stemik

great to see him with his medals.

not actually polled but sometimes i get a call asking "what do you think about this?" I think whatever I say it wouldn't make any iota on the outcome!

i heard a rumor that NSD tried to trademark the name "Hakuba Valley" but failed.

NPD (Nippon Parking Development) with their subsidiary NSD have re-branded Happo, Tsugaike and Iwatake all with Hakuba Valley at the front. But i am not too sure if the other companies that own Tsugaike have rebranded... And Mr Wiggles is right previously it was the Happy 7 Pass(just Hakuba), then All Mountain Pass (Hakuba & Otari) and now Hakuba Valley Pass(Hakuba, Otari & Omachi) Free shuttle buses this year to Omachi (Kashimayari & Jigatake)

there are daily direct buses to Narita from Hakuba in winter. I know that one company has pick ups/drop offs at Goryu Bus stop

is it near to Minakami?

That is a total insult. The amount of work that goes into both the website and the daily reporting must be huge. I think some folks just don't know a good thing until it hits them square in the face. A huge thumbs up for the website, forums and of course the daily reporting

That's it Mr. Wiggles - Hakuba Window Cleaning Service I'll hold the ladders you clean!

I saw this last year inside the Prince Hotel- it looked like a converted swimming pool, kids ski down on the mats to the center and then i think they were pulled up. nothing wrong in keeping the young ones inside for a while.

Yeah and the window cleaner visited the next day!! Household window cleaners do they exist in Japan?

First day in our new house in England, the milkman came around. I was very pleased he did so.

Houdaigi near Minakami?

cold this morning. 2c. I need to buy some gloves.

Anyone watch Modern Family? Its a comedy about a dysfunctional family. I can relate a lot to my own family!

I don't watch it that much but my wife and daughter are huge fans of NCIS.

Do you remember your first donna kebab? Mine was in Newquay in Cornwall about '84. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I always remember a crowd around the Kebab store watching this guy cut the meat.

Even though I can speak Japanese, I enjoy saying Thank-you with a big smile.

Further by Jeremy Jones with that line down "kaerazu no ken" gives me the shivers. I have hiked up there in summer and it is very scary......never mind doing it in winter.

Still on going but its down to about 6man now

I like the 3rd photo down. Coincidentally, with TB being Scottish, it reminds of Scotland a little. Up near Aberdeen somewhere.

on a similar note... We just bought 5 new aircons. The price includes free installation. So yesterday the guy shows up and wants an extra 96,000yen surcharge because the installation is not a basic one. I mean they have to use ladders and have change a couple of sockets! I understand that a little surcharge might be in order but another 10man is not what i and my wallet were expecting.

I'm left thinking a wee bit more specificity would be handy in any proposed action plan. It must have been Monday

This is so true, even the charm!

How about the mini skirt police- I haven't heard from them in a while. GG should know.

I like to recline and have my private afternoon brainstorming sleeping session.