! Stupid iPhone 5!!!

There are definately snow mobile lessons at Niseko (saw a big place on the way to Moiwa mountain) and there are definately dog sledding lessons/rides at Rusutsu (snow mobiles too!) I would say, spend 3 nights in Sapporo. Soak up all this wonderful city has to offer, take day trips to Teine, Kokusai, Kiroro or even Bankei (spelling on Bankei might be wrong). Then spend a night at Rusutsu and a night or two at Niseko Grand Hirafu. I'm no expert on Niseko (I in fact quite hate the place, apart from the snow and all the Back Country access it offers) but I think Hirafu is better for begin

Kiroro is lots of fun too, but not having a car, Kokusai is much easier to get to and therefore much more frequented since discovering there is a bus direct to Kokusai from Maruyama bus station. To get to Kiroro you either have to go to the JR bus station or the Chuo bus station. Worth the trip there though!

Thanks for the invite! would def be up for it, but going to TOBIU camp/festival in Shiraoi (if there is still somewhere left not underwater to camp on!) Will def have to sort a trip to Teine and Kokusai together sometime this season!

my thoughts exactly!!! Then bring on the 3 day weekend!

Was a VERY noisy night. My dog was NOT happy...nor was I with all the emergency warning messages being received just after 3am. Supposed to be in for another rainy / lightening filled night tonight too! yay!

Used to skate (longboard) and it really helped my balance and muscle memory last season. Want to get a balance board (skateboard deck on a barrel).

need to lose a lot of weight...problem is...after the stress of work, i ALWAYS want that unwinding beer at night. riding to and from work each day. gym 2 or 3 times a week. Beer is the enemy though. 5:2 diet sounds interesting.

Speaking of easily getting stuff at Niseko...they used to sell tins of Heinz Baked Beans at the Lawson's in Niseko (VERY overpriced though!) anyone seen any anywhere else?

They used to have them (crumpets) at Seiu, but not seen them in there for a while!

....sadly, no pies!

Parents came here for a visit and brought some goods with them... 2 packs of Viscounts Pack of mint Club bars (wanted orange!) 150bags of Yorkshire tea Skittles 2 packs of crumpets 2 packs of muffins Box of maltesers Deodorant Scampy and bacon fries! England jacket for the dog.

My money's on Timmy Mallet or Dave Benson Phillips...

Bit late, but in

Wigan..... Dreadful start.

Google translate doesn't do "Scottish to English" translations...

It's not always a case of showering/bathing more, it has lots to do with the amount of oil and grease being eaten too. Not sure which is worse, the England, old person piss smell...or the Island of Japan, old person B.O. stench??? Maybe requires a poll??

So, my parents are in Japan and we are going to spend a night in a cottage in Niseko tomorrow. Being a vegetarian (my mother) in Japan is a little hard and was wondering if there were any farmers markets in Niseko and/or Kutchan to buy some fresh, local veg? I found one a good few years ago but don't remember where it was! Thanks.

I take it you've never tried Addlestones cider before then? Their 'Cloudy' beer on the tap is good....bits of apple flouting around it your pint!! Might be tough to find up there in Wigan tho!

Well, Wigan are off to a bad start...from 1 - 0 up, to losing 4 - 1, then the next game being cancelled!!

No, BOOK NOW!!!

I did mean that! And because I didn't state that in the first place, it got fully booked out in the time it took me to realize my error and rectify it!

U can get it at Niseko, but it's worth reminding people to book now!

U know, the worldo wido webu! They have it in the worldo and on the island of Japan.

How about using the internet and emailing instead of calling?!