More everyday life

More everyday life

First of all, my apologies to those in lockdown (especially all in UK) and quarantine, but I was able to have my hair cut. My first hair salon trip in Japan … fortunately the lovely hairdresser lived in London during the 1990’s so has brilliant English.

My hair cut came with a head massage, a hot towel across the back of my neck after rinsing and then a shoulder massage. Fabulous! But a first for me was the little elasticated ear covers to stop dye stains. Oops, I have let the cat out of the bag now …. yes, dye to cover up all those dastardly grey hairs. And for those who wear specs there are covers for them too.

But probably the best bit was being able to talk to someone …. a bit like hostess clubs here in Japan where female staff provide drinks and conversation to men. ‘Look, Don’t Touch’ type of establishments.

Harajuku

After my hair cut, i walked along Harajuku Street …. a strange collection of independent shops that were probably aimed at people younger than me.

A great collection of platform shoes … not dissimilar to those I wore in my late teenage years!
Not fancy dress … this is cosplay; a big thing in Tokyo
This store is devoted to outfits for your pet dog!

Welsh Cakes

This was my first attempt at making Welsh Cakes. The flour was over refined, I didn’t have baking powder and the raisins were rum flavoured. Excuses! The Welsh cakes were so thin & hard; more biscuit than cake.

But I have now bought a mixing bowl & cutters … and managed to find some bread flour (hopefully less refined), baking powder & raisins. So I will try again.

Post Office … Take 2

I confidently strode into the Post Office, took a ticket and waited in line. I was rather surprised that my number came up almost immediately … it seems that there are two ticket machines & I took the wrong one! But the man behind the counter was lovely and came whizzing around to the front of the counter to show me the correct ticket machine. Dare I return to this same PO for visit number 3?!

A few photos …

  • A restaurant called Colon?
  • A hairdressers called Slang?
You may like sprouts … but £1.20 (12.87 HK$) for 3 or 4?

A small plea …. I haven’t a clue who is reading my rambling blogs so please let me know if you are. I will think of you as I write. Thanks xx

20 thoughts on “More everyday life”

    1. But don’t be fooled – lots of good things but also many issues. Chauvinistic, xenophobic, bureaucratic and so backward in technology in so many areas! I love the differences though & trying to figure out what is going on. xx

  2. Your haircut sounds divine Avril. Just having it cut would be enough but hot towels and massages are my idea of heaven. Also the blue skies are pretty wonderful. As you say amazing for such a huge city. More than in HK I think. I love the look of the trek to see Mt. Fuji as well. What a magnificent mountain. It is very cheering to see these new sights and imagine you there. Maybe me too one day! Xx

  3. Love your blogs Avril
    Oh to have my haircut now would be heaven
    Think I may grow it long again
    Obviously I like sprouts but wouldn’t pay that for them
    Keep your blogs coming please they brighten my days

    1. Yvonne, I almost didn’t mention my hair cut because I know none of my UK friends have been able to visit a hairdresser for soooo long. But I wanted to tell you all about the ear covers! xx

  4. I’m loving your blog Avril….feels like I’m wandering with you…as we did around HK! BTW…I think you should embrace those teenage years again and buy some platforms 😂

    1. But I manage to fall over these days wearing flat shoes … with platforms on I think I would be kissing the ground on a regular basis! xx

  5. I love reading about your newest adventures. If anyone has the ability to navigate your new surroundings, it’s you. For those of us stuck at home, it’s vicarious travel. Keep posting!

  6. I’m a keen follower Avril ( as you know). Your writing about the places you’re lucky to live in gives me a much-needed window into the wider world…..which one day I hope to visit to. Keep the blogs coming thick and fast please. Oh, and I’m jealous of your hair cut and associated treatments ….I’d love a shoulder massage but the other half will not oblige!! XX

    1. Hairdressers in Hong Kong gave head massages but the hot towel and shoulder massage were fabulous … I think I will be a more frequent visitor xx

  7. Loving your blog Avril and whilst here in the UK are unable to travel abroad at the moment it is great to see some blue sky and a change of scenery and culture. Also to have a haircut seems like bliss as I am currently trying out a new style, the shaggy sheepdog look. xx

    1. How lovely to hear that you are joining me on my blunders through Japan … maybe we will welcome you here one day. And I’m loving the thought of your shaggy sheepdog look! xx

  8. Hi Avril – I am reading your blog and enjoying it, thank you. Do hope you’re OK, as was just reading on the news that there’s been an earthquake there. Corinne x

    1. Pleased to hear about you ‘joining’ me in japan. And thanks for your concern … the earthquake woke us from our sleep. Much swaying of the building and it was rather scary; it was a also a timely reminder that we ought to have prepared an EQ kit xx

  10. so weird that brussell sprouts are packaged so few to a container! the prices seem even higher than in hong kong!
    you’ll have to let me know what you’d like me to bring once the pandemic allows us all to travel again.
    i love this blog posts. you are a natural!

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