As planned, I retreated to the AQ Cabin after 10 days of non-stop activity in Singapore, to rest and read, while catching up on work and life admin. My hiking ambitions for the Yatsugatake Range will have to wait until next year - right now, it’s more the mood of hammocks, fireplaces and long walks.

Japanese bush warblers (uguisu) and woodpeckers (kitsutsuki) fly through our front yard, visiting the fruit tree saplings we planted this spring. It’s delightful to see them flitting about, to be able to put a “face” to the sounds.

So grateful for the downtime.