So the first leg of the joint residency between Edinburgh and Okayama UNESCO Cities of Literature is underway, and our two Japanese author friends, Eight Tenkawa and Heisuke Kitazawa, have joined Morag Hood and myself in Edinburgh. So far we’ve made them eat haggis and drink Irn Bru, so we’re covering all the cultural bases. Next week the four of us head to Moniack Mhor in the Highlands for a week of writing time. It’s already been great getting to know them and I’m looking forward to spending time together up north. Here we are ‘enjoying’ a typical rainy day in Edinburgh. Kanpai!