Autumn has finally arrived. The temperature has dropped from 30 degrees last week to a more reasonable 21 and the dreadful humidity is no more. In the past 7 days I’ve walked 250Km and visited just 8 temples. That has brought me to the city of Matsuyama in the north west of Shikoku. It’s the home of Dogo Onsen, one of the oldest and most famous of Japan’s bath houses as well as a castle and much besides. I’ve now walked exactly 800Km and nailed 51 temples. That leaves me with about 350Km and 37 temples. Time for a couple of rest days.
Today was a short 13Km walk with 5 temples along the way. I barely departed from one before the next one appeared. It was all very civilised. The rural ramshackle houses gave way to plush suburbs with hybrid cars gliding along the streets with more urgency than I’ve seen for awhile. I love being in a city; there is a Starbucks and an Italian restaurant within “walking distance”. And yet… and yet I’m already missing the little fishing villages and the rural backwaters with elderly homeowners caring for me, the strange birds and the rice paddies. Ah well, they’ll be back soon enough.
Enjoy your Japanese bath Tim. You do realise Rule 1 don’t you?
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Happy Birthday! 🎂🎈🎉🎂
The days pass by quickly Tim – it seems hardly anytime since I read your first days post and here you are on day 33 ! enjoy and cherish the memories.
Hi David, it must seem like a long weekend compared to your pilgrimage. I’ve already preordered your book from Amazon. It will be a great read.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!
I hope you find a non-fishy dish with which to celebrate.
Vikki
Thanks Vikki, alas sushi but I like sushi. Tomorrow I will find a meal somewhere in Matsuyama
Happy Birthday. Enjoy your rest day. Matsuyama castle looks worth a visit.
It’s on my list. I like a Japanese castle. Thanks
Love the flying fish illusion (top picture).
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday, Tim! 👣🎂🍺🎁🎉
Did you ever find out why all the statues seem to be dressed in red?
Hi DJ cheers. I’ve no idea about the red clothes but they are very common so perhaps there’s no meaning at all. It’s like the traffic lights. Why are they red, amber and blue? It’s a bizarre world here
Kia ora, Tim, Your photos of the landscape and gardens on this post and the previous one are fabulous and must be the perfect foil for the less pleasant ambiance of walking on busy roads and through nasty tunnels. I am impressed by your stamina and the distances you walk on many days so perhaps you should look at running a marathon when you get home – it’s just a matter of one foot in front of the other but landing midsole not heel to toe!! Ki o tsukete, ganbatte, Vicky
Hi Vicky, I enjoy occasional long days. It’s probably because I naturally walk quite fast so if I don’t have a reason to stop, the kilometres will build up. But you can plan your trip around much shorter distances.