Cherry-blossom Season in Kobe

From our Nagano in early spring to Kobe I went out to the reunion of our old mountain club. Walking along Ashiya River at the foot of Mt. Rokko, row of cherry trees was in full bloom.

Butterbur Sprout

We have gentle and warm rain this morning. Walking in our garden I found light green butterbur sprout, through which we surely feel spring has come. We are also able to eat the sprouts making Tempura and they fit beer very well. I am looking forward to have them with cold beer.

Spring Atmosphere at Lake Suwa

On a sunny morning I visited Lake Suwa with my wife, where snow is disappeared and early spring breeze blows along the shore. We saw young high school students rowing a boat there with good shout spirited.

Our forest covered with deep snow

Japanese archipelago has been covered in winter low pressure since the beginning of this week. Our forest has been covered with thick snow. Seasons seem to come and go in winter and spring.

Adonis, the flower of early spring

We hear the news of flowering with the beginning of March. I went to a hill near Lake Suwa, where snow has just melted. I saw yellow flowers of Adonis blooming at the south slope of the hill although cold wind was blowing..

Early Spring

February has finished and we have a warm morning. I remember the sentences from Walden of H. D. Thoreau.

One attraction in coming to the woods to live was that I should have leisure and opportunity to see the spring come in. … Fogs and rains and warmer suns are gradually melting the snow; the days have grown sensibly longer; I see how I shall get through the winter without adding to my wood-pile, for large fires are no longer necessary.

Peaks of rock and ice

The snow storm of weekend ceased and we have a fine morning. The peaks of rock and ace of Yatsugatake are seen clearly from the foot.