今年、飛来してるコハクチョウの数

　鏑川の畔では、白鳥を守る会の人が「白鳥飛来記録」を１日数回確認し、記録されてます。この数字を見ても、例年に比較し、今年はかなり少ないことが分かります。右の写真は昨年、飛来したとき私が撮影したコハクチョウたちです。

  On shore of the Kabra River, member of the Swan Protection Society is checking the "swan arrival records" several times a day. Looking at these numbers, we can see that there are significantly fewer swans this year than previous years. The photo below was taken by me when small swans arrived last year.

心からリラックスできる「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」

　午前中、ガーデニングに勤しみ、午後は寒さが本格化したこともあり、先程、暫くぶりに「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」まで愛車でドライブし、広いお風呂で牛伏山を眺めつつ、ゆったり芯から温まって来ました。

　入浴で大切なことは「よく温まること」です。その理由は、温まることで血管が広がり、血液循環が良くなります。しかも、高崎市で経営のため、高崎市民で還暦を過ぎれば入浴料は２００円です。物価高の折、こんな安い風呂はなく、これを知っただけでも血圧が下がり、高崎市議の方には心より感謝です。

　今日の午前中はガーデニングに勤しみ、築山が大分高くなりました。来春より、ここでどんな花を咲かせようかと夢が広がります。人生とは必然的に高齢期に入ります。どの領域であって「夢のある日々」を過ごしましょう。

Dear my friends who like spar

　I spent by gardening in the morning , and as the real cold weather came in the afternoon, I drove to the Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center after a long interval. I relaxed in the spacious bathtub, looking at Mt. Ushibuse, and warmed myself up from the inside.

　The most important point about bathing in the spar is to warm ourselves thoroughly. This is because warming up our body dilates our blood vessels and improves blood circulation. What's more, because the bath is run by Takasaki City, so the admission is just 200 yen for Takasaki residents over the age of 60. Generally, prices so high currently, I can find bathing here is extremely cheap. Just knowing this price lowered my blood pressure as well, and I'm truly grateful to the Takasaki City Council member.

　I spent this morning gardening, and the artificial hill has grown quite high. I'm dreaming of what kind of flowers will bloom here next spring. Life inevitably leads to old age for everyone. No matter what our field, let's live "days filled with dreams."

天気は最高・・・観音丘陵一帯をウォーキング

【画像をダブルクリックし、ダイナミックな臨場感を味わってください。】　

　今日はあまりにも天気が良かったので、午前中、久しぶりに高崎観音様をお参りし、およそ１５年振りに胎内にも入り、最上階まで登って群馬の景色を堪能しました。

　高い位置から、白銀の谷川連峰が手に取るように見え、以前に谷川岳の頂上に登ったことが思い出され、カッキー・ラッキーでした。観音様から見ると、高崎市街地は素晴らしい街並みです。いつも頑張ってる"るんちゃん"の職場がよく見えました。

　それにしても、観音様一帯は自然が豊富で、特に裏の方は密林に覆われ、広いジャングルのようです。今日は山坂を約２時間歩き通しで、普段鍛えてる筈の私もさすがに参りました。久しぶりに良い景色と観音丘陵の自然に触れられ健康的に過ごせました。

Dear my friends, I recommend you to visit here.

　The weather was so fine and beautiful today that I spent in the morning visiting Takasaki Kannon Temple after a long interval. I also entered the statue's interior for the first time in about 15 years and climbed to the top floor to enjoy the splendid view of Takasaki-City and Gumma Prefecture.

　From this high vantage point, the snow-capped Mt. Tanigawa range seemed so close at hand, reminding me of my previous climb to the top of Mt. Tanigawa. I felt incredibly lucky. From the Kannon Temple, Takasaki cityscape is magnificent. I could also get a good view of Ms. Run-chan's workplace, where she always works hard.

　The area around the Kannon Temple is rich in nature beyond description, and the area behind it is particularly densely covered, resembling a vast jungle. I walked through the mountains and hills for about two hours. Even I trained hardly in daily routine, I was exhausted. It was a long time and healthy experience to taste the beautiful scenery around the Kannon Hills.

[Click on the photo to enlarge it for a more realistic look.]

