【早朝散歩で「交通事故」現場に近接遭遇】

　昨日は早朝散歩、けっこう好きな西野緑道コースにいたしました。散歩道はわたしの場合、いくつかのコースを順繰りしておりまして、その日の気分に合わせて「きょうはこっち、あしたはあっち」と決定している。西野緑道はもともと農業用水路だったそうですが、周辺が完全に宅地化されたことでその流路に沿って整備されたもの。
　で、わが家からはその入口まではそこそこの距離もあって、総歩数は7~8,000歩程度。西野緑道に向かう発寒川河畔公園の入り口への橋を渡って川沿いを歩行中、いま通ってきた橋の周辺の信号交差点から「ドン」という大きな衝撃音が響いてきた。ちょうどその入口近くにいまは使われなくなった旧病院建築があって、その様子がなんとなく気がかりな雰囲気というか、独特の陰鬱感があってちょっと気になってはいたのですが・・・。
　そんなことからひょっとして人身事故で手助けが必要かもと気になって、その事故衝撃音方向に2-300mほどバックして現場を確認してみた。図のような位置で大きな道路側から左折しようとしていたバンが、細い道路から交差点に進入しようとしていた黒い乗用車の右側前側面に衝突していたのです。バンの左側前面に衝突の痕跡が見られて破損が見られた。
　一方の黒い乗用車は、運転席と助手席のエアバックが膨らんでいる状況が確認できた。不幸中の幸いか、両方の運転者は道路脇の歩道の方に出ていて無事そうな様子で警察に通報していることも確認できた。まぁたまたま現場付近通行中の第３者としての助力が必要とは思われなかった。
　ということで本来の目的である散歩に集中することにして、西野緑道方面にバックして往復してきました。歩数はおおむね7,000歩ほど経過。で、帰り道にもなる事故現場に気になって戻ってみると、すでに警察車両とレッカー車が出動していて現場検証などが行われておりました。事故の当事者の方々はその後も特段の外傷なども目視できませんでした。
　そんな交通事故目撃経緯があって帰宅時間が超過していたので、わが家に戻ってきたらカミさんからは「どこまで行ってきたの？メッチャ遅かったから心配してた」とのこと。かくかくしかじかと報告したら、眼が驚いていた。でもまぁ、わたし自身にはなんの別条はない。たまたまの交通事故現場遭遇。
　昨日はその後、午後からいろいろな不動産取引での現場確認の日程。周辺立地の隣家、全部が法人企業それも大きな会社ばかりなのですが、境界の確認ではじめてご担当の方々にお目にかかることになってその立会い〜契約書の記入などなどを行っておりました。
　よそ事ながら身の回りでの突然の出来事。まぁ禍福はあざなえる縄のごとし、ということなのでしょうか？いずれにせよ、要安全運転。


English version⬇

Early morning stroll in the city, I came across the scene of a traffic accident in close proximity.
Fortunately, no human injuries were involved, but I was a “passerby at the scene” of a vehicle accident. It was an intersection accident between a right and left turn on a main road and a one-lane road. Driving safety is required. Driving

　Yesterday, I decided to take an early morning walk along the Nishino Greenway course, which I quite like. I have several walking paths in order, and decide “this way today, that way tomorrow,” depending on my mood that day. The Nishino Greenway was originally an agricultural waterway, but when the surrounding area was completely converted to residential land, it was developed along its flow path.
　So, from our house, it is quite a distance to its entrance, and the total number of steps is about 7~8,000 steps. While walking along the river after crossing the bridge to the entrance of Hassamu River Riverside Park toward Nishino Greenway, I heard a loud “thump” from the signal intersection around the bridge I had just passed. There was an old hospital building near the entrance that is no longer in use, and I was a little concerned about its appearance because it had a somewhat worrisome atmosphere, or rather, a peculiar sense of gloom.
　I was concerned that it might be a personal injury accident and I might need help, so I backed up 2-300m in the direction of the accident impact sound to check the scene. As shown in the figure, a van that was attempting to make a left turn from the larger road side had collided with the right front side of a black passenger van that was entering the intersection from a narrower road. Traces of the collision were seen on the left front side of the van and damage was observed.
　The black passenger car, on the other hand, was observed to have inflated driver and passenger air bags. Fortunately, both drivers were on the sidewalk and appeared to be safe, and we were able to confirm that they had called the police. Well, I didn't think I needed any help as a third party who happened to be passing by the scene.
　So I decided to concentrate on my original goal of walking, and backed up to the Nishino Greenway and back. Roughly 7,000 steps passed. I returned to the accident site, which was also my way home, to find that police vehicles and tow trucks had already been dispatched and were inspecting the scene. The people involved in the accident had no visible injuries.
　I had to go home late because of the traffic accident, so when I came back home, my wife asked me, “Where did you go? She said, “You were very late, I was worried. When I told her what had happened, she was surprised to see my eyes. But, well, there was nothing wrong with me. It was just an accidental encounter at the scene of a traffic accident.
　Yesterday, I spent the afternoon checking the site of various real estate transactions. I had to meet the people in charge for the first time to confirm the boundary of the property, so I had to attend the meeting and fill out the contract.
　Sudden events around me, while I was away from home. Well, as the saying goes, “A bad omen is as good as a bad rope,” right? In any case, drive safely.

