Today was one of those days when you feel rushed off your feet all day but then wonder what you actually did.
It took a while but we decided that it was time to move on from Japan, we have really loved it here but temperatures are dropping to near zero most of next week combined with expensive accommodation helped push us into this decision.
A lovely old street in Kyoto
Last night’s rain continued for 6 hours, stopping around 10:00 pm, if you have never been in a tent at night listening to the sound of falling rain then you have missed out, go do it.
We were ready to go at 8:00 am when, as promised Hi Ya Mo To Hidesi turned up to see if we survived the rain last night. He did say Route 43 was the one to follow, so a wave and a shake of hands later we set off.
Our friend Hi Ya Mo To Hidesi
It was indeed a very noisy night, a busy dual carriageway and two train lines, even with this we had no problem sleeping.
Finishing a cold breakfast, we have run out of porridge; gasp! And have not been able to locate any here, yet. So instead there is a muesli type cereal which is quite nice, but not the same as hot porridge.
Looking towards the centre of Kobe
A rather leisurely get up today before wandering down to the 1st floor for our “included in the expensive room price” breakfast. This time there was cereal, fruit, rolls and jam as well as the full Japanese breakfast. Not too bad to start the day with.
A bright boat in an otherwise drab looking day
It was a lot warmer last night, no risk of frost.
Today was easy cycling, around 15 km to Fukuda Port on Shodoshima Island the a ferry to Himeji and a 6 km cycle to our hotel.
A view down to a sheltered bay
No frost last night but still cold, you have to say a warm sleeping bag is worth its weight in gold.
The lake next to the tent on a still early morning
Temperatures dropped to near zero last night and we had a frosty tent as a present in the morning. We were both snug and warm in our sleeping bags despite the low temperature.
Sunset at the park
Happy Thanksgiving here in Japan, a national holiday today. There was still a lot of people at work though.
It was quite chilly last night but the promised sun did make an early morning appearance.
The last bridge
More bridges and more islands was the order for the day. First though it was dry off the tent as from around 1.00 am until 8.00 am it poured with rain, the first sustained rain our little tent had been in and there were a couple of drips it looks like some water is seeping through a seam. A warm dry day and that can be fixed but it isn’t an issue.
Early morning view out of the tent
After a very peaceful night it was lovely to wake up to the sound of waves lapping on the beach.
Kurushima-Kaikyo bridge
Cycle Travellers 