Konichiwa from Matsue.
Last time, I left you as we were about to board a boat to cross to an "enchanted island", just of the coast of Hiroshima and properly known as Miyajima.
The short boat ride soon had us on the busy island that is considered to be the most holy in all Japan. It was busy with tourists but quite atmospheric at low tide. The giant toro gate was looking a little grubby but, stuck in the water in all winds and weathers, it would be, I suppose. Pete and I were treated to a barbecued octopus leg on a stick by PW - actually not that tasty so Paddy devoured all three. Lots of tame deer are hanging around totally unbothered by the hoardes of people. The return boat was a dinner cruise which, for some reason, 5 of us were banished to another level from the others to eat like naughty children, and so we missed the dinner entertainment.
During the jollifications Adrian was busy trying to remove all the last traces of crap from the fuel line tha has been causing us so many problems. This involved draining the tank and generally giving everything a good wash and brush up. "Shit in the fuel" (technical term) has been a constant cry from car 9 since the rally started. Many crews have been having fuel problems and we have also had some "volatility" which, I think, means petrol has been getting too hot. But what do I know? You'd have to ask the technical side of the partnership for clarification on that.
Anyway, we got back to the hotel to find Adrian along with the Evans team, Charlie and Richard and poor Chris Lunn whose half shaft has broken on his gorgeous Bentley (there is a plan) enjoying dinner with all the work done.
We were in Hiroshima and so a visit to the Peace Park and museum was a must. The rally had organised buses and guides to take everyone but three of us decided to go very early to experience the park when all was quiet. I'd been before but found I just as moving as before. The island on which the park sits is beautiful - the A dome is just across the river. We reflected on what it must be living somewhere that is defined by one huge event over coffee whilst waiting for the museum to open.
Feeling not a little harrowed, we taxied back to the hotel to throw things in the car and set off. The Ford needed some breakfast and we stopped for fuel not to long leaving. Getting back on to the road involved a sharp climb on a busy stretch of road. The inevitable happened and car 9 gave up. Power was lost. The petrol had boiled, apparently. Once it cooled sufficiently off we trotted and, you may find this hard to believe, we didn't break down for the rest of the day - yippee!
We crossed the mountains to the western side of Honshu on a beautiful road, went through fishing villages and visited Omori, an atmospheric old village which serviced the nearby silver mine now a World Heritage Site. We arrived at Matsue, our night halt, in daylight and so were able to visit the castle. There was an interesting shrine there whose symbol is a fox and thousands of little white fox statues adorn it. There was no one there but me and the birds singing and I loved it. Needless to say, Mr S was tinkering. He had parked in a small open space next to a little conference centre in the castle grounds. Whilst I was gone, he told me a man came out trying to tell him something but as his Japanese is not too good, he didn't understand. The man then came out and handed him a tiny piece of paper on which was written 'it is prohibited to park here so go away'. I love Japan.
The short boat ride soon had us on the busy island that is considered to be the most holy in all Japan. It was busy with tourists but quite atmospheric at low tide. The giant toro gate was looking a little grubby but, stuck in the water in all winds and weathers, it would be, I suppose. Pete and I were treated to a barbecued octopus leg on a stick by PW - actually not that tasty so Paddy devoured all three. Lots of tame deer are hanging around totally unbothered by the hoardes of people. The return boat was a dinner cruise which, for some reason, 5 of us were banished to another level from the others to eat like naughty children, and so we missed the dinner entertainment.
During the jollifications Adrian was busy trying to remove all the last traces of crap from the fuel line tha has been causing us so many problems. This involved draining the tank and generally giving everything a good wash and brush up. "Shit in the fuel" (technical term) has been a constant cry from car 9 since the rally started. Many crews have been having fuel problems and we have also had some "volatility" which, I think, means petrol has been getting too hot. But what do I know? You'd have to ask the technical side of the partnership for clarification on that.
Anyway, we got back to the hotel to find Adrian along with the Evans team, Charlie and Richard and poor Chris Lunn whose half shaft has broken on his gorgeous Bentley (there is a plan) enjoying dinner with all the work done.
We were in Hiroshima and so a visit to the Peace Park and museum was a must. The rally had organised buses and guides to take everyone but three of us decided to go very early to experience the park when all was quiet. I'd been before but found I just as moving as before. The island on which the park sits is beautiful - the A dome is just across the river. We reflected on what it must be living somewhere that is defined by one huge event over coffee whilst waiting for the museum to open.
Feeling not a little harrowed, we taxied back to the hotel to throw things in the car and set off. The Ford needed some breakfast and we stopped for fuel not to long leaving. Getting back on to the road involved a sharp climb on a busy stretch of road. The inevitable happened and car 9 gave up. Power was lost. The petrol had boiled, apparently. Once it cooled sufficiently off we trotted and, you may find this hard to believe, we didn't break down for the rest of the day - yippee!
We crossed the mountains to the western side of Honshu on a beautiful road, went through fishing villages and visited Omori, an atmospheric old village which serviced the nearby silver mine now a World Heritage Site. We arrived at Matsue, our night halt, in daylight and so were able to visit the castle. There was an interesting shrine there whose symbol is a fox and thousands of little white fox statues adorn it. There was no one there but me and the birds singing and I loved it. Needless to say, Mr S was tinkering. He had parked in a small open space next to a little conference centre in the castle grounds. Whilst I was gone, he told me a man came out trying to tell him something but as his Japanese is not too good, he didn't understand. The man then came out and handed him a tiny piece of paper on which was written 'it is prohibited to park here so go away'. I love Japan.
I'm writing this at 3am - such dedication - and wondering when "Line of Duty" will be available on iPlayer. Sleep is proving a little elusive on this rally, regrettably.
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