Netherlands..

Tired but happy to have finally arrived in Europe!

Straight into the festivities with K & K and a few La Chouffes!

In between beers and cheese we managed to find some time to learn all about how windmills were used in the old days in Dutch society at the De Valk Windmill, Leiden.

Emma indulging in some of Belgium's finest!

Our haul from the Leiden market!  Many a fine meal was made.

Taking it easy at the Hortus Botanicus before heading out on the boat.

Leiden's city center has more than 28km of canals and waterways.  We spent a couple of hours exploring them on our own boat.

Cheese platter at K & K's!

Ice creams on the way to Delft.

Hanging out at the end of our bike ride from Leiden to Delft.

February

Homeward bound.

Our Japanese year ended with us making "New Year" mochi with this 'beautiful' retro mochi-making machine owned by the Takeuchi's.  They finally found out what the English meant!

Our Japanese grandparents, the Takeuchi's, looking after us... as usual.

Mochi hands.

Our complimentary dinner at the Takaharu Kagura festival.  Every year  this little village holds a very tasteful and discreet all-night dance festival (not as Ibiza as it sounds).  
During the festival, local restaurants (and some private houses) open their doors and provide the punters with a free dinner in return for a bottle (or 2) of booze.  Great deal!

Emma and Miki checking out the lunar eclipse. 

Lunar eclipse during the Kagura festival.

The dance arena.  Click below for a recording I made on the night.

Emma enjoying dinner a birthday dinner held for our good friend Satoko.

The birthday girl!

Finally we made it back to Australia after a year and a half away.
We arrived home on Christmas Eve morning and were treated to a champagne breakfast for FJ's birthday! Then we were off to the Gale household where all these presents were waiting :D 

Christmas morning there were presents galore...
"These are going straight to my Japanese corner!"  Gwenny with her loot.

Enjoying an amazing Christmas lunch with our family.

The whole gang.

Best 100 yen ever spent!  Leigh, Harry, Milly and Ainsley getting into the spirit after lunch.

Great Christmas day! Thanks everyone

On Boxing day it was down the Merricks beach for a swim and more Christmas celebrations.
Jenny, Robyn, Gwen and Ted at Merricks beach watching us crazy swimmers on Boxing Day.

What dreams are made of!  As part of our incredible gourmet Christmas gift from the Siera's we spent a day cruising the wineries of the Peninsula. We had a special picnic at Stoniers which included sipping on Chardonnay while feasting on hand made cheeses, olives and oysters.  A definite highlight of our trip home for Christmas.  Thank you Paul and Jenny!

Luke managed to get in on the action too!

A quick photo op while surveying the vineyard at Pier 10.

We rounded off the day with a couple of brews at our favourite brewery, Red Hill.

Gina and Megan looking very at home picnicing at the Ed Gardens in North Fitzroy.

Sharing a brew with Sean.

Our good mate Yuki happened to be visiting Melbourne at the same time we were which was a great coincidence.  Here we are with Yuki's big plate of roo at 'Napier-san'.  By the end of the night she was a true local ordering a 'pot of goat'!

For NYE we headed down to FJ's beach house at Anglesea.  The weather was perfect!

Some of the MSW crew at Mick and Mandy's wedding.

Emma with the beautiful bride.

Yet another picnic at Ed gardens.  The jumper Lauren is holding was hand made by Kerrie for baby Elenna. 

The crew after an awesome picnic of pizza and beers!
We had such a wonderful time back in OZ... thanks everyone, you really reminded us that there is no place like home... 

Sumo and the last rays of sun

Watching the sunset over lake Miike

Home baked bread with hummus and tzatziki dips... a rare treat for our guests!

ALT weekend of hanging... dog cafe, light hiking, lots of eating and a romantic sunset...awww

some hiking to catch the last of the autumnal leaves with our retro cameras!

volcanic lake... and a couple of dags...

Kobayashi festival, led by the finest of our foreign residents

very interesting costume... he had 2 puppet life-size ladies attached to either side and was doing a "synchronized" dance with them... he was also dressed as a lady, though I'm not sure you can tell here...

maple red, vibrant blue skies... a perfect autumn day

Mexican wave... they need a big of practice

FIGHT!!!

showing off their fancy dancy apron thingys

THE MAN... Hakuho, hakuho, hakuho! unbeatable champion (except he did get beaten in the game we watched...) Sumo was an amazing experience, if you ever get the chance we recommend it!