The next morning, a bright and sunny Saturday, we crawled out of bed, some earlier, some later--as mentioned before--and I whipped up some breakfast using the fajita leftovers. We sat around talking about all kinds of things (being JREF members, that's what we do, right?) for the whole morning, and on into the afternoon.
Time then came for Mike Cash san to catch that train back to Gunma, so I gave him a ride to the Akashina Station. After coming back, I suggested that we play some more badminton, and so out to the front yard we went. The wind was much less, and we had some good volleys--no injuries today.
In the late afternoon, Hiroyuki Nagashima san hopped on his very nice bike, and rode off into the sunset--headed for a hot spring just over the hills in the Ueda area, I think. Mikkawa Ossan san, and J44xm san decided to stay over another night, so, I fired up the BBQ pit again, and we had some great yakisoba, and yakiniku and stuff.
Around 8:30, at my youngest son's request, we called up a niece and nephew who live next door, and we all joined in a couple of rounds of 'hide and seek.' It was great !! All 7 of us were having the time of our lives, reliving our childhood pleasures and relaxing ourselves of all stress and barriers.
Around 10:30 I told the boys that it was bed time for them, so we finished the game. J44xm san crashed out earlier, and Mikkawa san and I sat by the fire talking until almost midnight. They left fairly early the next morning--a coolish, rainy Sunday.
I had a great time !! I'm sure all my guests did too. For JREF, it may not have been the very first gathering--and for JREF members gathering at my house, it wasn't the first. (Mikawa san had come last year; but only he) However, I'd like to think that it was a first in some ways, and that it will set the stage for more gatherings, and more chances to meet the real people behind the words on the PC screen that we read. I hope that as for JREF, my place will be a center spot for meeting.
Nagano prefecture is far from many of you all, but it is, in a way, quite center for all.
And now !! I'll start thinking about when the next meet can be !! Thanks for tuning in !! MM