Kyoto in the Spring

I've been wanting to go to Kyoto ever since we arrived in Hong Kong and now that Billy and Archie are old enough (and just about civilised enough) to go for a cultural City break rather than a beach break we thought it was high time they met up with their Japanese cousins.
We were hoping to time our trip to coincide with the cherry blossom. We've both been pretty busy so it was a mad scramble to find a hotel as they all get booked up months in advance at this time of year, thank goodness for Mark's brother, Tony, who sorted us out and put together an itinerary that would combine the main temples and shrines and some places for interest for the boys where they could let off steam. Their imagination was really taken by Nijo castle (the residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, built in 1603) where the coridors squeak when you walk on them - the floorboards were laid in this way to warn of intruders - called the Nightingale floor. We visited some really beautiful shrines, temples and gardens; Heian Shrine was absolutely stunning and very peaceful, as was the Golden Pavilion. Archie's highlight though by far, was the power ranger show at the Eigamura studios. He was first to the stage when they called for volunteers. Not being able to understand a word that was said did not dent his enthusiasm and he capered around waving his arms and kicking much to the enjoyment of the audience.
Unfortunately we were a little early for the blossom; we saw plum blossom in abundance but no cherry. Nonetheless but we had a fabulous time and owe a huge huge debt of gratitude to Tony, Yoshiko, Maria, Cain and Hannah, who entertained and amused Billy and Archie and ferried us around to so many wonderful places. Billy announced that he wants to live in Japan, doubtless the combination of Sushi and Shinkansen, so am hoping that we'll get back there next year if I can persuade Archie to eat ramen and Mark to go skiing in Niseko...
J