adekun's japan blog

Korea transit

adekun — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:37:20 +0000

The first leg of our trip back to England included an overnight stay in Seoul. It was our first time in Korea and we were both surprised at differences between it and Japan; the relaxed impression it gave, at odds with other big cities. Nevertheless the bus ride in was unsettling. In what was glum weather, the bus thundered toward the traffic drifting across each lane. Most of the vehicles had scrapes down the sides, even those with the funny blue protectors.

Tilted pan

High rise gardens in Myeong-dong

The most striking thing is that Korean’s seem to take an exceptional interest in babies. On the plane or on the ground they didn’t stop staring or wanting to touch the children. Before the customary kankoku nori (gim) shopping we sat down for Korean barbecue. As much as I dislike cities I would begrudge visiting again.

No rain, rainy season

adekun — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:05:47 +0000

No rain, no mulch. There's still the bicycle somebody dumped.

There’s plenty of pictures on the TV of the rain further south in the country. Up here the rainy season has already arrived, yet there is no rain. I was quite excited last night to hear the pitter-patter of rain. However, it turned out to be just a shower and the ground looked dry as a bone this morning.
We are going back to England tomorrow for a few weeks. It would be nice to know that the garden will be watered. I couldn’t find any free mulch this year. With the lack of rain and persistent weeds, I wonder how things will turn out. It’s ironic how many things were planned, even delayed around such a consistent event. On second thoughts, what could be more fickle than the weather?

Yebisu cho choki jukusei

adekun — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:37:16 +0000

¥254

This limited version of Yebisu Beer has been given longer lagering time for rich, mellow flavor and satisfying smoothness.

Brewer Sapporo

Style Other

I seem to have reviewed Sapporo’s Cho choki jukusei and few years ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is it under the Yebisu brand. I only gave it 3/10, but since then have got a better perspective.
Anyway, the colour is not far from the orange/brown can. More caramel and malt than other brews, yet again still a tad bitter.

Another early garlic harvest

adekun — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:50:38 +0000

Not particularly swell, but more than ample.

Not wanting to take a gamble on the weather, the garlic got pulled yesterday. The end of the month would have been better, especially for the larger, apple sized Aomori. Still, rust set in at the start and can’t expect the heads to miraculously swell. The Elephant garlic didn’t come to anything.

Wordpress 2.8 upgrade troubles

adekun — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:58:42 +0000

It never quite works first time.

Fatal error: Class 'Translations' not found in /wp-includes/l10n.php on line 408

Open up the dashboard (/wp-admin) which will prompt to update your database…

Lemon Verbena

adekun — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:54:59 +0000

Lemon Verbena

Finally managed to get a pot of this fragrant herb. Hopeful that the winter isn’t too harsh so we will have plenty of leaves the following summer. At the place we bought this the entrance price includes a pot of herb tea. They served hot lemon verbena instead of usual cold which is definitely worth a try.

Older

adekun — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:34:23 +0000

Kento

It’s been said countless times before, yet it’s surprising just how quickly babies turn into children. It’s also surprising just how quickly the time passes once you have them. Kento will be three in the summer and is already playing older brother; singing and comforting Maya. This month, he managed to take off her clothes and nappy, before seating himself beside her nicely as if nothing had happened. He’s also making his own toilet training efforts; rather than call for help, he’ll slink off to make toilet himself. Maya is just content to smile and make peculiar noises all the time.

Coughs and sneezes

adekun — Sun, 24 May 2009 12:23:34 +0000

We decided against going to the annual air show over at Miho airbase. Not due to the current influenza epidemic gripping the country, but on account of the weather. Instead we had a sukiyaki party. During which we caught a few minutes of a television debate on the effectiveness of facemasks. The panel looked a pretty fair reflection of the general population; perhaps not a healthy debate but one nevertheless.
Since the initial cases were reported overseas there have been a deluge of programmes reporting on shopkeepers stocking up. Hazmat suits the price of a small car etc. I heard that if there is one confirmed case in the prefecture or the adjoining one all the schools will close for a week. Schoolchildren being instructed to wear paper masks for a visit to a recycling plant and the hosts request.
It’s easy to be critical at the overreaction; yet I suppose equally if things took a turn for the worse the same people would be in the firing line. As a foreigner it’s difficult to understand Japanese reasoning at the best of times. No doubt the face mask is a cultural thing. Some sort of comfort. But if it’s all to do with cleanliness, what about hand washing; there’s never even soap in public toilets. I’m sure there’s plenty of money to be made off alcohol hand wash.

Baisen

adekun — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:55:31 +0000

¥217

The superb aroma of Sapporo Baisen is created by a unique malt roasting process. This roasted malt is blended with pale malt for a flavor experience so thrilling it even smells delicious.

Brewer Suntory

Style Japanese Rice Lager

This has been out about a week. Baisen, Daisen, Weizen, Bison, Heineken, Smeineken, Swineken? The darker colour and flavour is certainly more appealing; even if it looks like the the usual with a kidney problem. It’s a good one and sites firmly alongside the better beers.

Mesclun

adekun — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:44:43 +0000

Mesclun

A little different to the more common salad mixes, hopefully the following will make good eating.

ブロンズ赤 – red buronzu?
グリーンリーフ – green leaf?
エンダイブ – endive
サラダ菜 – lettuce
チコリ青 – blue chicory^*
チコリ赤 – red chicory
クレソン – watercress

On the reverse it says; the chicories and endive are sourced from Italy, the lettuce from China and watercress from The Netherlands.
What is green leaf from America (USA?) and Korean red buronzu?

^* blue means green?

Summer veg planting

adekun — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:22:39 +0000

Mulch me

A week ago the bulk of the summer veg were planted. The patch they now occupy isn’t the best. Only a year ago it was full of flowers, weeds, and camellia trees. It would really benefit from the ridiculously deep digging the initial beds got. In the back corner next to the potatoes, there are some sweetcorn mounds. Between the stakes: tomatoes, poorly aubergines, cucumbers and peppers. There’s still some pumpkin plants to plant; is it too late to sow a couple of seeds? The chilli pepper seedlings need to get transplanted along with whatever herbs come good.

Micro-weeding

adekun — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:13:03 +0000

Maya’s baby tweezers were put to good use with her in the sling and the seed trays in front. Her mother wasn’t too enthralled, despite the uncluttered seedlings. There’s a reasonable showing from the chilli peppers, hopefully the habaneros will make an appearance soon. Rhubarb looking fine.

adekun's japan blog

Korea transit

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