Arrived here on the bullet train which is as fast as they say and made us feel a little funny....being cheapskates we did not reserve seats so spent the first half perched in the aisle which was not so amusing....however it was highly amusing when Tim split ginger ale in a sleeping commuter man's trouser turn-up only to see him wake up very confused wondering why his sock was wet and he smelt like a tramp. Anyway, after a day searching on bikes we successfully hunted down the illusive Japanese Geisha on their way to entertain...unfortunately we unsuccessfully managed to get one single decent photo, so all you have is a very poor pic just as evidence! Kyoto is lovely, very pretty and we have spent five very relaxing days checking out the temples and cycling along little lanes including the Path of Philosophy. Stayed in a 'youth' hostel which slept 70 people in three rooms - honest - for three nights before deciding we were the oldest guests by about ten years and moved to a far more grown up traditional Ryoken. (Only to get into trouble for breaking the washer dryer and waking up our neighbours in the next room after a very drunken night singing Billy Joel and Madonna to an adoring Japanese crowd in a local sake bar!) Had our best meal of the trip so far in a very sophisticated restaurant of which one of the eight courses was peach and wasabi sorbet served with teeny tiny flowers!! Well tasty! Also went on a walk with the infamous Johnnie Hillwalker and his Kyoto walking tour to see the real Kyoto....hmmm.....not quite as billed but we did dig his trousers. Hope everyone is doing well back home....lets hear from you!! Deb and Tim x