【ことしの北海道の紅葉、赤よりも黄色主体か？】

　仕事人生いち段落夫婦、カレンダー曜日からは比較的自由に行動予定を決められる。カミさんの調査で、ことしの旭川方面の紅葉、見頃は10/20日頃までという情報。仕事上では土地測量と契約日程の合間の１日、それも休日の混雑を避けられる自由さを発揮して、旭川周辺まで探訪して参りました。
　クルマの運転については意識することもなくわたしは自由に行動できています。きのうも旭川地域への往復、約300kmの運転でしたが、ほとんど疲れを感じません。ただ、いつもよりは寝付きの「熟睡度」がより高かったので、眼精や肉体面での「疲労」は確実にあったのでしょうが、かえって心身はスッキリしております。出張時にもおおむね移動はクルマ一択なのですが、ホテルでの休息でスッキリできる。
　目的地は冬場にはスキー場になる「カムイスキーリンクス」と神居古潭。上の写真は神居古潭の紅葉の景観。写真としては若干、Photoshopで見栄えをアップさせたので、現実よりも「いい感じ」にしました（笑）。ご容赦ください。下の写真はカムイスキーリンクスで乗っていたゴンドラから見えた特徴的な色づき。こちらのショップ店員のみなさんに聞いたら、ことしの紅葉は表題の通りとか。心もちくすんだような色合いで、昨年までの感じとはやや違いがあるようです。夏場の高温の影響がそういう結果になっているのでしょうか？
　まぁしかし、それは神さまの思し召しなので、人間はどうであってもありがたく感謝の気持ちで受容するに徹するしかありませんね。北海道の雄大な自然のパノラマは、陶然とした時空の浮揚感を与えてくれて、こころの中心に新鮮な回復感をもたらしてくれます。きっとものごとを受容するとき、そういったこころの洗濯が大きな気付きを生んでくれたりするのだろうと思います。
　そこからの帰り道は途中の「美唄」の温泉場まで「下道」をずっと走っておりました。深川〜滝川〜砂川〜奈井江と、普段は高速道で車窓から通り過ぎるだけの北空知の各地を巡っていました。この年齢になると、たぶん幼少期に車窓から見ていた「家並み」の雰囲気に近いと感じられて、無性に「なつかしさ」がこみ上げておりました。山河のありようや家並みにタイムスリップさせられるものがあるのだろうと思います。
　車窓からは選挙のポスターも散見される（笑）ので、現代であることは知らされるのですが、たぶん札幌の街並みが現代のスピード感に同心しているのに対して、すこしズレが感じられるのでしょう。人によってそのことの受け取り方は違うでしょうが、わたし的には非常にうれしく、楽しかった。
　紅葉もだけれど、そういった街の雰囲気にも癒されておりました。


English version⬇

Hokkaido's Autumn Foliage to be Mainly Yellow Rather than Red this Year?
The unusually high temperatures during the summer may have affected the autumn colors in the mountains, as shown in the title of this article. On the way home, the nostalgic townscape filled my heart. The city is filled with a nostalgic atmosphere.

　My work life has come to an end, and I am free to make my own plans for the next few days of the week. According to my wife's research, the best time to see the autumn leaves in the Asahikawa area this year is around October 20. We visited the area for a day between the surveying and contracting schedule at work, and also to avoid the holiday crowds.
　I am free to do what I want without having to worry about driving a car. Yesterday, too, I drove about 300 km to Asahikawa area and back, but I hardly felt tired. However, I slept more soundly than usual, so I am sure that I am fatigued in terms of my eyesight and body, but my body and mind feel much more refreshed. I generally choose to drive when I go on business trips, but I can feel refreshed after a rest at the hotel.
　My destinations are Kamui Ski Rinks, which becomes a ski resort in winter, and Kamuikotan. The photo above is a view of the autumn leaves at Kamuikotan. As for the photo, I used Photoshop to enhance its appearance slightly, so I made it “look better” than it is in reality (laugh). Please forgive me. The photo below shows the characteristic color change seen from the gondola we were riding at Kamui Ski Links. I asked the staff at this store about this year's autumn foliage, and they told me that it was just as shown in the title. The colors were a little duller than last year's and slightly different from the previous year's. The high temperatures during the summer had an effect on the colors. Is this the result of the high temperatures during the summer?
　Well, however, it is God's will, and we humans have no choice but to be thankful and accept it with gratitude. The magnificent natural panorama of Hokkaido gives us a sense of floating in time and space that brings a fresh sense of recovery to the center of our hearts. I am sure that when accepting things, such a washing of the mind will bring about a great realization.
　On the way home from there, we took the “down road” all the way to a hot spring resort in Bibai. We drove from Fukagawa to Takikawa to Sunagawa to Naie, visiting places in Kita-Kuachi that we usually just pass by from the window of the car on the expressway. At my age, I felt that the atmosphere was similar to that of the “rows of houses” I used to see from the car window in my childhood, and I was filled with an irresistible feeling of “nostalgia. I think that there is something about the mountains and rivers and the rows of houses that takes me back in time.
　However, I think I could feel a slight discrepancy between Sapporo's streetscape and that of today, which is more in tune with the speed of modern times. I am sure that everyone has a different take on this, but for me, it was a very pleasant and enjoyable experience.
　I was healed not only by the autumn leaves but also by the atmosphere of the city.

【不動産取引・現場測量、仮杭設置立会い】

　きのうはセカンドハウスの敷地の現場測量の立会い。
　札幌圏は広域経済圏としてどちらかというと北広島・千歳方面に向かって拡大されていくという実感があります。札幌市は例の札幌ドームからの北海道日本ハムファイターズの本拠地撤退、北広島への移転という事実が象徴するように行政サイドのトンチンカンな対応ぶりが露わになっている。迅速な対応が要求されるあらたな「経済動向」への感度が相当鈍っているように思えてならない。
　ファイターズの移転先である北広島市は、さまざまな公共投資の可能性も出てきているし、千歳はラピダスの建築と半導体産業への巨額投資が、人口増化・人流の増大にも寄与する趨勢が見えてきている。いずれにせよ、札幌広域経済圏としてはより「南側」へと移行していく可能性が高まっている。
　わたしの関係するこちらの敷地と住宅建築は、近隣はすべて全国企業敷地などが集中している地域。高速道路ICへのアクセスも、札幌市内からは「札幌南」、千歳空港方面へは「北広島IC」に近接している。とくに「北広島IC」へはほんの２−３分で、「札幌南」からも10分程度という立地。こと交通アクセスという意味では、ユニークな立地環境。
　そういった状況を反映して、国道36号線と「厚別東通り」の交差点からすぐ近く、交通量が飛躍的に増えてきて、交差点の土木的改造計画も１年以内に行われる趨勢になっている。たぶん交通量の増加比率的には札幌市内でも有数のレベルなのではないかと推測しています。
　そういった状況・タイミングを見て、周辺の企業にも状況変化へのさまざまな反応が出てきている。そのなかでわたしどもの立地環境も大きく変貌していくことは疑いがない。そういうことから積極的に対応をしてきていて大企業との「対話」も図っていたところ、いろいろな先方からのアクションも引き出されてきている。大企業というのは意思決定に時間はかかる。
　そういった一環で、昨日は現地測量作業への立会いだった次第。写真のアタマが赤い棒杭があらたな「境界線」をおおむね表している様子。そこそこの敷地なので「境界石」の確認も多数必要で、なかには土砂に埋もれていたヤツもあったのですが、さすが専門の測量屋プロのみなさんの努力できちんと露頭確認させていただくことができた。
　実地測量すると、敷地のさまざまな「情報」が次々と明らかになってくる。まぁ前述の通り、なぜか周辺は大企業・有名企業ばかりが立地しているので、みなさん非常に理性的・良識的で遵法性の高い対応をされている様子もしっかり確認できた次第です。大変ありがたい。


