M.L. Sparrow's Blog, page 33

Days Nine and Ten!

Hiya! Sorry about not posting yesterday, when I got back to my hotel I realized that I had the mammoth task of repacking my rucksack ahead of me and, after having done that, time just flew away with me. So… here’s two posts in one.  Yesterday, Sunday, was my last day in Sendai. I had intentions of going to Akiu Onsen, which apparently has a beautiful waterfall, gorge and lots of onsens, however, when I asked at the information desk and got a bus timetable, I realized that there were only two

Kissing Katie

Kissing Katie, (Kissing Series, Book Two), by L.T. Kelly  Blurb:  Iraq war widow Katie Simmons hasn’t considered giving love another chance since the devastating loss of her husband. She’s happy sharing her love with her six-year-old daughter, Jessica. What more could she want from life?  Evan Waters is headed for the big time. He’s plowing his time, money and energy into recording Spires’ debut album. Following on in his British rock legend father’s footsteps, he has big shoes to fill, a

Day Eight

 After the absolute fail one Thursday, I decided to do the Sightseeing Bus around Sendai again today and it turned out to be a beautiful day, both weather-wise and because everywhere you look the cherry blossoms are out. Ironically, some of the loveliest blossoms I saw were in a graveyard approaching Zuihoden Mausoleum.  The Mausoleum itself was nice and, like lots of shrines in Japan, an explosion of colour. It amuses me to think how people in England would react if something like that was

Day Seven

I had an brilliant day in Matsushima today. As it turns out, my hotel is actually between Sendai andMatsushima,  which I didn't realise until I was searching how to get their last night, so it was actually only a few stops on the train and I was there. After yesterdays downpour, it was cloudy but dry and we even had some sunshine. The first thing I did when I got there was headed over to the Boat Pier, because the main reason I wanted to got to Matsushima was to see the famous, pine covered

The Spring Bride

The Spring Bride, (Chance Sisters Series, Book 3), by Anne Gracie   Blurb:  On the eve of the London Season, Jane Chance is about to make her entrance into high society. And after a childhood riddled with poverty and hardship, Jane intends to make a good, safe, sensible marriage. All goes according to plan until a dark, dangerous vagabond helps her rescue a dog. Zachary Black is all kinds of unsuitable—a former spy, now in disguise, he’s wanted for murder. His instructions: to lie low until his

Day Six

I'm beginning to think I've come to Japan in Monsoon season. Last time I was here, there was so much snow that I got stranded at the airport, this time I think I might drown, it's rained so much. Since I come from England, you'd think I'd be used to it, but no, it still sucks and screws up your plans. Especially when you dig through you rucksack and realise you must have left your umbrella at home. Regardless of that fact, since the rain was only a drizzle when I first set out, I decided to

The Story of Lucius Cane

The Story of Lucius Cane, (Book One), by Vanya Ferreira   Blurb:  London, 1794. Lucius Cane, a peculiar sort of vampire, comes upon an opponent the likes of which he has never seen before – a brute with remarkable abilities. But not all is as it seems as their encounter unfolds in a manner that neither of them expected.  I'm not really sure what to say about this story... It was well written for the most part, but it was very short, literally 23 pages, which would be fine if it were meant to be

Day Five

Hi folks! Sorry, nothing much to report today and not even many photos. :-( Today was a travel day, going from Nikko to Sendai. Even though the journey all in all wasn't that long - probably only about 2 and a half hours on the trains in total - it seemed to take all day and now I'm absolutely knackered, especially after heaving my rucksack around with me all day long. Before I left Nikko though, I revisited the Dragon Art store which I mentioned in a previous post and brought my friend one,

Drawing in the Dark

Drawing in the Dark, by Jeremy Baker   Blurb: On a lonely mountain, deep in the high desert country of the American Southwest, a rifle-toting nun faces an unexpected test. A scientist makes an incredible discovery at the heart of a melting European glacier, and nine years later finds himself inexorably drawn back to the site. During the Siege of Bastogne, while facing overwhelming odds in the frozen forests of Belgium, a pragmatic young medic encounters a war he never could have imagined. The

Day Four

The weather still wasn't great today, but I took the bus to Chuzenji Onsen anyway in the hopes that it would clear up later on. Well, the rain stopped, but Chuzenji was shrouded in so much mist that it was impossible to see Kegon Falls, one of the main attractions and the thing I most wanted to see. First of all we (me and another girl I met on the bus) got off at Akechidaira, so that we could get the cable car to the paid viewing platform, but the person at the desk pointed out the TV screen,