Today I walked further than I ever have before, or ever will again (until I do the Round The Mountain track in one day). I feel pretty good all things considered. My heels feel like they’ve taken a pounding but I’m not limping or creaking. I wonder if it’ll be the same story in the morning. A number of factors combined to make today so long. I had to leave my sleeping place early so I didn’t get discovered. It was overcast and not too hot. The road was almost totally flat. But chiefly I like a good challenge and I’m stubborn as hell.

 
A small rain shower passed over in the morning, then one in the afternoon before it became a steady rain. Every time I had my umbrella out I felt like singing a bit so quite a few drivers would have seen a happy gaijin dancing along the side of route 117 this afternoon. And contrary to what Peter A. may say none of them tried to shoot me, but I didn’t see any bears either.

As it got dark I stopped in at a little restaurant and ordered a ramen from the menu. I got a huge bowl of steaming hot bean-sprout ramen and loved it. Now I’m at a dry and well-lit road station, hoping I can sleep on the bench without being bothered. I hope a nice clean sleeping bag and shoes will persuade any guards that I’m a nice person (i.e. I have money) and can stay.

 
Word of the day: mo-yas-hi = bean-sprout

Update: another guy is sleeping here. His wife is in the car. They talked to me as I laid out my sleeping bag. When I told them I was from New Zealand the man clarified with his wife that it’s the same as Australia. And again after I got them to take a photo and I’d rolled over to sleep I heard him say Australia again. Maybe New Zealand needs to increase its public profile.

Distance today: 68 km