It may have been 4° in my living room when I got up this morning, but a neighbour of mine assures me spring is just around the corner.

And with good reason.

Yes, it’s time to kick off the blankets and kick up the nature worship again. Parts of Japan might shivering be under feet of snow, but here in central Kyushu the plum trees are blooming red, white and pink. Which means not long now until the debauchery of cherry blossom hanami season! Don’t know about you, but I can’t wait.

(Picture can be seen full-size here.)