マスター・オブ・ワインのNさんからメッセージが来た。
「伝えたいことだけ、簡単に。あなたのシャルドネ2009を飲んだが、とても良かった。おめでとう、とても美しいワインでした。新鮮な魚料理と完璧でした。」

ありがたいことです。メッセージを頂けるとは期待していなかったので感激です。
マレット（魚料理）はバターソース系だったんだろうか。

シャルドネ2009は今年リリース予定です。

I received a message from Mr.N, a Master of Wine. He said, “ Just a quick note to let you know that we very much enjoyed your 2009 Chardonnay last night. Congratulations it is a beautiful wine which went perfectly with some freshly caught fish (Coorong Mullet)!”

I was so grateful and very much encouraged with this message. Especially, I had not expected
to receive such a message from him. I think the mullet must have been cooked with butter sauce. My Chardonnay 2009 will be released later this year.

今朝、タイヤが水を押しつぶす様な
音。雨か…。
と、外は湿った雪が。

明日は零下5度の予報が出ている。

I heard the car driving away making the sound
of crushing water under the wheels. Its sound is like
raining outside. But actually it was snow, wet snow.

The temperature tomorrow is forecasted as low as five
degrees below zero.

A unique tour from Kusatsu to Manza, Shiga and Yamda.

金曜日から３日間ほど友人のツアーのお手伝い
で山に入っていた。　テレマークスキーでの
春山行。予定では、草津→万座→志賀高原→山田牧場
→山田温泉という山間コース。泊まりは万座と
木戸池の２泊３日で、荷物は別送の
らくらく万座ツアー（温泉三昧）というもの。
一日目は風が強く草津はスキップして
万座へ直行。２日目は春らしからぬパウダーを
楽しめた様です。参加者の皆さんご苦労様でした。

なかなか経験できないツアーを楽しんで頂いた様で
荷物係としても嬉しい限りです。

(雪の万座）

（湯の花旅館の外湯）

（スノーモービルで宿へ）

（３日目山田温泉着）

I was driving around in the mountains as an assistant to
a very unique tour organized by a friend of mine, a professional
telemark ski instructor.

The scheduled route was from Kusatsu to Manza, Manza to
Shiga Kogen Highland, and to Yamaboku Takochi course ending
up at the Yamada Hot Spring while staying at Manza and Kidoike.

The tour members only carry minimum belongings and it can
be called light and easy ski tour plus hot spas.

Because of the strong wind, they had to skip the route from Kusatsu
to Manza and go directly to Manza. However, they enjoyed powder snow
very rare at this time of the season on the second day. Three days tours
must be very tiring anyhow.

Only lucky people can enjoy such an extraordinary tour.
I was just a carrier of their bags to each destination
but do hope that the members enjoyed the tour a lot.

今朝は真冬並みの冷え込み。
昼間は太陽が出て結構暖かくはなった。
でも、昼間に捨てたバケツの氷が解けずに
夜になってもそのままで。

明日も寒くなるそうな。
そうだ今日はひな祭り。

It was very cold in the morning and was another mid winter day.
It got warmer during the day because of sun shine but I found the
round ice I had threw away from a bucket remained as it was in the
evening.

Tomorrow will be another cold day as winter.

Oh it was the girl's doll festival, today!

小雪混じりの中剪定。
左側はスコットヘンリー的に芽数を多く
残しているシラーズ。右は通常のケーンプルーニング
のカベルネ・フラン。

Pruning is going on in light snow fall.
On the left, Shiraz vines by Scott Henly training
retaining more bud numbers.
On the right, normal cane pruned Cabernet Franc.