hokkaido: day 12 - this is what it must be like to be retired
DEST: YACHIYO/CHITOSE DIST: 130KMS
on wednesday the schedule was somewhat shorter than our average getting to our hostel just south of obihiro and the foot of more mountains by 5pm. we made a civilisation stop after the rain started - had a big mac and then went to the flicks. it was great - like a traditional british holiday. we also topped up on our cash before spending a couple of days in the sticks. the hostel turned out to be clean and new if slightly unlived in. the countryside was like east lothian near edinburgh but without the nice farmhouses and their red tiled roofs. everything built is pretty much prefab here, soley to take the weight of the snow each winter. function without form. our hosts were jolly osakans who had left the rat race a few years earlier and it has to be said they now have a sweet little thing up here.
we spent our rest day in the local area visiting a stained glass artist who had an inspiring view from her studio. we ate some more curry and had a few rounds of park golf. growing up around some of the best golf courses in the world, park golf was a bit of a departure but it was a total laugh. you get a heavy plastic ball about the size of a tennis ball and essentially a putter that looks like a driver. you get a rubber tee too and then you just go for it. because of the material - the ball stops dead in rough which is a real challenge. we stumbled upon the busiest course in hokkaido, which was in a lovely setting - there was a tournament on just before we arrived and the elderly winners were receiving their prizes as we played. we were getting a glimpse of retirement.
the next day we had an entirely different outlook on yachiyo as we cycled by the pastures and fields with the mountain range in full view. you could even see the central mountain range in the distance. we headed to the train typically upbeat, singing songs from our youth and happy that despite having spent more money than we would have in thailand for week, we had accomplished pretty much what we wanted to.
we contemplated bear, walrus and whale curry as we picked up some omiyage at the airport and took in the glorious sunset over hakodate with the lakes and volcanoes as we rested on the plane home.
Nicky - thanks for the message and glad I could paint a bit of a picture for you. I'll try and sort dan out with all the photos 'that got away'. there's about 200 but you'll be asleep by 50.
can't wait to meet you at the wedding. all the best. stuart.
Posted by: stu at August 29, 2006 11:56 PM
very entertaining read Stuart!
We feel we know Hokkaido quite well now.
liked the photos too. You could bulk it up into a travel book a la Josie Dew, if you know her cycling stories?
You must feel very satisfied to have achieved your goals- hope Dans knee will survive.
Will no doubt meet you next Spring at the wedding.
Posted by: nicky at August 29, 2006 08:38 PMJim and Nicky- parents of dan, obviously!