Winter blues

Change is in the air. In fact, thousands of little white bugs are in the air too. Winter must be just round the corner. Every year at this time, the tiny 'yuki mushi' (snow fly) begins to make its appearance. Sometimes there are just a few, and other times you can end up walking through a cloud of them and you get completely covered. They are tiny, white, fluffy bugs and they herald the onset of winter. The first snow is already forecast for next week (a little bit too early!) Actually it won't really start until into November. Lots of preparations are made. Trees get their 'winter clothes' on to protect them from the heavy snow; car tyres are changed; snow-clearing implements are taken out of storage ready for use. In this football-mad house, this weekend has been the time for clearing away the outside goals before the pitches have their blanket of snow. It is time to move to indoor futsal for a while. Many changes, but life goes on - it's just that the pace of life becomes a little slower. Winter here we come!