English version⬇

[Real estate transactions, on-site surveying, witnessing temporary pile installation
We feel that the Sapporo economic zone is being restructured. This is clearly reflected in the speed of the increase in traffic volume. Access to expressways and airfields is the key to the future economy. Real estate transactions

　Yesterday, I witnessed the on-site surveying of the site for a second house.
　There is a sense that the Sapporo area is expanding toward Kitahiroshima and Chitose as a broad economic zone. As symbolized by the withdrawal of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from the Sapporo Dome and its relocation to Kitahiroshima, the city of Sapporo seems to have lost its sensitivity to new “economic trends” that require a quick response, as the administration side's boneheadedness has become apparent.
　In Kitahiroshima City, where the Fighters will be relocated, various public investment opportunities are emerging, and in Chitose, the construction of Lapidus and massive investment in the semiconductor industry are expected to contribute to an increase in the population. In any case, there is a growing possibility that the greater Sapporo economic zone will shift to the “south.
　The site and residential construction I am involved with is located in an area where there is a concentration of national corporate sites and other businesses. Access to expressway interchanges is also close to the Sapporo Minami Interchange from Sapporo City and the Kitahiroshima Interchange from the Chitose Airport area. In particular, the Kitahiroshima Interchange is only a few minutes away, and it is only about 10 minutes from the Sapporo Minami Interchange. In terms of transportation access, this is a unique location.
　Reflecting such a situation, the property is located near the intersection of National Route 36 and Atsubetsu Higashi Dori, where traffic volume has been dramatically increasing, and a civil engineering remodeling plan for the intersection is expected to be implemented within a year. I suspect that this is probably one of the highest levels in Sapporo in terms of traffic increase ratio.
　In view of this situation and timing, companies in the surrounding area are responding in various ways to the changes in the situation. There is no doubt that the environment in which we are located will also undergo a major transformation. We have been proactively responding to this situation, and we have been trying to have a “dialogue” with large companies, which has led to a variety of actions from them. Large companies take a long time to make decisions.
　As a part of such efforts, I was present at the site survey yesterday. The red stakes at the top of the photo show the new “boundary line” in general. Since the site is quite large, many “boundary stones” needed to be confirmed, and some of them were buried in the soil and sand, but we were able to properly confirm the outcropping through the efforts of the professional surveyors.
　The field surveying revealed various “information” about the site one after another. As mentioned above, for some reason, there are many large and well-known companies located in the surrounding area, so we were able to confirm that everyone was very rational, sensible, and law-abiding. We are very grateful.

【宮城のコメ、2024新米ひとめぼれ到着】

　昨日、宮城県の農家から直接購入していることしの「新米」が到着致しました。この農家さんはある断熱材メーカーでの「営業職」としての勤務を終えた方が、その後実家の農家を継いだ方。そういうことで仕事上のご縁が継続していることから、わたしの家では購入しておりました。
　今回はわたし自身の立場の変更もあったのですが、相変わらず、会社スタッフ宛の分として送付していただいた次第。
　30kg袋がドーンと寄せられたので、それを小分けして札促社の各スタッフごとに分配配布。
　その農家さんのコトバではことしの新米は上出来で、食味にも自信があるとのこと。前職時代にはわたしも一度、仕事のついでにその農家に伺ったことがあります。宮城県大崎市鹿島台大迫という土地で、川沿いの田園で栽培されていた。昔は隣接する河川の氾濫などもあったそうですが、まことにおだやかな農村風景が広がっていて、癒されるような雰囲気だった。
　コメというと、新潟県が名高いのですが、宮城県も東北最大の生産地。また、江戸時代には江戸都市圏の主食の最大生産地として繁栄してきている。太平洋水運から利根川を遡る水運ルートが江戸期の最大流通ルート。伊達氏が東北の戦国騒乱でこの宮城に強く執着したかの最大の経済根拠。
　自分のふだんの主食の生産地、その土地の空気感にも触れるというのはありがたい体験。その農家からの帰り道、その風土感を満喫させていただいていた。まぁ、本来であれば地元・北海道産品愛用とすべきところでしょうが、わたしの場合、北海道のみならず東北にも深く人生が関わった。そういった意味ではこういう「ご縁」は大切にしていきたいと思っています。
　わが家ではまだ、前年度産のお米が20kg以上残っているので、新米の注文は控えていまして、今回がことしの新米と初のお目見え。最近というか、ここ数ヶ月前からわが家では小豆も加えた「十穀米」仕様のお米主食で過ごしてきております。やはり健康寿命第一ということからの選択。すっかり慣れ親しんできて、その上ダイエットも成功してきているので、お米消費はやや減少気味かも。
　なんですが、せっかくの新米なので本日は久しぶりにお米100%で食してみたい。
　久しぶりの食べ心地、それも気候に恵まれたことしの日本列島、その空気・風土感もいっしょに、しっかりと味わって食したいと思います。　いただきまーす。


English version⬇

Miyagi's new rice, 2024 Hitomebore, has arrived.
The staple food of Miyagi Prefecture, where you can enjoy the expression of the producers and the atmosphere and climate of the land. The high temperatures and good weather have resulted in a bountiful harvest. We will eat the whole crop. The whole thing is yours to enjoy.

