Sapporo Beer Factory Darts Tournament at Nasu

This weekend Heather, Myself and a few friends hit another darts tournament. This time it was at the Sapporo beer factory in Nasu. The beer factory is a really nice place, housing of course the beer factory and a large beer hall restaraunt that have visited before and of course an excellent place to hold a darts tournament. This time we fared a little better in the darts actually winning a few games and even a match in our low level division. Though we didn't make it to the 2nd round we had a great time and of course tossed back quite a few cold, very fresh Sapporo beers.

Golf at Bato GC

Tuesday Heather and I joined some friends and a group of 14 others in a monthly gathering for a round of golf at Bato GC in Nothern Tochigi prefecture. The weatherman had called for rain all day but we were lucky and played in cloudy, but rain free conditions. Afterwords we joined the group for the a little post play tabe/nomi hodai action at a local izakaya and then on to Graphics for some darts.

花見 Hanami 2009

I guess at this point we dont need to explain Hanami. By far our favorite Japan season/party. Sadly, it will probably our last, but it was a good one, with excellent weather, friends, drinking, and so on......
More of the days photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8953511@N05/sets/72157616552914543/

Sports weekend............

Last weekend we again caught some local sporting events by going to a Tochigi Brex basketball game Friday night and a Nikko Icebucks game on Sunday afternoon.
The Brex who are have now moved from the JBL2 to the top level JBL league won handily over Osaka Panasonic 91-73. This year they have 3 American players on the roster and probably what is Japans premier and only Japanese player to get drafted to NBA team Yuta Tabuse, who really had some excellent skills.
Sunday brought the last home game of the year for the Nikko Icebucks. Its been another long season for the Icebucks even with the addition of the Canadian players. However we weren't disappointed as we finally got to see them win a game, and win it quite handily at 5-3. Good to see them give their rabid fans a victory to finish out the year.
Whether you live in Utsunomiya or just visit on business you really should try to get out and see these teams play if they are in town, you would probably enjoy it.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Friday night we had a bit delayed Thanksgiving feast with a few of our friends. We threw down the usual Turkey, Potatoes n Gravy, Noodles, Stuffing, Green Bean Casarole, and other many goodies brought by our guests. Of course it was all washed down with plenty of cold beverages and a few rounds of darts until Saturday morning was well upon us. It was also our neighbors son Tora's 2nd birthday and we even managed a chorus of Happy Birthday for him. There are a few more pics in the Flickr folder.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8953511@N05/sets/72157610350759181/