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Celestial Rose's avatar

This is so good. I listened to the recording while witnessing the unfolding of your writing. It landed gently on the heart, and mirrored such soul resonance to what I am experiencing too right now. The stillness, the rhythm, the quietude. Thank you for such a lovely piece. Looking forward to your next one.

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Simon James French's avatar

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful response Sara! I'm glad it resonated. This one came straight from the heart so I'm thankful it's found such a receptive audience. And thank you for listening to the recording. I'll definitely be continuing with those 🙏🍃 take care, SJF

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À Chacun Son Goût's avatar

The recording is a good idea, and it's well made :-) It's nice to have your first impressions since your come back in Kyoto.

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Simon James French's avatar

Thank you Tarik, I'm glad to hear that 🙏 I'm glad all the time it takes, due to me stopping and starting and stumbling over my words, is worth it 😂

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Alex Dwyer's avatar

Cosign this - recording was awesome 👏 keep doing it. I may record my next dispatch thanks to your inspiration.

Curious to hear whether - as someone just stepping into Gardening myself in Kamakura - you’ll be gardening at all in Kyoto? If so, what will you start with first?

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Simon James French's avatar

Thank you Alex! Definitely give it a shot. Good quality mics always helps. I use the DJI 2 Mics which are fantastic but a little bit pricey because I bought the whole set with the receiver, a carrying/charging case and 2 mics. But you can actually just buy one mic as an individual and then pair to your phone/computer with Bluetooth. Super easy.

Oh that's great, I'm going to be in Kamakura from the 21st of May.. maybe we can grab a coffee if you're free? And chat about gardening and everything!

I'll definitely be doing some gardening here and all my tools are being shipped over from the UK as I write this. We're going to be taking care of Chie's parent's garden mostly. They have a bunch of roses, mimosa, fatsia. Ah, and cherry blossom and persimmon trees. Lots to keep us busy!

Good luck with your garden in Kamakura, what kind of gardening will you be doing?

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Alex Dwyer's avatar

Bro the garden you will be stewarding sounds amazing - I’m starting very small, 🥒 and 🍅 and 🌻 and goya, which is emoji-less. Looking forward to learning from a garden senpai.

And yes I would be down to hang in Kamakura - in a stroke of ぐうぜん luck I was having lunch with your Kamakura host as you were replying here 🤣 small world. 🤙

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Simon James French's avatar

That's some mad 縁 at play there! Looking forward to catching up in Kamakura. I'll swap some gardening knowledge for tea knowledge.. I'm sorely behind when it comes to knowing anything about tea! 🍵

Goya sounds like a great one to grow, I heard it's often grown as a shade crop, up high to somewhat block the sun in the heat of the summer. Also, it's super nutritious isn't it?

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Alex Dwyer's avatar

Yes indeed let’s do the tea my brother. I can say nothing about it - or Goya’s nutritional value - but I love both and they are good for the soul.

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Kominka Life Japan's avatar

Leaving Tokyo two years ago to a farming village in the mountains of Yamanashi was such a good move.

Our kominka was a three year in the making reforming journey built on the foundation of love with my now wife. If one can get through that with a partner one can get through anything.

Our home is like a writer’s oasis where everywhere you turn is inspiration. Giving it time I see it in the little things around me, like you said, no longer is it grand just simple and everywhere you look.

I strongly suggest others to do the same when their time feels right.

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