More blooms

With the end of the cherry blossom season, different flowers come into bloom. The Kurume azaleas, a smaller type of azaleas, are blooming. I saw them from the road so I decided to go visit the park over the weekend. The weather was nice and early summer-like. Some were complaining that it was downright hot, but it wasn't even close to beach weather to me.

It was raining like cats and dogs the night before, so things were still a bit wet when I got to the park. I like to go at opening time, where there are fewer people out and about. The Kurume azaleas were lovely, some still holding drops of rain on their petals. The bigger azaleas were starting to bloom, but it'll take a bit longer for them to come into full bloom. Of course, there were mini-drones (aka bumble bees) buzzing around, hovering in front of you until you point a camera at them, then they go like, not today bitch, nyah nyah nyah. Little buggers.

While I was admiring the azaleas, a gardener was walking past and he pointed out an unusual type of azaleas, double-flowered ones. It was the first time I've seen that type. They kind of looked like roses.

There was a food truck out selling cold treats. It was warm enough to enjoy one with the sun on my back. I had a bit of time to kill before they opened, so I went to the top of the park. There are azalea bushes along both sides of the path and it's a great sight when the bigger azaleas are in bloom. The view from the top of the hill is great, but it was a bit hazy that day.

I got back to the food truck and had shaved ice with strawberry syrup, diced frozen strawberries, and vanilla ice cream. It was a great treat on a warm day.

On Sunday, I went to the morning market for breakfast and pick up a tart. I went to the soup stand and got a bowl of rolled cabbage. It's about the size of my fist and pretty filling. Regulars to the market planning to pick up a tart usually bring their own chairs to wait in line until the stand selling the tarts opens. Other food stands open earlier so people can grab something for breakfast while waiting for the tarts stand opens. I managed to get a tart, but they didn't have orange, so I got an apple tart.

On my way to the market, I saw some white and pink double-flowered cherry blossoms in bloom. They were gorgeous, especially the white ones! I stopped by on the way back to take pics. I was snapping away and other passersby got the same idea LOL

On another note, I get to work from home since a couple of months ago. Sunrise is getting earlier, so I try to take my e-bike out for a ride for about an hour. I can do this on days when I'm working from home. It feels great, out and about riding my e-bike, getting home and taking a nice hot bath before logging in.

I was out and about on my e-bike and I was riding along the road that leads to one of the hiking trails in the area, and I came across a cobra lily. They're not vibrant, but I really like the flower. I was riding around, looking for more cobra lilies. I got pretty excited finding a cluster of them in bloom. Finding the cobra lilies before work was a great way to start the day.

Oh, and my wisteria is in bloom, too. Soon, I'll be waging an uphill battle with errant vines. Fun times. Not.

Spring is definitely here, with gardens starting to burst in color.

How is it in your neck of the woods?

 Apr 13