Tuesday - off to work we go!

Seems like we all had a good free day yesterday, with quite a range of activities.
George took a small group to a restaurant in the mountains for a traditional Japanese dining experience - sounded amazing!
Marianne's group is back from two nights in Kyoto and they had a wonderful time. Several others are now planning on trying to get there.
The Manon dancers hooked up with a Tokyo based dancer who trained at English National Ballet and had a guided tour of the sights. Actually, several people have met friends and contacts living here and have been treated to some more local colour.
Unfortunately work must get in the way, and today sees our first rehearsal - 7 hours of Manon stage and piano!
Bunka Kaikan Theatre is only about 20 minutes from the hotel by train, in Ueno.
There's plenty to see during breaks - from museums and shrines, to pedalos in the park, and extensive retail opportunities - nearby is the local answer to Camden Market, but with lots more raw fish!
Many of the ladies were spotted trawling the market stalls for souvenirs to take home to the kids - fortunately that fish comes dried in handy bags, as well as fresh!
Nothing in Tokyo is cheap - except maybe public transport!
Fruit is particularly pricey - £6 for a handful of grapes, £10 for a boxed pair of peaches! They were beauties though!
Its still baking hot and even more humid. The theatre is air-conditioned and the dressing rooms icy cold, but the stage is still very sweaty indeed! Our costumes will be lovely after the general tomorrow.
Interesting that in Japan its still ok to smoke in restaurants etc and the theatre has a sizeable and well-supported smoking room backstage!
The local stage crew and wardrobe staff seem very poilte and efficient.
There has been a real problem buying tonic to dilute all of the duty-free gin bought en route! Some resorted to using Fanta as a substitute!
However last night some supplies were found and choristers were reported struggling home from supermarkets with 10, and even 20 bottles!!! We are obviously making a difference to at least one tiny part of the Japanese economy!
It should be mentioned that Dougie turned 39 on Sunday and even in Japan some fine single malt was on hand for the celebrations!!!
JB