Spring is in the air.....

Last weekend when we were working on the drains we saw, heard and felt a feeling of spring in the air.

 

The very early sakura (cherry) blooming here just shows you how much warmer it is in Izu   compared to my home base in Yokohama.  

 

Typically before the sakura blooms you will see the plum blossoms or ume blooming all around Japan. Spring is almost here. Our neighbours have their very own tree showing off its beauty and below is a better close-up.

 

Just behind Obachan chi's we snapped these beautiful birds, uguisu (bush warbler), singing their unique tune on a tree nearby as we worked. Not bad working away in the thick mud and be reminded of nature and all its beauty. I guess this is the pull that keeps bringing us back to this little farmhouse.

Just outside Obachan's front door was this tiny shoot known as tsukushi (equisetum). It is definitely another sign that spring time is coming. It is also known commonly as the horsetail or mare's tail and is native  to cooler areas of the artic and northern hemisphere.You can actually eat this shoot by boiling it, but I am told it is quite bitter.
After digging away in the mud pretty much all day, it was definitely time to leave our spades and muddy boots and head for another onsen.