　Yesterday, this year's “new rice” purchased directly from a farmer in Miyagi Prefecture arrived. This farmer is a man who took over his family's farm after he finished working as a sales representative for an insulation material manufacturer. I had been purchasing the rice for my own family because of our continuing business relationship.
　This time, I had a change in my position, but as usual, I received a 30 kg bag for my company staff.
　We received a large quantity of 30 kg bags, which were divided into smaller bags and distributed to each staff member of the company.
　According to the farmer, this year's new rice was excellent, and he was confident of its taste. I once visited the farmer on a business trip when I was a former employee. The rice was grown in a rice field along a river in an area called Kashimadai Osako, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. In the past, there used to be flooding of the adjacent river, but it was a truly tranquil farming village with a soothing atmosphere.
　When it comes to rice, Niigata Prefecture is well known, but Miyagi Prefecture is also the largest producer in the Tohoku region. It has also prospered as the largest producer of staple food in the Edo metropolitan area during the Edo period (1603-1868). The water transportation route from the Pacific Ocean up the Tone River was the largest distribution route during the Edo period. This is the main economic rationale for the Date clan's strong attachment to Miyagi during the Warring States uprisings in the Tohoku region.
　It is a gratifying experience to be in touch with the land where one's staple food is produced and the atmosphere of the land. On the way home from the farmhouse, I was able to fully enjoy the local atmosphere. Well, I should probably be a fan of local Hokkaido products, but in my case, I was deeply involved not only in Hokkaido but also in the Tohoku region. In that sense, I would like to cherish this kind of “relationship.
　Since we still have more than 20 kg of rice from the previous year left over, we have refrained from ordering new rice, and this is the first time we have seen the new rice. Recently, or rather for the past several months, we have been eating rice with “10-grain rice,” which includes azuki beans. This choice was made because we believe that healthy life expectancy is the most important factor. Since we have become accustomed to it and have also succeeded in losing weight, our rice consumption may be on the decline.
　However, since it is new rice, I would like to eat 100% rice today for the first time in a while.
　It has been a long time since I have had the pleasure of eating rice, and I would like to enjoy it with the air and climate of the Japanese archipelago this year, which has been blessed with a good climate.　Bon appétit!

【体調良好につき、健康管理＆料理三昧】

　連休の最終日、老夫婦連れだっての早朝散歩。ふたりでの行動だといろいろ話合いをしなければならない。「きょうはだいたい、7000歩のコースでどうだい？」「いいね」みたいな会話が必要になってくる。自分ひとりだけの散歩コース選択は出来ませんね。それと経験知の豊富な夫としてはさまざまな選択肢を提供して、彼女の「自分でも決めた」気分を尊重したい。
　あ、２日間の経験から、彼女は「上り坂」は避けたい、できれば下り坂希望、という条件があることがわかった。わたしは多少負荷がかかる上り坂はキライではなく、そういった困難を乗り越えるという心理に惹かれていることがわかった。こういう気付きはいっしょに歩いたことで得られたもの。わたしの早朝散歩習慣はたぶん20年くらいは続いていると思うのですが、そういった経験から、おのずと体感蓄積があって、コース選択に反映しているのでしょう。

　散歩コース上ではたとえば「花見物」みたいな数寄ポイントも多い。必ずしもどこかの公園花壇ばかりではなく、それこそコース沿いのお宅の丹精されているお庭から道路側に顔を覗かせているポイント等も、しっかり記憶されている。カミさんと歩いていると、不思議にそういうポイントを案内もしている。男の嗜好だけではなく女性の嗜好も無意識に考慮しているのでしょうね。写真は散歩コース状のお宅で咲き誇っていた「ダリア」。ここのところ咲き誇っていて、目を楽しませていただいております。まだ温暖気味の札幌、雪虫にもめげず、豪奢なお姿。
　まぁ今回は連休で日中のための用意、朝食づくりや掃除洗濯などからフリーだったことからいっしょの散歩が実現したのですが、これからも適時、こころがけたいところ。
　で、わたしの方はここしばらく１月ほどのノドの不調がようやく少し回復してきて、昨日は娘が来てくれていたので、やきそばや肉じゃがなどの調理をふるまっておりました。気付いたのは、体調不良のときにはあんまり料理に積極的ではなかったということ。まぁルーティンとしての料理は作っているのだけれど、「よし、作るぞ」みたいな気合いの入った料理はパスしていたこと。肉じゃがなどはジャガ８コ分なので、大鍋で15-6人前以上と大量。娘夫婦にときどき作って持たせるのが楽しみでもあるのです。舌に叩き込む「父の味」の強制（笑）。
　「はい味見」といって差し出して、その反応を楽しませてもらう。娘の方も心得ていて、しっかり吟味して反応を返してくれる。平凡ですが、至福のいっとき。


English version⬇

I've been on a health-care & cooking binge since I've been feeling well.
I happened to have a sore throat, so I had to stay away from a large amount of homemade cooking. The source of motivation is health, after all. ...

　On the last day of a consecutive holiday, an elderly couple took an early morning walk together. When two people take a walk together, there are a lot of discussions to be had. “How about a course of about 7,000 steps today? It is necessary to have a conversation like, “That sounds good. I can't choose a walking course all by myself. And as a husband with a wealth of experience and knowledge, I would like to offer a variety of choices and respect her “I've made my own decision” mood.
　Oh, from our two-day experience, I know that she has a condition that she wants to avoid “uphill,” preferably downhill. I have learned that I am not averse to a somewhat strenuous uphill, but am attracted to the mentality of overcoming such difficulties. This realization came from walking together. My early morning walking habit has probably continued for about 20 years, and I have naturally accumulated a lot of experience, which is reflected in my choice of course.

　There are many points along the walking course where you can “flower-viewing,” for example. Not only the flower beds in parks, but also the spots along the course where flowers are peeking out from the roadside gardens of the homes along the course. When I walk with my wife, she also guides me to such points. I guess she subconsciously takes into account not only men's tastes but also women's tastes. The photo shows “dahlias” in full bloom at a house along our walking course. They have been in full bloom for some time now and have been a delight to the eye. They are still in Sapporo, where the weather is still mild, and they look magnificent, undaunted by the snowbugs.
　Well, this time we were able to take a walk together because it was a consecutive holiday and I was free from preparing for the daytime, making breakfast, cleaning and washing clothes, etc. I would like to try to do so in a timely manner in the future.
　My throat has been ailing for the past month or so, but it is finally getting better, and yesterday my daughter came over, so I cooked yakisoba and meat and potatoes for her. I realized that I was not very active in cooking when I was not feeling well. Well, I cooked as part of my routine, but I did not cook with a lot of enthusiasm, as if I were saying, “Okay, I'm going to cook. I made a large pot of meat and potatoes for eight potatoes, which is a lot of food for more than 15-6 people. I look forward to making them for my daughter and her husband from time to time. I force the “taste of my father” into their taste buds (laughs).
　I offer it to them, saying, “Here, taste it,” and enjoy their reaction. The daughter knows what she's doing, and responds with a careful examination of the food. It is ordinary, but a moment of bliss.

