今日の練馬区の最高気温は23℃だったそうですが、湿度も高かったので午後３時半過ぎに散歩に出たときは汗をかきながら歩きました。今日は石神井川を城北公園とは逆の練馬方向に歩きました。川岸の桜の木はほぼ散ってしまっていますが、それでも雨の降らない日曜日ということもあって、遊歩道の人出は多かったです。
Today's maximum temperature in our Nerima Ward reached 23℃, and the humidity was also high (68% at 3 p.m.), which made me perspire as I walked. We walked in the opposite direction to Johoku Park, along the Shakujii River. The cherry trees had lost most of their blossoms but, it being a day free of rain and Sunday, there were a lot of people walking in the riverbank walkway.
On the side of the walkway, yellow flower oxalis and spring star flowers were in full bloom.
園芸種の黄花オギザリスにくわえ、野草のピンクのも咲いていました。
There was also wild oxalis with deep pink flowers.
そこへ、このあたりでよく会うワンコが来ました。朗らかなミックス犬の「豆助」君で、タイガと同じくらいの年齢です。
さらに、原種チューリップ。原種はうちでは１シーズンで終わったので難易度が高い印象ですが、こんなに咲いているのを見ると自然に増えたのでしょうか。
It was unusual to find a cluster of wild tulips. These wild ones are difficult to grow in a garden. All the wild tulips I have tried disappeared after just one season. To see these thriving, they must have multiplied in this place, since these beds are unattended.
A familiar face approached us - we often run into him when walking in this district. He was adopted as a rescued dog and is about Taiga's age with a sunny disposition.
黒柴の血も少し入っているようですが、毛質が人形の毛のように柔らかく、和犬のものではありません。
He seems to have a drop of Black Shiba Inu, but his single coat fur is too soft for a Japanese breed.
４月７日に狂犬病予防接種の会場となる高稲荷神社公園の隅っこに映えているノイバラの大株は、トゲ無しです。毎年沢山の花を咲かせて、木全体が真っ白になります。
We came to the park at the foot of a shrine, which will be used for rabies vaccine on 7th April. There is a mature plant of wild Japanese rose at the corner of the park. The tree gets covered with white blossoms in spring. Moreover, this tree is thornless - just like the one I bought recently.
もう蕾が出ています。先日JAで買ったうちのトゲ無しノイバラもいつか沢山の花を咲かせてくれるよう期待しています。
The tree already has flower buds. I would be thrilled if my young tree produces any flowers this year.
近くに座るところがあったので、休憩してタイガのおやつタイム。今日のは乾燥牛タンの皮です。
There was a resting place nearby, and we sat down for Taiga's treat.
高稲荷神社横の坂道を上って丘の上を歩くと禅寺があります。ここは正門の横にある脇の入口ですが、まるで茶屋の入口のような雰囲気です。
ここは寺の裏手で、職員などの居住用の建物のようです。
There was a resting place nearby, and we sat down for Taiga's treat.
We went up the slope by the side of the park and walked on the hill. This is a side gate next to the formal entrance of a Zen temple. I prefer this informal gate to the grand entrance, since this looks like a path leading to a tearoom.
This is a living quarter for the people working for the temple, situated at the back.
クマザサが密集して生えています。私は料理に利用するために鉢植えで２度、クマザサ栽培を試みましたが無理でした。このように、ある程度の群生を覚悟で地植えにしないと厳しいようです。
There was a mound covered with Kuma bamboo grass. This bamboo is notoriously difficult to grow in a garden - its natural habitat is deep in high mountains with full sun and strong winds. I have already failed twice in trying to grow this in a pot.
かなり歩いたので、川沿いの道に降りて帰ることにしました。
かなり歩いたので、川沿いの道に降りて帰ることにしました。
Having walked a lot, we came down to the riverbank to go home.
これはもしかしてロシアンオリーブ(グミ科)？ 他では見たことないですが、花の形がグミの花です。本当にユニークな香りです。
途中、民家の横を通ったら何とも不思議な良い香りがしました。
On our way home, we passed by a house where there was a tree with uniquely beautiful scent.
Can this be the Russian olive? I have never seen another tree like this. The flowers look just like those of Elaeagnus flowers.
