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Back in the USSR?

Justin at Kansai Airport, February 25th
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Back to the UK it should be, of course, but there was something vaguely Slavic about this picture of Justin wrapped up at the airport, and "back to Sheffield" doesn't have quite the same ring to it. Anyway, we've been in the British Isles (England and Northern Ireland) for about two weeks now; having finally recovered from jetlagged children, it will be time to return to Japan on Monday for another 10 day bout of alternating insomnia and grumpiness. In contrast to the last post, this piece contains little but family pictures—an antidote to turbulence.

But it may still be of interest to anyone who doesn't know how beautiful Belfast Lough can be on a still, sunny winter's day in the North of Ireland... (they do happen)
Belfast Lough around Helen's Bay (Co. Down)
Boats leaving Belfast Lough, looking towards Scotland
Evening view towards Belfast, from Crawfordsburn

With thanks to my family and all our English friends for their hospitality, and for saving us from cooking dinner on so many evenings this week. Also to Sean's old school, who have let him come in for a couple of days to see what he's missed...


Waiting at Cultra station: hardly as frequent as Japan, but a good deal more bucolic
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