Around the mountains late on Monday afternoon
Posted 25 Aug 2010 - 16:17 by Mark Gardner
Following a busy and very sleep deprived Ojiya Matsuri weekend I afforded myself a lay in, sadly a little too long and missed the 12.30 bus to the mountains, as such I didn't head up until 4pm, thankfully by then the sun was starting to deep and the temperatures a little cooler.
I got the 'love' bus to drop me at Marusada so I could grab a shot of one of my favourite Mushigame views, as I leave Ojiya for the UK tomorrow next time I see it it will look somewhat different as the rice will likely have been harvested by the time I return.
Stopped and had a chat with Mr and Mrs Sakazume as I passed their Koi houses, outside the construction of a new small Koi house is underway, I understand that it will be used for oyagoi and/or spawning, this area is that which was used for spawning earlier in the year - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/809.
If you are suffering from blanketweed then you are not alone. At a small roadside mud pond opposite Sakazume a breeder who I don't know was busy scooping net fulls out. On the opposite side of the road, shortly past Sakazume's Koi houses there is this small pond belonging to Torazo, it's the pond that the Tancho were released to last year in this thread - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/368 - I'm not sure what's in it this year. As you can see it's also full of blanketweed.
I've written many times about the weather we've been having, hot temperatures and very little rain to speak of, in fact almost zero since I've been back in reality. As you can see, the water level in this pond is somewhat below being full.
Now off to start organising my packing.
Mark.... I can almost feel the heat and smell the air from your pictures and description. !
It would indeed be a dream for me to be there to witness it all for myself.
You must feel privileged to travel through this beautiful country........ but you do a grand job of relating it back to those of us who may never be there.
Sandy.
Sandy
Thank you for your comments, much appreciated.
At 4.39pm my shinkansen pulled away from Nagaoka station, from my window seat on the left hand side of the train I passed the fry ponds of Shintaro and Marusho, the ones in the video last week - Video of Marusho tosai sembetsu, the mountains further back behind them.
Now just 4 hours later I'm sat in a hotel room at Narita airport, the mountains seem a distant memory although they are ingrained in my mind.
I won't be back for 5 weeks, in fact I anticipate exactly 5 weeks today I'll be back, when I am it will be the start of the most exciting time of the year - harvest time!
Mark
With our nights now closing in Mark...... it will be a real treat to get your reports and videos, over the harvest period !
Hope you enjoy your little break........ but don't waste too much time over here lol.
Sandy.