昨夜の雨は朝までに止んで、今日は一日中曇りでうっとおしい天気。最近は一日おきくらいに雨が降るので、まるで梅雨が始まるかのようです。近所の花壇ではこの時期の花、シランが咲いていました。
It rained again all night and, although it had stopped by this morning, it was overcast all day today. It seems to rain almost every other day now, as if the rainy season is about to start. In the flower bed of my neighbour, the seasonal Bletilla orchids were in full bloom.
At first glance, they look like purple and white flowers.
白っぽいのだけ見ると、うっすらピンクの花です。
Taking a closer look, the white flowers are in pale pink - quite pretty flowers.
気を取り直してちゃんとタイガに挨拶。
その近くで、初めて会うトイプードルの子が近づいてきました。モコちゃん、２歳だそうです。最初は積極的だったのに、一旦タイガが近づき始めると急に引っ込み思案の態度。
There came a new face, a 2-years old Toy Poodle, named Moco. At first, she was quite excited to see Taiga, but the moment Taiga approached her, her courage began to fail.
She recovered herself and greeted Taiga.
今日のタイガは小竹向原駅につづく遊歩道を歩きたいらしく、その方角へ私を誘導します。環七に向かう途中の家の前で、ネコがタイガを凝視していました。ここはよく通る道ですが、このあたりに住み着いているネコらしく、ほぼ毎回見かけます。この家ではご飯と水をもらえるのでしょう。
タイガもお返し。
Taiga returned the courtesy.
This afternoon, Taiga wanted to walk the pedestrian path that leads to the Kotake Mukaihara Station. On our way to the Ring Road No. 7 crossing, a cat was staring at Taiga in front of a house. We often pass this house when heading for the crossing, and he is almost always seen in this area. I think he gets food and water at this house.
環七を渡って、小竹向原駅を目指します。どんよりした雲が頭上にあり、ときどき雨粒を顔に感じます。
タイガが通り過ぎるのを見慣れているのか、平静を保っています。
He is used to seeing Taiga and remains calm at the sight of her.
After crossing the Ring Road No. 7, we walked towards the underground station. There was a rain cloud above us, and I could feel a few drops on my face.
でも、赤葉のモミジの木があると、そこだけパッと明るく感じます。
In spite of the depressing weather, a red maple tree made the spot cheerful.
この植樹帯には数本のユリノキが植わっていて、まだ開花中でした。
In the tree plant zone, they have several tulip trees growing, and the flowers were still there.
今日は枝を揺らす風がないので何とか花を撮れました。
さらに歩いていると、植樹帯に満開のヤマボウシの大木がありました。
Further down the road, a large Japanese dogwood tree was in full bloom.
ハナミズキよりも一月ほど遅れて咲くのと、葉っぱも花と同時に出ているので、ハナミズキと混同しません。
With no wind swaying the branches today, I managed to get some photos.
通る人たちの中にはファンがいて、エサをもらって丸々太っています（手術済み）。エサをやった後もそばで立ちすくんでいる様子から、癒しをもらっているようです。
下鉄有楽町線、小竹向原駅の自転車置き場も新緑の季節です。
The Kotake Mukaihara Station is the turning point of our walk. The bicycle parking area of the station is always full.
駅横の駐輪場だけでは足りないので、車道の向こう側、さっきまでの遊歩道とは反対側にも自転車用エリアが設けられています。その端には、まるで家具のようにいつも居る２匹のネコたち。
So, they have a spillover parking line along the pedestrian path, which is on the other side of the vehicle road, and this is the path we take to go home. Close by, these two cats are always seen, like fixtures.
The cats have steady fans who come to feed them every day (they are neutered). I have seen persons lingering after feeding them - I think they get healing effects from them.
今にも雨がパラパラ来そうなので、環七交差点を目指します。途中の集合住宅の前ではブラシの木が満開でした。
The sky was threatening, so we headed for the Ring Raod. On our way, I saw this amazing sight - a bottle brush tree in full bloom by the side of a block of flats.
The sky was threatening, so we headed for the Ring Raod. On our way, I saw this amazing sight - a bottle brush tree in full bloom by the side of a block of flats.
英語の呼び方は「ボトルブラシ」ですが、なるほどそっくりです。
The name 'bottle brush' is so apt.
Further down the road, a large Japanese dogwood tree was in full bloom.
It is easy to distinguish this tree from the dogwood tree introduced from the US. The Japanese dogwood tee blooms about one month late. Also, leaves are fully out when the tree starts flowering.