【レンタカー、イヌも歩けばこうなるか？】

　前々回の東京出張時に借りたレンタカー。わたしはクルマの種類など一応は気にするけれど、最近のクルマは厳しい競争からか、それほど気にもならないレベルの性能差になってきている。クルマも永く乗り続け、免許証をいただいてからでも（？）54年が経過。狭いニッポンですが、あちこち巡り続けてもまだまだ、好奇心と探究心をお供に走り回り続けている。
　昨日は久しぶりに長い付き合いのクルマメーカーの担当者と話していましたが、道の狭い本州地域では軽の方がなにかと好都合という話題に持ち込んで、かれの高額車販売志向を封じておりました（笑）。
　そうなんですよね、いろいろな取材対象・箇所に行くのに本州の市街地域では道路幅事情が非常に厳しかったりする。普通車に乗っていて、車幅を気にしながら路肩と話し合いながら運転するようなケースも多いのですね。一度など和歌山・熊野地区では急坂の降りていく道で目の前で直角に右折する道路で路幅が非常に狭く、さらにその先にもどういう局面が現れるか予断が出来ない道に出くわした。そういうことでさすがに運転に自信が持てずに結局回避してわざわざ遠回りして目的箇所に行ったこともある。運転歴半世紀以上のベテランではあるけれど、本州の過疎地域などでは、いつなんどきそういった事態に遭遇する可能性がある。
　日本のクルマの４割程度が「軽」だそうで、そういった道路事情も反映しているのでしょうね。
　レンタカーの場合、移動手段としてだけの活用なので、小回りが利くというのは大きなメリット。さらに長距離移動のスケジュールも多いので、高速道路の軽の割引も３割程度なので大きい。たしかに追い越し時などエンジンの非力を感じることはあるけれど、快適性<利便性の一択。
　ということなんですが、このときも通常のチェックを済ませて借りて、必要なカーナビ操作を行ってすぐに出発した次第。で、ひと走りしたあと、高速のPAでふと車両番号が目に入ってしまった（笑）。
　まぁレンタカー屋さんに特段の底意はなかっただろうと信じますが、偶然にしては1/10000の確率の番号であります。大当たり気分も襲ってくる一方、比較的に楽天的性格ですのでいい方に考える習慣からすると、メッチャそのあとの運転に慎重さが増したメリット（笑）。まぁありがたい天の配剤でしょうか。
　たぶん道路で後続のクルマからは、たぶんちょっと距離を離したくなってくれたのではないかとも勝手に想像しておりました。　みなさんくれぐれも安全運転最優先で。


English version⬇

Rental Cars, Canines, and Walking Cars?
In the Kanto region, public transportation is the only choice for business interviews, but for residential interviews, rental cars are still the way to go. This time, I won a precious jackpot number. I'm so sorry....

　This is the rental car I rented on my previous business trip to Tokyo. I am concerned about the type of car I drive, but recently I am not so concerned about the type of car I drive, probably because of the stiff competition. I have been driving cars for a long time, even after receiving my driver's license (?). 54 years have passed. It is a small country, but even though I continue to visit many places, I am still driving around with curiosity and inquisitiveness as my companion.
　Yesterday, for the first time in a long time, I was talking with a person in charge of a car manufacturer with whom I have a long relationship, and I brought up the subject that in the Honshu area, where roads are narrow, it is more convenient to use light cars, thereby blocking his desire to sell luxury cars (laugh). Yes, the roads in the urban areas of Honshu are very narrow, and it is very difficult to visit the various subjects and locations of the interviews. In many cases, you are driving a standard car, and you have to be careful about the width of the car and discuss with the shoulder of the road. Once, for example, in the Kumano area of Wakayama Prefecture, I came across a road where the road width was very narrow with a right turn at a right angle in front of me on a road going down a steep slope, and furthermore, I could not foresee what phase would appear beyond that. I was not confident in my driving skills and ended up taking the long way around to get to the destination. Although I am a veteran driver with more than half a century of driving experience, there is a possibility that I may encounter such a situation at any time in depopulated areas in Honshu.
　I heard that about 40% of the cars in Japan are “kei” (light) cars, which probably reflects such road conditions.
　In the case of rental cars, since they are used only as a means of transportation, the ability to turn around on a small scale is a big advantage. Furthermore, since there are many long-distance travel schedules, the light discount on expressways is also significant since it is about 30%. Yes, there are times when I feel the engine is inefficient, such as when overtaking, but it is a choice of comfort <convenience.
　So, we rented the car after the usual check, operated the necessary car navigation system, and left immediately. After a short drive, I suddenly noticed the car number at a PA on the highway (laugh).
　Well, I believe that the rental car agency did not have any particular bottom line, but it was a number with a 1/10,000 chance of being a coincidence. While I felt like I hit the jackpot, my comparatively optimistic nature and habit of thinking in a positive way made me much more cautious in my driving after that (laugh). Well, I guess it was a blessing in disguise.
　I also imagined that the cars following us on the road probably wanted to keep a little distance from us.　Everyone, please drive safely and give top priority to safety.

【高齢化社会と「連休」感覚の変容】

　世間は３連休ということですが人生一段落夫婦としては行動予定はおおむね自由度が高いのでその連休にあわせる必要は特段ない。これまでならば「今度の連休、どこいこか？」と計画していた記憶があるのですが、そういった「追い込まれる」ような心理から解放されてしまった。そういった計画最優先という強迫観念がすっかり薄らいで来ています。これはいいことなのか悪いことなのか（笑）。
　早朝散歩はひとりで出掛けるのが習慣だったのですが、カミさんを誘ったらいっしょに出掛けることになった。休日だし、特段、自宅兼用事務所に出入り予定はないので、朝食も作り置き食品と残り飯のおにぎりというメニューにして外出時に弁当的に食べることにしていたのです。カミさんの朝の予定は特段なかった。ただ、散歩終了後はあちこち買い物の予定はしていた。
　ふだん歩いているコースをふたりで歩くと、ペース配分が違うので、ときどき立ち止まってか、あるいは歩速をゆっくりさせるかして合わせる必要がある。人生自分ひとりだけのものではないので、そんな風に歩いていたら、今度は逆に追い越され気味になった。
　やや上り坂から歩き始めて、そのあと下り坂気味に道が変わったら、彼女はそのペース通りで追い越されそうになったのですね。わたしは上り坂は早足で登りたいし、一方下り坂はノンビリとゆったりしていたいのだ、ということにふたりで歩くと気付かされた。「へーえ」という気分。

