New, nice

Well, here we are! The best house move I've ever done. Less than 24 hours to do it all!

We moved from an older apartment in Otemachi to a newer apartment in Takeyacho (both in Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Japan), only about 2 km apart. The new apartment is newer and much nicer, has an extra room, is on 3rd floor with not quite as good a view, but still a nice open feel.

Our new place has few extra mod cons like: video intercom for visitors, set the timer for the bath to be ready at a certain temperature (eg. 43 degrees C), at a certain time after work. Air con, wireless internet, and everything else you need. And I can't forget the special, Japanese-style toilet... no more cold toilet seats, and, well, it's got plenty of buttons and controls :-)

It's situated just back from Route 2, the main highway down the south-east coast of Japan which connects Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka--quite busy! (and a tad noisy). But, apartment faces south, which gives nice sunshine from about noon to 4 or 5pm. Good for washing.

It only took 1 hour and 15 min for removalists to take everything out of the old apartment! (and about the same time to move into new apartment). So, after waking up this morning in an old apartment, to now, in the new apartment with most things in their place (and doing 5 hours work this afternoon as well), I'm very happy! That's what moving a house in Japan is like :-)

...and, this is the first time I've ridden my bike during house move. The last time was by plane (from Australia to Japan). Before that, by car (Melbourne to Toowoomba). Our apartment is in the order of seconds bike ride from work (about 2 min walk). I'll have to time it one day.

Keep your posessions limited, don't hoard things, throw out what you haven't used in the past 12 months, and your life will be simpler!

I thank God for this apartment. We prayed for a nice place, a place we can invite people over to, a place where we can live for God. Thanks to our LORD God!