Just got back from Iritahama beach in Shimoda, on the Izu peninsula, about 3 hours southwest of Tokyo by train. We were there with a half dozen other families from the British School (but without Terry, who, sadly, is away on a business trip). We all stayed in the Azul beachside hotel, a very short distance away from the shore.
On Saturday a few of the Japanese moms organized a
suica wari, or watermelon smash: kids take turns trying to split the fruit open with a big stick, then everybody eats the watermelon afterward. The kids were blindfolded and spun around three times, and had to walk a few yards to their target while everybody shouted orders (
take another giant step forward! turn to your left! no, your other left!). Only one child made contact. (Su, one of the moms, had to finish it off.) It was almost as frustrating as watching a bunch of kids try to whack open a pinata at a birthday party (and those ribbons are such a cheat!). It was good watermelon though.
Clare, holding the stick, helped get everybody organized.
Conor's turn! Spectators from left to right: Jinu, Yuto, Kiho, Kiho's dad, Dylan and Maya.
There was more watermelon on Sunday. Tomoya, 2, ate three slices.
That's his brother Yuto and their mother Aki in the white bonnet..
On Sunday morning, Caitlin (with tube, left) and Conor (green tube) were eager to get back out on the water.... 
Dylan and Caitlin's brother Charlie (with boogie board) were in no hurry to join them.
Later in the afternoon....Dylan popped up inside Conor's tube. It was fun for a moment, but they were soon squabbling. Caitlin (far left) stayed out of it...
The Azul hotel provided us with parasols and loungers.
Surfer boy plots his next move... (our hotel is the large white two-story building directly behind the white house with pitched roof).
riding one in
On Saturday night the grownups gathered around the two picnic tables to drink beer and wine and eat paella, grilled lamb and octopus prepared by one of the Dads...
...while the kids watched each other play Pokemon Diamond on the Nintendo DS
