With much sentiment and sadness, said our farewells to number one daughter and husband in their Tokyo abode. Flew back in two legs with Etihad from Tokyo to Abu Dhabi. Six and a half hour wait for the Manchester connection. Landed Manchester at 14:15.
On Friday last week,  went for a meal at a local Japanese restaurant called “Quatto” in Setagaya, where we had eaten on a previous occasion.

Meal at "Quatto" restaurant downtown Setagaya.

Meal at “Quatto” restaurant downtown Setagaya.

Escargot,Caesar Salad,Chicken,vegetables & brioches garlic, with a very palatable Nero de Avola Sicilian red.

Nero d'Avalo , Sicilian red.....mmmmm.

Nero d’Avalo , Sicilian red…..mmmmm.

There have been so many high lights on this visit to Tokyo over  Christmas and New Year that it seems asinine to mention just a few. However, the visit to the Peak Lounge Bar for afternoon tea in the Park Hyatt on new years eve, the meal on Christmas Day at the French restaurant, Dominic’s magnificent impromptu meal delivered with panache and confidence, the trip out to MountFuji, a crazy night in the Karaoki booth,feature prominently. Most of all was the very precious time shared with family.
Being over on the other side of the world we were unaware of the severity of storms that had impacted the UK prior to and over the Christmas and New Year period. Although I had read some allusion to them on line, coming back and hearing anecdotal reports of bridges collapsing, houses being rendered totally uninhabitable by flood damage and in some cases danger to life and limb, were shocking. Thankfully, storm “Desmond” and inclement weather had all passed by the time we got back.
Anyhow, here’s wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous new year.