Although parsnips at Christmas were a boon, getting light and fluffy Yorkshire Puddings proved impossible. Regardless of a foolproof recipe, they just would not rise. I’m sure the problem is the オーブンレンジ (oven range). It just isn’t a fair contender. The microwave/oven combo isn’t able to get back up to temperate quick enough once the door is opened. Continue reading
Garden back in September
A new sense of direction and purpose is what the garden needs (in addition to heaps more compost). The weather was not overly kind last year. Once the summer vegetables finished, the plot was dug over and left. It was rather given up and sadly barren. Rather than try to grow the usual Japanese vegetables, it might prove fruitful to concentrate on fewer if more exotic veg. Perhaps a review of what went well and what was enjoyed. Go over what I set out to do last year. It all seems a bit cavalier. 
Parsnips for Christmas
Among the priority purchases whilst in England, were a couple of packs of parsnip seeds. Although it was way past the sowing season, a few seeds were sown. It seemed a vain attempt to spruce up the Christmas repast. All previous carrot growing attempts had met with limited success. Not so much fanging/forking or diseases but overly spindly roots. The half dozen eatable specimens came as an unexpected surprise.
I survived my first bōnenkai (forget the year party). Instead of being with co-workers, it was amongst with a mixed bag of fellow gym-goers. Over the course of the evening, to compliment the food and drink, there were several games with prizes. Refreshingly, despite being the only foreigner, I didn’t feel like one (or rather, made to feel like one). I guess everyone there was out to enjoy themselves. It was certainly one the most fun and entertaining events I’ve been to.
My shoulder is hurting again. It could be the arrival of cold weather. More than likely, it is because I should give it a rest. Since my slight stretching mishap, it hasn’t felt good. Certainly has felt weak. The knock-on effect being chesty lopsidedness.
Anyway, mentioning the ache to the owner, he immediately started to squeeze my upper arm. I thought he was going to crush it. Yet, a repeat of the action the other side only hurt. He said the muscle was hard and called his wife. Continue reading
Kasumigaike Pond
Across from the castle, Kenrokuen, for me was all the more appealing. Quite at odds to how I felt in Kyoto at Ryōan-ji; vivid colours (even under the bleak sky), countless trees and water features. Perhaps the sky made a good contrast for the gold and deep red leaves.
The park offers a good opportunity to see a technique called yukitsuri. Trees in need of protection the heavy snow, are supported with a conical array of rope. Some are given further help with bamboo struts. Continue reading
Hashizumemon
Kanazawa Castle seems a lot less like a castle without a keep; more so as it sits in such large grounds. After numerous fires and rebuilds, only a few structures remain. The brochure said they were restored recently using traditional construction methods. However, the inside of the watchtowers and interconnecting warehouse looked as if they fell victim to one of the popular “house reform” television programmes. Continue reading
Tony: Great article I'm going to Japan in August so I will still have a bit of time to get ready ...
SaigonNezumi: Just started reading your blog. Very interesting.
Strange that I ran into your shoulder injury posts. I started lifting ...
johngifu: I love parsnips but can`t seem to grow them as well as carrots. Having a lot of success at the ...
jake: I gave up growing parsnips.... they always had "woody" interiors. Good luck.
Carrots grow like weeds in my garden.... don't know ...
Rick: Hello Adekun!
I found your beautiful blog at the Blotanica community, first of all, have a great 2010 over there and ...