These photos are from a summer about 8 years ago, when our Japanese friend Miruko came to stay. She was our son’s host mother for a year, and has since become part of our family! Vivacious and exciting, Miruko certainly added to the fun we all enjoyed that summer.
Miruko, Kitchen Ninja, cooking up a storm with Stuart
Firstly there was the food, all our favourite Japanese dishes, with Stuart a keen sous chef!
Browsing through our garden Miruko found treats we had never imagined.
The beach, so clean and unpolluted was heaven for her, she collected pippies and kelp to make traditional dishes.
We had one of those extraordinary days when the dolphins surfed in on the waves, whales spouted out to sea, the sea eagles flew overhead …. we told her it was all in her honour!
As well as all the usual beach excitement we had neighbours with horses!
I had a lesson in Ikebana!
Ikebana
Miruko plays golf and enjoyed several games on our beautiful ocal courses with out keen golfing neighbours. When they were out together the neighbours stopped by the road to pick up some rubbish someone had thrown from their car. Miruko was amazed, and promptly decided to spread the word via her radio program in Japan, that anyone can pick up litter and keep their suburbs clean. Then we headed over the range to Canberra for the highlights of the Capitol.
Parliament House
Miruko was surprised that were able to go inside Parliament House, something unthought of in Japan. She loved all the photo opportunities of the National Capitol, including Black Mountain Tower, below.
Black Mountain Tower, view to Lake Burley Griffin
We had family time too, Miruko came with gifts for the little ones!
Just one more tourist treat, a miniature town, Cockington Green in a beautiful setting.
Miruko enjoying a tiny town!
The flowers were quite impressive too.
When we were in Japan Miruko took us to some truly awesome traditional gardens, luckily she liked the novelty golf course here!
This was truly summer fun, even more special because it was shared with someone we all love, a generous, creative, vital soul who travelled across the world to be with us here at Dadirri. Join in this weekly challenge with your summer fun!
Perhaps one day, when fate permits, I would love to see the magical place of Dadirri. Just like Miruko, I felt so excited and happy looking at the amazing and beautiful gifts of nature. My heart pound when you mention about dolphins, whales, sea eagles and horses. And yes, Japanese food is one of my favorites. You and your family have a generous heart. Your gave your visitor an awesome Summer to remember . I bet till today, she cherishes them in her heart. Thank you for sharing a post that made me feel like jumping…from joy! Best wishes to you and your family.
you would always be very welcome island traveler!
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What an action packed and lovely version of “fun in the sun”. I’d love to learn Ikebana.
when you have a japanese friend it is easy 🙂 thanks for your comment jo!
Ikebana is so beautiful. Lucky you to have someone to teach you this art. Miruko looks like a really happy person to have around. Lovely pics. 😉
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What a lovely post and a lovely lady! Cockington is twenty miles from me and every year my friend and I do a craft table on apple day in October 🙂
Superb! I love things Japanese! How wonderful to learn ikebana. I have relatives who are very good at this and display their creations at different flower and art exhibits.
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It is always interesting to see our own world through the eyes of another – makes us realise what it is we have.
Sweet!
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