(written August 17, 10:00 am)
Woke with my iPhone alarm at 6:30 intending to eat the b'fast buffet at the YH at 7 after putting the last things on the bicycle. I had already loaded most things the night before leaving them with the other bikes in front. As I had anticipated Richard was already up - said he rose at 4:30 and had a smoke - and was waiting for me. I wonder if he thought I'd leave early to dodge him. In his line one can never be too cautious. He actually reminded me that I had said I'd help him out with the YH bill.
B'fast eaten, money "lent", hands shaken and promises to keep in touch exchanged, I departed. Necessary formalities I suppose.
Next my Lotto picks for the day: 162, 363, 362, 477, 50, 445, 27. Route 162 I picked up near the Utano YH and followed it north out of town. Nice forested scenery, but an inclined road necessitating the kind of good leg warm-up offered by pushing the bicycle. Left Route 363 for 362 (alt.) which though narrow was also untrafficked and shaded by dense stands of cedars.
I was a little surprised that such a remote road was used to dump trash and appliances. I chose to turn left at the T-junction and photographed a newly built roadside shrine. Built to comfort the souls of the loyal but recently discarded home appliances perhaps? Minutes later I left the forest and was about to enter a farming valley through which Route 50 passed. Pausing I heard a woman speaking to a child then saw them as they came into view just 10 m away. As they came closer and the woman told the little girl to say hello I greeted them and asked where they were going - often a rhetorical question in Japan. The girl said "Bye-bye" and I turned and coasted downhill. The encounter made me ask if certain people are chosen by whatever guides us to have a Down's child because they have the natural capacity needed to raise such a child or if they are chosen because they need to learn that they are being guided by guiding someone else.
Route 27 reached and a hint of rain. Look for shelter. Rear tire turns to mush as I get the 3rd flat of the day. The second was unique as I heard the pop. By chance I was near a disused little outdoor market building with wide overhangs so I stopped to repair the tube. I had gone through all the spares. Five minutes later the rain poured down with such force that a number of cars pulled over. Finished patching three tubes by 4, I continued on to Ayabe knowing well that there was no hope of reaching Maizuru much less Amanohashidate.
I missed the Hotel Alpha I had seen advertised - chose to take a parallel street moments before I would have passed in front of it - and crossed the train and doubled back to the "R-Inn" near the station.
In short, the manager, Fujii, was an adventurer in his youth becoming a ski instructor at Whistler and traveler to different ski resorts in the States. He eventually married, had two kids and will move back to Canada in the near future. Very helpful with suggestions. He treated me to beers in the hotel restaurant and introduced me to his chef (and bicyclist) who proceeded to prepare a very good 10-dish dinner for me at a very nominal price. This to cap the same day I left behind mouldering memories of Kyoto, aided Richard in his continuing decline and had 3 flats.
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