Autumn leaves

Yesterday, I went to Chomonkyo with Ellen and Rosie. Chomonkyo is a beautiful gorge between Yamaguchi city and Ato, and it was a place I have been meaning to go for the last year...but something always cropped up. So, at last I got the chance to go and spend a lovely relaxing sunday afternoon, walking around this area, and admiring the gorgeous autumn leaves. Even the drive to Chomonkyo was spectacular, with bright yellow, and flaming orange trees along the way. The Japanese sure do enjoy their nature watching ; cherry blossoms in spring, leaves in autumn...even moon watching in september (as my JTE has informed me this morning!). I think it's a great characteristic for a nation to have...to appreciate and admire the natural beauty around, and to spend time relaxing and contemplating life in its surroundings. I'm not saying I'm going to start hiking, camping, and dry-stone-walling when I go back to England (!!!)..but I definitely think Japan has allowed me to appreciate nature, and natural beauty a lot more, and I hope that I will continue to observe and admire such things when I'm back on home soil. Maybe I could try and encourage people to drink sake under blossom trees in spring!.....I can't see it catching on, can you!!??