　コースはわたしの普段通りで、北海道神宮の周辺緑地を森の中、水辺、いくつかの神社参拝というようにめぐって、最後は北海道神宮本殿に参拝というコース。　神宮境内、早朝は日本人ばかりなのでそこそこ人出があっても静粛は保たれている。散歩が時間がズレて日中になってしまうと声の大きな国のみなさんが多くて、ちょっと悲しい騒音ぶり（泣）。大袈裟に注意するまでもない事柄なのでまぁ、無視一択なのですが、マナーはどうすれば向上していただけるのか、と思ってしまう。
　まぁ日中にしか散歩時間が取れないときには、神宮は避けた方がいいのでしょうね。
　という夫婦での早朝散歩でしたが、カミさんからは「楽しかった」という高評価（笑）。おお、楽しんでくれたんだというよろこびがこみ上げてくる。高齢化時期にはやはり夫婦関係の円満が大きな条件なのでしょう。人間ひとりだけで生きているワケではない。
　ということであくせくせず、自分たちペースで連休、その先も過ごしたいものです。


English version⬇

Aging Society and the Changing Sense of “Consecutive Holidays”
As we age, we realize that the marital relationship as a basic unit is extremely weighty. I want to remember to be thankful.

　The world is celebrating a three-day weekend, but as a couple who has reached the end of their lives, we have a high degree of freedom in our plans, so there is no particular need to adjust our activities to this holiday. In the past, we would have planned our activities by asking ourselves, “Where shall we go on this consecutive holiday? But now I am free from that kind of “driven” mentality. I have become free from such a “driven” mentality. The obsession of putting the highest priority on planning has completely faded away. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
　I used to go out for an early morning walk by myself, but when I invited my wife to join me, we decided to go out together. Since it was a holiday and I had no particular plans to go in and out of my home office, I had decided to eat breakfast as a lunch box when I went out, with a menu of leftover food and onigiri rice balls. Kami had no special plans for the morning. However, after the walk, we planned to go shopping here and there.
　Walking the same route we normally walk, our paces differ, so sometimes we have to stop or slow down to match our pace. I was not alone in my life, so when I was walking like that, I began to feel like I was being overtaken.
　When I started walking slightly uphill and then the road changed to a downhill, she followed my pace and almost overtook me. Walking together, we realized that I like to go uphill as fast as I can, while I like to take it easy on the way downhill. I was in a “heh-heh” mood.

　The course was as I usually do, visiting the green areas around the Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, including the forest, the waterfront, and several shrines, and ending at the main shrine of the Hokkaido Jingu Shrine.　The precincts of the shrine are usually full of Japanese people early in the morning, so even if there are a few people, the place is quiet and peaceful. However, when the time of the walk shifts to the middle of the day, there are many people from other countries with loud voices, and the noise is a little sad (crying). I don't need to be overly cautious about it, so I just ignore it, but I wonder how I can improve my manners.
　Well, if you can only take a walk during the daytime, it would be better to avoid Jingu.
　We had an early morning walk as a couple, but Kami gave us a high evaluation saying, “It was fun” (laugh). (Laughs.) I was pleased to hear that she enjoyed the walk. I suppose that a major condition for an aging population is a happy marital relationship. People do not live alone.
　So we should not be too busy, but rather enjoy the holidays and beyond at our own pace.

【10/8 オホーツク海・底引き網は「フグ」大漁・・・】

　きのうは北海道の秋の風物詩のようにナナカマドの紅葉とサケの遡上をご報告しましたが、北海道オホーツク海側の雄武町に地縁のある友人から「これがいまの海の様子だぞ」という報告を受け取った。
　「おお、元気でいるか？」
　「ああ、オマエのスマホにオレが撮影した動画を送った」
　「おお、どうしたのよ？」
　「７−８日と雄武に行ってきたときの漁の様子なんだわ」「ほえ〜、ありがと」
　「それがな、今年のオホーツクの海じゃ、フグばっかりで肝心のサケは激減なんだわ」
　ということで、その動画をチェックすると、たぶん10/8早朝と思われるオホーツク海での「底引き網」漁の水揚げの様子が映されていた。魚種によって仕分けされていく様子のようだけれど、生々しい海の男達の会話もゲンナリ感が強い。
　見てみると、上の写真のような魚種。まぁちょっと注視すればこれがフグの大漁だとわかる。まぁシロウト考えではフグは高級魚とされるし、ウマいのだからと思ったりもするけれど、そもそも北の海、オホーツクの漁業基地にとって、この時期に遠く下関あたり名産のフグが大漁になっても、捌きようがない。やむなく消費地に近い九州にまで冷凍して送ることになる。当然、イキは落ちるので値段は下落する。輸送コストも、時間もかかるけれど九州の水産関係業者に買いたたかれても送るしかない。そもそも漁業基地経済構造ではこの時期、サケ漁に特化するようになっているのだ。
　その肝心のサケは昨年の半分。一昨年の1/4相当という不漁ぶり。
　まぁ生々しい北の海の「現場報告」を送ってくれたのだ。わたしのサケ遡上報告と関連して、情報連絡してくれたのだろうか。いやはや、側聞はしていたけれど、日本近海の海水温の上昇による魚種の大変化ぶりは、抜き差しならないレベルに到達しているようだ。イカの不漁ぶりも恒常化している。自然界から、人間界に対して強烈なしっぺ返しが来ているように思われる。
　こういう海洋の環境変化に対応して産業構造を対応させていくという手はあるだろうけれど、そのためには的確な投資も必要になってくるし、こういう海の変化が恒常的なのかどうかも判断がつきにくい。そもそも地方は人口減少問題が直撃していて、そういう地域経済の再構築には困難とリスクが発生してくる。なんともやりきれないが、絶望する前に必要な「対応」はしていかねばならない。
　いまのニッポンを象徴するような漁業の危機。社会が存続し次の繁栄を見通していくために、いまの時代でわたしたちが出来ることを考えて行くしかないでしょうね、ふ〜〜む。


English version⬇

10/8 Sea of Okhotsk, bottom trawl nets catch large “puffer fish”...
Unimaginable rise in sea water temperature in the surrounding seas. Pufferfish, a south-sea fish, is pushing into the east coast of Hokkaido. Salmon catches are down by half compared to last year. Is this a warning to humans? ...

