blueskydragonfly

But it was a 7.1 earthquake and what could be more exciting than that, I ask you? Not so much at the time mind, as the apartment building shook so much as did everything in it was really freaky; they do say in situations like this it’s best to be on the top floor of the building – we were,  but I don’t really wish to prove that or any other theory quite just yet! Glad we weren’t outside at the time, that would have felt really weird!

It was just before eight(pm)  and we were waiting for Sono and Maka to arrive (friends of Tim, magazine stylist and hairdresser respectively); they’re both hoping to come to NZ in December. Beautiful young women and independent to boot with lots of good ideas about places for me to visit that I’ve not yet discovered.

Earlier in the afternoon we wandered through Hiro-o, Tim’s neighbourhood to catch the underground to Hibya Park, where we found a coolish spot under the trees to catch our breath. Imagine this, vibrant green grass surrounded by wonderfully sculptured trees with a backdrop of skyscrapers, dragonflies and cicadas humming, jazz playing in the outdoor auditorium, the pat,pat, pat of tennis balls hitting the tarmac, yes many were brave enough to challenge the heat and each other in a game of tennis! Tim read while I wandered with the camera, catching my breath at the plantings of sunflowers,  smiling at the teddy bears sitting in Yebisu Beer glasses at the nearby beerhouse and amazed at the electric colours of summer! I have discovered a new tree to look out for; Lagerstroemia – with its papery soft pink blossoms and bright  yellow stamens, so delicate but the colours seem to travel for miles…

Back on the train again to Ebisu Garden Place for refreshments before the wander home up the hill to await an earthquake. What more could one ask for of a holiday?

you read a book that made you feel really good?’ said the cover of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society（by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows). Bought it to read on the plane and just HAD to finish it even though I wanted it to NEVER end! Wakefulness encouraged me to sneak it under the bedcover and devour it page by page. Now I wish I’d saved a little for later! Highly recommended!!

So good to be here with my boy! And even better that he’s on Uni holidays! Lots of time to just be.

All quiet on the customs front and half an hour wait for the Narita Express to Shinegawa, quick change to Yamanote Line to Ebisu and there he was at the West Exit. Once outside, darkness prevailed (no long dusk here as there is at home); the blue and white stripes swathed across the sky earlier are long gone (and as yet haven’t returned!)

Forgetting how balmy the days were in July,  nothing could have prepared me for the humidity of August, coming from the coldest NZ winter on record. Moisturiser slides downwards and my face  lies on the floor mocking – you’re surely not going to need that here in this weather! Cold water (and gallons of it) is essential and I’m forever thankful for the quiet hum of the aircon.

Day One: Late morning  we walk to Hiroo,  through  the park (obeying all signs to beware the crows in the sky – one of those will surely deserve a pictorial record!) to Azabu Juban, one of my favourite haunts, the home of ‘Blue and White Japan’, which has changed in style a little with mainly fabric-based products these days. Some good ideas to make a mental note of though. On the train and back to Shinjuku. Off to BIC Camera to check out macro lenses but home to do some more on-line research before commitment. Coffee and a read in Tully’s while Tim makes a stop at the hospital to visit a close friend. Love the way no-one approaches suggesting I buy another coffee (as they would have done at home). Back to Ebisu for a cooling udon soup late lunch and more talk time catching up on the events of the past six weeks.

Sunday morning: Incessant humming of cicadas fills the air. Up close and personal they sound like little electric saws practising to be grown-up ones, sight unseen until this morning when my early morning neighbourhood walk saw one fly over my head and alight on the road. Picture coming later, she’s a beautiful creature and not so small here either! Soft mint green outlines a myriad of browny shades on her body and she mimics a statue so that I can capture her colours. Time to move now, though, my  beauty, or you’ll become something less significant if approaching cars ignore your presence as they surely will.

Neighbourhood homes are a mix of old and new, taste and well, something other than that! The elegant sleek lines are to be admired although I still prefer the character of the older style homes. Needs must with gardens and despite the high density housing where there’s a will there’s a way! The new art museum which has arisen in the carpark right next door to Tim’s apartment opens this week so my visit is well timed. No view now, but there’s careful planting which will enhance the building eventually!

Time for breakfast – cold juice and breakfast calls! Despite the price, $5.50 for a few plums and $18 for a rock melon, in this weather I WILL eat fruit today!