Our plans to ski went west today as we struggled to escape from our deep sleep.

A brilliant sunny day in our minute mountain village, we ventured to the gondola and took in the views from atop the ski resort. As it turned out, the ski conditions were pretty good, considering it was 6 degrees and almost mid-April.

Once back at village level, we ventured two stops along the local train line to Hakuba, the venue for the 1998 Winter Olympics ski jumping event. We really could have been in Switzerland or Austria. Easy to forget we are in Asia. Back at base, we once again enjoyed the Japanese bathing ritual. Sitting on tiny stools, soaped up and rinsed before cautiously entering a scolding hot square bath. Boy, do you feel clean afterwards.

The update comes late today - its gone 11pm here. THe delay due to our late card game. From 0-2 down, then 2-3, Phill went on to win day four. Phill leads 3-1 with just three days left. Who will win bragging rights as the allseven s***head champion for life? It could be all over before our train pulls into Tokyo at lunchtime tomorrow. You lot will still be tucked up in bynies.

PaSx