Romeo's first birthday

Romeo Pathareedy-Bond celebrated his first birthday on Sunday June 17th with a party at his parents' new home in Enfield, North London.

As well as the proud parents, both sets of grandparents, and Romeo's two uncles, Shad and Ben were also there.

Romeo is also shown here with his three-year-old cousin, Izumi (Daughter of Mayumi's brother, Kenny, and Rumi) on the recent trip to Japan.

Trip to Japan

３年ぶりの来日は慌しくも楽しい２週間でした。
平野家の皆様には大変お世話になりお礼の申し上げ様も無い程です。お父さんにはバスまで準備して頂 き思い出に残る温泉旅行から大森小学校の運動会まで沢山お世話になりました。明子さんには日々の食事や洗濯の世話まで頂き、実家でくつろいでいる気分でし た。里奈ちゃん宅にお世話になったメリージェーン達も紫耀と莉久の世話をしながらとても楽しんだ様です。友紀ちゃんのフィアンセ（善一さん）まで皆さん一 緒になって私達を暖かく包んで下さいました。心より感謝しています。
Ben君の友達も皆、大学生や就職して社会人となりました。奥中先生も相変わらず会いに来て下さいました。尚臼井家の良也君、晴香ちゃん、奈っちゃん、お父さん、あけみちゃんいつも暖かく迎えて下さって有難う。これからもよろしくお願いします。
今回沢山の人達と再会することが出来ました。平野家の皆様を筆頭に臼井家、奥中先生、水野家、毎熊先生、私の友人達、クリスの友達とその家族 ................　とても充実した２週間でした。
皆様ほんとうにありがとうございました。次回を楽しみに貯金します。

Six members of the Bond family (Mayumi, Ben, Mary-Jane and her partner Rishi, Romeo and Chris) spent just over two weeks in Japan from May 19th to June 3rd. It was the first time Chris, Ben and M-J had been back to Japan in over 3 years, and it was the first visit for Rishi. We stayed most of the time in Nagoya (Moriyama-Ku, very near where we used to live), with a few days in Fukui visiting Mayumi's mother, Namiko, and brother, Kenny.
Thanks to the exceptional generosity of the Hirano family and other relatives and friends, a fantastic time was had by all.
Below, and in the eight 'previous' posts (all below this one), are a selection of the photos taken.

Ben's fomer teachers

Ben met up with two of his former teachers in Japan.
His primary school teacher, Mrs Okunaka, has become a good friend of the family, and we were fortunate to see a lot of her during this trip.
He also met his old Junior High School teacher, Mr Maikuma, who is an extremely entertaining character who helped Ben immensely. He is now in charge of Haruka Usui, the sister of one of Ben's former classmates - another family who helped us a lot in the past, and on this trip,too.

Sports Day

On the last full day of the trip, Saturday June 2nd, the whole family went along with the Hiranos to a Sports Day at the local primary school, Oomori Kita. The Hiranos' grandchildren, Show and Rikki, are at the school now, and it's the same school Ben and Mary-Jane attended. We met several people we knew, including one of Ben's former classmates, Shinya Mizuno with his mum, and the parents and younger brother of another former classmate, Natsumi Usui.

日本語の先生

Chris was particularly pleased to be able to meet up with his old Japanese teacher, Mr Ryuzo Matsushita and his wife, Yoshie. The group photo was taken in the classroom where he did a bit of studying a long time ago.

With the Jacksons

The whole family enjoyed a splendid lunch and several intriguing games of hide and seek with the Jackson family in Yagoto. The occasion also afforded Grandad chris a chance to take another photo with his son, de facto son-in-law, godson and grandson.

初ひい孫との対面

Mayumi's mother Namiko-san (who will be 80 this year) met her first great grandson for the first time in Fukui. She is shown here with Mayumi, Romeo, Mary-Jane and family friend Fumi Sakai.

Jim Goater

Meeting up with an old friend of the family, artist, musician, UN employee and self-confessed drunk-about-town, Jim Goater, was a great pleasure, as always.

Izumi and Romeo

Romeo with his three-year-old cousin, Izumi (Daughter of Mayumi's brother, Kenny, and Rumi).

Tai Chi 太極拳

Chris enjoyed meeting up with his Tai Chi teacher, Hashiba-sensei, and other members of the Tai Chi club he used to belong to.
楊名時太極拳の橋場静代先生と千早教室の皆様。

Trip to Japan

３年ぶりの来日は慌しくも楽しい２週間でした。
平野家の皆様には大変お世話になりお礼の申し上げ様も無い程です。お父さんにはバスまで準備して頂き思い出に残る温泉旅行から大森小学校の運動会まで沢山お世話になりました。明子さんには日々の食事や洗濯の世話まで頂き、実家でくつろいでいる気分でした。里奈ちゃん宅にお世話になったメリージェーン達も紫耀と莉久の世話をしながらとても楽しんだ様です。友紀ちゃんのフィアンセ（善一さん）まで皆さん一緒になって私達を暖かく包んで下さいました。心より感謝しています。
Ben君の友達も皆、大学生や就職して社会人となりました。奥中先生も相変わらず会いに来て下さいました。尚臼井家の良也君、晴香ちゃん、奈っちゃん、お父さん、あけみちゃんいつも暖かく迎えて下さって有難う。これからもよろしくお願いします。
今回沢山の人達と再会することが出来ました。平野家の皆様を筆頭に臼井家、奥中先生、水野家、毎熊先生、私の友人達、クリスの友達とその家族 ................　とても充実した２週間でした。
皆様ほんとうにありがとうございました。次回を楽しみに貯金します。

Six members of the Bond family (Mayumi, Ben, Mary-Jane and her partner Rishi, Romeo and Chris) spent just over two weeks in Japan from May 19th to June 3rd. It was the first time Chris, Ben and M-J had been back to Japan in over 3 years, and it was the first visit for Rishi. We stayed most of the time in Nagoya (Moriyama-Ku, very near where we used to live), with a few days in Fukui visiting Mayumi's mother, Namiko, and brother, Kenny.
Thanks to the exceptional generosity of the Hirano family and other relatives and friends, a fantastic time was had by all.
Below, and in the eight succeeding posts (all above this one), are a selection of the photos taken.