Sunrise

Just took these pictures of the sun rising behind Mt. Iwaki.

From the front door -- 

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Shudo Elementary 

The sky lightens over the bay 

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Winter Wonderland

Woke up rather late on Sunday to find the world in a complete state of whiteness. Could barely see the village from the hill, literally it was like stepping out of the house into a cloud. So I took a couple of minutes to appreciate the fairy-tale beauty of it (before starting on the inevitable digging!!)

View from the genkan. 

Somewhere in there is a path, a road, and a flight of steps...!! 

Looking up the hill 

Fujimiko and Iwaki-san

In an attempt to engage with the winter in a way that doesn't risk breaking multiple limbs, went for a 3-hour sanpo starting from Fujimi(ko) lake in Tsuruta, following one of the "farm roads" (農道） up towards Mt Iwaki through the apple orchards. There's not been heavy snow for three or four days now so the road was fairly clear, but the fields were probably thigh-deep and the views were great. The sun was trying to come out and the snow was falling just a little so it was perfect weather for wandering about really, and Iwaki was almost completely cloud-free by the time we made it to the top of the hill - best views I've seen of the mountain so far this winter, although really hard to get pictures of because the peak is the same colour as the sky behind, so you'll just have to take my word for it!

Trees! In perfectly straight lines!  

鶴の舞い橋 (Bridge of the Dancing Swans) at Fujimiko

Restaurant (cunningly disguised as traditional Japanese building) - closed, of course.

Shrine on the hill... wanted to go up there but couldn't wade through the snow!

Iwaki behind orchards 

Iwaki under a particularly wintry sky 

Happy New Year!!!