Sand sculptures, snow, karaoke and geisha.

We're in Kyoto for our welcome first rest day and a chance to draw breath and get the laundry done. 

It's been a great couple days driving along with some interesting sights. One of the  reasons I love Japan is because everything is different here. From the big stuff right down to the smallest detail it will often surprise you.  Everyone you come across is unfailingly courteous and helpful - we have  even been bowed to by the traffic controller at roadworks.  

We've travelled beside the coast with the sea a steely grey in the rain, passed endless fishing villages, gone up mountains with real snow, through charming thatched villages, along US style strip development and to isolated settlements only reachable by extremely narrow and twisty roads. 

At the lunch stop a couple of days ago there was a sand sculpture museum. A few of us were reluctant to go but were so glad we did. It was stupendous and, remarkably, is changed every year by sculptors from all over the world - except the UK.  If you ever find yourself in Tottori, western Honshu, I urge you to go.

Car 9 was pulled over  by the police yesterday morning, not far from the start. A charming, Lilliputian policeman interrogated Mr S. made a few calls and sent us on our way wishing us "good luck". Or rather "good ruck". 

Last night we were extremely privileged to be allowed to dine and be entertained at the famous Ichikiri Tea House, in Gion. It is over three hundred years old and is not somewhere you can just book, a personal invitation is needed.  For those who have read "Memoirs of a Geisha" it will be familiar. 

What a great evening it was. A kazeki dinner served by Geishas and Maiko (trainee geishas) who entertained us with traditional music and dance afterwards. Unforgettable.  It was also a sad farewell to Pete who has been replaced as Pads' co-driver by the lovely Scott. 

A few of us lowered the tone of the evening somewhat by going to a karaoke bar afterwards. Enough said.

Oops. - I haven't mentioned the car. A few minor stoppages, rather than breakdowns and a bit of carb flooding, nothing major.  Scott has kindly brought out some parts for us and stuff for other people. The good news is that Chris Lunn's Bentley has a new half shift fitted and they're back in the rally. 

iPad has stopped supporting blogger and it is giving me no end of problems as, for some reason, I cannot correct typos and also the order is all over the place. It's on notice: when I get home I'm moving to Wordpress