It was wet when I got up, so I was glad I had stayed under cover. In the service area, I found a place to use my computer, and spent most of the morning sorting out the photos of Miyajima. I made some more CDs as I waited.
It was a long wait – I don’t think I was on the road until after 1 p.m. – that’s six hours waiting, my longest ever. Still, I wasn’t exactly making an effort. The gentleman was studying at a university in Hiroshima, so took me to the next parking area. Again, there was quite a wait for the next two lifts. Still, the weather wasn’t so good, so I wasn’t disappointed. The aim was to get to Matsuyama by the evening and go to Dogo hot spring.
I didn’t make my aim. I got to Kibi Service area, near Okayama. From there, I got a lift across the Seto bridge to Toyohama Service Area. Finally, at midnight, a truck gave me a lift into Matsuyama. He asked where I wanted to go, and I said ” the castle,” though anywhere in the city would be suitable – I could easily walk. He dropped me near the castle.
I needed some food, so went towards the station in search of a convenience store. On the way, I met some Nepalese salesmen, selling Mandalas, though it’s more difficult these days. One of them was interested in the photos.
I bought some food for tomorrow, and then headed back to the castle. It’s a long walk up a mountain, so I didn’t get into my sleeping bag until almost 2.30 a.m.