　Yesterday, I reported on the changing leaves of the nanakamado trees and the salmon run-up, as is typical of Hokkaido's autumn season.
　Oh, how are you?”
　“Yeah, I sent you the video I took on your phone.
　“Oh, what's going on?”
　It's a video of the fishing I did in Yubu on the 7th and 8th.
　I was in Okhotsk this year, and all I saw was puffer fish, and the number of salmon was very low.
　So I checked out the video, which was probably taken early in the morning of October 8, and found a video of a “bottom trawl” fishery landing in the Sea of Okhotsk. It seems that the fish are being sorted according to species, and the vivid conversation between the men at sea is very unnerving.
　The species of fish are as shown in the photo above. Well, if you look carefully, you can see that this is a big catch of puffer fish. However, the fishing base in the northern sea of Okhotsk has no way to handle a big catch of pufferfish, a specialty of the distant Shimonoseki area, at this time of the year. They have no choice but to send them frozen to Kyushu, which is closer to where they are consumed. Naturally, the fish is less fresh, so the price drops. Although transportation costs are high and time-consuming, there is no choice but to send the fish to Kyushu even if it is bought by fishery-related companies in Kyushu. The economic structure of the fishing base is such that it specializes in salmon fishing at this time of the year.
　The salmon catch is half of last year's. It is equivalent to 1/4 of the year before. The catch was half of last year's and a quarter of the year before last.
　The fishermen sent me a vivid “on-the-spot report” of the northern sea. I wonder if they contacted me with information related to my report on the salmon run. I had heard about it, but it seems that the huge change in fish species due to the rise in sea temperature in the seas around Japan has reached an unparalleled level. Squid catches have also been poor. It seems as if the natural world is coming down hard on the human world.
　There may be a way to adapt the industrial structure to these changes in the marine environment, but this will require appropriate investment, and it is difficult to determine whether these changes in the ocean are permanent or not. In the first place, rural areas are directly hit by the problem of declining population, and such restructuring of the local economy will be fraught with difficulties and risks. It is a very difficult task, but we must take the necessary “measures” before despairing.
　The crisis in the fishing industry is symbolic of today's Japan. In order for the society to survive and to see the next prosperity, we have no choice but to think about what we can do in the current era.

【サケ発寒川遡上・ナナカマド、秋色深まる札幌】

　きのういつものように早朝散歩に午前６時頃に家を出たのですが、体感気温が予想以上に低く感じた。あとで調べたら７度程度ということでしたが、体感的には５度を下回っているようなレベル感。はやく寒さから逃れたいと通常よりも「速歩」気味にして体温上昇を一生懸命にこころみていました。10分程度早足で歩いている内にようやく馴染んできていましたが、普通のジャンパーを着込んでいましたが、これから場合によっては薄手のダウンジャケットも選択肢かと。
　ということで近隣の「発寒川」流域の公園を歩いていたら、橋の欄干に人が集まって川面を注視している。「お、」というところ。案の定、鮭たちが発寒川を遡上している様子を観察しているのです。北海道人としては、まことに季節を知らせてくれる季語のような「イベント」。発寒川は結構な傾斜のある流路なのでところどころにサケの遡上用に造作が施されているのですが、そこを力を込めて遡上するのに、やや体力を整えてからチャレンジするところに遭遇していた。
　写真ではやや鮮明ではないでしょうが、どうもオスメスのペアのように思えた。種としてのいのちの定めにためらうことなく立ち向かうかれらの姿は神々しい。観衆としての人間たちは、自然に誰言うともなく「応援」するような心理になってくる。地元のスポーツ選手を無条件に応援するような心理に近い。
　そういえば先週末の買い物ではサケの獲れたてのヤツが１匹990円で販売されていて、即購入。ひとり１本限定販売。謹んで捌かせていただいた。白子が腹部から生々しく取り出せた。カミさんは「ゲっ」とひとこと（笑）。わたしは淡々と立ち向かって、赤身の本体を捌き終わったあと、白子を丁寧に調理させていただいた。煮物料理の主役として扱って料理したのですが、カミさんも恐る恐るだったけれど食べたら「うん、いけるね」。どうしても「アニサキス」の心配があるので、多少しっかり目に加熱調理した。
　残ったアタマ部分と骨の部分は「アラ汁」として楽しんでおりました。って、まだアラ汁は半分しか材料を使っていないのでもう一回食べられる。もちろん肉身は50-60切れくらいに分けて冷凍。990円でコスパ最高レベル。
　遡上を応援したり、その食味を味わわせていただいたり、北海道の秋にとってサケはまことに主役。
　一方、散歩道のナナカマドの色づきも日々深まっている。メッチャ硬くて食用に調理するには７回くらいカマドを使うというものですが、冬の間、野鳥たちの貴重な栄養補給源にもなってくれる。
　万物生々流転、おだやかに進んで行く秋の風情であります。


English version⬇

Sapporo's salmon run up the Hassamu River, Nanakamado, and autumn colors deepen.
The cold progressed rapidly during my early morning walk. It may be time to put on your down jacket. The salmon, both in taste and in the show of their return to the Hakkasamu River, are a favorite of the people of Hokkaido. Nanakamado trees are also beautiful. Sapporo

