A break from the usual


28th May 2011


I had the chance to travel to Toyama prefecture by the Sea of Japan earlier this month. They get lots of snow up there. And they grow tulips. In spring, they have a tulip festival.

























I had my doubts but I was assured that this is a tulip.















The children I saw at the fair seemed to enjoy the tulips immensely. They're bright, after all, and bloom at child height. But this little boy seemed more interested in the gravel - a Zen garden type, perhaps.

Last lot for the year


14th May 2011


I promised a friend that I'd post pictures of the sakura by the river once it bloomed. It's a little late but here they are.

















































































There was a young man holding a guitar and a pencil. He seemed to be writing a song.