We went to Nippori, on the north east side of town, primarily to have lunch at the Tunisian restaurant, Couscous, we'd happened across last year. I was hoping that Emily would partake of the food on offer so I didn't take anything along for her. Well, you do learn, don't you? She refused to eat anything except the bread and spent most of the time gnawing on half a raw carrot I'd brought along. We couldn't really enjoy our meals as she was roving around on the carpeted dais we were sitting on, and kept trying to climb onto the perspex-covered low table. On leaving, we found a convenience store and got her a sushi roll, which she chewed halfheartedly for a while.
Nearby is Yanaka cemetery, and we spent 40 minutes or so walking round there very slowly while Emily napped in the stroller. It was a very sunny day and the only shade to be had was along one central avenue, so it was repetitive scenery for us. After she woke we sought sanctuary in the coolness of a posh chocolatier, where we indulged in some divine desserts and I had the tiniest espresso I've ever been served.
Outside the shop we were puzzled by a small crowd that had gathered and then realised that they were looking at a snake that was coiled up on a tree, at about head height. It was a good three feet long. One stupid old man pulled its tail, and lightning fast, it turned on him and bit his hand. Maybe he was drunk ; I can't think what could have led him to do it. Anyway, he seemed to be OK and the poor creature slunk off along the fence and into a bush. Before Mum starts panciking, I should say that the most dangerous snake here is an adder. Mind you, that's the second one I've seen in a year, but as long as they are not provoked I'm sure there's no need to worry.
Our other objective for the day was to get a supply of contact lenses for me because I was about to run out of the ones I brought from the UK. One of the big electrical retailers also sells non-electrical goods and has a drop in eye clinic. They tested my eyes and a doctor briefly examined them (very cursory, since he didn't mention the infection I have had for a week or so in one eye), then I was able to walk away with three months' supply. They reckoned that I only needed minus 2.5, not minus 3 as I have been using for years, which perhaps means that my eye muscles have relaxed due to ageing.
By dark it was very close outside, and what with that and another early start with Emily, I found my regular Sunday run very hard going indeed. It made me wonder how on earth I will be able to train during the height of summer.
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