Tea Time!

English Garden Park

With a lady sitting so peacefully enjoying the sun on the flowers.

Sidmouth Beach

This beautiful Wiemaraner was at the same time absolutely terrified of the sea, totally frozen with fear, yet also the desire to obey and follow her master was equally strong.  Watching this dog battle it out was fascinating.  She would crawl along the stones, low and cowering, reluctantly following her beloved human into the depths she so clearly hated.  He would coax her further and further into the sea, let go and then watch her dart back to shore.  I hope she gets over this fear soon.  It really is something we all have to do from time to time - face our demons.

Stopover in Qatar

Thoroughly enjoyed this 7 hour stop, the airport itself was a stunning piece of architecture, enjoyed a cardamom coffee and some middle-eastern syrupy pastries, yum!  Found a lot of beauty in the details in the airport, this was from the toilet.  Islam inspired and opulent.

Break from City Heat

Went for a little breather in a park, sat by a lake and had a coffee, just love summer!

Tohoku University of Art and Design

Just love this building and the surrounding area, hope to take more photos soon, as am lucky enough to work there once a week this year.

Nice Spot for Yoga

Charity Class to raise a bit of money for the Tohoku Earthqauke fund.  Nothing like a long rest after practice.  Lovely morning.

Handsome Mushroom

Green Curtain

Interlopers in my Morning Glory.  It had been raining a lot, but these were a surprise!

Bamboo Photo Shoot

Needed pictures of me for a self-introduction, the director had given me a deadline!  I'm not so comfortable in front of the camera and didn't have any recent pictures.  This lead to a very pleasant sunny evening outing with cameras to a nearby park. Lots of fun.

Air was Humming

There were so many bees, it's the first time I've ever heard such a loud humming.  I looked up and there were swarms of bees all being busy in the flowers.  Much better than the sound of cars.  Mind you if I pretend cars are the sounds of distant waves....it's a bit better.

Rambling

Around some of the ponds and swamps on top of Mt. Zao, Yamagata

Stuck in Rice Fields.

Roads still sodden after all the rain, which did make everything beautifully green.  Film crew working very hard.

五円 For Luck

Tying five yen coins to the tassel of a shrine bell, used to call on the gods before praying.

Japanese Cuisine

Such attention to detail and a lot of work involved.  This is wheat protein with green beans, carrot and seaweed.  Tasted much better than it sounds, I promise.

Yamabushi - Mountain Ascetic

Went to be filmed having a Yamabushi training experience at Haguro-San (Black Feather Mountain).  It rained and rained and rained, which somehow made it all the more the better.  Was fun being part of a t.v. programme.

Tarik in Town

Always a pleasure.

Water - Power and Beauty

Morning View

I need more morning coffees like this one.  Silence with mountains.

Mountain Retreat

Being in the mountains, surrounded by nature, drinking spring water - nothing better for body and soul.

Photo Driving

I know it's bad to take photos while driving, but I emerged from a very long tunnel to this welcoming view of sun beams - a long drive and this was the end.

Photo Panel

Displayed this at my friends event, and made my day that someone wanted it!  Title - Wet Summer's Day in London. Ha ha ha!

Sushi - My style.

I'm not too fond of raw fish, but I do love going to Sushi restaurants.  Tuna-mayo roll, okra, mountain potato and egg.  So so good!

RokkonSai

Huge festival in Yamagata, drawing 300,000 people to this little city with a population of only 250,000.  The festival showcased the local summer festival dances of the six prefectures that make up the northern part of Japan.  Three of which were severely effected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.  The event was made to help cheer up and revive this part of Japan.  And cheer everyone up it well did!  It was wonderful on many levels, but for me just seeing so many people out and about in the streets looking happy and peaceful was the best.

Still Dreaming

Of living in an old Japanese house surrounded by nature.

Ant Design Lamp

My favourite one!

Industrial Simplicity

What a beautiful chimney stack.

The Dam

Full to the brim, in fine form, haven't cycled up here for a couple of years, was very pleased with myself.

Zao Dam

Man Made Falls

But still beautiful to cycle past.

Frozen Crater Lake

I was surprised Okama lake on Mt Zao was still frozen at this time of year.

Temple Garden

法来寺 -  Nothing beats a temple garden for tranquility.

Kannon-Sama Hanami

Night Blossom

Kajo Park

Night time cherry blossom viewing.