好きな所へ、いつまでも自分の足で歩いて行きたい。

　昨夜は長女宅に招かれ、一緒に夕食を戴き、久しぶりに家族と共なる生活を味わいました。一杯飲んだのでそのまま宿泊し、今朝、まだ暗い４時半に埼玉県を出発し、倉賀野に５時半に着きました。早朝の暗い中を車で走ったのは数年振りです。早朝に帰宅したのは公園でのラジオ体操会に出席するためです。

　私は同年齢の人に比べれば、お陰様で比較的健康と思います。高齢期は概して脚力から弱ると考えられ、この対処法は適度な距離のウォーキングが相応しく、また、心臓に負荷をかけ過ぎることから走ることはしません。歩くために大切な脹脛を鍛えるには階段を見つけて登るように心掛けてます。

　普段、私は二階を居間にしてることから、推定、一日に２０回ほど階段の昇り降りをしているでしょう。一方、私が住む倉賀野は平らなため、あまり階段がないのですが、最も理想的な所は倉賀野駅北口の長く高い階段で、ここは私のいわばトレーニング場です。

　また、時には高崎観音への昔からの長い階段や、その南にある写真右下の吊り橋付近は空気がよく、景色も最高でウォーキングコースとしては理想的です。晩秋の今は紅葉も見頃で早速歩いてみます。出来れば観音山が好きな方と一緒に歩きたいです。右下の写真は拡大してご覧ください。響き橋です。

Dear my friends throughout the world

　Last night, I was invited to my eldest daughter's house, where we had dinner together, and I enjoyed spending time with my family again after a long interval. I had a drink, so I stayed overnight and left Saitama Prefecture at 4:30 this morning while it was still dark in this season, arrived in my Kuragano at 5:30. It's been several years since I drove in the dark early in the morning. The reason why I returned home early in the morning is to attend the radio gymnastics session at the Kami-4th park.

　Compared to friends the same as my age, I consider myself relatively healthy. It is generally believed that leg weakens in old age, so that the appropriate distance is indispensable to walking. I avoid running because it tends to put too much strain on the heart. To strengthen my calf muscles, which are important for walking, I try to find stairs and climb them.

　Normally, I use the second floor as my living room, so I probably go up and down the stairs about 20 times a day. On the other hand, Kuragano, where I live, is flat generally, so there aren't many stairs, but the most ideal place is the long, high staircase at the north exit of Kuragano-Station, which is, so to speak, my training ground.

　Also, sometimes I walk the long, old staircase to Takasaki-Kannon, and the area near the suspension bridge in the lower right of the photo to the south of it has good air and a splendid view, making it an ideal walking course. Now, in late autumn, the autumn leaves are at their best, so I'll go for a walk there soon. If possible, I'd like to walk with a lady who also likes Kannon-Mountain. Please view the photo in the bottom right corner in enlarged size. It's the Hibiki Bridge.

秋晴れの牛伏山山頂に君臨する城

　昨日は群馬県も数日振りの好天に恵まれ、午後には３年振りに吉井町の牛伏山山頂へ行き、上毛三山【赤城山、榛名山、妙義山】の景色を高い位置から眺めました。標高４９１mは、一見してそれほど高くありませんが、山岳地帯の山でなく、平野から山になるので山頂からの景色は抜群です。

　山頂にはご覧の城が建っており、三階の天守閣へは自由に昇れます。特にこの天守閣からの眺めはお薦めで、高崎市、前橋市、藤岡市、伊勢崎市、富岡市、吉井町などが手に取るように見え、高崎市にこんな素晴らしい所があることに改めて驚きます。健脚なら歩いても昇れますし、車でも山頂へ行けます。

　写真左下は上信越自動車道です。高い位置から高速道が見られるのも珍しいです。たくさん車が走ってます。拡大してご覧ください。また、山頂には鐘撞堂【平和の鐘】があり、願いを込めて自由に撞くことができ、高い位置なので響きは四方八方に広がります。この他、山頂には長い洞窟があり、一見に値します。春は桜とツツジの名所です。牛伏山近くには「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」があり、帰路に立ち寄れば汗を流すことができます。

Dear my Facebook friends

　Yesterday, Gumma Prefecture was blessed with fine weather for the first time in several days, and in the afternoon, for the first time in three years, I went to the summit of Mt. Ushibuse in Yoshii Town and enjoyed the view of the well-known three mountains such as Mt Akagi, Mt. Haruna, and Mt. Myogi from a high vantage point. At 491 meters above sea level, it doesn't seem particularly high at first glance, but since it's not a mountainous area but it rises from plains, the view from the summit is outstanding beyond description.