　I left home around 6 a.m. for an early morning walk as usual yesterday, but the temperature I felt felt was lower than expected. I later checked the temperature and found that it was about 7 degrees Celsius, but my physical sensation was as if it was below 5 degrees Celsius. I tried my best to walk faster than usual to get out of the cold and raise my body temperature. 10 minutes of walking at a fast pace and I was finally getting used to it, but I was wearing a normal jacket, but I thought a light down jacket might be an option.
　So I was walking in a park along the Hassamu River, and I saw people gathered on the parapet of a bridge, staring at the surface of the river. I was about to say, “Oh! Sure enough, they were watching salmon moving up the Hassamu River. As a Hokkaido native, this “event” is truly a seasonal reminder of the season. The Hassamu River is a fairly sloping stream channel, so it is built for salmon runs in some places, but I was encountering a place where I had to be somewhat physically fit to challenge the salmon to make a strong run up there.
　The photo will be somewhat unclear, but it appeared to be a male-female pair. It was divine to see them face their destiny of life as a species without hesitation. As spectators, we naturally began to “cheer” for them, without anyone telling us to. It is similar to the mentality of unconditionally cheering for local athletes.
　Speaking of which, when I was shopping last weekend, freshly caught salmon were on sale for 990 yen per fish, and I immediately bought one. Limited to one per person. I was respectfully allowed to handle it. The milt was freshly removed from the abdomen. My wife said, “Geez” (laugh). I faced her without hesitation and carefully cooked the milt after I finished processing the lean body. I treated it as the main ingredient in a stewed dish, and although Kami was a little afraid of it, when she ate it, she said, “Yes, it's good. I cooked it more or less thoroughly because I was worried about “anisakis” (an aquatic organism).
　The rest of the fish, including the head and bones, was enjoyed as “ara-jiru” (soup with ara). I mean, I have only used half of the ingredients for the “ara-jiru,” so I can eat it once more. Of course, the meat pieces were divided into about 50-60 slices and frozen. 990 yen is the best level of cosmos.
　Salmon are a mainstay of Hokkaido's autumn season, whether cheering for their return or savoring their taste.
　On the other hand, the coloring of the Japanese white ash along the path is deepening day by day. They are so hard that it takes about seven times to cook them, but they are also a valuable source of nourishment for wild birds during the winter.
　The autumn season is a time when all things are moving gently and gently.

【札幌での日本能率協会主催の建築関係イベント参観】

　日本能率協会主催の建築関連のイベントといえばおおむね東京ビッグサイトなどで行われるので、参観することがこれまで多かった。２年前には出展企業として参加もしていた。多くの建築・工務店関係者と出会うことも多く、そういった意味でも「情報収集」の手段としても活用していたのです。
　常識的に考えて見れば北海道単独の市場規模でこういったイベントを行うのは相当難しいと思えたのですが、そのイベントが札幌でも開かれていると知って、参加して参りました。
　会場は札幌の展示場と言えばここ、アクセス札幌であります。この会場にもすっかりご無沙汰でもう10年以上のブランクがあるかと。クルマで行ったのですが途中、カーナビも忘れていて（笑）どうも一生懸命に「裏口」側に案内しようとする。「あれ、ヘンだな、正面も出入りできるはず」と記憶を頼りに向かったら、なんの問題もなく駐車場入口が正面側にあって入場できた。浦島太郎気分。
　イベントとしては４つのテーマのものが同一会場で行われていたので、一訪問者としては、どうも迷ってしまった。わたしの訪問動機は建築関連の最新動向の把握にあったのですが、そのイベントは主に「都市開発・建築総合展」。関連して「エネルギー技術革新EXPO」「災害リスク対策展」というものでした。日本能率協会からのわたし宛のメール案内などでもこの３つの案内が送られてきていたのですが、会場に来て見たら、メインの入口から入ったところでは「観光産業の未来戦略」というイベントが会場の半分近くを占拠して行われていた。「どうも話がピンと来ないなぁ」であります。
　で、よくよく会場案内図を見たら、毛色と対象層のまったく違うイベントが混在していることが理解できてきた。まぁ北海道でイベントを開催するにはこういった作戦もやむを得ないのでしょうね。危惧したとおり、市場規模から考えて、なかなか難しいのだろうと思います。
　ようやく集中することが出来た目当ての方のイベントでは、強く興味を惹かれる企業や動きの案内を複数確認できました。わたし自身の情報ネットワークに加えていきたいと思いました。
　こういうイベントではやはり最新の業界情報が得られるので、俯瞰的に建築・住宅の志向が感じ取れる。会場の参加者の、どういった情報に敏感になっているかという動向からも、新鮮な情報リフレッシュが得られました。
　なんですが、問題は昼食（笑）。会場内外周辺ではどうにも脂ギッシュなものばかりで、健康第一を考える身にはとてもムリな食べものばかり。やむなく会場での栄養補給は諦めておりました（泣）。


English version⬇

Visit to a building-related event organized by the Japan Management Association in Sapporo
It is important to observe trends in the market environment to find out the real-time responses of product providers. The event was held in Hokkaido, a small market, and provided an interesting information contact experience. ...

　Two years ago, I participated as an exhibitor at a JMA-sponsored architecture-related event at Tokyo Big Sight. In this sense, I also used the event as a means of “gathering information” as I often met many people involved in the construction industry.
　From a common sense point of view, it would have been quite difficult to hold such an event in Hokkaido alone on the market scale, but when I learned that the event was being held in Sapporo, I came to participate.
　The venue was Access Sapporo, the most famous exhibition hall in Sapporo. It had been more than 10 years since I had been to this venue. I went there by car, but on the way there, I forgot my car navigation system (laugh), and it tried very hard to guide me to the “back entrance”. I thought, “That's strange, I should be able to go in and out of the front entrance,” and headed for the front entrance, but the parking lot entrance was on the front side, and I was able to enter without any problem. I felt like Urashima Taro.
　As a visitor, I felt lost because there were four different themed events being held at the same venue. My motivation for visiting the event was to grasp the latest trends related to architecture, and the event was mainly the “Urban Development & Architecture Comprehensive Exhibition. The main event was the “Urban Development & Architecture Expo,” which was accompanied by the “Energy Technology Innovation Expo” and the “Disaster Risk Countermeasures Expo. I had received an e-mail from JMA informing me of these three events, but when I arrived at the venue, I found that the “Future Strategy of the Tourism Industry” event was taking up almost half of the venue, as I entered through the main entrance. I was not sure what they were talking about.
　After carefully looking at the map of the venue, I began to understand that there was a mix of events with completely different tastes and target audiences. Well, I guess such a strategy is unavoidable to hold an event in Hokkaido. As I feared, it must be quite difficult considering the size of the market.
　I was finally able to concentrate on the event of my interest, and I found several companies and movements that attracted my strong interest. I would like to add them to my own information network.
　I can get the latest industry information at these events, so I can get a bird's eye view of the architectural and residential orientation of the industry. I was also able to get some fresh information refreshment from the trends of what kind of information the attendees at the event were sensitive to.
　But the problem was lunch (laugh). The food in and around the venue was all fatty and greasy, which was very unappealing to those of us who consider our health to come first. I had no choice but to give up on nutritional supplementation at the venue (tears).