過去2日間の雨嵐のあと、数日ぶりに城北公園へ朝散歩で向かいました。城北中央公園手前の、桜の木が最も密集している草地では、花がまだ残っていただけでなく今日が今シーズンのピークのようでした。ここに来る途中の石神井川沿いの桜は、ほぼ終わっていたので嬉しいサプライズでした。しかも、人でごった返していた先週の日曜日とは打って変わって、今朝の草地は閑散としていました。
After the rains and strong winds over the last 2 days, we went to Johoku Park this morning. In the field where there are most cherry trees, the place we visited last Sunday, the trees still had flowers. Moreover, today seemed to be the peak of blooming for this season. It was a pleasant surprise, since the cherry trees along the Shakujii River, leading to this field, had lost most of the flowers. Also, in contrast to the sea of visitors last Sunday, the field was nearly empty this morning, it being a Friday.
タイムワープしたような出で立ちの幼い姉と弟が桜の小径を楽しそうに行き来していて、遠くいから母親らしき人が二人の様子を撮影していました。人の目をあまり気にせず録画できたと思います。
I saw a girl of about 10 years and her little brother, each in an attire reminiscent of the American Old West. They seemed to be enjoying themselves as they repeatedly went forwards and backwards through the path between the cherry trees. Their mother was filming them from a distance. Fortunately, there were few people around, so I hope they felt uninhibited in doing what they were doing.
タイガと私は撮影の邪魔にならないよう、なるべく脇を歩きました。
Taiga and I picked our way so as not to disturb them.
Taiga will be 13 years old in early May this year. Wondering how many more times we could walk through this path in a cherry blossom season, I appreciated the blue sky and warm air of this morning.
橋を渡って中央公園に移動する前に、今きた草地を振り返った景色。
Before crossing the river to move to the Johoku Central Park, I looked back the field we had just been walking through.
橋の手前の桜の木。
橋の手前の桜の木。
The old cherry tree near the bridge.
公園から帰ると、近所の庭先の椿が散り始めていました。１本の木でいろいろな花が咲くので目立ちます。
橋を渡って中央公園入口の広場では、ケヤキの新緑が朝日を浴びて眩しかったです。桜が終わらないうちから主役の座を開け渡すよう催促されているような雰囲気。
In the field at the entrance of the Johoku Central Park, Japanese zelkova trees already had fresh leaves - they were sparkling in the morning sun. It was as if the trees with new green leaves were demanding the cherry trees to hand over the spotlight.
公園から帰ると、近所の庭先の椿が散り始めていました。１本の木でいろいろな花が咲くので目立ちます。
Back from the park, my neighbour's camellia tree was in its final stage of flowering. This one tree produces flowers of varying shades.
大輪でハデハデ。まさに私の好みです。
Very large, showy flowers - my favourite among camellias.
