Monday, May 11, 2009

Golden Week 2009

Well, this year it was decided that we would stick around town rather than brave the traffic congestion and try to save some coin!

At this time of year you'll always see 'koi no bori', colourful carp banners, as they are hoisted to celebrate Children's Day on the 5th of May.

It was a good chance to work on our small seasonal garden. In years past we've attempted to grow lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, egg plants, and green peppers. This year however, the strawberries are in and just beginning to ripen.

We're not the only ones planting things! The local farmers have all been busy getting their paddies flooded and rice planted.

Not much in the way of surf to start the holidays so Taro Taniuchi of Grace Surfboards offered me the use of his Stand Up Paddle board. I had never tried this before and it showed, but I had a hell of a great time trying to master it and ride a few waves. Standing over the water gives a whole new perspective and great view of the fish below! Aching legs the next 2 days though as it used muscles that haven't been used in a long time to keep balance.

Friends of ours recently built a new house on the banks of the Kamogawa River. Their friends from Tokyo were visiting and we all got together and BBQed 2 days back-to-back!
Awesome house and location. It really makes me envious with my current housing situation and lack of space...just need to win the lottery!

Drove to CostCo in Makuhari, a large warehouse style American supermarket chain, and stocked up on some essentials. got home and cooked some burgers for dinner. They made for some mean KAI!

A "mid-life crisis"??? Not sure but bought this retro(ish) style surfboard off friends of mine for next to nothing. It goes really well and is super fun in small waves. Aiko has taken to it like a fish to water and finds it easy to catch waves and turn. managed to get a snap of her out front at Seaside.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Love the strawberries - green fingers at work