I've got a lovely pair of sea urchins

If you have not had fresh sea urchin, you may be amazed to know that those spiky exteriors hold such soft tender flesh. The Japanese have been enjoying the flavour and texture of the sea urchin flesh for centuries. I have only discovered it for a little over a year. 

 

I was at first a little sceptical of foods that are raw AND orange-coloured. (I have always had a serious doubt about foods that are orange in colour - it's just not normal) The first time I tried it, it was not fresh. I could tell because it tasted really strong, and if you could taste the air in the fish market it would be that taste. The next time I tried it, it was great because it was just scooped out of a sea urchin. 

Today I have in my possession two small containers full of sea urchin flesh. I only wish I could persuade other sceptics to join me and savour the lovely flavour and texture of the slimy sea urchin flesh. I think it is not a lost battle yet. Who wouldn't want to put slimy and raw orange-coloured tongue-looking things into their mouth?

 

That chubby sausage

Introducing the one with the long body and a chubby stomach. Her name is Truffles. 


At night you can hear light snoring leaving her small coiled up body. When she has overstayed her invitation to my room, she turns her head just enough to avoid my pondering gaze. She thinks she's fooled me into believing that she's asleep. Playing possum is her favourite night time game, one that can only be played with me. I can never bare the thought of making her leave my warm room and go back into the cold dark night. Even if the white fluffy one keeps her warm and company. His name is Fufu.


This morning, I taught them a good trick. It is called "Hi 5", but really I only need to tell them to sit first and place my palm near their front legs. They understand what they must do: raise the left paw and place it in my palm. I am thinking of improving this to "extreme Hi 5", which involves jumping into the air and doing the trick. If that proves to be impossible, I might just settle for teaching them how to "Hi 5" each other.