Nagano Prefecture’s Azumino is just around the time of rice planting. After finishing the plowing, the peaks of the majestic Northern Alps in a silvery sheen are reflected like a mirror on the newly flooded paddy fields covered . There are still cherry blossoms remaining here and there along the path, and you can also see famous trees like the so-and-so cherry tree. I have also hiked along the mountain ridges. How many times have I climbed Mt. Shirouma? I am driven by the urge to follow that ridge. In the summer, I used to come to this student village around Azumino, studying while helping with the hop harvest for beer, crossing over a mountain to go swimming in the lake, and as I recall, the memories are endless one after another. Well then, another hot summer is coming this year. I have to do my best!

長野県安曇野はちょうど田植えの頃です。田起こしを終え、水を張ったばかりの水田には白銀に覆われた後ろ立山の峰々が鏡の様に映っています。道筋のあちらこちらにはまだ桜が残り、何々桜と言った様な名木も見られます。縦走した事もありました。白馬岳には幾度登ったことか。あの稜線を辿ってみたい、そんな衝動にも駆られます。夏には、ここ安曇野辺りの学生村に来て勉学の傍ら、ビールのホップの取り入れを手伝ったり、一山越えて湖に泳ぎに行ったりと、思い起こせば、次から次へと思い出が尽きません。さあーてと、また今年も暑い夏がやってくるぞ。頑張らなくっちゃ！