Tokyo means a 7pm Bedtime!

Twelve hours of flying makes my arms somewhat tired which means I fell asleep at 7 pm!

JAL once again proved that its the worlds best airline and systems were all functioning well from London hotel to Tokyo hotel so hurrah for the little people who keep the whole going - still puzzles me that the self appointed "execs" think its them what make things go. Don't get me onto my soap box about the workers versus the suits else you'll think I'm a socialist ...

A quick wander around Asakusa, a vist to Mr Doughnut and the super market and that's us totally stuffed for the day - hence the 7pm beddy-byes.

Nighty-night campers ....

Halloween ... Shefield Style

We walked to town yesterday and were surprised to see a full-blown fair in the centre. Rides and stalls of all descriptions, food and masses of people. Families, groups of friends and loads of uni students most of which were dressed up for Halloween. It was good to see the people take over the city centre and having a good time. It's call "Fright Night" and touted as Sheffield's Halloween Party. We reckon Sheffield council are doing the right thing to let this sort of event happen; it lifts peoples spirits and give us all a break from the doom-and-gloom that seems to dominate life these days. Best of all, it seems to be a real family affair.

Strike, Strike , Strike ....

What isn't working today? Buses, Post, and fire services (the folks who put fire out, duh ..) Well it is coming up to Christmas. It's all cleaning and packing ready for Transportation. Not that I'm too happy about that but it's inevitable at this point in time. Ho hum ...

Sheffield has been a good place to hang my hat; convenient for transport and all other aspects of day-to-day doings. I wouldn't want to settle here for good; too big, hectic and noisy. Yes, we old fogies like a bit of peace and quiet plus absence of over iPoded kiddies. Poor souls don't seem to exist outside the virtual techno-world. What? Actually speak to other denizens of the forest? You have to be joking! That would require social skills which are just not cool ...

What's next ...

Misty, Moisty, Morning Peaks

The 272 took us to Fox House where we started a 10 km waddle over the peaks. It was cool and very atmospheric; just the sort of thing you'd expect in a scene from Wuthering Heights. Disappointingly there was no Heathcliff to greet us at the National Trust cafe at the Longshaw Estate.

A liberal application of tea and excellent cakes recharged our energy for further waddling. Onward and upward!

The study 272 took us home after a great afternoon out. A notice in the bus informed us that there would be no drivers' strike this week!

But, Is It Art?

One of the pieces in the Irish show was many sheets (A4) with internet site translations of an original piece of prose in English through several languages and back into English. Like This:

These are the instructions to change the battery in your mobile telephone. Read them carefully before you start.

Queste sono le istruzioni per cambiare la batteria in vostro telefono mobile. Colto loro prima di voi inizi con attenzione.

Celles-ci sont les instructions pour changer la batterie dans vos téléphone mobile. Cueilli les avant vous débuts avec attention.

Ezek az utasítások változtatni az akkumulátor, meg mobiltelefonja. Előtt összegyűjtött ön csak a figyelmet.

Diese Anweisungen änderten die Batterie Ihr bewegliches Telefon. Gesammelt vor Ihrem nur zur Aufmerksamkeit.

Тези инструкции промяна на батерията вашия мобилен телефон. Събират преди тяхното само на вниманието.

Cambio de estas instrucciones de la batería su teléfono móvil. Recogido antes de su solamente tention.

Promena ovih uputstava baterija svoje pokretne telefon. okupili su se pre nego što mu samo pažnju.

د دغو احکامو د موبايل ټليفون د تليفون له لارې لېږد وړ دي. و غونډوي هغه په وړاندې كېږي يوازې د توجه کيږي.

Den mobiltelefon, løst. Samlet er mot de måste uppmärksammas.

The cell phone, has been solved. Total is against the Attention.

I ask this: Do the several sheets of A4 pinned to a wall constitute a piece of "Art"?

Ah, That Was Great For Me ...

Two excellent weeks walking in Venice; plus the odd boat trip just to save the legs. Excellent! I am never disappointed by the churches and buildings in this unique city. Even the mass of tourists is made up for by the absence of cars. So many cruise ships; there can be six a day each with 3000 plus lemmings packed into them. BUT! Ignore all that and it's a great place.

The Biennale was, as expected, a load of old and new rubbish. Best was the Italian show. The Iranian show was one of the best. The Australian was not that interesting and the Brit show was just crap. We had great time visiting all but three of the shows through out the city; a nice moan and loads of coffee! What was noticeable was the lack of placards explaining the meaning of works in totally undecipherable language - a great improvement. Mind you, reading the handouts was still like wading through verbal treacle.

The trip back to Sheffield couldn't have gone any better; all connections worked perfectly and the various staff were excellent. It took: a boat, a plane, three buses and a total of 13 hours! There we are, another great experience which wouldn't be possible without the hum-drum, daily grind of ordinary folk. So much for celebrity; what useless swankers they are ...

If you want to rent an apartment in Venice try: www.casanpietro.it we have never been disappointed.