Enlightment? Rain. Cycling Kyoto and a decent pair of Americans We seem to do so much each day that we forget things when it comes to do our blogs. Some days we have chance to write as we go along and some days we check each other's blogs and realise we've missed something. Neither of those things have happened for the last two days and we've both forgotten the same thing two days running. Yesterday we both forgot to write about an experience we had at a temple where we paid 100¥ each to gain enlightenment. Or at least try... We attempted this by going down some stairs and then walking round a room holding a handrail. If we'd let go of the handrail there was a chance we could hit wall with face as, yes, ... read more

Trains, rains and crap automobiles. Kyoto adventures part 1. Boxes on wheels. What is it with the boxes on wheels here? As everything else gets more streamlined the cars in Japan offer about as much streamlining as Henry Rollins' head. The cars would probably be economical in the first place but surely even more so if a bit of aerodynamics was applied. I suppose it's all part of the Japanese determination to be different, something which is apparent in more ways than their transport preferences. We've already mentioned the slipper sagas, public nudity and terrifying toilets...and that's just the beginning! But this is all part of why we're here. To see trains that run on time, to sample food they wouldn't even serve in Blighty and to be helped by so many polite and friendly people ... read more

I've never liked Roy Keane so when he was in the security queue at the airport and he refused to have a selfie with someone all my hatred felt justified. I started my post on facebook with my usual bile despite Roy being in the normal queue rather than the priority lane and then....horror of horrors.....he went back to the guy and said he'd pose for a selfie one they were through security....noooo!!!! Don't ruin my lifelong despisement of you you git!! Ah well, it livened up the longest security queue I've ever been in and at least he didn't have that horrendous beard. Still a git though. And so we were off, flyng with Lufthansa to Munich first and then on to Haneda airport, Tokyo, JAPAN!! I've been wanting to visit Japan for many a ... read more

Who bet on me getting ill on day 6 or 7? Well you share the prize as I have no idea what time I was up in the night being sick. Welll done you! Today I was allowed to lie in until virtually the evening as the alarm didn't go off until 8.25am. I wasn't sure what to do at this late hour so I turned over and figured I'd wake up the next day. Or I got up and we headed out in the direction of the Picasso Museum in Malaga with the plan to arrive as it opened at 10am. Plans of finding places down here usually go awry and this morning was no exception. We have the address, we have a map, we have a satnav.....and still we end up 14 bloody miles ... read more

Day 5 and it's sales pitch day. Our free holiday comes at the price of listening to what CLC World has to offer. It started with a free breakfast which is a good start; both continental and English varieties were on offer so I had both. We had been picked up for our meeting by our main man Maurice. Now I have to be careful what I'm writing as Claire gave Maurice one of our cards with our blog and website addresses on. Maurice, well what can I say about him and his line manager, Lorna.... Well, in all honesty, I liked them both. They have a product to sell which they believe in and it's something which would suit a lot of people. It's a long way past timeshare and the accommodation is superb and ... read more