　As you can see, the castle stands at the summit, and we can climb up to the three-story castle tower. I especially recommend you the view from the tower; you can see Takasaki City, Maebashi City, Fujioka City, Isesaki City, Tomioka City, and Yoshii Town all within reach, therefore, it's amazing to see such a wonderful place in Takasaki. If you're in good shape, you can walk up, or you can drive to the summit.

　The Joshinetsu Expressway is visible in the lower left of the photo. It's rare to be able to see the expressway from such a high vantage point. There are lots of cars on the road. Please enlarge the image for a closer look. There is also a bell tower called the Peace Bell at the summit, where you can ring it freely for your wishes to realize in mind, and because of its high position, the sound spreads in all directions. There is also a long cave at the top of the mountain, which is worth seeing. In spring, it is a famous spot for cherry blossoms and azaleas. Near Mt. Ushibuse, there is the Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center, where you can wash off your sweat by stopping by on your way home.

暑気払いに行ってきます。

　本当にうだるような暑さです。インド滞在中の若き日は水泳が好きで１０００m～２０００mほど連続して泳ぎ、目が赤くなるまで泳いだものです。近年はよく新町のプールへ行きました。そういえば、もう１０年ほど泳いでないような気がします。

　今考えると、水泳は全身の筋肉を使うと共に、常に深呼吸の連続だったので健康長寿には理想的と考えられます。このため、また行きたいです。一人でより、どなたかと一緒に泳ぎたいです。

　ところで、今宵はお許しください。高崎田町の某所で暑気払いです。ここはバランスのとれた食事と共に、楽しい会話ができ、私には必須なことです。では倉賀野駅から電車で行って参ります。二次会には行きませんのでご安心ください。

Dear my friends who are crazy about swimming and great music

　It's really sweltering hot. In my younger days, when I was staying in India, I loved swimming and would swim 1000m to 2000m continuously, until my eyes were red. In recent years, I often went to the pool in Shinmachi. Come to think of it, I haven't swam in about 10 years.

　Looking at it now, swimming uses all the muscles in our body and requires constant deep breathing, so it seems ideal for our longevity. For this reason, I would like to go again. I would rather swim with someone than alone.

　By the way, please forgive me for this evening. I'm going to cool off at a place in Takasaki at Tamachi. This tavern named "Baku" is a place where I can get a balanced meal together with conversation which are indispensable for me. Now, I'll take the train from Kuragano-Station. Don't worry, I will not go to the afterparty.

暑い日に日帰り温泉もいいものです。

　午後３時頃に家を出発し、山名回りで１０日ぶりくらいに「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」の日帰り温泉に行ってきました。と言うものの、実は、車検を終わったばかりの水色の愛車で良い道を走りたくなったのが本音です。お気に入り新品タイヤ245－35－19は路面をしっかり捉えて快適です。これで、助手席に〇ちゃんが乗ってれば言うことなしです。

　帰路は吉井町から中山峠の快適な道を通過し、倉賀野バイパス経由でした。肝心のお湯に浸かると牛伏山の全貌が見え、心はさっぱりし、体調が良く生った感覚です。従って今宵のビールは格別でしょう。何と言っても、今時ここの入浴料200円は安いです。高崎市民でよかった。

Dear my friends

  I left home at around 3pm and went to the "Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center" for the first time in about 10 days, going via Yamana-town. To be honest, I just wanted to drive on a nice road by my light blue car TT that had just passed inspection. My favorite new tires, 245-35-19, grip the road surface firmly and are comfortable. If my sweetheart in heart is in the passenger seat, I couldn't ask for anything more.

  On the way back, I passed through the comfortable road of Nakayama-Pass from Yoshii Town and took the Kuragano-Bypass. When I soaked in the hot water, I could see the whole shape of Mt. Ushibuse, so my mind and body were refreshed. Therefore, tonight's draft beer will be exceptionally delicious. After all, the bathing fee of 200 yen here is cheap these days. I'm glad to be a Takasaki resident.

