Seibuen Yuenchi Amusement Park

Despite Tokyo being a rather chilly 11C, Yuki, Clara, and I ventured out of the house to visit Seibuen Amusement Park. Seibuen is only a short 15 minute drive from the house, so we did not have to endure the stress of a long and difficult journey.

Despite Seibuen showing a few wrinkles and quite clearly being outclassed by bigger and better amustment parks, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day - good idea Clara! Due to the cold and overcast weather, the park was not too busy and we were able to get on our preferred rides with usually no standing in line.

I must be getting old as I was more excited with the views from the top of the revolving observation tower and ferris wheel rather than the thrills and spills of the other rides. The ferris wheel offered excellent views and made me think back to around 16 years ago when my university friends and I rode the same ferris wheel when they visited me during my very first stint in Japan. The small cabin offered us some sanctuary from the noise of the park and it was especially satisfying to rise through the cherry blossom trees that were almost in full bloom

It was great to watch Clara having such a good time, although also a bit sad. In only a year or two, I imagine she will no longer be interested in some of the rides as she will be well on the way to becoming an adult. I took the chance to watch her and did my best to try and keep the memories locked up in my head. I must be turning Japanese as I have read that the cherry blossom also invokes such contrarian feelings within the natives.

With regards to photography, I was at somewhat of a disadvantage today. During my recent trip to Hong Kong, I dropped my camera on the ferry deck during a particularly rough crossing and broke the lens. These two photos were therefore taken using the rather feeble 3 megapixel camera of my aging iPhone 3. I was thinking of investing in a new Canon anyway, so perhaps I will have to bring forward these plans.

Over the last week or so, there have been a couple of sad anniversaries. Last week we visited the grave of Takashi, Yuki's father. Yesterday we visited the grave of her grandmother. It is now 1 year since they both died.

However, perhaps because spring is in the air, I feel a new sense of optimism and excitement. The cherry blossom should be in full bloom by next weekend, Golden Week (with approximately 5 days off) occurs at the end of April, and I am excited to visit Scotland with Clara this summer. I think that perhaps a new job may also be called for.....I have a lot of contacts in shipping companies around the world, so may now have to start seriously looking.

We are now about to put the icing on the weekend cake and head off to the local Italian (restaurant) for dinner. Till the next time.