Published on
July 26, 2008 in
blog.
Published on
July 25, 2008 in
blog.
Last weekend was a long weekend here thanks to umi-no-hi (海の日）Marine Day. To mark the occasion the umi-no-ie (海の家） beach shops opened at the local city beach, Komatsu. There was also a festival and fireworks show in the port town of Komatsushima. It also marked the start of school summer holidays. Yeah!
Yoko’s brother, Norikazu came down to visit and introduce us to his future wife, Yukari. Together we went to Sanagochi and cooled off downstream of a small waterfall. A local farmer enjoying a barbecue with his family was surprised to see us there. They were very friendly, kind people. They gave us delicious, juicy tomatoes grown personally by them.
After Sanagochi we went out for lunch to one of our favourite restaurants, Miyoshino. It’s an organic buffet kind of restaurant. It has delicious Japanese and western dishes you self-serve onto stylish wooden plates. Photos showcasing Tokushima’s nature adorn the walls in the tasteful timber interior . The play in the mountains had developed our appetites sufficiently to enjoy the expansive selection.
Following on from the restaurant we did a quick shop at a supermarket then went to Komatsu Beach where bar-owner Ingrid had organized for people to gather for the afternoon. Yukari and Norikazu took the boys off our hands, whisking Reni off for a swim before he had time to think or complain then later taking fearless Syd off for a splash. (Uncle) Norikazu and Yukari make a great couple. We look forward to seeing them again soon at their wedding!
Published on
July 15, 2008 in
blog.
It’s great to spend the weekend with Yoko and the boys. No doubt about that. But sometimes just after lunch, Reni & Syd can become pretty annoying; the reason being they become tired and irritable. Usually at daycare they have a nap after lunch but at home they are reluctant to do so.
Last Saturday they were becoming very hard to handle. We tried to coax them to bed with some books but it was no use. They just wouldn’t co-operate. So I decided we should take them for a drive out into the mountains with the hope that they would sleep in the car on the way.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the boys were fast asleep. Along the way we picked up a friend of mine, Trevor, who is also married to a local girl. After half an hour or so we arrived at our destination, Hata Go-Taki, or the five waterfalls of Hata if you like.
There was a noticeable difference in air temperature when we got out of the car. It had been steaming hot outside when we left. In the mountains the running water and forest made the heat here far more bearable. After loading Syd into our back carrier we set off into the forest and to the falls.
The hike was rocky and steep at times but Reni powered through it. Syd was an excellent passenger on my back too. When we came to the first fall we decided that would be far enough. There was a small pool we could splash in and plenty of stones for the boys to plonk into the water.
The water was quite cool but not unbearably so. Syd just waded a little but we tried to keep him reasonably dry as he had a cold. Reni ventured into the water though and he even built up the courage to climb up the small rocky fall with me! While we relished the cool, shady retreat we also enjoyed some juicy, sweet watermelon I’d purchased earlier in the day.
The boys got their nap and we got to cool off too. It was a pretty ideal way to spend the steamy hot day.
Published on
July 8, 2008 in
blog.
Summer is here and the festivals and fireworks have begun. Last weekend the daycare centre Reni & Syd attend held their summer festival.
The weather was looking ominous early in the afternoon with light rain falling. Gradually though it turned good and the festival was able to be held.
The daycare centre yard was decorated with colourful bamboo branches. Attached to the branches were origami and papers with wishes for the children written on them. This custom is part of the ‘Tanabata‘ festival.
We arrived early as I had to assist as a parking attendant. At one point it looked as though we were going to lose control as too many cars arrived at once. Eventually though we managed to squeeze all the cars into the parking area.
After I’d done my part, it was Yoko’s turn. She worked at one of the numerous food stalls, hers selling onigiri rice balls. While she did that I looked after the boys and had dinner with them.
Reni also contributed to the festival. His class performed 2 songs for the event. Reni participated quite well though he did seem a little shy when he noticed us watching.
Syd’s still a little too young to be singing so he just cruised. Besides enjoying his food (as usual) he also entertained himself in the mud.
To conclude the festival there was a small fireworks show. The children really enjoyed it, particularly when parchutes came flying down and they all tried to catch them.
Last Monday night there was a fireworks show at the port town of Komatsushima to conclude a local festival. Unfortunately my mate, Latch and his family could not come this year but we enjoyed the show from a vantage point by the harbour we’d previously used with them.
We dressed the boys in jinbei, matching pants and shirt resembling pyjamas but worn at festivals. Many young women were dressed in yukatas summer kimonos, also popular festival attire. While we enjoyed our readymade bento meals fireworks whizzed and banged over the harbour, a kaleidascope of colours exploding in the sky and reflected in the water.
Everything went quite smoothly until Reni took a tumble as we were going back to the car. His Thomas the Tank Engine mask is interesting but it’s not very safe to wear while walking at night. Hate to say it, but we told him so!