ウォーキングの途中、コハクチョウなどに出合う

　今日の午後、気温は低めでしたが、風もなく比較的温暖だったため、お気に入りコースである木部町の鏑川の土手を３Kほど歩きました。背中に緊張感を持ちつつ、ほんの少し歩幅を広げ、いつものように４歩で息を吐き、４歩で吸う呼吸法を励行しました。

　帰路はコハクチョウが羽を休めてる川岸を歩いたところ、近寄っても逃げる様子はなく、私の顔をじっと見てました。もしかしてメスでしょうか。

　それにしても、優雅という言葉が似合います。一方、お腹が白い鳥はキンクロハジロで、やはりシベリアから飛来してると想われる渡り鳥です。彼らの飛翔距離は私のウォーキング距離の数千倍ですから、今後、私も頑張ってウォーキングを続けます。土手の近くに私の先祖が建立した「長命稲荷」があります。

Dear my Facebook friends

　This afternoon, the temperature was low, but there was no wind and it was relatively warm, so I walked about 3km along the bank of the Kabra River in Kibe-Town, which is one of my favorite courses. I felt tension in my back, and I increased my stride a little, with keeping my usual breathing technique of exhaling every four steps and inhaling every four steps.

　On the way back, I walked along the river where nine tundra swan were resting its wings, and it didn't run away when I approached it, and they were staring at my face. Maybe they were female?

　Even so, the word graceful suits them. On the other hand, the bird with the white belly was a Tufted Duck, a migratory bird that is also thought to have flown in from Siberia. They fly several thousand times the distance I walk, so I will continue to walk from now on. Near the bank is the "Longevity Shrine" built by my ancestors.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

少々早いけれど、クリスマスキャロルを弾く

　午後、暫くぶりに喫茶「さんぽ道」でホットコーヒーを戴きつつ、３０分ほど読書の時間にしました。その後、客がいなくなったと思い、暫くぶりにピアノを弾かせて戴きました。いよいよ１２月なので、少し早いですが、クリスマスソングのグローリア、もみの木、ホワイトクリスマス、もろびとこぞりて、ジングルベルなどと、定番の「雪が降る」を弾きました。

　実は、こんなチャンスを与えてくださったのはフェイスブック友人「あつこさん」のページのお陰で心より感謝しています。

　弾き終わって後ろを見たら、女性客が聴いていたので驚きました。「さんぽ道」は天井が高く、ドイツ製のピアノであるため演奏は良くなくても、音色はきれいに共鳴し、ママさんもよく聴いてくださいました。今度、機会があったらソプラノサクソフォンを演奏したい気持ちになりました。笛の音色というより、人の声に似た音色をめざし、練習を再開しよう。

Dear my overseas friends who like listening to music

　In the afternoon, I went to my favorite cafe "Sampo-michi" after a long time and enjoyed a hot coffee while reading a book written by Ms, Sono-Ayako for about 30 minutes. After that, I thought that there were no customers, so I played the piano for the first time in a while. It's December now, so it's a little early, but I played Christmas songs such as Gloria, Fir Tree, White Christmas, Joy to the World, Jingle Bells, and my favorite "Snow is Falling."

　Actually, I'm grateful to my Facebook friend "Atsuko-san" to the core for giving me this opportunity. By her page, I knew this cafe.

　After finishing playing the piano, I was surprised when I looked behind, there are lady customers listening to my performance. "Sampo-michi" has a high ceiling and the piano is made in Germany, so even though the performance is not good, the tone resonated beautifully and the mama-san listened carefully. In the future, if I have the chance, I'd like to play the soprano saxophone. I will resume practicing it, aiming for a tone quality that is more similar to a human voice than a flute.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

暑い寒いも彼岸まで

　昨日まで、家の中でも外出時でも、私は半ズボンに半そででしたが、今日から長袖に長ズボンです。「暑い寒いも彼岸まで」で、気温が急に下がってます。皆さん、風邪を引かないようにしましょう。

　今日の午後は身体を温めるため、吉井の日帰り温泉「牛伏ドリームセンター」に行き、帰路は、そのまま、青い車でお気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」で時間を過ごしました。

　写真は車ごと行ける「牛伏山」山頂からの光景で、手前が高崎市、遠方が前橋市で、後方が赤城山です。

Dear my friends who like spa and cafe

　Until yesterday, I wore shorts and short sleeves both at home and when going out, but starting today I'm wearing long sleeves and long trousers. "It's hot until the autumnal equinox, it's cold until the vernal equinox" in Japan and the temperature has suddenly dropped in Gumma prefecture where I live. Everyone, be careful not to catch a cold.

　This afternoon, I went to Yoshii-town's day spa named "Ushibuse Dream Center" to warm myself up, and on the way back, I drove by my blue car to spent some time at my favorite cafe, Sampo-michi.

　The photo shows the view from the top of Mt. Ushibuse, which we can reach by car, with Takasaki-city in the foreground, Maebashi-city in the distance, and Mt. Akagi in the background.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...