Chocolate Takoyaki

[A Hina doll set]

I went rock-climbing for the second time this week, two days after the previous climb, and I was more tired than usual by the time I hit the 3-hour mark. Apparently, one day isn't enough time to recover for a beginner who's only hit the rock-climbing gym for the fourth time. No muscle pain, just some tiredness in the arms, nothing a dip in the hotspring won't solve ;) I seem to be building up some hand grip and arm strength too (along with some calluses ;)), useful for when I'll have to swing a 20kg pack on my back later this Summer... last year, it didn't quite happen, not even at the end of the trek with a less than 15kg pack...

Yesterday was also Girls' Day or Japanese Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri 雛祭り), so I had a festive takoyaki (octopus dumpling balls, but without the octopus) dinner with some SGI members. Here's a tip, chocolate takoyaki doesn't work if you have dashi (Japanese soup stock) in the batter, we've tried and tested it, and take it from me, it tastes bloody awful.