Amazing Alex’s Aussie Oasis in Tokyo’s Tama

Sometimes, little miracles come into your life in unexpected ways. Alex Endo has done that for Kangaeroo.com by transforming a little plot of land in Tokyo’s Tama region into a tiny slice of Australia.

たまに思わず小さな奇跡が寄ってくる。東京多摩地区の小さな庭を「考えRooコーナー」に変革し、まるでオーストラリアの1画に変えることによって遠藤”アレックス”昭さんがそのような奇跡を起こした。

With a well-laid plan going back a few months and a few hours of hard work, Alex took a plain plot of land in a housing estate and transformed it into a “Kangaeroo Corner,” a glorious Australian garden, delightfully designed and rich in Aussie plants. It brought unbridled delight into the hearts of the Kangaeroo.com family.

数か月前の計画に基づき、数時間の労力によって何とも言えない普通の老人たちが住む団地のい１画を華やかなオーストラリア庭に変革し、考えRoo.com家族の人たちの心にはかり知らない喜びをもたらせていただいた。

Alex lived in Australia and became an expert on Australian plants. Once his career as a salaryman was over, he dedicated his life in retirement to spreading the word about the charms of Australian plants in Japan. He has appeared on the telly, written books, gives lessons and actually gardens. Mrs. Kangaeroo.com discovered Alex, asked him to take charge of the Kangaeroo.com garden and, thankfully, he agreed to the request. As the gallery shows, Alex designed and made a garden that exceeded so superb it exceeded all expectations.

アレックスさんは、昔オーストラリアに住み、オージー・プランツの達人となった。サラリーマン人生が終わり、第二の人生では日本でオージープランツの魅力を伝えることにした。テレビに出演し、図鑑を出版し、レッスンを行い、実際にガーデニングも行っています。Mrs.考えRooのおかげでアレックスさんが依頼を受けて、幸いに考えRoo自身の庭を造っていただいた。ギャラリーで見るように想像もつかないほど素晴らしい仕上がりはしている。

To be brutally honest, Kangaeroo had never really been interested in a garden or gardening, but Kangaeroo found the garden that Alex made absolutely breathtaking, became thoroughly engrossed in getting out in the garden and looking after the little plot of delight has now become one of life’s daily joys. Alex’s brilliance shows in all sorts of ways, one of which is his clear love of Australian plants and how they motivate his efforts. Kangaeroo is a clear beneficiary of that. To return that kindness, it’s up to Kangaeroo to rigorously look after the garden, and show some love for it on a daily basis.

正直に言うと考えRooが庭にあまり興味がないがアレックスさんが造ったオージー・ガーデンが出来て、息が取られたぐらい感動し、庭の仕事がとっても楽しむようになり、これからの成長を日々の喜び生きがいの一つとしている。アレックスさんの素晴らしさがあっちこっちで表れるが、その一つがオージー・プランツの愛で動機づけられているようで言動で見せています。考えRooがそれを非常に得している。恩返しとして、庭の低入りで必死に頑張り、庭を日々愛することを。

It’s worth noting that as Alex and his mate, Takeuchi-san, were transforming Kangaeroo Corner, the neighbors took an enormous interest and came to take a closer look. Chatting with with neighbors later in the week, one even asked if it was OK to bring a friend to come and have a look at what an amazing job Alex had done for the Kangaeroo garden. Considering the neighbors are no slouches when it comes to the gardening game and take great pride in their own plots, it was praise of the highest degree.

特筆すべきは、アレックスと相棒のタケウチさんが「考えRooコーナー」を改造している時に、近所の方々が非常に興味を持ち、よく見に来たことだ。その週の数日後、近所の方とお話した時、その方が「友人を見に行くために誘っていい？」と聞かれるまで興味深かった「考えRooコーナー」の仕事の素晴らしいの証と受け止めている。近所の方々は皆さんガーデニングがお上手で、自分のお庭に誇りを持っておられることを考えると、最高の褒め言葉でした。

Kangaeroo.com is deeply grateful to Alex for his design and hard work in producing the garden, and Takeuchi-san for his wonderful help. Thanks also to Mrs. Kangaeroo for getting the whole thing rolling, and to Mrs. Kangaeroo’s brother and sister for their great efforts and hard work in creating Kangaeroo Corner.

はじめてのオージープランツ図鑑 (Alex’s book on Aussie plants <Japanese>).

Alex’s Garden Party <Alex’s blog in Japanese>.

異彩を放つオージープランツの寄せ植え講座 (Alex’s lessons on Aussie gardens <Japanese>)