Just getting in before Soubs. It's cold and dark but the rain has stopped. Not real morning greetings as I'm off to bed now!

Morning me jane. Patchy today with light showers. The wind has veered from S to W

Morning. It was sunny an hour ago but is a bit greyer now.

Looking like winter in Tokushima. -mainly sunny, with occasional squalls... even a little sleet in the air at one point. Must be dumping somewhere.

Angry. No1 son isn't coming this season because of his fear of his mother's anger. She needs to control, and the thought of him freely coming to Japan makes her angry. He's going to spend the summer (winter) in Perth instead. That way she can take out her anger on my child.

How old are they both now?

13 and 10. Grrr

Morning. I'm awake and sober and deeply troubled.

It's nearly 4, quiet, still and overcast. A black night.

My ex- rules my children with the rod of fear. This winter they won't be coming to Japan because I won't be ruled, by her, through them. They won't stand up to her because she's a master of the vehicle of hidden child abuse: her tongue.

I'm at my wits end to find a way to have a normal respectful relationship with my children.

Morning I feel for you there Soubs.
I am not sure what advice to give as a year without seeing your kids must be unbearable. Just hang in there, send lots of letters, Xmas presents, phone calls.

Hakkers a little warmer than yesterday 6c. Light rain but hopefully clearing up later.

Thanks stemik, and others. It is utterly pointless to try to negotiate because within 10 seconds it's a screaming match.

Sunny now with broken cloud.

Lots of rain last night.

Cold morning here and lots of rain as well.

Spiffing now. Cloud has virtually all gone and I can see Gassan. Snow!

Is visiting them a possibility? Something like renting a beach house for a summer holiday?

Cold, crisp and sunny here. Actually not that cold, window is open and I'm only wearing a tank top under my sexy lab-coat-uniform-type-thing.

It's a terrible dilemma. Standing by your principles when it causes you and your family emotional pain. There is no right answer here. At what point do I state to someone who is utterly repugnant to me "I won't let you rule my life any longer".

I won't be going to Australia, and they won't be coming here, until it is unaccompanied. It causes me sleepless nights, and sometimes the genie comes out of the bottle. Sorry.

Beautiful this morning. I've seen Gassan, and Chokai san for the first time in months.

Morning. Patchy high cloud. A great day to go to Bali.

Snowing moderately currently with snow settled on the ground in Kutchan. It's started!

Bit hazy but sunny here.

I see Kagura has a sprinkling right up top.

Evening. Hot and humid. No sign of snow.

None here either. It started raining heavy yesterday afternoon and it is still raining this morning.