The Kyoto Garden, Holland Park, London

Wow, David. How did you persuade the fish to pose in just the right place?

Looks nice there.

It took ages, Terratoonie, lol! As you will have realised, am about to post the final blog in the "Parks" mini-series - just need to get the pics uploaded. Cheers! Guybinn, amidst the nearby hustle and bustle of a city. I think that parks have their own form of double-glazing/soundproofing!

Lovely photo David. The Koi Carp looks well fed!

Hi Grenville. There were many carp in the pond - lovely, healthy fish. This was truly a garden oasis in the city!

Holly Smoke, David!! look at the size of that koi!!! the lantern is wonderful too!... Japanese gardens produce such a feeling of balance and calm...they feed the soul.

so does Karate, Lori! Our kids love karate lessons (no belts yet, they've only been attending for less than a year). I notice that they have become rather graceful movers, and are picking up on many of the underlying disciplines, such as respect for peers, elders, and parents. I really enjoy sitting watching the lessons - they are actually very balanced and calm. In my opinion a karate Sensei has far more influence and power than a schoolteacher - even I find myself bowing on entering/leaving, without turning my back. Likewise, such gardens invoke grace, balance, calmness, and make you (and the world) feel better!

Way to go, kids!!! I have a nephew who is a fourth dan black belt in Butoku Kai...(I think that's the right spelling) (school teachers can't work their pupils to exhaustion to make a point!) grace, calmness and balance...very well said! and if you want to truly relax while you strengthen your body and mind...find a yoga school. I'm seriously considering taking Tai Chi in the evenings this year instead of woodworking but I'm still practicing yoga twice a week!

Hi Lori! Well done, your nephew! Right now, I have an image of you in woodwork class, carving an elaborate piece of wood, then calmly, and gracefully, chopping it in two with the side of your own hand! I may, actually, soon have time on my hands to take up something myself, although here yoga tends to be the preserve of the ladies. I really like the karate, tho!

did you see the pics on TV during the Olympics of Tai Chi...?? and there are always at least 3 men in the Yoga practices I attend. Maybe Karate is for you?! just like our gardens we continue to grow...

Missed all of the Olympics, I'm afraid! Good to hear that Yoga is for men, too - but I really am taken with the karate - domo arigato!

Dozo!

That's so beautiful, really gives a feeling of serenity.

That's a great pic David. I also have some Japanese garden pics here in my file you might want to take a peek at. They were taken at Compton Acres in Poole, Dorset, only a few short miles from where we live in Bournemouth.

I remember visiting Compton Acres, really beautiful. Isn't there a butterfly farm near there?

Thanx, Greenfingers. I remembered seeing your pics not so long ago (some of your other ones have "featured on..." next to them? That is mostly my "fault", haha! Just went back and had another look at the Compton Acres ones. Beautiful! Thank You!

Thank You too, Gillian. I had plenty of time to enjoy the calm of the garden while sitting waiting for that fish to come closer, it was in no hurry, either!