W a l k # 3 to the Waterfall

finally i was able to take a good photo of that guy with the three dogs. actually he posed with his dogs for me and i didn`t even ask. next time maybe i will find out who he is. i am sure he has an interesting story. in case you don`t remember him thru the years, he is always wearing a very nice dark suit with a hat to match (he tips his had as the ladies walk by). the first time Noriko and i saw him, he only had the two golden retrievers. sometime in the last year or so he added a cute small white dog. he walks at a very brisk pace and so do the dogs. i have seen him at least a couple of times each time i am here in Minoh. today he was coming down the takimichi (waterfall trail). i started taking some video of him and then he passed by, twirled around with his dogs and tried to get them to pose. when he passed me before posing he did say something in English like "just out enjoying the day". i took two photos, he twirled and briskly walked away. other people were watching him with smiles on their faces. he is very noticeable. what is his story?

so began the walk along the takimichi but it was not the beginning of my walk. i walked up a few hills before stopping by a temple near the waterfall trail to check on it`s autumn colors. the colors are coming along nicely. on the trail, i saw a couple of saru (monkeys) swinging in the trees. and then i filmed one walking down to the river for a drink. closer to the waterfall, i found the 4 sanshouwo (salamanders) doing whatever it is they do (not much). it is still green around the waterfall but there is some red colors near the red bridge. on the way back home, i bought some momiji tempura to share at home. momiji tempura is a speciality of Minoh. have you ever eaten a maple leaf, tempura style? it is very tasty once you get past the idea of eating a leaf. at home Noriko`s Mother has a snack for me. she heated up some roasted kuri (chestnuts) and also gave me some peanuts that a dear friend of hers sent yesterday. these peanuts are the biggest peanuts i have ever seen. and you know what they say about big peanuts...big taste.

tonite i will be meeting Noriko at Carrefour and then we will go to a the new curry restaurant. she will be arriving in Shin-Osaka by train from her university in Shiga and then take the subway to Senri-chuo and then the bus to Visola shopping center. now that is a long commute.

Monday the 10th.
most of the day i stayed home after seeing Noriko`s Father off to his Senior Day Care. Noriko and her Mother has errands to run and a doctor`s appointment or two so i babysat the house. but around 330p, i went for a nice little walk and ended up walking in an area i had never been before. and saw a beautiful sunset. and watched an old man playing fetch with his white Scottish terrier who was wearing a very cute red sweater (the dog not the man). dinner was delicious as always.