What’s this now? Not another blog? Yes yes. Another old blog. 

This one is stories from a 2012 trip to China and Japan. These were published as we travelled – some of them have been edited so that they make sense, there were a lot of typos. That’s what happens when you write on a phone and try to publish from corner shops in remote regions of China.

So, why did I go on this trip, apart from a general love of travelling and adventures?

Well, it all started with a horrible break-up in January 2012, and a day after this happened as my life fell a part spectacularly, a friend e-mailed me out of the blue. They were wondering if I fancied going to Japan in the summer to play Ultimate Frisbee for the GB Women’s Masters team. Well. It would be rude not to. So I dusted off my Frisbee and decided that five weeks in Japan, and China would be the best thing I could do. Luckily work agreed, so I was off.

You know what, it was pretty good, and whilst I was there I kinda bought a house in Leeds at the same time.

Dates & Plans so far – first published 9 May 2012

In under 2 months Linz and I are headed to Japan for the WUGC to play for the GB womens masters team. I’ve decided to write a blog, lets see if Linz does any writing???

• 4th July – Fly to Japan – Exploring Sakai and Osaka. Picking up Ferry tickets to China.
• 7th – 14th July – WUGC 2012 TOURNAMENT
• 15th July – Check out of Tournament Accommodation.
• Choose your own adventure in Japan, Tokyo….Kyoto…..Mt Fuji….
• 20th – 22nd Travel to Shanghai
• More adventures. Pandas. Noodles. Train to Hong Kong at some point.
• 7th Aug – Flea flies home from Hong Kong

Less than One Month to go – first published 14 June 2012

With less than one month to go until we travel to Japan and China, Linz and I are beginning to properly sort out our plans. Plans for Japan include going to Kyoto, Tokyo, Mt Fuji National Park and I would like to go to Hiroshima.

I have my Visa for China, which took two trips to Manchester, but now it’s sorted I feel like the adventure is beginning. Lots of training for the World Championships is happening in June. I hope that the rest of the team is putting the effort in too.

Plans for China include Shanghai, Chengdu (Pandas!), National Parks and then travelling south and east to Hong Kong. We have lots to sort out, Flights between Shanghai to Chengdu are top of my list at the moment.

One week to go – first published 27 June 2012

In 7 days Linz and I will be on the first of our flights to get us to Osaka. We are travelling with Lianne (PanHands) and L’Ange, so hopefully we’ll all arrive in high spirits. We’ll be on our way to Doha in Qatar, which I just had to look up on a map…..bad times.

I am panicking slightly, with house purchasing (major annoyance with the surveyors today), open uni (much work due and it’s no where near done), packing (looking good!) and visiting parents to squeeze in. Some late nights might occur in the next 7 days.

I think I’ve got most of the things that I need now, barring a bikini, which I know I am going to need, but just HATE the thought of heading to the shops to buy one. We’re on our way to getting a plan together for Japan now, and we’ve got offers of accommodation in Chengdu from a number of people.

Very exciting, if slightly stressful times.