Fireworks!
Last night, after a four year hiatus due to Covid 19, Mito’s summer festive season kicked off with the welcome return of the Lake Senba fireworks display. 5,000 fireworks lit up the city skyline during a 60 minute display. The weather was hot and clear as it has been for some weeks. We watched from our balcony avoiding the crowds who thronged lake side viewing spots or paid to sit at tables and chairs set up for the occasion. Thank you. It was great!
And next weekend we have the Komon Parade to look forward to.
第56回茨城県ダンススポーツ競技大会
A few weeks ago I was walking near the Lily Arena in Aoyagi Park to the west of Mito city centre. Quite by chance, and having heard music through the open doors of the sports hall, I went in to see what was going on. It was the 56th Ibaraki Dance Sports contest. I stayed for about four hours admiring the grace and skill of the couples, their colorful costumes and enthusiasm. I took a lot of photos but as I wasn’t an official photographer and don’t have explicit permission to publish images I must protect the identity of the dancers. If anyone objects to appearing in this way, or would like to contact me about getting copies please use the link in the footer below.
I hope to attend the association’s next event in Migawa on September 17th.
Update: Yesterday’s event in Migawa was cancelled or postponed or something. Anyway there were no dancers when I turned up at 9.30. What a shame.
A blistering day.
The sun sets in our part of the world. It felt like a summer’s day, as if the rainy season was already over. I hope it isn’t. It has barely begun and the rice harvest depends on it.
Pumps and fountains
More fun with the Spectre app on the edge of Lake Senba. Mito is set for 34C today. I got my walk in early.
Japanese Rat snake
They live for an average of 15 years, can grow to 180cms, hunt small rodents and, given the opportunity will take bird’s eggs. They may bite if threatened but are not poisonous. I met one on a recent walk and was struck by the beauty of its coloring and the ease with which it swam to the other side of the River Sakasa.
Swallows sipping
Fast and erratic in their flight, Swallows only seem to slow down to take the briefest of drinks.
Credit: Music by Daddy_s_Music from Pixabay
The River Sakura
Join me on a walk along the River Sakura on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Bent to accommodate, turtle on a rock, tape shedding, snake-like, The Screams graffiti, Bye-STOP!
Renewal
The whiteboard readied for a new school year.
DIY refurbishment of a white board with sticky-back plastic film.
Amazon sells a sheet of thick white film with an adhesive back which is perfect for reviving flagging white boards. I recently fixed the one in our Kasahara classroom. It really has transformed what was a fairly tatty display into a gleaming surface which is easy to write on and so much easier to clean. Money well spent!
Bedraggled.
I walked around Lake Senba in the drizzle on Sunday. Even in those damp and uninviting conditions the blossom maintained its beauty.