Sweeping away the old year

Hi all, how are we all? We’ve been watching the developments in the U.K. and the new strain of Covid-19 which is affecting everyone and everything again. I heard form my brother yesterday that others are calling the U.K. plague island which makes me sad. Mind you it makes my blood boil with how the government have handled the whole Covid-19 situation. They are fools and if you disagree then scroll on. You won’t change my mind on this. 

A while ago my dad told us not to come back to the U.K. for Christmas. It was a very emotional conversation and none of us were happy about it. I’m really close to my family and not seeing them for 18 months is really hard. BUT part of the new year celebrations everywhere wish to look at or review the old year. In fact I’ve been looking at lots of different new year traditions in different countries.

Many countries and cultures clean or cleanse their homes or selves on New Year’s Eve. I’ve focused on the traditions in Japan as that’s where we’re spending new year’s this year. The main thing here is to clean and sort the house to sweep out any old negativities and to make sure all the chores are done so none are done on New Year’s Day. There are many interesting traditions around the Japanese new year. I like the bell ring at the Buddhist temples and that they’re rung 108 times in order to rid people of the 108 negativities perceived within the Buddhist tradition. 

Forgetting the year is also a tradition. practised at New Year’s Eve parties called bonenkai parties. The idea is that they help you leave behind the “old year’s  worries and troubles behind.” Something we could all do with for parts of this year I think. But just forgetting the whole year means we have learnt nothing. I think, even when life throws hard things at you, or especially when it does, it’s good to remember so that life doesn’t seem as bad or hard later on. We need to learnt the lessons. We need to count our blessings. I love the idea of cleaning house and it goes all the way back to my pagan roots of sweeping away the old and welcoming in the new. Sweep away the negative emotions but remember the lessons.

In this vain we’ve finished off this year with a little road trip around Japan. We started with a revisit to the cabin near Fuji where we stayed last year. The kids wanted to be there for Christmas if we couldn’t return to the U.K. It was lovely. We saw Fujisan

Had a family horse riding day on Christmas Eve with Fuji in the background. It was declared “the best Christmas Eve ever!” by the eldest.

And chilled by the fire in the cabin.

Then on to our next stop and we went north to Nagano and Yamanouchi town. On the way we stopped at Matsumoto castle, one of the must-see castles of Japan.

We met some friends at a guesthouse there and had a wonderful time. There was playing on the slopes

And some relaxing for me in a foot spa or two plus lots of trips to the local onsen which was fabulous.

Plus, one thing that was on the family bucket-list for Japan - seeing the Japanese Macaques or snow monkeys in one of the monkey sanctuaries in Japan. It was awesome. We saw them running, playing, fighting for food and superiority and cleaning each other plus lots of babies. We could have stayed there all day.

Then we travelled through “a winter wonderland” (as our youngest put it) to get to our next destination - Takayama! Yes, the kids asked to bring their dad her so we have. We have nice upgraded guesthouse room and are quite cosy thank you very much.

Plus we’ve seen some beautiful snow here which has just started falling in ernest. And this is how we’re spending our New Year’s Eve. We had some food and the kids had a dance in the shared lounge downstairs and have now retired to our room to watch tv until we either wish each other a happy new year or are asleep. I guess just being safe is the most important thing this year. We’re cosy, warm, loved and safe. We’re lucky. Here’s to those of you who aren’t and who need some love to see you through.

There’s only one thing left to say: