Not really Hiroshima but the ‘Bullet Train’ works very well ll over. And the drivers wear proper train driver hats!
An unplanned event was a visit to the baseball. Clearly a big sport in Japan and a great family event on the Friday night.
There were a few north Americans playing. I quite quickly reacquainted myself with the rules and appreciated the skills.
As with the US they like to make a little entertainment in the 7th innings.
I am now a ‘Carps’ fan and have the cap to prove it.
Of course we visited the peace memorial and had a guide to help. It was a stimulating experience, with an explanation of the events and then a visit to the museum to explain and recount events and experiences of the local population.
An historic image of a standing building. Plus a lovely meal.
Blogging after date but that is the way it goes sometimes.
We arrived in Japan from NZ and Melbourne after following the advice of Lei much to the annoyance and frustration of IQ.
First stop Kyoto after landing at Narita and making our way to central Tokyo to pick up the bullet train.
We arrived at the accommodation late in the evening after a taxi ride with a very patient man. He was very tolerant of us. The property owner was vert welcoming- really a theme for the week.
We managed to navigate the metro- overground and underground – eventually. Different lines and different companies! But with the use of electronic card on out wallet- all became easier. I did like the fact the drivers and station staff all wear proper uniforms and caps!
We enjoyed the food tour to the market as well as the trip to the gardens. We had great experience with the food we ate. The sushi on conveyor belt which we struggled to work out how the system worked. As with so may places in Japan the ordering was via a screen. As means of needing less staff I think. It was the delivery that was difficult for us- which dish belonged to us?? The first place we found in the evening- by accident- as the original venue was closed to sit -ins- was great. All Japanese customers and such simple but beautiful food.
There are so many temples in Kyoto- it does seem unnecessary to just concentrate on the best well-known. We were happy to see a few different sites and walk around for a few kms.
Then the owners of our accommodation were kind enough to drive us to the station to catch the train to Hiroshima.
This time via a new city. A layover for a couple of days which for the most part is being used to deal with the fatigue of flying, which should not be that bad, and the previous days poor sleep.
Yesterday we slipped in a trip to Chinatown and some street food. Noodles followed by coconut ice-cream. Today a trip to the Grand Palace and temples. Low key for us, not too long, but a good view of part of the culture. Despite our limited time it is clear that this is a busy and huge city.
Last week we were there to enjoy the scenery and the walking. Which we did- but with plenty of other people. There were so many people in the villages and on the trains in between- ir was mad. It brought back memories of Amalfi.
The walking of the coast line was hard to very hard. Part of the usual track was closed for repairs after a landslip. A big job in progress.
The train trip after, our few days, back to Milan was not a great experience. Not a great advert for Italian railways.
So an extremely late post given that I arrived back home one week ago. However, better late than never and the cycling trip does deserve to be recorded.
Richard and I dis about 370 Km over the 5 days- arriving on the periphery of Paris on day 4-taking the RER in to see the city – and cycling into the centre on the morning of Day 5 to have the bikes boxed up so we could take them in the Eurostar.
Before pedalling- above.
The first day involved cycling from Ealing via Richmond Park and Wimbledon to reach the Wandle river and the NCN 20. We then followed the ‘Avenue Verte’ route. The shorter option.
The first 2 hours involved trouble with Richard’s chain coming off four times into the gap between cassette and wheel. Not easy to remove and frustrating. The was some rain so the poncho came out of the packet on day 1.
The route to the south coast is a mixed affair in terms of terrain- with some bits more like a mountain bike track and parts of the route running next to the A23!
About 110 km later we reached Brighton about 18-30; 10.5 hours duration.
Brighton was a welcome site as was the curry and beers in the closest curry houser we could find.
A rapid trip to Newhaven for about another 20Km in the dark with a gale thankfully behind us meant we made the ferry with ease. The crossing however was relatively rough- as you felt the ship ‘fall’ into the troughs.
Day 2 was Dieppe to Forges Les Eaux- along mostly a cycling route that follows an old railway line. Good quality and a gradual up all the way.
The hotel was accommodating- even as we sat drinking out pre- dinner beers in the small foyer as the other guests checked-in.
Day 3 was longer and with more rain- on an off. The countryside was simple but beautiful with lovely bus stop resting spots and a useful cafe.
We arrived in Vexin-sur- Apte to our AirBnB- our chambre d’hotes. after two consecutive punctures for me. The gas cyclinder helped!
A lovely place, we very welcoming owners who cooked for us- which they do not usually do. Lovely 3 big dogs too.
The next day we reached Paris and did the tourist thing:
The final morning we joined the rush hour traffic to cycle to the centre to get the train. It was a day of national protest against the proposed changes to the national retirement scheme. Trains and buses on strike so lots of traffic and lots of cops and closed roads near the station.
Train home, navigating the Tube with boxed bikes and panniers. All part of the fun. Great trip.
Last Sunday the event happened again for first time in 3 years- I was there 4 years ago.
I had to cycle there and back from home which made about 45km in total – with the circuit itself about 13km.
Me
I enjoyed my previous outing more the last time; maybe more space on the roads, less busy? but also just fresh experience. But good all the same this time.
Certainly a good event. Lots of people, lots of families with young children having the opportunity to access the roads in safety. An important way, for a short time at least, to reclaim the streets.
